Druidsdream, Hazard Monument, Kendal Green (Hazard Diary 289)
Hazard Diary
Page 289
On the 29th of March 1883, I engaged a Granite Monument, of the “Smith Granite Co.” of Westerly, R.I. that was to be a facsimile of that of my dear Brother, Isaac Peace Hazard, at Peac[e]dale, R.I. for which I was to pay, did pay $1300.00 (it was entirely satisfactory.)
I had a stone foundation made for this Monument, that is more than Seven feet deep, in the ground, and resting upon a very hard, blue colored clayey hard pan, but would have preferred a sand bottom, though the clay is good. $57.52
The Monument above mentioned, was placed on its foundation, by its maker, on the 8th & 9th of August 1883. It stands nearly in the center of Kendal Green.The Granite of which it is made is from the bottom of a Quarry at Westerly that is nearly 200 feet deep, I am told.
I had Eight Pillars of Granite, of large size, and round in form planted in a circle around the above mentioned Monument. The circle thus formed being, making a circle of about 28 feet diame[ter], 85 feet in Circumference, outside.
These pillars are of Westerly Granite. The tops of four of them, are slightly convex, while those of the other four are – each of them depressed, that hold rain water for the purpose of attracting birds – These basined Ports are alternated with the other four. $408.00
$1765.52 is the cost of my Granite Tomb on “Kendal Green.” Jos. P. Hazard.
After I had completed this circle of Pillars about my Tomb, it suddenly occurred to me I had made a “Druid Circle” excepting that those of the Druids are unchiseled.
Hence the name of my House “Druidsdream” the Granite dwelling that is on the East Side [of] Gibson Avenue, “Kendal Green” being on the West Side ther[e]of. – Each of these named localities occupying a Corner of “Gibson Avenue”, and “Hazard Avenue”, and on North Side of Hazard Av [some writing is erased].
I have ever entertained an ardent interest in all that relates to mysterious sides of the Druids, and all that relates to them. I have visited Salisbury Plain, in England on several occasions, and think it the most impressive of any of them that I have seen, though earnest and learned students of this subject, the late Sir Charles Lyell being one, and his friend (a Tailor of Salisbury,) who was considered the most learned man upon this subject, in Great Britain, find those of Carnac, in West of France (that I visited) the most interesting. There are Five Thousand Druid stones there – extending several Miles. I think I have visited a large portion of the Druid remains of Europe.
Transcribed by Jessica Wilson