Kempton Memorial Pet Cemetery History
Originally known as the Cottle Farm, located at 358 Middle Road, was purchased by the Animal Rescue League when member Susan B. Kempton passed away and designated monies for the league to purchase the property. A portion of the farm became known as the Kempton Memorial Rest Home for Animals, named in honor of Susan Kempton.
The first animal interred in the cemetery, according to records now kept by the Southcoast Humane Society and Shelter, was a dog in June 1928. Today there is over 6,000 animals buried there including twenty-seven (27) horses. While most of the animals were from the local area, Rhode Island and Connecticut, records note the furthest traveled pet owner was F.K. Webster from Englewood, New Jersey.
The Animal Rescue League that operated the boarding kennel and pet cemetery is now the Southcoast Humane Society and Shelter in Dartmouth. The cemetery is maintained, however the boarding kennel was sold to support the expense of maintaining the cemetery grounds and the Dartmouth facility.
There is still an existing memorial wall in the cemetery, bearing the names of cherished cats and dogs that have passed and were cremated at the facility. The metal plaques have pictures of the pets, their names, dates of birth and when they died. Some have a fond memory from the family.
Originally known as the Cottle Farm, located at 358 Middle Road, was purchased by the Animal Rescue League when member Susan B. Kempton passed away and designated monies for the league to purchase the property. A portion of the farm became known as the Kempton Memorial Rest Home for Animals, named in honor of Susan Kempton.
The first animal interred in the cemetery, according to records now kept by the Southcoast Humane Society and Shelter, was a dog in June 1928. Today there is over 6,000 animals buried there including twenty-seven (27) horses. While most of the animals were from the local area, Rhode Island and Connecticut, records note the furthest traveled pet owner was F.K. Webster from Englewood, New Jersey.
The Animal Rescue League that operated the boarding kennel and pet cemetery is now the Southcoast Humane Society and Shelter in Dartmouth. The cemetery is maintained, however the boarding kennel was sold to support the expense of maintaining the cemetery grounds and the Dartmouth facility.
There is still an existing memorial wall in the cemetery, bearing the names of cherished cats and dogs that have passed and were cremated at the facility. The metal plaques have pictures of the pets, their names, dates of birth and when they died. Some have a fond memory from the family.
Laura Keene History Laura Keene (Jul 20 1826-Nov 4 1873) was born Mary Francis Moss in Winchester, England. In 1844 at age 18 she married British Army officer Henry Wellington Taylor. They had two (2) children, Emma Eliza (1846-1882) and Clara Stella (1889-1876).
In 1850, Taylor was later arrested for unknown crimes and was sent from England to Australia on a prison ship. In 1854, Keene traveled to Australia in an attempt to locate Taylor to file for divorce. She was unable to locate him and they remained married until his death in 1860.
Keene and her children were poor, and Keene decided to pursue a career as an actress. It was socially unacceptable for a woman with children and no husband to act in the theater, she changed her name to "Laura Keene". Her now widowed mother Jane Moss King took over raising her two daughters. During the Civil War, Laura and her theater company stayed busy preforming. The March 5 1865 edition of the New Bedford Evening Star appeared an ad for her play which was being held at New Bedford's Liberty Hall.
During this busy time, Laura made a visit to the 125-acre Kempton Farm in Acushnet. She found it peaceful and calming and purchased the property from William and Mary Bradford in September 1865 with hopes to return, even renaming it Riverside Lawn.
Her acting career became a success, and she acted in many plays, the most famous play was "Our American Cousin". On April 14 1865 Keene's company, which primarily included John Dyott and Henry Hawk, were performing Our American Cousin at Ford's Theater in Washington D.C.
After John Wilkes Booth shot the president, he fled the theater. Amid the confusion, Keene made her way to the presidential box where Lincoln lay dying and cradled the mortally wounded President's head in her lap. President Lincoln's fatal head wound bled on her dress, staining her cuff. After the incident, Laura packed her belongings and along with John Lutz moved onto the next scheduled stop. Laura at one point was arrested and questioned about her involvement in the assassination, but was later released.
Laura returned to Acushnet, she told many it was a special healing place, fresh air, walks by the river and peace and quiet. Here she renewed her love for art and spent time painting. She kept 40 acres of the farm active, planting fruit and ornamental trees, as well as a garden. While residing in Acushnet she started a theatrical magazine The Fine Arts it wasn't much of a success.
In 1873 Laura signed over Riverside Lawn to her daughter Clara, so that she would have something that could provide for her in the future. Her sister, Emma was already married to Albert L. Rawson (1828-1902). In 1896 the house burned down but was reconstructed in 1920. Laura Keene Avenue is named in her honor, which is located near the original home.
Laura died of Tuberculosis at age 47 in New Jersey, she is buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn NY section 182 lot 21444, along with her mother and daughter Clara.
A small piece of silk fabric with a floral design is marred by dried blood stains belonging to President Abraham Lincoln is on display on the museums main entry level in the exhibition “Famine, Friends & Fenians.” at the New Bedford Whaling Museum.
In an interesting note, her daughter Clara sang at St. Lawrence Church in New Bedford, and Laura's mother, Jane Moss, attended Grace Espicopal Church.
In 1850, Taylor was later arrested for unknown crimes and was sent from England to Australia on a prison ship. In 1854, Keene traveled to Australia in an attempt to locate Taylor to file for divorce. She was unable to locate him and they remained married until his death in 1860.
Keene and her children were poor, and Keene decided to pursue a career as an actress. It was socially unacceptable for a woman with children and no husband to act in the theater, she changed her name to "Laura Keene". Her now widowed mother Jane Moss King took over raising her two daughters. During the Civil War, Laura and her theater company stayed busy preforming. The March 5 1865 edition of the New Bedford Evening Star appeared an ad for her play which was being held at New Bedford's Liberty Hall.
During this busy time, Laura made a visit to the 125-acre Kempton Farm in Acushnet. She found it peaceful and calming and purchased the property from William and Mary Bradford in September 1865 with hopes to return, even renaming it Riverside Lawn.
Her acting career became a success, and she acted in many plays, the most famous play was "Our American Cousin". On April 14 1865 Keene's company, which primarily included John Dyott and Henry Hawk, were performing Our American Cousin at Ford's Theater in Washington D.C.
After John Wilkes Booth shot the president, he fled the theater. Amid the confusion, Keene made her way to the presidential box where Lincoln lay dying and cradled the mortally wounded President's head in her lap. President Lincoln's fatal head wound bled on her dress, staining her cuff. After the incident, Laura packed her belongings and along with John Lutz moved onto the next scheduled stop. Laura at one point was arrested and questioned about her involvement in the assassination, but was later released.
Laura returned to Acushnet, she told many it was a special healing place, fresh air, walks by the river and peace and quiet. Here she renewed her love for art and spent time painting. She kept 40 acres of the farm active, planting fruit and ornamental trees, as well as a garden. While residing in Acushnet she started a theatrical magazine The Fine Arts it wasn't much of a success.
In 1873 Laura signed over Riverside Lawn to her daughter Clara, so that she would have something that could provide for her in the future. Her sister, Emma was already married to Albert L. Rawson (1828-1902). In 1896 the house burned down but was reconstructed in 1920. Laura Keene Avenue is named in her honor, which is located near the original home.
Laura died of Tuberculosis at age 47 in New Jersey, she is buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn NY section 182 lot 21444, along with her mother and daughter Clara.
A small piece of silk fabric with a floral design is marred by dried blood stains belonging to President Abraham Lincoln is on display on the museums main entry level in the exhibition “Famine, Friends & Fenians.” at the New Bedford Whaling Museum.
In an interesting note, her daughter Clara sang at St. Lawrence Church in New Bedford, and Laura's mother, Jane Moss, attended Grace Espicopal Church.