There are times in life when actions speak much louder than mere words. When your responsibilities are fulfilled to such a high degree that no man or woman would ever question, your title, your thoughts or your direction. Some people, regardless of experience or education simply command the audience that surrounds them.
Such was the case with a gentleman from another time, long ago. His name was Moses Cross and he lived in the village of Hopkinton.
Over two centuries ago we find Moses Cross living a simple life with his beloved dog. His dog was his family and they held a great amount of respect for each other. Moses and his dog lived alone and enjoyed a relatively simple life.
During the time, there was still the need for a local militia to protect the residents as well as the surrounding communities. With a local militia you have a somewhat independent group of volunteers with the common good being to defend themselves if the need should arrive. The militia would gather and train, go back to their respective jobs and then gather and train some more.
Moses Cross was not an ordinary member of the militia but he certainly held them in very high regard. Moses had his own job and responsibilities and he held them to a very high degree. Moses Cross was a grave digger, formally called the cemetery sexton, and he enjoyed his work very much. He spent lots of time at the local cemetery where he interred hundreds of his fellow residents of Hopkinton.
As he progressed through life the local militia noticed his dedication to his job at the cemetery and he befriended most everyone in town. Well known, mechanically inclined and taking care of everyone’s deceased relatives, Moses was approached by the militia.
The local militia was mainly comprised of local farmers that knew how to handle a musket, load the gun and fire off the cannon if needed. They were busy, especially during the warm months when the farm required most of their time. A militia needs to be ready at a moments notice, meaning that the tools of the trade such as muskets and cannons, need to be stored and maintained just in case the need for defense arises.
The commander of the local militia approached Moses Cross one day and asked him if he could become the official custodian for the Hopkinton Militia: maintain the guns, cannons and ammunition. As part of his responsibility, he would have to service, oil and clean the equipment and make sure to fire them so that they remain in good working order. Moses was simply thrilled to become the custodian for the local militia, he kept his job at the local cemetery and volunteered many additional hours with his newfound arsenal.
As the days turned to weeks and the weeks to years, Moses became very efficient with his dual responsibility as a militia custodian while maintaining a very high degree of dedication for those he buried at the local cemetery. Moses stored everything the militia provided at his home and would often be seen cleaning and oiling the muskets and cannons when he wasn’t burying people at the cemetery. Soon the routine was accepted and Moses Cross became known as Major Moses Cross, a respectful honorary nickname of sorts, and his home was simple called “the Fort.” His militia custodial skills were very good and he furthered his status as the local Major by wheeling the militia cannon onto the road and firing it for celebrations, especially on the Fourth of July. It is said that Major Cross even had a special dog collar made for his beloved dog having it engraved “I am Major Moses Cross Dog; whose dog, are you?”
Major Moses Cross continued working at the cemetery for decades, taking care of the local dead with a very high reverence. He often thought about the fact that he would be the very last person to ever see the deceased and his compassion was so very appreciated by all. Moses had a habit of throwing the very first handful of soil upon the grave before he used his spade to completely cover the coffins after the prayers were said. People spoke often of his love for those deceased and the dedication he held for his position as cemetery sexton. Major Moses Cross often stated to local people that the sound of the soil landing upon each and every coffin was the most solemn sound he ever heard.
On Oct. 18, 1858, Major Moses Cross fired his last cannon and tossed his last respectful handful of soil upon another’s grave. He died suddenly and untimely as he walked along the roadside with his old dog.