A Final Armorial Tomb from Granary Burying Ground in Boston, Massachusetts

For our final tombstone with a coat of arms on it, we come to the tomb of Thomas Jackson.

The Heraldic Journal, Vol. II, p. 140, informs us: This tomb, situated next to the Quincy tomb in the easterly corner of the yard, is recorded as belonging to Thomas Jackson. The arms and motto seem to show that it was intended to be one of the coats recorded by Burke. These are all a fesse between three birds—in one case three shovellers; in another three shovellers, each charged wit6h a trefoil slipped; in a third three magpies; in a fourth three shell-drakes; in a fifth three falcons, close. The motto is given to the family at Beach Hill, co. Surrey, baronets, who have three shovellers charged with a trefoil. The coats have undoubtedly a common origin, and the family seems to have been settled chiefly in Yorkshire.

Preachers, Patriots & Plain Folks: Boston’s Burying Ground Guide to King’s Chapel, Granary and Central Cemeteries, by Charles C. and Suzanne Austin Wells, adds: Jonathan Jackson (1743-1810), ae 67, Loc Tomb 23, A-389. Continental Congress 1782, member of Constitutional Convention 1779, Treasurer of MA 1802, president of Boston Bank, now Bank of Boston 1803-1810.

Of the arms on the tomb, Bolton’s An American Armory tells us: Jackson. Gules a fess argent between three shovellers (tufted on the head and breast) argent (each charged with a trefoil slipped vert, on an inescutcheon the Badge of Ulster in chief.
        Crest: A shoveller.
        Motto: Innocentiæ securus (Secure in his innocence.)
        Thomas Jackson’s tomb, Granary Burying Ground, by Tremont Building, Boston. Stone is reinforced or reset. Arms of the baronets of Beach Hill, Co. Surrey. Heral. Jour., vol. 2, p. 140.

Crozier’s General Armory cites: Jackson. Massachusetts. Thomas Jackson, Boston. (Surrey.) Gules a fess between three shovellers tufted on the head and breast argent each charged with a trefoil slipped vert.
    Crest: A shoveller as in the arms.
    Motto: Innocentia securus.

Beyond what all these worthies have to say about the man, his tomb, and his heraldry, I cannot add much, beyond noting that the name "JACKSON" is inscribed underneath, and nearly as wide as, the arms.

And with this, we end our tour of heraldic memorials and tombs to be found in three old burying grounds in Boston, Massachusetts, which I was able to visit last year.