Re: Founders Monument, Hartford, CT
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In reply to:
Founders Monument, Hartford, CT
Debbie Smith 3/03/99
I have book "By Their Markers Ye Shall Know Them - A Chronicle of the History and Restoration of Hartford's Ancient Burying Ground", by William Hosley and Shephard m. Holcombe Sr.
Descriptionof Capt. Thomas Hosmer's stone (1675-1732)page 72
" THis excellent pair of stones was made by John Hartshorn of Franklin, CT , the earliest of eastern CT carvers.Hartshorn came to CT fromEssex County, MA, bringing with him a distinctive florid style of carving.
There is a not very clear picture of the stone.
Description of Francis' stone:Frances Hosmer was the wife o f Hartford founder, Thomas Hosmer.Thomas Hosmer was born in Kent County, England, settled in Hartford in 1636, then moved to Northhampton, MA, after his wife's death.Thomas Hosmer was appointed to a succession of town offices and at his death in 1687 declared in his will that " if any of my children shall bring up any of their children to learning so as to make them fit for public service to each such grandchild I do bequeath ten pounds"He also made bequests "toward a free school in Hartford" and "to the poor".Frances Hosmer's son, Stephen was the first Englishman to settle in what is now West Hartford.page 71.
Inscription on Founder's Monument reads " Erected by the Society of the Descendents of The Founders of Hartford AD 1986 to Commemorate the 350th Anniversary of the city. This stone replaces the original.