p.1 #1 · #1198 Sebastian "Boss" Hammond - 1795-1805?
Briefly, "Boss" Hammond was born a slave somewhere in Maryland between 1795 and 1805. 1st records mention his name in 1824 as "property of" Area Hammond(female) and then Ms. Area married John Walker.
Fast forward..."Boss" became a freeman after carving the headstone of his owner, Colonel Thomas Hammond. He became very famous and bought the freedom of his wife, Marcella, and his 4 children.
He is listed as "illiterate" despite the fact that the carving on the headstones is in perfect English at the time. Each stone is dug from a quarry locally called "Sams Creek". Very small creek nearby.
The quarry had a very unique tint to the stone. Olive in color as was the mud in this creek in those days.
All headstones were hand chiseled and remain nearly perfect in 200+ years of weather.
Notice that inscribed on each headstone Boss placed the "Departed" date to within hours of the persons death.
These were 2 sisters passing withing days of each other from sickness.
Sebastian "Boss" Hammond's legacy is a wonderful "read".
Thanks!
Dan
I left the toning of the stone to it's original color, give or take a few hundred years. All other stones in this particular cemetery were white or shades thereof.
p.1 #2 · #1198 Sebastian "Boss" Hammond - 1795-1805?
These sisters were undoubtedly victims of the smallpox epidemic that was brought by fur traders. It wiped out tens of thousands of native people and settlers and was at it's peak in 1837.
Brent
