Center Cemetery Peru, Berkshire Co., MA

Center Cemetery is, I believe, the oldest cemetery in Peru, Massachusetts, famous as being the "highest town in Massachusetts." It is about 1/2 mile south of the town center, on a hilltop facing eastward. The stones in the cemetery are all quite old. It was recently repaired and on the day I visited was mowed and in good condition. The Selectmen of Peru have passed a town law that allows only residents to be buried in Peru cemeteries. There are only a few graves in the cemetery dating from recent times. 

THOMPSON, Mr. Peter
Birth date: N/A
Death date: Jan 25 1801
Age at death: "in the 66 year of his age"

Inscription:
Behold and see as you pafs by
As you are now so once was I
As I am now, so you muft be
Therefore prepare to follow me

Note: Peter Thompson was originally from Bellingham, MA. In 1767, he and his brothers Daniel and Nathan (my ancestor) were among the original settlers of Peru (then called Partridgefield), Massachusetts. They were the sons of Joseph Thomson (1698-1755) and Mary Holbrook (1702-1781):

THOMPSON, Mrs. Elizabeth, consort of Mr. Peter Thomson
Birth date: N/A
Death date: May 2, 1810
Age at death: "in the 70 year of her life"

Inscription:
My flesh shall slumber in the ground
Till the last trumpet's joyful sound
Then burst the chain in sweet surprise
And in my Savior's image rise

THOMPSON, Mr. Daniel
Birth date: N/A
Death date: April 2nd 1814
Age at death: "in the 84th year of his age"

Inscription:
And is the narrow bound our lone retreat
When life's last feverish pulse has ceased to beat
When tossed no more on Passion's turbid wave
We find a calm asylum in the Grave.

Note: Daniel Thompson was originally from Bellingham, and a brother of Peter Thompson.

THOMPSON, Simeon, Esq.
Birth date: N/A
Death date: Sept 1st, 1814
Age at death: "in the 48th year of his age"

Inscription:
The rising morning can not inshur
That we shall end the day
For death stands ready at the door
To snatch our lives away

Note: Simeon Thompson was the son of Daniel Thompson (above) They are buried side by side.

Source: Read by Nancy Thomson, August 22, 1998 

THOMSON, Hiram, Son of Simeon & Sibbel
Birth date: N/A
Death date: October 8th 1814
Age at death: "in the 12th year of his age"

HIBBEN, Eliza
Birth date: N/A
Death date: October 16, 1856
Age at death: "Aged 45 years"

Inscription:
"Wife of Isaac S. Pierce and Daughter of Nathan Thomson, Granddaughter of Rev. John Leland"

THOMSON, Hipsey 2
Birth date: N/A
Death date: Nov 27, 1827
Age at death: "Ages 19 (?) years"

Inscription:
Daughter of Nathan and Polly Thomson

Note: Hipsey 2 was the dauther of Nathan Thomson Jr. and granddaughter of Nathan Thomson Sr., one of the three Thomson brothers who were among the first settlers of Peru. She was preceeded in death by another sister named Hipsey (see below).

Other stones in this cemetery that I didn't find (but are recorded elsewhere) read:

THOMPSON, Hipsey
Birth date: N/A
Death date: Jan (?) 28, 1808 (?)
Age at death: "aged 17 months"

THOMPSON, Nathan
Birth date: N/A
Death date: May 4, 1846
Age at death: "aged 70 years"

THOMPSON, Polly
Birth date: N/A
Death date: Oct 21, 1863
Age at death: "ae 78"

Inscription: Wife of Nathan Thompson (Rest of stone broken and gone) 

Source: Read by Nancy Thomson, August 22, 1998 nancy@funnybusiness.com