Joseph Sharp

Joseph Sharp
?-1698

This stone is the oldest original grave marker in Slate Hill Cemetery. It is dated 1698. Though we know there were burials prior to this date as the cemetery was established in 1690, Slate Hill was a strictly Quaker cemetery. Back then, Quakers did not believe in headstones or any sort of marker as they felt it was a sign of pride. For this reason, the original section of the cemetery (basically from where you are standing due south to the corner of Main & Mahlon), though full of burials, has very few stones, save for later stones erected once things got a bit more relaxed!

This stone reads “Here lies the body of Joseph Sharp the son of Christopher.” Assumptions lead us to believe Joseph was a child, considering the only information is that of his father, however we have been unable to unearth any strong evidence regarding Joseph’s history.

Why did he receive a stone if Quakers didn’t approve of them at the time? Was he not Quaker? If so, why is he buried here? Is the placement of his grave (in the back corner of the original section) a clue as to who he was?

If you have any information, please contact us!