Augustus Hard was a headstone carver around the upstate New York area around the 1850s. He was known as a "stonecutter," as quoted from the 1850 census for Pittsford, Monroe, New York and the 1870 census in Adrian, Lenawee Michigan.
He was born February 16th, 1809 in Canada, married July 21st to Martha Freer of Seneca, New York. Augustus Died January 26th, 1880 in Lenawee, Michigan. He is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Michigan with Martha.
Augustus Hard on findagrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/102378046/augustus-hard
Obiturary of Augustus Hard: Source: Detroit Free Press, Detroit, Michigan, Augustus Hard Dies Suddenly, January 29, 1880, pg. 8
Headstone Carved by A. Hard (Signature bottom right) The person belonging to the grave is unknown
"Resolution _____ ______
By a removal from the e_____
To that bright spot the skies"
[Bottom right reads,] "A.Hard"
A lot of different items have been found at The Old Baptist Cemetery during restoration. Old glass, pottery, worn farm equipment (?) and golf balls, but one piece of pottery stood out. A piece was found withe the word, "Lyons" written on it, referring to the town of Lyons of New York, which is a 20-30 minute car ride from the cemetery. What is so important about this piece is that it gives some glimpse of people during this time when the cemetery was used more frequently in regards to family visiting the graces of their relatives and friends. Partaking in a picnic at the cemetery in the 1800s was common. People would go to church, then come to the cemetery to eat lunch at the headstone of their passed loved one.
This piece of pottery shows how the towns were beginning to connect, and the fact that we know what the pottery used to look like in the cemetery is special. According to Olde Hope.com, the design of the pottery was made around 1860. What the piece says at the top is, "Thomas Harrington, Lyons." It was apart of a Five Gallon Stoneware Churn, oftentimes used to create butter.
All images from with white background of the pottery is from Olde Hope.com.
Pottery piece found at the cemetery
Piece that was preserved found online