Nathaniel Emmes (1690 - 1750) was a well known Boston carver. He learned the trade from his neighbor William Mumford. Nathaniel in turn taught his sons Henry (1716 - 1767) and Josua (1719 - 1772). He also had William Codner (1709 - 1769) as an apprentice in his shop. Emmes became the most popular gravestone maker in Boston during the first half of the 18th century.
Identifying features characteristic of Emmes include ornate borders including tympanum borders, graduated discs in the finials, indented skulls and often crossed bones over the winged skull. In the inscription Emmes generally used 'LYES' rather than 'LIES' and 'DEC'D' rather than 'DIED'.The marker of James Paine (1711) has his initials NE carved in the tympanum (barely visible). The literature indicates that Henry Emmes of Newport carved and signed the marker of Thomas Sturgis (1763). Most Emmes gravestones on Cape Cod display winged skulls but some of the early winged heads may have been carved by Emmes. The following gravestones are of the type carved by the Emmes family although some of the early gravestones may be the work of William Mumford.
Marcy Freeman (1711) - Eastham Cove Cem. |
Joshua Doane (1716) - Wellfleet Chequessett Neck Cem. |
Mary Doane (1716) - Wellfleet Chequessett Neck Cem. |
Thomas Lewes (1718) - Eastham Cove Cem. |
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