Capt. William Everett's Tragic Death

                                                                 Lot 166, 167

 Captain William Everett (1757-1802)

Sarah Blackman Everett (1761-1802)

William Everett Jr. was born on May 5, 1757 in Dedham. His parents were William Everett (lot 169) and Sarah Clapp Everett (lot 171).

On July 30, 1785, William Everett married Sarah Blackman who had been born in Stoughton on August 15, 1761. Her parents were Adam and Mary Blackman.

William and Sarah Blackman Everett had nine children: Joel (lot 165), Betsey (lot 168), Ira, Oliver (lot 170), Sally, William, Nancy, Jabez, and Sybil.

Typical 18th Century Musket

William Everett was a member of the local militia, and a Revolutionary War veteran. During his time in the militia, he rose to the rank of Captain. As such, he was at the head of his company on May 4, 1802, which was Muster Day, an annual celebration. As the men assembled for marches and maneuvers, a musket was accidentally discharged and Everett was killed.

The epitaph on William Everett’s gravestone reads:

In Memory of Captain William Everett,

who was kilt at the head of his Company on 4^th

May, 1802, aged 45 years.

Stop traveler, Don’t heedless pass him by,

But drop the expressive tear, and heave a sigh.

Here lies a man whose heart was kind and free.

Whose soul over flowed with Godlike charity.

Only three months earlier, Everett’s wife, Sarah Blackman Everett, had died. Her epitaph reads:

Stop here, my friend, and shed a tear.

Think of the dust that slumbers here.

And when you read this fate of me,

Think on the glass that runs for thee.