Voices from the Past

1835 Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua cemetery.

We toured a local historic cemetery over the weekend. No, we didn't hear any voices or see any spirits, but learned about the history of Nashua, NH, and some of its notable residents through 18 re-enactors dressed in period attire.

Notable Nashuans: Voices from the Past was designed, hosted and conducted by the Nashua Historical Society as a journey through Nashua history within the grounds of the 1835 Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua cemetery. 

Nashua Historical Society logo

This wasn't a spooky, haunted or interactive tour, but a historical one. Its purpose was to present information on the lives and legacies of some of Nashua' most notable residents who played pivotal roles in shaping the city's identity, from community leaders to many others. It offered participants a glimpse into bygone eras while standing near their final resting places. 

As non-natives of Nashua, NH, we appreciated learning more about its history. And, as members of the Nashua Historical Society, we attend as many of these events as possible.

Founded in 1870, The Nashua Historical Society is a volunteer run, independent, non-profit organization which receives no operating support from the state or the City of Nashua. The Historical Society's motto is Preserving the Past for the Future. In support of this, the society collects, preserves and interprets materials related to Nashua history.

Partial view of Unitarian Universalist cemetery

The cemetery, located behind the Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua was developed in 1835 when the city's founding fathers, many who were church members, realized they would need a place to be buried. As a result, many of Nashua’s prominent families were buried in the cemetery which now holds much of the city's history.

The Unitarian Church was formed in 1827 as the First Congregational Society in Dunstable, now Nashua, NH, and many of Nashua's founding civic leaders attended it. Congregationalism in the U.S. consists of Protestant churches in the Reformed tradition that have a congregational form of church government and trace their origins mainly to Puritan settlers of colonial New England. The First Universalist Society was founded in 1818. During the 1830s, the two congregations worshiped together before merging.

Re-enactors portrayed notable Nashua residents of the past

The tour consisted of two timed loops at 1 and 3 pm, participants could select one or both (as we did). Volunteer re-enactors adorned in period attire were stationed at nine selected cemetery plots along each of the two tour loops. Going on both tours, we saw and heard 18 re-enactors. Each location featured vignettes about the person, spoken as if they were able to be here to share their stories. 

Before beginning the tours, participants were able to view several funerary items courtesy of a local funeral home. The items on display were an 1840s sleigh hearse, antique Gleason cooling table and a vintage transfer basket. 

Cooling table produced by B.F. Gleason company

The cooling table was a perforated wooden platform on which a dead body would be temporarily stored and prepared for a funeral. Ice was placed beneath it to keep the body chilled and to slow the decomposition process. The tables were also used for the embalming procedure when the holes acted as drainage during the preservation and removal of liquids. 

Ad for Gleason table (Internet source)

B. F. Gleason of Brockport, NY, sold these folding, portable cooling tables countrywide. The tables folded up small for transport. During the Victorian era, funerals would have been held within the home of the deceased who more often died at home where their body would remain until interment. This type of cooling table would have been placed over large blocks of ice and cool air would go through holes in the table to preserve the body.

Wicker coffin or transfer basket

Wicker coffins or transfer baskets were used to store bodies before being they were moved for burial or while waiting for a doctor to pronounce the individual dead. In the Victorian era and post Civil War these coffins were used for viewings, where guests would come to pay final respects to the deceased while the body was placed in the coffin “on view.” Wicker coffins were used up until the 1930s for removing bodies from crime scenes, before bodybags became associated with that task. There’s a current movement in funerals towards “natural” burial options that include wicker coffins. 

A sleigh hearse for winter funerals

The sleigh hearse was something we had never seen before but, since this is New England, it seems that it was very practical for funerals held in winter weather.

Re-enactor at cemetery tour

The condition of the cemetery walkways required caution with uneven terrain and some steep steps. Participants were advised in advance that they should be able to stand for an hour or more The tour was not wheelchair accessible and proper footwear was encouraged as well. 

Abbot headstone

Funds raised by The Nashua Historical Society from this event will be used for ongoing efforts to preserve the memory of Daniel Abbot considered to be the Father of Nashua because of his many contributions to the city.

For many years, Abbot was the most prominent resident in Nashua, NH. Born in MA, he graduated from Harvard, studied law and was a fellow student of Daniel Webster.  A leader in town affairs and politics, he served as the first president of the Nashua and Lowell Railroad, president of the Wilton Railroad, first president of the Nashua Bank and was an officer of other city banks.  

Abbot was also a co-founder and first president of the Nashua Manufacturing Company, now Clocktower Place Apartments where we currently reside. He was one of the chief supporters of the Unitarian Universalist Church. In 1804, he moved into a home on the corner of what is now known as Abbot Street.

Views of re-enactors and tour participants

We enjoyed this historical tour which highlighted many of the historical Nashua names we have heard about and especially the connections to Nashua Manufacturing Company. This June, the Nashua Historical Society will be unveiling a new exhibit titled World War II in Nashua — The Home Front and Beyond. We're looking forward to attending that event; the historical society always gives an excellent and informative series of presentations.

Your Turn — Do you have a similar historical society in your area?