In Milford, New Hampshire, theres a gravestone that just wont shut up. It belongs to one Caroline Cutter, who died in the mid-1800s. Its simple, white, and rectangular, and is crammed with about 150 words of painstakingly etched accusation, courtesy of her husband, Dr. Calvin Cutter.
The gravestone says:
Caroline H., Wife of Calvin Cutter, M.D.Murdered by the Baptist Ministry and BaptistChurches As follows: Sept. 28, 1838; aged 33She was accused of lying in church meeting by theRev. D. D. Pratt and Deacon Albert AdamsWas condemned by the church unheard.She was reduced to povertyby Deacon William WallaceWhen an exparte council was asked of the MilfordBaptist Church, by the advice of their committee,George Raymond, Calvin Averill,and Andrew HutchinsonThey voted not to receive any communication onthe subject. The Rev. Mark Carpenter said hethought as the good old Deacon said,Weve got Cutter down and its best tokeep him down. The intentional and maliciousdestruction of her character And happiness asabove described destroyed her life. Her last wordsupon the subject were Tell the Truth and TheIniquity will come out
According to New Hampshire historian Fritz Wetherbee, the Cutters were kicked out of the church referenced on the gravestone because Calvin was bullying members into funding the construction of another church in town that he had pushed to be built, and had so far himself funded only on his own empty promises. Caroline apparently took the expulsion pretty hard.
The grave is located in Elm Street Cemetery, about 20 paces from the opening in the first row of graves. A large memorial boulder with a plaque sits on the plot a mere foot or so in front of Carolines headstone. The boulder is a memorial to Carrie Cutter, the daughter of Calvin and Caroline. The plaque states that Carrie was the first female to enter the service of her country in the Civil War, the first that fell at her post, and the first to form organized efforts to supply the sick of the army.
Adapted with Permission from: The New England Grimpendium by J.W. Ocker
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