Here are some wonderful Jonathan Loomis gravestones in Westchester Burying Ground and Old Colchester Burying Ground (both in Colchester, CT). Jonathan Loomis (1722-1785) was one of the very first gravestone carvers I began to recognize when I started my obsession back in August, 2010*, and he is still one of my very very favorites. (Or perhaps the favorite!) His style is just so unique and abstract and happy-looking; some of the faces remind me of an anthropomorphized flying alarm clock! As you’ll notice from the dates in the captions, all the stones above were carved for children, but Loomis’ stones for adults are in the same adorable style.

Most of Jonathan Loomis’ stones (and those of his son John, which are very similar) are in Coventry, but there are a few in other towns, including a total of eleven in Colchester. It is unusual to find matching foot stones, as many cemeteries have removed the foot stones for ease of mowing, so I was particularly happy to see these. I ♥ Jonathan Loomis!

* Has it really only been two years? Those were two intense years of gravehounding!!