Dr. Ezekiel Pratt was born on May 19, 1780, in Cohasset. He was one of 16 children who grew up at 220 South Main Street. His monument notes that he was born on "the memorable dark day." This refers to a historical moment called New England's Dark Day when the daytime sky from Canada to New Jersey became thick with smoke from a combination of forest fires, fog, and cloud cover. Birds sang their evening songs, farm animals returned to their roosts and barns, and people were bewildered. Since communication was primitive, the events that lasted overnight frightened many and spawned several historical accounts.
Pratt had three children with his first wife and six more with his second wife. At the time, he was the town's first and only doctor, greatly beloved and widely known for his skill. It was difficult being a country doctor for a small and rural population. He was known for his stern hand and humanitarian spirit. He was kind to the deserving poor and, at times, bartered instead of charged for his services. In stories published about him, he charged 25 cents per visit and 50 cents for long-distance travel. Families called for him by sending their horses because he did not have his own.
In 2012, the cemetery restored the cast iron fencing surrounding this plot, utilizing the original 1858 gate. It was almost completely intact except for the fence post top spindles, which were recast and fabricated using other original parts.
Dr. Oliver Howe recounted many classic stories about early physicians of Cohasset: "Old Cohasset Doctors ~ Early physicians of Cohasset as told from eyewitness accounts and passed down tales."
