A 19th Century Toddler's Restored Gravesite

Sarah Ann Johnson (1827-1829)

Sarah Ann Johnson was born on May 12, 1827 in Dedham. Her parents, Comfort H. Johnson and Susan Loring Johnson were the parents of eight children including twin sons John Adams Johnson and George Washington Johnson, born on November 1, 1822. It appears that the family moved frequently between South Dedham, Walpole, and Dover.

They were living in South Dedham on October 4, 1829 when their little girl, Sarah Ann Johnson, died at the age of 2. Her grave stands alone about a quarter of the way up the slope of Old Parish Cemetery. It is easy to overlook.

In the spring of 2021, Old Parish volunteers uncovered a footstone that belonged to Sarah Ann’s grave. It was repaired and, along with her gravestone, was reset. The small gravestone reads:

Sacred

to the memory of

Sarah Ann Johnson,

daughter of Comfort H. & Susan Johnson

who died

Oct. 4, 1829:

Aged 2 years & 6 months

Sarah Ann Johnson's footstone prior to repair and resetting.

Sarah Ann Johnson's headstone.

Sarah Ann Johnson headstone and footstone reset.