Two of the oldest gravestones uncovered by high school students three years ago belong to the first wife and last daughter of Walter Philbrick, both of whom were named Thankful. Walter had settled on the northwest side of Hatchet Mountain next to his brother, Enoch, around 1783. Their land was right on the trail that ran from Lincolnville to Union.

Thankful Philbrick, Walter's wife, was only 19 when she died on Jan. 8, 1800. He soon married Deborah and they had their first child together, Abigail, in August, 1801. Their son, Ephraim, was born next, and on April 30, 1804, they had a daughter named Thankful, apparently in memory of his first wife.
Young Thankful died a month and a half later, on June 6. Walter had her buried on Morey Hill next to her namesake.

Vital Records of Hope, Maine: Morey Cem. Inscriptions read "Walter Philbrick d. Nov. 18, 1846 aet 72 yrs."