Dr. Ezra Carter headstone, undated

Collection Name:

George W. Perry Scrapbooks

Title:

Dr. Ezra Carter headstone, undated

Creator:

Perry, George W., 1891-1971

Creator Role:

Collector

Accession / Call Number:

1974.045

Object ID:

1974.045.28.011

Type of Material:

graphic material

Physical Description:

1 photograph

Language:

English

Scope and Content:

Undated photographic print of Dr. Ezra Carter's headstone at the Old North Cemetery in Concord, NH. The caption states, "Old North Cemetery Dr. Ezra Carter Esq. 1767 Was the first regular physician in Penacook He came to this town about 1740 and in 1742 he married Ruth, only daughter of Capt. Ebenezer Eastman, who at the time of her marriage, was but 13 years of age. According to family tradition their first child was born before she was 14 years old. After marriage Ruth retained her love for childish sports; and, on one occasion, the doct[or] on returning home, found his wife playing with other children on the hay-mow. Connec[ted] with Capt. Eastman's family, being respectably educated and a good penman, Dr. Carter soon became prominent in town affairs, as well as distinguished as a physician. In M[ay] 1747, he was first chosentown clerk, in the place of Benjamin Rolfe, Esq. His practi[ce] as a physician extended into neighboring towns. On a certain ossasion Dr. Carter was called to visit a sick family in Bow. The family were a long time sick. He was their constant attendant; and, on their recovery, the poor man felt new troubles coming upo[n] him. 'How, doctor,' said the unhappy man, 'am I to pay you for all your kindness, your attention and medicine? You see here a large family, destitute of every thing save th[e] bare necessaries of life.' 'I have been faithful to you,' replied the doctor, 'and I a[m] entitled to a reward.' 'You are doctor, oh you are!' said the trembling wife, 'but do wa a little; we can't pay you now.' 'I can inform you, my good friends,' said the doctor 'that I am knowing to your having property enough to satisfy my demands; and moreover that I shall have it before leaving the house.' The poor family were thunder-stuck; They knew not what to do. At that moment, away scampered a flock of kittens across the room, which the doctor seeing, caught one of them and put it in his pocket. 'I told you I should have my pay,' said the doctor; 'I have got it. Good bye, and God bless you!' Many anecdotes of this kind are related of him, and one of his last acts of his life was equally noble. Just before his decease he looked over his accounts, filled our rec against all the poor persons who were indebted to him, with directions that his execu[tor] should deliver them to those concered [concerned] immediatly [immediately] after his death. He died in the meridian of manhood, September 17, 1767, aged 48. This plain, Old-fashioned grave-stone, erected on the brow of the ascent, after you enter the burying-ground, on the south side, his name is engraved--EZRA CARTER, ESQ."

Subjects:

Cemeteries , Gravestones

Locations:

Concord, NH

People:

Perry, George W., 1891-1971

Organizations:

Old North Cemetery (Concord, N.H.)

Terms of Use:

For permission to reproduce or publish material from this collection, please contact the New Hampshire Historical Society. Researchers are responsible for following all copyright and intellectual property laws.

Credit Line:

Gift of May Nutter.

Restrictions:

Available for research.

Level Description:

Item

Box Number:

6