I just returned from a trip to
Providence, Rhode Island where I attended NERGC 2015 (New England Regional
Genealogical Consortium 2015). This year broke all attendance
records and was a huge success. It was great to attend sessions by knowledgeable speakers and to make friends with geneabloggers that I
follow. It was also good for me to learn more about New England
research and resources. After the conference, I was fortunate to have extra days for researching.
I was able to go to the Clifton Burying Ground in Newport, Rhode Island. Although I couldn't find a tombstone with the name of my ancestor Thomas Clifton, it was a thrill to be on the grounds.
Another cemetery that I visited
was the Common Burying Ground in Newport, Rhode Island. There I found the tombstone of Katharin Ayars, my 8th great
grandmother. The day was cold, windy and raining so finding the
stone, though a challenge, was very special.
Katherin was born in November 1642 in
Cambridge, England to Robert and Marie Taylor. She married Robert
Ayars in St. Marylebone Church, Marlebone, London, England on 24 Oct
1672.
There is little information about their
passage to America or their early years in the colonies.
Katherin died 22 Feb 1684 and was
buried in the Common Burying Ground on Fairwell Street in Newport,
Rhode Island.
Transcript:
HERE LYETH BURIED
Y BODY OF KATHARIN
AYARS WIFE TO
ROBERT AYARS AGED
42 YEARS DEPARTED
THIS LIFE Y 22
DAY OF FEBRUARY
1 6 8 4
Ten generations later, I was humbled and proud to
stand nearby to honor Katharin Ayars, my immigrant ancestor.