Episode 7: Degenerate, Part 1

The Kathan Cemetery in Putney, VT, is the oldest burying ground in town, set up by and for the earliest Anglo-American settlers in the area. It’s situated on a high bluff, on an old road that used to connect the village of Putney to the Connecticut River. All pretty typical New Englandy stuff. But from the first approach to this place, you can tell something’s not right. First, it’s tucked away, behind a house and you have to literally cross the yard to access it. Second, there are only a few slate stones on site, most of them were broken, with chunks of slate from other broken gravestones all over the ground.

This scene of vandalism is NOT typical New Englandy stuff. Or is it?

*Note: The burying grounds mentioned in this episode are either on public land and are accessible via public roads or have access via a legal right-of-way. The Western Abenaki burying ground in Bellows Falls, VT and the African Burying Ground in Portsmouth, NH are located in heavily industrialized and urbanized areas of their respective cities. Their locations in particular, are well known in their communities and a matter of public record: by talking about their locations in this episode, TSLoD isn’t revealing the locations of any clandestine, undisturbed burial spots.

---

Transcript: Episode 7: Degenerate, Part 1

---

View fullsize
Kathan Cemetery, Putney VT View fullsize
Archibald Moore View fullsize
Unknown Moore View fullsize
William Divoll View fullsize
Washington St. Cemetery, Keene NH View fullsize
Capt. Ephraim Dorman View fullsize
Western Abenaki Burial Ground, BF, VT View fullsize
The Falls and The Mountain

---

Special Thanks:
Interviewees: Brian Post, Dry Stone Walling Association certified, Advanced Level 3 DSWA certification, DSWA instructor, gravestone restoration
http://standingstonevt.com/

Cemetery Warriors:
Kate Butt, Jon Midura, Myles Mickle, Kate Buckman and Michael Bruno

Musical Arrangement and Accompaniment:
Jennifer Vannell and Badger Studios, Denver, CO

---