Many of the best old gravestones on Cape Cod were carved by the Lamson family of Charlestown. The work of several generations of Lamson stonecutters can be found on Cape Cod. Joseph Lamson (1658 - 1722) was the first of the Lamson carvers. The Lamson shop started about 1677. His sons Nathaniel (1692 - 1755) and Caleb (1697 - 1760) followed in the trade. Nathaniel's son Joseph (1728 - 1789) and Caleb's son John (1732 - 1776) also were stone carvers. Lamsons from the next generation include Joseph (1760 - 1808), Caleb (1760 - 1824) and Samuel (1773 - 1818).
The largest concentration of Lamson stones on Cape Cod is in Yarmouth Ancient Cem. Truro Old North Cem. also has many Lamson stones. However, Lamson stones can be found in most Cape old burying grounds.
A distinctive characteristic of Lamson winged skulls are eyebrows often with hooked ends. The eyebrow marks connect to the nose mark. Lamson stones also have a lip like mouth mark above the teeth. The mouth mark adds expression to the skull. Lamson stones often have vines, flowers, berries or other decoration in the tympanum with the winged skull. The early Lamson stones have ornate borders with fruits and gourds often on three or four sides of the inscription area. The Lamsons used a hard slate which has weathered well. Markers that appear to have been produced by the Lamsons include the following. Literature sources confirm some of these attributions.
Cemetery list | Home | Major Carver list |