James O. Hoyt and William W. Hoyt, Brothers Who Died During the Civil War

Though the words on the tombstone are barely legible at this time, an article by Wilber A. Phillips, which appeared in the May 27, 1934 issue of the Sandusky Register, tells us the inscription that was engraved on the Hoyt brothers' tombstone back in 1863. The inscription reads:

Erected by the members of Company G, 123rd O.V.I.
to the memory of

James O. Hoyt
died
At Romney, Va., March 5th, 1863
Age: 22 yrs., 10 mos., & 2 days
and
William W. Hoyt
died
At Winchester, Va., May 18th, 1863
Aged 21 yrs., 10 mos., & 18 days

"How sleep the brave
Who sink to rest
By all their countries
Wishes blest.

By unseen hands their
Knell is rung
By unseen forms their
Dirge is sung."


After seeing this tombstone at the old Perkins Cemetery in Erie County,Ohio, Mr. Phillips wrote an article for the Sandusky Register entitled "Modest Shaft Over Twin Graves in Perkins Cemetery Has Story."

The author spoke with relatives of James and William Hoyt. He learned that James and William Hoyt were the sons of pioneer residents George Hoyt and his wife, the former Almira House. Almira House settled in Perkins Township with her family in 1815, coming from Connecticut by oxen train. George Hoyt was born in Vermont, and in 1833, he made his way to Ohio by river and lake boat, stage coach, on horseback, and partly on foot. Almira and George were married in 1835 in Perkins Township, and they had a total of ten children. When their sons enlisted in the 123rd Infantry, their father told them to "be just in their dealings with their fellow men." Many tears were shed as they went off to war. Both James and William Hoyt died in camp after contracting typhoid fever. The article continues, "Later their loving comrades of Co. G., 123rd O.V.I. placed the memorial which now like a silent sentinel, guards their final resting place, thus marking a hallowed spot of Ohio soil."

The Hoyt brothers were originally buried in the old Perkins Cemetery. The cemetery was relocated during another war, World War Two, when the U.S. government bought a large portion of land in Perkins Township for a munitions factory. You can still see the tall tombstone which honors the Hoyt brothers at the Perkins Cemetery. Though it is hard to read, it is located between the Morrow and the Eddy family lots. If you look closely, you can read the name Hoyt on the side of the stone that faces east.

A beautiful angel welcomes visitors to Perkins Cemetery today, where so many pioneer residents now rest in peace.