I love old cemeteries and if there is one thing that New England is not short of, it's cemeteries.

Pine Hill Cemetery - Jenne Holmes
Pine Hill Cemetery - Jenne Holmes
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I find them to be quiet places that offer space for reflection, memories, and above all a chance to delve into the unique stories that can often be found lurking within the tombstones.

This past weekend I attended a guided tour around Dover's, Pine Hill Cemetery. Our guide for the tour was ex-city councilman Doug Dede, whose passion for the cemetery and the history of not only its occupants, but also the town of Dover, was all to evident as we assembled outside the Chapel at 10.30am.

As the small but very interested group began to walk, we listened and learned. We learned the history of the cemetery, from it's earliest days as a 15th century Indian burial ground, until the concept of a public cemetery in Dover was entertained and put into practice in 1763. As attitudes towards death began to change, so did the way that people were interred, as did the art and designs of the headstones.

Tombstone of Daniel Hall - Jenne Holmes
Tombstone of Daniel Hall - Jenne Holmes
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There were several stories that have stayed with me, and give a unique glimpse into Dover's history. One of the first and most impressive tombs and in some ways story on the tour was that of Daniel Hall.

Hall, a local man, who served in the civil war and was aide to President Lincoln shortly before Lincoln's death. When Hall meet his own death he bequeathed a saddle that had been ridden by Lincoln to the Woodman Museum  which is another of Dover's treasures if you've never visited.

Dover's link to Lincoln does not end there though and neither did the tour. Also at Pine Hill can be found the tomb stone of Lucy Hale. Lucy was the daughter of Senator John Parker Hale, who is also buried at Pine Hill. What makes her story so interesting is that she was secretly engaged to Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth, much to the despair of her Father, who was a well known abolitionist of the time.

Lucy Hale Chandlers Gravestone With Her Father's Tomb In The Background - Jenne Holmes
Lucy Hale Chandlers Gravestone With Her Father's Tomb In The Background - Jenne Holmes
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If both these stories seemed a little historical and you prefer your history on the sweeter side, then the residents of Pine Hill have plenty of love stories to offer. The one we learned about on the tour that morning was the sad story of Cordelia Teatherly Griffin.

Teatherly was a young widow who fell in love with local businesses man Henry Law, who by the way, was very generous to the city of Dover. Cordelia's love was returned by Law, but there was but one sticking point that kept them from marrying, a small dog that Cordelia adored. Law broke off the engagement when Cordelia refused to part with her beloved pet.

She was broken hearted and took her own life some years later. Located next to Law's grave, is a statue of a weeping woman whose back is turned to her former fiance forever. As our guide pointed out the one thing missing from the statue that sits atop Cordelia's tomb is the dog that caused her such unhappiness.

Cordelia Teatherly's back will be forever turned on her only love, Henry Law - Jenne Holmes
Cordelia Teatherly's back will be forever turned on her only love, Henry Law - Jenne Holmes
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These are just some of the stories that were covered in our 90 minute tour and each and every one proved to be just as fascinating.

If you would like to take a walking tour yourself, and I highly recommend it, there is a tour taking place on Saturday 26th September, 2015. Just call the Dover Chamber of Commerce to reserve your spot at (603) 742-2218. The cost of the tour is $10.

You can find more articles and local coverage from Jenne Holmes SomersworthNow.com. 

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