USA > Connecticut > New London County > New London > Ye antient buriall place of New London, Conn. > Part 1
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YE ANTIENT
BURIALL PLACE
-OF-
New London, Conn.
NEW LONDON : Press of The Day Publishing Co.
1899.
Copyright 1899, BY EDWARD PRENTIS, New London, Conn. Seit. 2.4. 1980
INTRODUCTION.
A record of the inscriptions on the gravestones in "Ye Antient Buriall Place " has never until now been compiled, nor has any adequate representation of this historic spot been published. Many of the stones, being of slate, are in a good state of preservation and the inscriptions on them are nearly as legible as when carved, but the majority are of a softer stone and are fast becoming a prey to the elements. The inscriptions on some of these stones are almost illegible, while on others they are undecipherable or entirely obliterated.
That those who come after us may know the names, and location of the graves of those who rest in this hallowed ground is the object of this work.
New London, Conn., July 26th, 1899.
EDWARD PRENTIS.
The Hon. Augustus Brandegee kindly loaned the plates of the Richard Lord and Adam Shapley gravestones and Jonathan Brooks' tomb.
Tomb of Jonathan Brooks where Benedict Arnold Sat on Horseback Watching the Massacre on Groton Heights Opposite.
Old Burial Ground of New London.
BY F. M. C.
[From The Repository. ] 1859
This is the oldest place of interment in the eastern part of Connecticut. On the coast from Saybrook to Narragansett Bay, and far into the interior, there is no cemetery of the white race which reaches back so far as this. Unfortunately very few of the earlier graves had any inscribed headstones, and without doubt, as the hillocks became obliterated they have been covered over with fresh deposits of the dead, so that the numbers here cannot be estimated by the evidences that now remain.
In the first laying out of the town plot, which is supposed to have been done under the immediate di- rection of Mr. Winthrop and the Rev. Mr. Peters, in the summer of 1645, two lots on the hill were reserved for the meeting house and the burying place. There reservations though specially recorded at the time, are repeatedly referred to in subsequent grants and by an ordinance dated June 6th, 1653, the bounds of that burial place were minutely stated and registered.
The area appears to have been substantially the same as at the present day. The path leading to the town mill, (now the northern end of Huntington street) bounded it on the east ; a foot-path south, and the lots given to Mr. Blinman, the first minister, lay around it on the north and west.
In this ancient cemetery, the graves 'are irregularly disposed, crowding upon each other without avenues or spaces between families, and most of the head stones are either rude in form and material, or quaint and grotesque in the workmanship and inscription. Everything shows that this was the unadorned rest- ing place of the hardy emigrants, the first comers and beginners of the town. But the very simplicity gives the spot a peculiar interest. It awakens serious and touching associations ; reminding us of the trials and deprivations of an infant settlement, planted as this was, far away from others and in the immediate neigh- borhood and companionship of savage tribes .-
6
YE ANTIENT BURIALL PLACE OF NEW LONDON, CONN.
Those early planters had no tasteful surveyors to lay out the land and adorn the landscape; no in- genious artisans in stone, to shape and dispose the monuments. If the best man in the community was struck down, his companions could do no more to testify their regret, than to lay him reverently in the grave, and seal it with a rude granite head piece, or a head covering stone, broken with ponderous mallets from some neighboring ledge and wearily dragged with ropes to the place and laid over the remains to secure them from disturbance, and mark the spot where a brother was buried.
It is supposed that the first person of mature age interred in this ground was Jarvis Mudge, who died in March 1652. Thomas Doxey died the same year ; the wife of Andrew Lester in 1655; Walter Harris in November of the same year, and his wife, Mrs. Nancy Harris, two years later. During the year 1655, Rob- ert Hempstead, Robert Isbell, and Peter Collins were numbered with the dead. William Roberts died in 1657, and William Bartlett either in that year or in the next, and John Corte in August 1659. These were heads of families, and the list comprises all that are known to have died in the settlement, of mature age before 1660.
A country grave yard is too often neglected. Without careful attention and pruning, a very few years suffices for the luxuriant undergrowth of the
soil to gain the ascendancy and transform the second repository of the dead into a thicket of weeds, vines, grass and shrubbery. Such a few years since was the condition of this ground. A number of the head stones were broken, or thrown down, others were sunk into the turf and most of the inscriptions v .re inoss-covered and illegible. In 1855, by an ordinance of the city authorities the whole enclosure was set in order. Clusters of barberry bushes, some of which were known to have occupied the same spot for eighty years, and which had fairly rooted out the grave stones and obliterated the graves near them, shoots of the wild cherry, and all the tangled growth of vines, asters and thistles were cleared out, the stones were cleansed, the half-effaced letters recut, and those embedded in the turf raised. But the original order and position of every stone was carefully retained, so as to restore as far as possible the original appearance and arrange- ment.
Before this was done the monumental tablet of Richard Lord, which is the oldest inscribed stone in the ground, and the oldest in the county of New Lon- don, could scarcely be deciphered. It lay in a hollow of the ground considerably below the surface partly covered with turf, a broad fracture through the middle and the lettering scarcely legible. It was raised and the letters rechiselled. It now lies on a slightly ele- vated mound and can be easily read. The inscription
RRD LOPD DECEASED
17 1002
TATIS SVA 51
ACHT STARRY OF OVA CAVALLRIE LYES HER" INTO THE STATE A COVNS LLOVR FULL DEARC TOY TRUTH AFRIEND OF SWEETC CONTENT
TO WARFORD TOWNE A SIVER ORNAMENT
WHO CANT DEN TO POOR HE WAS RELEIFC
AND In COMPOSING RAROXY
HIES WAS CHEIFC
TO MARCHANTES AS A PAT TE
HE MIGHT STAND
TA AND LAND
ADVENTRING DANGERS NEW B
THE BRIGHT STARRE OF OVR CAVALLRIE LYES HERE.
7
YE ANTIENT BURIALL PLACE OF NEW LONDON, CONN.
is cut in large capitals, upon a slab of hard, red sand- .stone. It has often been copied and printed, as a curious specimen of the quaint old epitaph.
An epitaphe on Captaine Richard Lord, deceased, May 17, 1652, aetatis svae 51. 166% The bright Starre of ovr cavallrie lies here, Vnto the State a covnsellor full deare, And to ye truth a friend of sweet content, To Hartford towne a silver ornament. Who can deny too poore he was reliefe, And in composing paroxysmes was chiefe, To Merchantcs as a Patterne he might stand, Adventuring dangers new by sea and land.
Richard Lord was the first captain of the regular militia of Connecticut. He belonged to Hartford, but at the time of his death he was in New London en- gaged in mercantile business and probably designed to become a permanent resident, as he had purchased a house, wharf and ware-house in this place .-
Next to the tables of Richard Lord, in the order of date, are the stones of the Christophers group. Two granite head stones commemorate the death of Mrs. Mary Christophers, in 1676, and Christopher Chris- tophers in 1687. This couple were original emigrants to this country, both born on the other side of the ocean .- In the same group are the head stones of Peter Bradley (whose wife was a Christophers), 1687,
and Mrs. Lucretia Christophers, 1691. These are all the dates in this enclosure, previous to 1700.
Yet here undoubtedly were deposited nearly the whole generation of our first settlers. It was the only common burial place in a large area, and private inter- ments in that age were not customary. The dead were brought in from a distance of six or seven miles, either carried in hurdles, or borne on a bier upon men's shoulders; large companies assembling, and relieving each other at convenient distances.
Among those supposed to have been laid in this ground, but who have no memorial stones to mark their graves, is Mrs. Grace Bulkley, who died in 1659. She was the daughter of Sir Richard Chit- wood, and mother of Rev. Gershom Bulkley, who be- tween the years 1661 and and 1669 officiated as the minister of New London.
The Rev. Simon Brodstreet who was the successor of Mr. Bulkley, and the first regularly settled and or- dained minister of the place, sleeps also without any memorial to mark his grave, and the particular spot where he lies is entirely unknown.
Pursuing our investigations we might make a long list of the fathers of the town whose graves have not been found, but whom we suppose to have been gath- ered into this congregation of the dead .- Where were interred, if not here, Robert Hempstead who died in 1655; John Coit, 1659; Christopher Avery, 1667;
8
YE ANTIENT BURIALL PLACE OF NEW LONDON, CONN.
Andrew Lester, 1669; Robert Latimer, 1671 ; Thomas Bailey and William Keeney, 1675; Joshua Raymond, 1676; John Lewis, 1680; Mathew Beckwith, 1681; William Douglass, 1682; Daniel Comstock and Wil- liam Hough, 1683; Gabriel Harris and Charles Hill, 1684 : Charles Haynes, Isaac Willey and Cary Latham, 1685 : James Rogers and Samuel Starr, 1688; William Chappell, 1690; Joseph Truman, 1697; Richard Mor- gan, 1698; William Chapman, 1699: Samuel Fosdick, 1702; George Darrow, 1704; Benjamin Shapley, 1705 ; John Daniels, 1709; Stephen Hurlbut, 1712 : Oliver Manwaring, 1723; Richard Dart, 1724; and miany others, the dates of whose deaths have not been ascertained? Here undoubtedly the greater part of the founders of the town were laid with their families reposing around them. They mingled with the earth, and succeeding generations have been gradually de- posited over and around theni. "Dust we are and unto dust we must return."
Peace to this great family of the departed ! Many of them died in faith ; they were laid here by loving, believing friends, who like them "sought a better country, even a heavenly." Tears of love and ven- eration have bedewed. these hillocks ; words of praise, and honor have been breathed over them. Would that the living who come hither in curious or medita- tive mood might be led to emulate the domestic virtues, the independence, the simple, religious faith of
these ancient worthies ! A burial place ought ever to be regarded as an open Sanctuary, where God is to be reverently worshipped.
Among the persons who lie in this ground, whose birthi can be traced back to England, is Daniel Weth- erel. He was born according to a registry made in the old town book of New London, "At the Free School House in Maidstone, Kent, Old England, Nov. 30, 1630." His father had been the Preceptor of that school but emigrated to this country and became the minister of Scituate, Mass .- His son Daniel married Grace Brewster, and settled in New London. He was an active and intelligent citizen, and a noted man in the Colony for more than forty years .- His epitaph reads thus :
"Here Lieth the Body of Capt. Daniel Wetherell, Esq., who died April ye 14th, 1719 in the 89th year of his age."
Another antique slab commemorates the death of Thomas Short, the first Printer in the Colony of Con- necticut, the predecessor of the Greens, and the one who in 1710 printed the first edition of "The Saybrook Platform of Church Discipline."
"Here Lieth the Body of Thomas Short, who de- ceased September the 26th, 1712, in the 30th year of his age."
A very ancient stone covers the remains of Deacon
9
YE ANTIENT BURIALL PLACE OF NEW LONDON, CONN.
Clement Miner. It is a large oblong granite table, laid flat upon the surface, simply inscribed.
"C. M. 1700."
The only ancient stone bearing the name of Win- throp has the following inscription :
"Here Lyeth the Body of Madam Elizabeth Win- throp, the wife of the Honourable Governour Win- throp, who died April ye 25th, 1731, in her 79th year." John Winthrop, the founder of New London, when chosen governor of the Colony, in 1658, removed to Hartford, where his wife died and was interred. He, himself, was arrested by death, while attending the Court of Commissioners at Boston in 1675, and was deposited in the tomb of his father at that place. One of his daughters, Mrs. Lucy Palmes, died in 1676, and was interred in this ground, but the head stone of her grave, being of friable slate, has mouldered into fragments. Her husband, who survived her nearly forty years, was laid by her side and is commemorated in the following inscription :
"Here Lyes interred the Body of Major Edward Palmes, who departed this life March ye 21st, Anno Dom., 1714-15, in the 78th year of his age."
The most elaborately wrought stone in the place is erected to the memory of Samuel Gray who married Lucy, the daughter of Major Palmes. It is of pur- plish slate, small in size but thick with a very skillfully carved border :
"Here Lyes ye body of Mr. Samuel Gray, Aged 28 years and 7 months, Dec'd May ye 25th, 1713."
A memorandum made in an Ancient Diary which we have seen, read as follows : "July 3, 1712. A very hot day ; little Thomas Avery was drowned while in a swimming."-This note gives an interest to a quaint little head stone, almost a miniature in size but wrought after the ancient fashion, and bearing the fol- lowing inscription :
"Here Lyeth ye Body of Thomas Avery, who de- parted this life Jvly the 3, 1712, in the 8th year of his age."
In this inclosure is the tomb of the Reverend and Honorable Gurdon Saltonstall, the fifth Governor of Connecticut, under the charter. He occupied the pulpit twenty years, and the chair of State sixteen. This tomb which consists of a large circular excava- tion or vault in the central part of the area, was pre- pared by the Governor to receive the remains of his second wife, Elizabeth Rosewell. His own obsequies were attended with great solemnity and military pomp. The inscription upon the table stone of the tomb, under the heraldic emblems of the family, is as follows :
"Here Lyeth the Body of the Honourable Gurdon Saltonstall, Esquire, Governour of Connecticut, who died Sept. the 20th, in the 59th year of his age, 1724." Various descendants of the Governor have been gath-
IO
YE ANTIENT BURIALL PLACE OF NEW LONDON, CONN.
ered into the same sepulchre : Capt. Roswell Salton- stall was interred here in 1785, Hon. Gurdon Salton- stall in 1785, and Winthrop Saltonstall. Esq., in 1811. These were his sons, all of them useful and distin- guished men.
Other ministers .- It has been already mentioned that the Rev. Simon Bradstreet was undoubtedly laid in this ground, but he has no monument. £
Mr. Saltonstall succeeded him as minister of the town, but resigned his pastorate on being chosen Governor of the Colony. Rev. Eliphalet Adams was or- dained in 1709, and after a ministry of forty- three years was here consigned to the bosom of the earth. Mr. Adams was exemplary as a pastor and distinguished both for scholarship and pulpit talent. His monumental tablet is enriched with a quotation from Young's Night Thoughts and a scrip- tural reference :
"Here lies the Remains of the Rev. Eliphalet Adams, who rested from his Labours, October 4th, A. D., 1753. in the 77th year of his Age.
So just the Skies, Philander's Life so pain'd, His Heart so pure, that, or succeeding scenes, Have palms to give, or ne'er had he been born. Heb. 6: 10."
Rev. William Adams, the oldest son of Rev. Eli- phalet, was never settled over a parish but was a preacher of the gospel with occasional intermissions
from 1734 to his death in 1798. His grave is near that of his father with a head stone simply inscribed : "In memory of Rev. William Adams, who died Sept. 25th, 1798, in the 88th year of his age."
The remains of the Rev. Ephraim Woodbridge also rest in this inclosure. He was the grandson of the first minister of Groton, and bore the same name. He was not the immediate successor of Mr. Adams ; the short pastorate of Rev. Mather Byles intervened. This gentleman having resigned his office, returned to Boston, and Mr. Woodbridge was elected to fill the vacant pulpit, but after a service of less than seven years, he sunk into an early grave. His monument has this record :
"Sacred to the memory of Ephraim Woodridge, A. M., sixth pastor of the Ist Church, New London, or- dained Oct. 11, 1769, and deceased Sept. 6, 1776, aged 30.
"Zion may in his fall bemoan, A Beauty and a Pillar gone,"
The wife of Mr. Woodbridge was Mary Shaw, a beautiful and accomplished woman who fell a victim to consumption after a brief period of married life. Her epitaph is distinguished by some vividly de- scriptive lines, supposed to have been written by her husband :
"Here lies the Remains of Mrs. Mary Woodbridge, wife of the Rev. Ephraim Woodbridge, and daughter
Coutbylanel Wound's
Griswold Sep Sh
caused his Death
CAPTAIN ADAM SHAPLEY, "IMMORTAL IN HIS TOMB."
1 I
YE ANTIENT BURIALL PLACE OF NEW LONDON, CONN.
of Capt. Nathaniel and Mrs. Temperance Shaw, who died at Bolton, June 10, 1775, in the 24th year of her age.
When, as a signal of her leave to go, Home to her Saviour, free from Sin and Woe, Death from his Quiver showed a fatal dart- A sudden pulse of joy leaped in her heart, Enough of life, and all its charms, she cried, Welcome my Father's messenger, and died."
Soldiers .- Among the stones in this ground which excite a melancholy sympathy, none are more deeply interesting than those that commemorate the victims of the Groton massacre. Of these there are several : "In memory of Mr. John Clark, who departed this life, Sept. 6, 1781, aged 34.'
Here the mode of death is not mentioned, but the name, John Clark, is in the list of slaughtered patriots, and the date itself tells the sad tale.
"In memory of Lieutenant Richard Chapman who was killed at Fort Griswold, Sept. 6th, 1781, in the 45th year of his age.
How suddenly death's arrows fly! They strike us, and they pass not by, But hurl us to the grave."
"In memory of Jonathan Fox who lost his life in defence of his country, Sept. 6th, 1781, by a wound received in his breast when couragiously faceing his Unnatural Enemies, and in ye 30th year of his age."
"In memory of Mr. John Holt Jun'r, who was slain in Fort Griswold, Sept. 6th, 1781, in the 35th year of his age."-
"In memory of Capt. Peter Richards who was will- ing to hazard every danger in Defense of American Independence, was a Volunteer in Fort Griswold at Groton, the 6th of Sept. 1781, and there slain, in the 28th year of his age."*
"In memory of Capt. Adam Shapley of Fort Trum- bull who bravely gave his life, for his Country. A fatal wound at Fort Griswold Sept. 6th, 1781, caused his death, Feb. 14th, 1782, Aged 43 years.
Shapley thy deeds reverse the common doom, And make thy name immortal in a tomb."
"The following epitaph also points out a youthful hero of the Revolution, though he was not one of the Groton victims .- His death wound was received on the Hudson river, under the immediate cognizance of the Commander in Chief .-
"The dust of Capt. George Hurlbut who died May 8th, 1783. in the 28th year of his age, in consequence of a wound he received in the service of his Country.
Here lies a youth of valor Known and tried, Who in his Country's Cause Fought, bled and died."
*Body removed to Cedar Grove Cemetery.
I 2
YE ANTIENT BURIALL PLACE OF NEW LONDON, CONN.
We might gather from these silent monuments, a much longer list of inscriptions, worthy of notice, either from their own peculiarity, or from the charac- ters that they commemorate ; but the specimens al- ready given will, we think, be sufficient to show that our Old Burial Ground is an interesting spot, not only as a store house of family mementos, but also for its historic associations.
A marine epitaph taken from the Strangers' Corner, will conclude this sketch .-
"In memory of Capt. Gershom Corss, of the City
of London, Commander of the Ship Hebe, who died on his passage from Jamaica to New London the 8th of October 1791. Aged 36 years.
Though Boreas' blasts, and Neptune's waves, Have tossed me to and fro, In spite of both by God's command, I harbour here below. Where I do now at Anchor ride, With many of our fleet,
Yet by and by, I must set sail. My Admiral Christ to meet."
9/90.09
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209 210-1211
216
for
199 180- 181
238-9-
1561159
235-
142
25%
148
3/
140
230
33
17
138
37
225-6-2
Pør
200
291
28 211
199 200
98
492-3-4 280-1-2
184.783
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138 10 276571
NOTICE.
To obtain the view of " Ye Antient Buriall Place " as seen in the plate, a position should be taken near a mark X on the wall, west of gravestone No. 137.
ERRATA.
Page 18 :
85. Here Lyeth the Body of Elizabeth Denniss who dyed Feb. the 16th, 1714-15, in the 7th year of her age.
Page 34 :
Katherine, Daugh'r of Mr. John & Mrs. Mary Mox- ley. Died July 21, 1787, aged 5 years & 6 Mo.
Here lyeth ye Body of Ezekiel Butler, Deces'd June ye 23d, 1734, in ye 28th year of his age.
Page 35 :
Here lieth the body of Anne Perry, Daugh'r of Elik- lium & J- Perry, who departed this life July 2d, 1792, in the 21 year of her age.
Here lies the body of Mrs. Esther Edgcumbe, Widow of Mr. Thomas Edgcumbe of Norwich, who died of a wound May the 20th in ye 40th year of her age, 174 -.
Here lies intere'd the body of Mrs. Hannah Hall, Daughter of Rev. Theophilus Hall of Walling- ford, who died Aug. 15th, 1753 in the 19th year of her age.
Here lies ye Body of Mrs. Hanah Bull, Wife of Mr. Daniel Bull of Hartford, who died Nov. 6th, 1743, aged 29 years.
INDEX.
Numbers 1 to 133 will be found on the left third of the picture; Nos. 133 to 229 on the centre; Nos. 229 to 305 on the right.
A
II2. Interred under this stone is the body of Coll. Benjamin Alford, who departed this life Agvst ye 12th Ano Dom. 1709, in ye 63d year of his age.
117. Here lyeth the body of John Arnold, who died August the 16th, 1725, aged about 73 years.
190. Here lyeth ye body of Mrs. - Arnold, wife of Mr. John Arnold, who died November 28th - aged about - years.
227. In memory of Juno Anderfon, wife of Scipio Anderfon, who died Octr 22d, 1797, in the 40th year of her age.
89. In memory of Rev. William Adams, who died Sep. 25, 1798, in the 88th year of his age.
187. Obliterated.
90. In memory of Pygan Adams, Esq., who died July 1776, aged 64; and of his three Sons: Wil- liam, who died at St. Pierres, Martinico, April 4, 1778, aged 33; Alexander Pygan, who was lost at sea, in the year 1782, aged 35 ; and Thomas, who died in the Island of St. Martins Sep. 8th, 1815, aged 55.
91. In memory of Anne, Relict of Pygan Adams, who departed this - Jany 8th, 1809, in the 84th year of her age.
93. Here lyes ve Body of Mrs. Lydia Adams, wife to ye Rev'd Mr. Eliphalet Adams, who departed this Life Sept. ye 6th, A. D. 1749, aged 64 years & 8 mo.
94. Here lies the Remains of the Rev'd Mr. Eli- phalet Adams, who refted from his Labours Oct. 4th, A. D. 1753, in the 77th year of his age.
So juft the Skies, Philander's Life so Pain'd, Ilis Heart so pure that or succeeding scenes Have Palms to give, or ne'er had he been born. Heb. 6: 10.
14
YE ANTIENT BURIALL PLACE OF NEW LONDON, CONN.
103. No inscription.
II4. Here lyeth ye body of Thomas Avery, who de- parted this life Jvly the 3d, 1712, in the 8th year of his age.
281. Here lyeth Buried ye body of Elizabeth ye wife of Mr. Joshua Appleton, who dyed March -y-23d. 1716, in -y- 23 year of her age.
105. In memory of Mrs. Elizabeth Allen, the amiable Confort of Mr. Thomas Allen, who departed this Life Aug. 5, 1783, in the 68th year of her age.
B
6. In memory of Mrs. Hannah Bill, wife to Mr. Samuel Bill, who Died May 7th, 1740, aged 48 years.
53. In memory of Margaret, wife of Samuel Bolles, who died June 30th, 1820, aged 74 years.
54. In memory of Samuel Bolles, who died August Ioth, 1842, in the 99th year of his age.
56. In memory of Mr. Ebenezer Bolles, who died June ye 24, A. D. - 76, in ye 54th year of his age.
57. In -,
son of -Mr. Jo- and Mrs. Joanna Bolles. Died July 26, A. D. 1776, in the 24th year of his age. (Foot stone.) Mr. Alpheus Bolles.
64. In mem -, who died April II, 1793, in the 23d year of his age. (Foot stone.) Martin Bolles.
(Back of 54 is :)
65. Here Lyeth the body of Thomas Bolles, Esqr., who died May 26, 1727, aged 84 years.
66. Sacred to the memory of Mrs. Lydia Bolles, Confort of Mr. Isaiah Bolles, who departed this Life Sept. 10, A. D. 1774, in the 62d year of her age.
67. Sacred to the memory of Mr. Isaiah Bolles, who departed this Life Jany the 28th, A. D. 1789, in the 76th year of his age.
68. Ebenezer Bolles, 1762.
97. In memory of Henry, ye Son of John & Mary Braddick, died March ye 28th, 1754, in ye 14th year of his age.
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