130 Old Time Gardens 



grandchildren of President Dunster, it was believed 

 that this was the grave of a third President, Dr. 

 Dunster. He died in the year 1659; but his death 

 took place in midwinter ; and when this coffin was 

 opened, the skeleton was found entirely surrounded 

 with common Tansy, in seed, a portion of which 

 had been pulled up by the roots, and it was there- 

 fore believed by many who thought upon the 

 matter that it was the coffin and grave of President 

 Mitchell, who died in July, 1668, of "an extream 

 fever." The skeleton was found still wrapped in a 

 cerecloth, and in the record of the church is a 

 memorandum of payment "for a terpauling to wrap 

 Mr. Mitchell." The Tansy found in this coffin, 

 placed there more than two centuries ago, still re- 

 tained its shape and scent. 



This use of Tansy at funerals lingered long in 

 country neighborhoods in New England, in some 

 vicinities till fifty years ago. To many older per- 

 sons the Tansy is therefore so associated with 

 grewsome sights and sad scenes, that they turn 

 from it wherever seen, and its scent to them is un- 

 bearable. One elderly friend writes me : " I never 

 see the leaves of Tansy without recalling also the 

 pale dead faces I have so often seen encircled by the 

 dank, ugly leaves. Often as a child have I been 

 sent to gather all the Tansy I could find, to be 

 carried by my mother to the house of mourning ; 

 and I gathered it, loathing to touch it, but not dar- 

 ing to refuse, and I loathe it still." 



Tansy not only retains its scent for a long period, 

 but the " golden buttons " retain their color ; I have 



