Elsie Cuyler Ten Eyck

One of the loveliest soul effigies I've encountered in the Church Grounds. This simple, serene face does not feature the wings commonly found on such carvings, but is fully enclosed in what resembles a sort of halo (or even an old-fashioned ladies cap) and surrounded by delicate flowers.

This sandstone slab marked the grave of Elsie Cuyler, wife of Barent Ten Eyck. Elsie was born in 1728 to merchant Johannes Cuyler, Jr. and his wife, Catharine Glen. Her husband, whom she married in 1756, was an Albany silversmith. Elsie died in 1791. Barent outlived her by four years. I have not yet located or identified his headstone.