Bryan's Gravestone Restoration

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.

09/02/2026
Samuel Morgan passed away on August 10th, 1880, due to cholera morbus enteritis. His wife, Elizabeth (Reed) Morgan, pass...
08/30/2026

Samuel Morgan passed away on August 10th, 1880, due to cholera morbus enteritis. His wife, Elizabeth (Reed) Morgan, passed away on January 25th, 1893, due to typhoid pneumonia. Their son, Charles Morgan, passed away on June 18th, 1886, due to phthisis and chronic pneumonia. Their daughter, Genevieve Morgan, passed away on October 17th, 1889, due to consumption.

On May 29th, 1847, Samuel and Elizabeth got married and had two children, Charles and Genevieve. Samuel was a member of the committee of reception, as well as a vice president, for West Springfield's centennial celebration in 1874. Genevieve became a member of the First Congregational Church of West Springfield in 1872. They are buried in Ashleyville Cemetery.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58574889/samuel-morgan (Samuel Morgan)

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58574915/elizabeth-morgan (Elizabeth Morgan)

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58574945/charles-w-morgan (Charles Morgan)

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58574973/genevieve-morgan (Genevieve Morgan)

Joseph Ashley passed away on December 27th, 1870. His 2nd great-grandfather, Joseph Ashley, was only 11 years old when h...
08/21/2026

Joseph Ashley passed away on December 27th, 1870. His 2nd great-grandfather, Joseph Ashley, was only 11 years old when he lost his father, also Joseph Ashley. On March 22nd, 1714, he and three other men presented a petition to build a sawmill along Paucatuck Brook in West Springfield, which was granted. On March 12th, 1717, Joseph was chosen as a Constable for Springfield, Massachusetts.

Joseph’s great-grandparents, Joseph and Eleanor (Miller) Ashley, married on August 11th, 1748, and had seven children. Joseph served in the French and Indian War. He also served as a Constable for Springfield in 1755. Eleanor was the first person buried in Meeting House Hill Cemetery after she passed away on April 14th, 1808. Joseph’s grandfather, Joseph Ashley, served in the Revolutionary War.

Joseph lost his sister, Orry Ashley, when he was only four months old. He became a member of the First Congregational Church of West Springfield in 1822. On April 29th, 1824, Joseph married Achsah (Colton) Ashley, whom he had three children with. In 1834, Achsah passed away. On October 23rd, 1835, Joseph married Elizabeth (Smith) Ashley, whom he had eight children with. He is buried in Meeting House Hill Cemetery.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58748051/joseph-ashley

08/15/2026
Charles Cooley Jr. passed away May 10th, 1849, due to consumption. His great-grandfather, Roger Cooley, served in the Re...
08/10/2026

Charles Cooley Jr. passed away May 10th, 1849, due to consumption. His great-grandfather, Roger Cooley, served in the Revolutionary War. Charles’ grandfather, Roger Cooley, also served in the Revolutionary War, having witnessed the ex*****on of Major John Andre in 1780. He was also chosen as a Moderator for West Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1804. On December 7th, 1837, Charles married Rhoda (Root) Cooley, whom he had three children with. He is buried in Meeting House Hill Cemetery.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58803447/charles-cooley

James Van Wagner passed away on May 8th, 1966. His wife, Marie (Churchill) Van Wagner, passed away on January 20th, 1953...
08/06/2026

James Van Wagner passed away on May 8th, 1966. His wife, Marie (Churchill) Van Wagner, passed away on January 20th, 1953. James worked as an engineer for the Boston and Albany Railroad Company for 41 years, retiring on May 18th, 1950. He is believed to be the last living eyewitness to President William McKinley’s assassination. This occurred on September 6th, 1901, at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York.

While standing in line to shake hand hands with President McKinley, James stated “this nut (Leon Czolgosz) stepped out of line in front of me and fired one shot at Mr. McKinley.” He aided Secret Service in overpowering the assassin. James and Marie married on December 12th, 1906. They had two children. James and Mary were both members of various clubs and organizations in West Springfield. They are buried together in Paucatuck Cemetery.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/236835471/james-van_wagner (James Van Wagner)

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/236835500/marie_c-van_wagner (Marie Van Wagner)

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West Springfield, MA
01089

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