Carved in Stone

Dear Diary,

A long day yesterday but well worth it.  My friends and I made the three hour ride to Belfast, Maine to meet with master stone carver, Douglas Coffin.  He and his daughter do traditional slate and granite head stones.  I chose a mottled green slate that reminded me of the dark Atlantic Ocean of the coast of Maine.  There is still much to be decided and with his work load it won't be until early summer next year before he can begin the project.  I am hoping for a fall 2017 installation.

That is just fine with me as it will take that long to save up for it but when you are commissioning a piece like this from an artisan of Douglas's skill it is worth every penny.  This will last for centuries and finally commemorate my 3rd great grandfather who died in 1826 of Yellow Fever in the West Indies and was buried a sea.

Douglas believes that the other stones are best left where they are as they are too damaged to right properly and they are nearly illegible anyway.  I may add their names and dates to this stone.

My friend also was able to uncover a small piece of information about the Captain's son, also Benjamin, who is my 2nd great grandfather.  He was only 6 years old when his father died.  I can add it to the family chronicle.  Each new piece of information adds to the story.  It is well I am doing an album style book that can be easily added to in the years to come!