Grave of David Brainerd
His last words written in his diary, Oct. 2, 1749: "My soul was this day, at turns, sweetly set on God: I longed to be with him, that I might behold his glory. I felt sweetly disposed to commit all to him, even my dearest friends, my dearest flock, my absent brother, and all my concerns for time and eternity. O that his kingdom might come in the world; that they might all love and glorify him, for what he is in himself; and that that blessed Redeemer might "see of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied! Oh, come, Lord Jesus, come quickly! Amen." |
David Brainerd (1718-1747) was a missionary to the American
Indians in New York, New Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania. Born
in Connecticut in 1718, he died of tuberculosis at the age
of twenty-nine while being cared for in the home of Jonathan
Edwards in Northampton, Massachusetts, by Edward's daughter, 
Inscription: Sacred to the memory
of the Rev. David Brainard.
A faithful and laborious Missionary to the Stockbridge,
Delaware, and Susquehannah Tribes of Indians,
who died in this town. Oct. 10, 1747. Æ.32.
Note: Inscription contains three errors: Spelling of Brainerd,
who died October 9, at age 29.
Brainerd gravestone left (flat on ground); Jerusha
Edwards gravestone center,
Jonathan Edwards cenotaph, right (top and bottom photos)
Bridge Street Cemetery
156 Bridge Street (Route 9)
Northampton, Massachusetts
United States
Directions:
Interstate 91 North
Exit 18
Left on US-5 North for about 1 mile
Right on US-9 (Bridge Street) for about 1/2 mile
Cemetery on left
Note: Open gate into the cemetery may be on Parsons Street
on west side. Take Bridge Street at south side of cemetery
to Parsons Street.
In Cemetery:
Look for large Bates memorial building near southwest corner of
cemetery (you can see an elementary school across the street from cemetery).
Following the road on the west side of the Bates memorial, go north
about 50 yards. Brainerd's grave is on the right, marked
by a large stone slab with marble insert flat on the
ground. To the right is the gravestone for Jerusha Edwards.
Although Jonathan Edwards is buried in the Princeton Cemetery, Princeton, New Jersey, there is a tall 19th century cenotaph for him (and his wife) at Bridge Street Cemetery, as well as a another smaller cenotaph to the right of the gravestone of his second daughter, Jerusha. From the front of the Bates family memorial, look toward the school across the street from the cemetery and you will see the tall cenotaph for Jonathan Edwards.
Photographs by Stephen & Dorothy Ross for WholesomeWords.org 2008.
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