Our final armorial tomb in King's Chapel Burying Ground is that of Maj. Thomas Savage.
The Heraldic Journal, Vol. II, p. 22, transcribes the inscription within the heart shape: “Here lieth Interred the body of Major Thomas Savage aged 75 years decd the 15 of February 168½.”
(Alert! Historical Information! Wikipedia informs us of "dual dates" like the one used here: "Until 1752, England, Wales, Ireland and the American colonies started the legal year on 25 March. This meant that a date such as 29 January [or here, 15 February], while being toward the end of a legal year, would also be near the beginning of the following 'common' year. It was to show this duality that the system of displaying two year numbers first came into use.")
Preachers, Patriots & Plain Folks, Boston’s Burying Ground Guide, p. 59, tells us: "Maj. Thomas Savage ... married Faith Hutchinson, daughter of exiled Ann Hutchinson and so had to live in Rhode Island for a time. Married twice, he had a total of 18 children, 16 of whom survived. He is best known as an original [Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company] founder and 45-year member and for his military service in King Philip's War of 1675-76. ... Maj. Savage had come from England in 1635 on The Planter and became rich as a Boston tailor and was a founder of Old South (3d) Church. ... 'Worthy, Grave, Pious, and Every way an Accomplished Hero,' reads the title to his published eulogy."
Preachers, Patriots & Plain Folks, Boston’s Burying Ground Guide, p. 59, tells us: "Maj. Thomas Savage ... married Faith Hutchinson, daughter of exiled Ann Hutchinson and so had to live in Rhode Island for a time. Married twice, he had a total of 18 children, 16 of whom survived. He is best known as an original [Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company] founder and 45-year member and for his military service in King Philip's War of 1675-76. ... Maj. Savage had come from England in 1635 on The Planter and became rich as a Boston tailor and was a founder of Old South (3d) Church. ... 'Worthy, Grave, Pious, and Every way an Accomplished Hero,' reads the title to his published eulogy."
The same source, on p. 189, notes that the Savage tomb is “One of the older tombs here.”
These arms and crest appear in the Gore Roll of Arms, shown there as Argent, six lions rampant sable. The crest is given there (and also in Fairbairn’s Crests) as: Issuant from a crest coronet or a lion's jambe erect sable armed gules. The jambe crest is carved on the tomb without the coronet (yes, I have looked very carefully, and it's not there), appearing only as A lion’s jambe erased.
These arms and crest appear in the Gore Roll of Arms, shown there as Argent, six lions rampant sable. The crest is given there (and also in Fairbairn’s Crests) as: Issuant from a crest coronet or a lion's jambe erect sable armed gules. The jambe crest is carved on the tomb without the coronet (yes, I have looked very carefully, and it's not there), appearing only as A lion’s jambe erased.
Next time, we pay the entrance fee and go inside King's Chapel, because you just have to know that there's more heraldic memorials in there, too!
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