Records in that timeframe often have two years listed. There was a transition between two kinds of calendars. The first year is from the Julian calendar, and the second year is from the Gregorian calendar that we use today. The calendar conversion eliminated certain dates in England and the United States (Jan. 1, 1752 to Mar. 24, 1752 and Sept. 3, 1752 to Sept. 13, 1752).

To complicate it further, not all countries made the calendar change at the same time. Russia did not accept the Gregorian calendar until 1918. The Julian calendar was abandoned because it was no longer aligned with the seasons. As part of the calendar changes, Pope Gregory XIII moved New Year's Day from Mar. 25 to Jan. 1.

James' epitath reads: "Blest is the memory of the just, though they be sleeping in ye dust, and happy shall be when they rise, through grace to shine among ye wise, in relms of light and peace above, to sing and praise redeeming love." [SOURCE: Epitaphs from the Old Burial Ground, Groton, MA, by Samuel A. Green]

A record in the LDS database online says Mary married James Stone on Dec. 20, 1726 [the same month/year as the above source but eight days different -- perhaps the record was hard to read; it's easy to confuse a poorly written 0 or 8 with each other].

James' parents were John Stone (born July 23, 1658 in Watertown, Massachusetts; died Dec. 20, 1741 in Groton, Middlesex Co., MA) and Sarah Nutting (born May [or March ?] 29, 1663 in Groton, Middlesex Co., MA). Sarah and John were married on Dec. 16, 1698 by Justice Minott. John served in King Philip's War; "King Philip" was the nickname given to an Indian named Metacom because he acted with arrogance.

Sarah Nutting's parents were John Nutting (born in England; died Mar. 13, 1676 in Groton, MA) and Sarah Elizabeth Eggelston (b. in England, immigrated to the USA in 1638 on the ship "Castle"). John Nutting was killed by Indians.

John's house was turned into a fort during King Philip's Indian War (the war started in 1676). Groton, Massachusetts was attacked by 400 Indians on Mar. 13, 1676. Although John died, others escaped to safety to the nearby Parker's home. The Nuttings' neighbors were James Blood and Joseph Parker. An Internet search will lead you to even more details about John and his life.

John Stone's parents were Simon Stone and Mary Whipple. Simon Stone was born in England and died Feb. 27, 1707/1708 in Watertown, MA. His wife Mary Whipple was born Feb. 20, 1633/34 in England; died June 2, 1720 in Watertown, MA, and was buried in Watertown Cemetery, Watertown, Middlesex Co., MA. Simon Stone was a Deacon of Watertown.

Mary Whipple's parents were John Whipple (b. Aug. 1596 in Bocking, Essex, England; died June 30, 1669 in Ipswich, Essex Co., MA) and Susanna. The Whipple House has been open for visitors (at least as of Sept 2002) in Ipswich, MA. It is a 17th Century home with gables. John's will mentions his daughter "Mary Stone."

[Some of the sources used in my research include: History of Cambridge, MA, 1630-1877; Watertown, MA Records of Births, Deaths and Marriages, 1693-1822; Epitaths from the Old Burial Ground, Groton, MA, by Dr. Samuel A. Green; History of Chelmsford 1917; Nutting Genealogy, by John Keep Nutting; Nutting Genealogy Supplement, by Homer Brainard; History of Groton, by Pepperell and Shirley; Greens Historical, Series, Vol. I by Green; Charlestown Estates, Vol. 2 by Wymen; www.whipple.com]

Sarah was the "6th child and 3rd daughter of Deacon and Mary (Farwell) Stone, granddaughter of John and Sarah Stone, great-granddaughter of Deacon Smith and Sarah Smith of Groton, great-great-granddaughter of Deacon Simon and Mary (Whipple) Stone and at-great-great-granddaughter of Deacon Smith and Jane Stone who came from England in the ship "Increase", Robert Lea, master, in 1635 and settled in Watertown, Mass., where he died Sept. 22, 1655 aged 80 years."

Cunningham also wrote that Sarah died Nov. 26, 1789 at the age of 50 years, 5 months and 14 days. Her tombstone inscription read: "In great composure of mind, in full hope of a glorious resurrection."