Dean Shalhoup playing the role of Rev. Thomas Weld during the Old Souls of the Old South Cemetery Tour on Sept. 6. Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON

NASHUA – As the nation marks the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Nashua Historical Society recently honored the stories and sacrifices of colonists living in what was then Old Dunstable, Mass.

“We’re highlighting the stories of people who are buried here,” said Historical Society Assistant Secretary Paula Lochhead during the Old Souls of the Old South Cemetery Tour on Sept. 6. “It’s our way of honoring Nashua’s deep connections to the American Revolution and sharing that history as part of the national REV250 commemoration.”

The open concept tour featured reenactors throughout Nashua’s oldest cemetery representing those who pursued a life on the country’s northeastern frontier.

One of these individuals was John Gardiner, played by Richard Yanco.

Born in Philadelphia in 1866, Gardiner graduated from the Boston University School of Business and became a mason manufacturing custom made leather.

Alan Raymond playing the role of Capt. John Lovewell during the Old Souls of the Old South Cemetery Tour on Sept. 6. Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON

He later co-founded footwear company Gardiner, Beardsell & Co. in Lynn, Mass. and oversaw approximately 700 employees. After years of success in Lynn, Gardiner received an offer to move his company to Nashua. It was an offer he could not refuse as it included not having to pay business taxes for 10 years.

“We picked up overnight and we were gone,” said Yanco, playing the role of Gardiner.

In his personal life, Gardiner married Florence Smythe in 1882. They had a son, John, and a daughter, Helen. However, his wife and daughter left him and his son died of the Spanish Flu in 1918 at the age of 24.

Gardiner later married Daisy Brayton in 1920 and went on to own 500 acres of land. He died on the Fourth of July in 1925 at the age of 58.

John Lovewell, played by Alan Raymond, was born in 1691. As a child, he lived in fear as Old Dunstable was always under threat by the Abenaki Indians. During the raids, Lovewell lost four family members in one month.

Richad Yanco playing the role of John Gardiner during the Old Souls of the Old South Cemetery Tour on Sept. 6. Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON

As an adult, Lovewell was commissioned as a captain in the New Hampshire Militia. Raymond said it was Lovewell’s responsibility to “carry the fight to the enemy.”

After a few years of peace, the Abenakis renewed hostilities in Dummer’s War. In December 1724, Lovewell and his men journeyed more than 75 miles north to Lake Winnipesaukee. During the raid, they killed one Abenaki man and took an Abenaki boy captive.

Lovewell and his men returned to the White Mountains the following month eventually arriving in what would become the town of Wakefield. After their arrival, Lovewell and his men discovered occupied wigwams and opened fire under the cover of darkness. The battle resulted in the deaths of 10 Abenakis.

Lovewell’s third raid, the Battle of Pequawket, took place in April 1725 in what is now Fryberg, Maine. At that time, Lovewell led his company against Chief Paugus and the Abenakis. Lovewell and 26 of his men were killed during the 11-hour fight. Lovewell was 33 at the time of his death. This would be the last major engagement of the war as a peace treaty was signed two months later.

Rev. Thomas Weld, played by Historical Society President Dean Shalhoup, was born in 1653 in Roxbury, Mass. and graduated from Harvard University in 1671. He went on to study divinity under Rev. Samuel Danforth and was ordained in December 1685 becoming the first minister of the Church of Dunstable.

Weld was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Parris, who is known throughout history for initiating the Salem Witch Trials in February 1692.

Weld married Elizabeth Wilson in November 1681 and they had four children. However, his wife died six years after they were married. Weld later married Mary Savage and they had two children.

Weld died in 1702 at the age of 49. Although his epitaph states that he was killed by Indians, Shalhoup said that is incorrect as Weld’s cause of death was not known.