Tucke Monument facts for kids
The Tucke Monument is a tall stone structure built in 1914. It stands 46.5 feet high, which is about as tall as a four-story building! This impressive monument honors Reverend John Tucke, who lived from 1702 to 1773. He was a very important person on Star Island, New Hampshire. Reverend Tucke served as a minister, a judge, a teacher, and even a doctor for the people there.
Contents
What Makes the Tucke Monument Special?
The Tucke Monument is the tallest gravestone in all of New Hampshire. It is much taller than the gravestone of Frank Jones in Portsmouth, which is only twenty-eight feet tall. This makes the Tucke Monument a unique landmark.
Who Paid for the Monument?
A kind person named Edward Tuck helped pay for the monument. He was a very generous person, and a business school at Dartmouth College is even named after him! Edward Tuck worked with the New Hampshire Historical Society to build the monument in 1914.
The Dedication Day
On July 29, 1914, a special event was held to dedicate the monument. The New Hampshire Historical Society organized this big day. They even published a 68-page book to remember the event.
The book describes the day as beautiful, with a cool breeze blowing clouds away. A special boat, the Nassau, brought people from Boston to Star Island. When they arrived, everyone walked to the monument. It stands near a small, old stone church where services are still held by candlelight, just like long ago.
People were amazed by how grand and beautiful the monument looked. It is so tall that you can see it from ten miles out at sea! The monument's shape is similar to the famous Bunker Hill Monument, tapering towards the top.
What Does the Monument Say?
At the bottom of the Tucke Monument, there is an inscription. This is a special message carved into the stone. It tells us about Reverend John Tucke and why the monument was built.
The inscription says that the monument covers the remains of Reverend John Tucke. It mentions that he finished college at Harvard in 1723. He became a minister on Star Island in 1732 and passed away in August 1773, when he was 71 years old.
The message also describes Reverend Tucke as a friendly and polite person. It says he was kind, very religious, and honest. He was known for being welcoming to guests. He worked hard and was loyal in his role as a minister. He also knew a lot about history and geography, and he was a good doctor for both the bodies and souls of his community.
The original stone over his grave was placed in 1800 by Dudley A. Tyng. Then, in 1914, Edward Tuck, who was a relative, rebuilt this memorial in a lasting way.
