https://www.facebook.com/106862634429127/

Bryan's Gravestone Restoration

Home
United States
West Springfield, MA
Bryan's Gravestone Restoration

Gravestone cleaning Around Memorial Day of 2020, I took a trip to Lexington and Concord to learn more information about the Revolutionary War.

On the way home, I stopped by a local cemetery in my town of West Springfield, Massachusetts, to see the headstones of Revolutionary War veterans. Realizing the condition of some of their stones, I began to research how to go about restoring headstones. Once squared away, I began restoring headstones at cemeteries in West Springfield. What was originally the goal of honoring veterans, turned into retelling the stories of residents who lived in town over the past few hundred years, as well as retelling my families story. In addition, and by request, I restore headstones for others as well.

10/26/2026

Thank you to those who attended tonight's tour at Union Street Cemetery.

Photo Credit: Ali Lyne

10/23/2026

A triple headstone for siblings Rufus, Homer, and Mercy White (1783, 1794, and 1794) at Park Street Cemetery in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Carved by John Ely.

10/17/2026

Come take a free tour around Union Street Cemetery on Sunday, October 25, from 6 to 7 p.m. This is West Springfield’s oldest cemetery, having been established in 1711. It’s located at the corner of Union and Church streets. The tour will be led by Bryan Burlingham, co-chair of the Paucatuck Cemetery Association and a member of the West Springfield Historical Commission.

Those in attendance will receive a copy of the 1711 deed to Union Street Cemetery. Bring your own lanterns or flashlights. Parking is available in the lot next to the cemetery. The rain date will be Saturday, October 24, from 6 to 7 p.m.

During the tour, you’ll learn about those buried within the cemetery, including a Hessian prisoner of war, a granddaughter of a couple who played a role in Springfield's witchcraft accusations and were later involved in a family tragedy years later, West Springfield's first minister, the person with the oldest gravestone in town, and of course, one of the most prominent names in West Springfield's history, Josiah Day.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1863202887994612

10/02/2026

Harriet Ashley passed away on December 18th, 1825. Her great-grandfather, Benjamin Ashley, served as a Fence Viewer for Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1731, 1737 and 1740. Harriet’s grandfather, Benjamin Ashley, served in the Revolutionary War. He also served as a Selectman of West Springfield, Massachusetts, from 1800 to 1801. Benjamin operated a boat building yard in West Springfield, along with Daniel Ely.

Harriet’s father, Elijah Ashley, once owned land that became Bear Hole, while living in the Tatham section of West Springfield. He also opposed the construction of the Boston and Albany railroad, when it was staked out across his farm, by writing letters to newspapers. Harriet was only seven years old when she passed away. She is buried in Meeting House Hill Cemetery.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58748209/harriet-ashley

09/29/2026

In 1902, Wilson Miles Day published “A Family Retrospect: the Days.” The 48-page book focused on the history of his family, most of whom lived in West Springfield, where the majority of the book’s photos were taken. One of these photos, possibly taken in September 1902, features Union Street Cemetery, as some of Wilson’s family members are buried there. Looking northeast from Union Street, the cemetery is in the foreground, with Irving Street just behind it. At the moment, this is the oldest photo of the cemetery. One thing to mention, however, is that there is an error in its description.

Wilson indicated that his 2nd great-grandfather, Colonel Benjamin Day, is buried in Union Street Cemetery. However, Benjamin is actually buried in Park Street Cemetery, his gravestone standing near the front of it. Wilson discusses more of Benjamin and the presumed location of his burial on page 19. Another thing worth mentioning is that on May 26, 1901, a year before the photo of Union Street Cemetery was taken, James Newton Bagg wrote in his diary that he “finished setting out grave stones in Union St. ground.” Click the link to read Wilson’s book, see more photos of West Springfield, and learn about their connections to his family.

https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_Family_Retrospect_the_Days/xm2hIoDDd5sC?hl=en&gbpv=1

09/27/2026

Laura (Briggs) Ashley passed away on June 11th, 1843. Her father, Seth Briggs, served in the Revolutionary War. He also served as a Selectman of Dummerston, Vermont, in 1807 and 1808. On May 9th, 1837, Laura married Silas Ashley, whom she had one child with. She is buried in Meeting House Hill Cemetery.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58748322/laura-ashley

09/17/2026

Russell Pepper passed away on October 18th, 1840. He was only one year old when he lost his father, Gaius Pepper. On November 16th, 1822, Russell married Betsey (Barnes) Pepper, whom he had eight children with, two of which died at young ages. The Pepper family lived on Cayenne Street in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Russell’s house still stands there. He is buried in Ashleyville Cemetery.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58576122/russell-pepper

09/13/2026

Lovicy (Champion) Ashley passed away on November 26th, 1848, due to consumption. Her grandfather, Reuben Champion, served as a surgeon in the Continental Army. He passed away at Fort Ticonderoga on March 29th, 1777, due to a fever. Lovicy’s father, Reuben Champion, served in the Revolutionary War as well.

On November 14th, 1811, Lovicy married Elijah Ashley, whom she had three children with. On that day, Lovicy met with Elijah at her family’s home on Amostown Road, where Elijah arrived with a coach and four black horses, the luxurious coach having yellow wheels and body. She is buried in Meeting House Hill Cemetery.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58748191/lovicy-ashley

09/12/2026

Today, the Agawam Historical Association hosted a gravestone carving demonstration at the historic Thomas Smith House, located in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts. The demonstration was done by Randall Nelson of Nelson Architectural Restoration, who is not only a gravestone conservator, but a gravestone carver as well. This was an interactive event in which those in attendance were given the opportunity to carve stones themselves. The types of stones ranged from brownstone to slate.

In addition, Randall place his dedication marker for Agawam's Liberty Tree in the ground. This marker was carved by Randall himself, and the tree was planted earlier in the year. You can now view both the tree and dedication marker when visiting the Thomas Smith House.

Address

West Springfield, MA
01089

Website

facebook.com

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Bryan's Gravestone Restoration posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.