In a sobering act reflecting the depths of disrespect, two historic gravestones at Newburyport's Oak Hill Cemetery, were reported vandalized on Sunday. The gravestones, dating back to the late 1800s, belonged to English author James Parton and to the Dodge family, well-regarded members of the Newburyport community, according to NBC Boston. Damage included the forceful removal of plaques and headstones, with Newburyport police stating that such an act demonstrates a "complete disregard for the memory of those laid to rest."
Local historian and caretaker Ghlee Woodworth lamented the destruction in an interview with WCVB, revealing that years of caring for the cemeteries makes this incident particularly distressing. "It's devastating. It's very, very upsetting for all those who care about cemeteries," she said. Police believe that the vandalism occurred between June 29 and July 5, though they reported no similar incidents throughout the city in other cemeteries.
Parton, renowned for his biographies on figures such as Voltaire, Benjamin Franklin, Andrew Jackson, and Thomas Jefferson, and the Dodges, left enduring legacies in literature and within the Newburyport society. The senseless vandalism has thus not only destroyed physical memorials but also inflicted pain upon the broader historical tapestry of the community.
Newburyport police are calling upon the public to aid in their investigation, highlighting the importance of such actions not only for accountability but for the possible restoration of the gravestones, as indicated by City Marshal Matthew Simons in a statement obtained by NBC Boston. Woodworth, appealing to a shared sense of decency, posed a poignant question to the community: "You all have family or friends buried somewhere. And would you want someone to vandalize or desecrate your family’s grave?"
Any leads on the missing pieces or the restitution of these century-old gravestones are being encouraged to come forth, as stated by officials and concerned community members alike. Those with any information can contact the Newburyport police at 978-462-4411, with the hope of not just restoration, but a reaffirmation of respect for the city's collective history.
