Bryan's Gravestone Restoration

05/27/2026

05/25/2026

Alexander Monroe passed away on January 28th, 1923. He was born in Scotland. After immigrating to the United States, Alexander settled in Boston, Massachusetts. There, he worked as a polisher. Three months prior to Alexander’s passing, he moved in with his sister, who lived on Piper Road in West Springfield, Massachusetts. He is buried in Meeting House Hill Cemetery.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69486975/alexander-munroe

05/21/2026

Henry Morgan passed away on February 10th, 1840. His 2nd great-grandfather, Nathaniel Morgan, served as a Fence Viewer for Springfield, Massachusetts, for ten terms. He also served as a Constable in 1712. Henry’s great-grandfather, Ebenezer Morgan, was chosen as a Constable for Springfield on March 14th, 1727. Henry’s grandfather, Nathan Morgan, served in the Revolutionary War. Henry was 29 years old when he passed away. He is buried in Meeting House Hill Cemetery.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/60197291/henry-morgan

05/17/2026

Mary (Cobb) Diman passed away on January 1st, 1857, due to consumption. She was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts on December 19th, 1813. On February 5th, 1834, Mary married Ezra Diman, whom she had six children with, two of whom passed away at young ages in 1847. She is buried in Burial Hill, which is located in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Mary’s gravestone was cleaned while attending a workshop hosted by Friends of Burial Hill, who continues to provide care for the cemetery, as well as repairing, resetting and cleaning gravestones.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/92261359/mary-diman

05/13/2026

John R. Spurway drowned in the Connecticut River on August 14th, 1859. He was born in Devon, England. John, nicknamed Jack Shepard, was employed in the forging shop of the Western Railroad in Springfield. On August 14th, 1859, he was bathing alone in the Connecticut River, near the west end of the railroad’s bridge. It’s believed that John suffered from a cramp, causing him to drown. He is buried in Meeting House Hill Cemetery.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58992781/john-r-spurway

05/12/2026

On January 23, 1800, seven acres of land belonging to Benjamin Stebbins was purchased by the inhabitants of West Springfield for $50. On April 7, 1807, it was voted “to appropriate such part of the land east of the new meetinghouse for a burying ground as shall be thought best.” This became White Church Cemetery, which sits next to the White Church.

On April 14, 1808, Eleanor (Miller) Ashley passed away and was the first person buried in White Church Cemetery. On October 18, 1859, the West Springfield Cemetery Association formed and oversaw the cemetery. The first deed for a burial lot there was issued to James Newton Bagg on July 21, 1862.

Come take a free tour around White Church Cemetery on Sunday, May 24, from noon to 1 p.m. Learn about the various types of gravestones, local gravestone carvers, the history of the cemetery and the stories of those buried within it. Parking is available on the dirt path along the cemetery. The tour will be hosted by Bryan Burlingham of Bryan's Gravestone Restoration, the West Springfield Historical Commission and the Paucatuck Cemetery Association.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2175341229666030

04/25/2026

Ruggles Kent committed su***de on March 15th, 1841. His great-grandfather, Benjamin Kent, held two town positions for Suffield, Connecticut. He served as a Constable for two years, and the Town Clerk for 18 years. Ruggles became a member of the First Congregational Church of West Springfield in 1824. He also served as a Selectman in 1822.

About two weeks prior to committing su***de, Ruggles received a blow to his head and exhibited symptoms of aberration of mind shortly after. On March 15th, 1841, just minutes before taking his life, he consulted with Doctor Strong on his condition. Ruggles expressed a fear of being taken to the Worcester Insane Asylum, but Dr. Strong stated that he wasn’t a fit subject and prepared some medicine for him.

However, Ruggles had left his house and plunged headfirst into a well, drowning in the process. His friends began to search for him. Ruggles’ body was found in the well minutes after plunging into it. He is buried in Meeting House Hill Cemetery.

04/17/2026

William Morgan passed away on November 14th, 1845, due to consumption. He is buried in Meeting House Hill Cemetery.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58890135/william-morgan

03/27/2026

Ruth Stella King passed away on June 8th, 1910, due to phthisis pulmonalis. She had been suffering from lung affection for six months. Ruth attended Main Street School and had a high grade of scholarship. She is buried in Meeting House Hill Cemetery.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58858926/ruth-stella-king

03/16/2026

Daniel Granger White passed away on July 19th, 1878, due to enteritis convulsions. His great-grandfather, Pliny White, held multiple town positions for West Springfield, Massachusetts. He served as a Moderator for two years, and a Selectman for five.

Daniel’s grandfather, Daniel Granger White, also held multiple town positions for West Springfield. He served as a Moderator for eight years, a Representative for two, and a Selectman for five. Daniel also served on the School Committee for two years. In addition, he was president of the Holyoke Paper Company, as well as vice president of the Hampden Agricultural Library Association. Daniel’s father, Daniel Granger White, served as West Springfield’s town librarian from 1887 to 1913.

Daniel was only five months old when he passed away. He is buried in Meeting House Hill Cemetery.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/59006466/daniel_granger-white