The Sherborn Council on Aging staff and community members enjoyed an engaging historical walking tour of Dover's Highland Cemetery led by Geoff Sauter, a Dover resident, member of the Dover Historical Society, and recently retired regional sales engineer. Drawing on years of research into the area's earliest settlers, Revolutionary War veterans, and prominent local families, Geoff transformed the cemetery into what he described as an 'outdoor museum.'
Throughout the tour, participants explored the symbolism and artistry of colonial gravestones carvings and early beliefs about death and eternal life. Geoff also shared fascinating stories of Dover's history, including Captain Ebenezer Battle. Captain Battle led the Springfield Parish militia to Concord, Massachusetts in April of 1775. One of Geoff’s favorites stones is that of Thomas Larrabee. As Geoff writes in the Dover Tidings Volume XXIII, No. 1 “My personal experience is that each artifact is the window to a greater story. Thomas Larrabee’s powder horn on display at the Sawin Museum is but a reminder of a true patriot and citizen. Larrabee fought at Fort Ticonderoga, later Geoff Sauter protected George Washington and is said to have rowed George Washington across the Delaware River on December 25, 1776, to the first major victory for the Continental Army. His homesite on Strawberry Hill was donated by his family to the town of Dover for the aid of the worthy poor. In reality, this undeveloped land which is known today as the Larrabee Whiting Trust is one of the first examples of land preservation in Dover.”
The Sherborn Council on Aging extends its sincere appreciation to Geoff Sauter for generously sharing his knowledge, enthusiasm, and passion for local history. We left that day with a deeper appreciation for the remarkable individuals whose lives and contributions continue to shape the community's rich heritage.
