Photo and short bio of Charles Bigelow Putnam, plus a photo of his grave, located in Edgewood Cemetery in Nashua, New Hampshire. His original memorial card can be viewed in the “Mourning & Memorial” section of The Thanatos Archive (members only access).

Not a Thanatos Archive member? Get your own subscription here .. instant activation through the main link.

Charles Bigelow, seventh child and fifth son of Barnes B. and Lucy Ann Maria (Bills) Putnam, was born in Nashua, November 23, 1854. He attended the public school until he was about fourteen years old, and was then employed in the carpenter business until 1874, when he became connected with the American Express Company, remaining until 1887, and was for a time connected with the Nashua Fire Department. About 1887 he formed a partnership with O. D. Kimball, and engaged in teaming and dealt quite extensively in horses. The business was successful, and though dying young he left his family well provided for. He died December 19, 1889, from hydrophobia (rabies), after lingering six weeks from the time that he was bitten by a dog opposite his home; he was aged thirty-five. He married, in Nashua, December 29, 1875, Ella Agnes Nichols, born in Lowell, Massachusetts, November 3, 1850, daughter of James and Sarah Elizabeth (Swan) Nichols, of Lowell. They had three children born to them: Fred Nichols, Grace Ella, who is a member of the Grace Putnam Society, membership (1907), twenty-eight in the United States, and Anne M.

His grave marker as it appeared in 2011. Photo credit: Amy Levesque.

Charles, not long before his death.

Charlie’s grave as it appeared in 2010,, courtesy of Marlin Diehl. Located at Saint James Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery Fishersville, Virginia.

Obituary, incorrectly listing his age as 25.Charlie drowned in a lake at the age of 20 years old. His original memorial card is available on our website (member access). Not yet a Thanatos Archive member? Get your own subscription here .. instant activation.

Vurna (Left) and Dena Moyer. This photo of Vurna was used in her memorial / funeral display, which can be seen in the members’ section of our website.

Vurna (left) and Dena. (Vurna was NOT dead in this photo!)

Vurna’s grave in Constantine Township Cemetery, Michigan. Vurna was originally buried at Lakeview Cemetery in South Haven, Michigan, but was disinterred and relocated to the Constantine Township Cemetery. Her tombstone now lies between those of her parents, DC and Sarah Moyer. It appears that Vernon Tilghman Moyer, Vurna’s brother, is now buried in grave #2, of Lot #26 in section #5 at Lakeview cemetery, South Haven.

Vurna (left) and Dena as younger girls, photographed by their father. 

Vurna & Dena Moyer were the daughters of the South Haven,  Michigan photographer David Cares Moyers. Vurna, the older sister, was born in 1880 and died in 1887, cause of death unknown at this time. Dena lived until 1933 (age 50-51). ***** A cabinet card photograph of Vurna’s memorial / funeral display is in our collection and can be viewed here. (Archive subscription required)

Do you have your own Thanatos Archive account? If not, get it one now to support our work and access our entire collection.