Ephraim Marshall,
died
January 23, 1862,
aged 75 years, 5 months,
and 3 days.
From pain and suffering now he's free
His face on earth no more we'll see
But angel like he lives on high
A blessed spirit in the sky.
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Whitman M. Sackett, son of John & Mary Sackett, died 1865. New Burial Grounds Association Cemetery, Greenwich
Some of the gravestones I surveyed featured epitaph inscriptions that were partially readable. One such example is this one for Whitman M. Sackett in the New Burial Grounds Association Cemetery. It is immediately located next to the Second Congregational Church in Greenwich.
Young Whitman was the son of John and Mary Sackett. Their home is on nearby Patterson Avenue, off North Maple Avenue.
Young Whitman was the son of John and Mary Sackett. Their home is on nearby Patterson Avenue, off North Maple Avenue.
Whitman M. Sackett,
son of John &
Mary Sackett,
who died September 30, 1865,
AE. 21 years, 10 months
and 28 days.
And the ransomed of the Lord will return and come
to Zion, and everlasting joy will be
on their heads. They will obtain gladness and
joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 51:11.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
The Peck Family Burying Ground at Clapboard Ridge
Pictured here are recent images of the Peck Family Burying Ground at Clapboard Ridge. These images were provided to me by one of the Peck family descendants, Christopher Peck.
In the early 1990's I headed a project to survey and locate Greenwich's cemeteries and burying grounds. This cemetery and the names of those interred here are in Spencer Percival Mead's 'Abstract of Tombstones' published in the early 1900s. The late Town Historian William E. Finch, Jr., told me that the time that he had never been to this site. My work was cut out for me.
The cemetery is in very poor, overgrown condition. Many of the stones are lying flat, broken, and under layers of soil. Some stone markers appear to be missing or possible buried flat under years of accumulated debris.
The first burial to take place here occurred with the death of Hannah, wife of Benjamin Peck. She died on November 30, 1783, aged 39 years and 6 months.
The last interment was with the death of Polly, wife of James Peck, who died on September 14, 1875.
War veterans buried here include two soldiers. Benjamin Peck died on March 12, 1806, and served as a clerk in Captain Abraham Mead's Company during the American Revolution. Elias Peck, died May 14, 1846, was a Fife Major in the War of 1812.
The epitaphs inscribed on the gravestones include references to death by sickness and childhood mortality.
Though the stone was missing at the time of my visit to this site, Historian Spenser Mead recorded the inscription of Sylvanus Mead's stone. He died in Virginia, apparently on a return trip to Connecticut from New Orleans. No information has been found concerning the purpose of his journey.
This cemetery was set out by Elias Peck, for ten dollars, in a recorded deed in the Greenwich Land Records dated April 20, 1811. It was signed on May 10, and recorded June 6, 1811.
The deed stipulates that it was for the use of the Peck family, and to their heirs forever the use and improvement of the following described piece of land for the privilege of a Burying place where my honored father Benjamin Peck late of said Greenwich dec'd was buried. Said piece of land is lying and being in said Greenwich in the West Society thereof being three rods wide on the West and four rods on the North three rods on the East and four on the South and bounded West by the land of Samuel Peck North East and South on my own land reserving for myself and my heirs forever the privilege of burying on the aforesaid described piece of land the above conveyance is made to the said Benjamin James Nathan Platt and James Junr. and to their heirs forever for the only use of a burying place for myself said Benjamin James Nathan Platt and James Junr. and our heirs forver so that all the descendants from our said father Benjamin Peck dec'd may have a family burying place and said land is not to be improved in any other way for agriculture than by pasture the fee of said land is not meant to be improved be conveyed but only the privilege of a burying place for said Benjamin, James, Nathan, Platt, and James Junr., and their heirs.
In the early 1990's I headed a project to survey and locate Greenwich's cemeteries and burying grounds. This cemetery and the names of those interred here are in Spencer Percival Mead's 'Abstract of Tombstones' published in the early 1900s. The late Town Historian William E. Finch, Jr., told me that the time that he had never been to this site. My work was cut out for me.
The cemetery is in very poor, overgrown condition. Many of the stones are lying flat, broken, and under layers of soil. Some stone markers appear to be missing or possible buried flat under years of accumulated debris.
The last interment was with the death of Polly, wife of James Peck, who died on September 14, 1875.
War veterans buried here include two soldiers. Benjamin Peck died on March 12, 1806, and served as a clerk in Captain Abraham Mead's Company during the American Revolution. Elias Peck, died May 14, 1846, was a Fife Major in the War of 1812.
Though the stone was missing at the time of my visit to this site, Historian Spenser Mead recorded the inscription of Sylvanus Mead's stone. He died in Virginia, apparently on a return trip to Connecticut from New Orleans. No information has been found concerning the purpose of his journey.
The deed stipulates that it was for the use of the Peck family, and to their heirs forever the use and improvement of the following described piece of land for the privilege of a Burying place where my honored father Benjamin Peck late of said Greenwich dec'd was buried. Said piece of land is lying and being in said Greenwich in the West Society thereof being three rods wide on the West and four rods on the North three rods on the East and four on the South and bounded West by the land of Samuel Peck North East and South on my own land reserving for myself and my heirs forever the privilege of burying on the aforesaid described piece of land the above conveyance is made to the said Benjamin James Nathan Platt and James Junr. and to their heirs forever for the only use of a burying place for myself said Benjamin James Nathan Platt and James Junr. and our heirs forver so that all the descendants from our said father Benjamin Peck dec'd may have a family burying place and said land is not to be improved in any other way for agriculture than by pasture the fee of said land is not meant to be improved be conveyed but only the privilege of a burying place for said Benjamin, James, Nathan, Platt, and James Junr., and their heirs.
I do not have photos of individual gravestones. My research findings are on file in the archives of the Greenwich Historical Society in the village of Cos Cob.
Benjamin Peck
died March 12, 1806
aged 64 years & 5 months.
Afflictions sore long time he bore
Physicians were in vain
Till God did please to give me ease
And free me from my pain.
Sylvanus Mead
died at Wheeling, VA.,
on his way home from New Orleans, LA.,
May 3, 1833,
aged 39 years, 3 months, and 26 days
Children of Ebenezer and Eliza Peck:
Ebenezer Peck,
died April 2, 1842,
aged 1 month & 15 days.
Charlotte Eliza Peck,
died September 9, 1841,
aged 1 year, 6 months & 13 days.
Go, gentle babes, to realms of bliss
The christ'ning rod we humbly kiss
Their Savior calls them to his home
And let his holy will be done.
Benjamin Peck
died July 11, 1870
aged 83 years, 9 months, and 7 days.
Let me live the life of the righteous
that my last days be like his.
Pruella, widow of Benjamin Peck
died May 5, 1873
aged 75 years, 9 months, and 13 days.
Afflictions sore long time I bore
Physicians were in vain
Till God did please to give me ease
And free me from my pain.
Monday, August 25, 2014
Gershum Jessup, died 1805. Tomac Cemetery, Old Greenwich
Here lies the Kind Father of 5 Children
two of them lying at his feet.
Sleep lovely babes and take your peaceful reft
God called you home he has thought it beft.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Nathaniel Lockwood, died 1757. Tomac Cemetery, Old Greenwich
The tombstone of Nathaniel Lockwood, died December 22, 1757, aged 31 years, has both a fine example of a winged soul effigy and is inscribed with the earliest known epitaph found on any gravestone in Greenwich graveyards.
Since Life's uncertain Oft cut down in Prime
Repent nor dare presume on future time
Since Mercy's boundless Let not man despair
Love and Faith in Christ is Saving if Sincere.
Deacon Samuel Peck, died 1793: Tomac Cemetery, Old Greenwich
He was a faithful man and
feared God above many.
All men mutt come to the cold tomb
Only the actions of the juft,
Smell fleet and blofsom in the duct,
Such actions friend were thine.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Rev. Rufus C. Putney, died 1881 New Burial Grounds Association Cemetery, Greenwich
Rev. Rufus C. Putney,
For 37 years Minister
of the Methodist
Episcopal Church,
born in Union, Conn.
August 17, 1820,
died in New York City
December 16, 1881.
SINNER SAVED BY GRACE
"I know that my Redeemer liveth and because
he shall live also."
"I shall be awakened in thy
likeness."
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Jonathan Knapp, died June 8, l796: Burying Hill Cemetery, Round Hill
This historic community burying ground is the oldest graveyard in Round Hill.
It is located on the road that bears the same name at the top of a very steep hill. This burial site was set aside by the original settlers for the common use for all.
The earliest known carved gravestone is a small fieldstone that bears the date 1762 May 3 AD. Most of the tombstones here are made of blank fieldstone's
However there are a few that are crudely inscribed with names and dates. Family names found here include Knapp, Brown, Rundle and Palmer. There are several later marble tombstones in the cemetery. The burying ground has not been in use since the early 19th century.
The center area of the cemetery has a large number of rows of fieldstones. It is thought that these may mark the grave sites of British soldiers who were led by General Tarleton, who were ambushed by the locals during the Revolution. The battle took place off John Street, about half a mile away.
It is located on the road that bears the same name at the top of a very steep hill. This burial site was set aside by the original settlers for the common use for all.
However there are a few that are crudely inscribed with names and dates. Family names found here include Knapp, Brown, Rundle and Palmer. There are several later marble tombstones in the cemetery. The burying ground has not been in use since the early 19th century.
The center area of the cemetery has a large number of rows of fieldstones. It is thought that these may mark the grave sites of British soldiers who were led by General Tarleton, who were ambushed by the locals during the Revolution. The battle took place off John Street, about half a mile away.
Jonathan Knapp
died June 8, l796, in his 44th year.
Tho all created light decay
And death close up our eyes
Thy presence makes eternal day
Where clouds can never rise.
Deacon Jonas Mead, died August 2, 1871. New Burial Grounds Association Cemetery, Greenwich
This is the gravestone of Deacon Jonas Mead. He was born in Greenwich on April 13, 1784 and died in town on August 2, 1871.
His epitaph reads:
How blest the righteous when he dies
When sinks his weary soul to rest
How mildly beam the closing eyes
How gently heaves the expiring breast.
Many of my neighbors, family members and readers know that I founded a non-profit, The Historic Mead Family Burying Grounds Association, Inc. The Association maintains and preserves three small ancestral family cemeteries in Greenwich. It also preserves and disseminates histories of these sites and others where family ancestors are interred.
In 2009 I set up a YouTube channel for the Association. Go to this link for a short movie presentation I created and uploaded on Deacon Jonas Mead. The script of a tribute to him are include and reposted below.
Deacon Jonas Mead was a farmer who lived along the coastline in the Byram section of Greenwich. He was active in the temperance movement, a deacon in the Second Congregational Church and an ardent abolitionist who was a conductor on the Underground Railroad. He was a vice-president of the Fairfield Anti-Slavery Society and entertained noted abolitionist's including Dr. Erasmus Hudson, an agent for the state anti-slavery society, at his Greenwich farm. When the Liberty Party of Connecticut was formed in 1841, Deacon Jonas ran for the State Senate. He ran again for office in 1847. Despite being 77 years old when the Civil War erupted, it is noted in the history of the Fairfield County Anti-Slavery Society that he lived long enough to witness the end of slavery in America.
A Tribute: Deacon Jonas Mead
Second Congregational Church, Greenwich, Connecticut:
Thursday, January 11, 1872
At a meeting of the Church duly notified from the pulpit held in the Lecture Room this evening, Rev. Horace James, Moderator, on motion of Deacon P. Button the following Memorial of the late Deacon Jonas Mead was unanimously adopted and ordered on the minutes:
Whereas in the appointment of a permanent Clerk in the place of Deacon Jonas Mead, deceased it seems eminently proper that we should enter on the records of the church a testimonial of our appreciation of the Christian character and long and faithful services of our departed Brother.
Therefore resolved that while we mourn his removal from us by death yet feeling sure that our loss is his infinite gain we cheerfully acquiesce in the Divine Will, and would express our devout gratitude to God for his goodness to this Church in giving to our departed Brother the grace and strength which enabled him so wisely, so faithfully and so long to labor for the good of the church and for the glory of Christ in the salvation of men.
Resolved, that we have great occasion to rejoice in and to be grateful for, a Christian life hallowed and made sweet and precious to our hearts as we remember our beloved Brother in the various relations which he sustained to this church and which are embraced in part in the following record.
He united with this Church at the age of thirty years July 31, 1814 devoting himself to a life of Christian labor in the early vigor of manhood. He was made Deacon nine years afterwards in 1823, and about the same time took charge of the books of the Church as stated Clerk.
He was for many years Superintendent of the Sunday School, and served in it as a faithful teacher until the very close of life performing the duties of teacher, Clerk and Deacon for about half a century. During this long period he was in almost constant service as our delegate to other religious bodies or as the most efficient worker on committees to plan and labor for the discipline efficiency and spirituality of this church with which he was in
Covenant so long.
The record of his life will show that instantaneous obedience at whatever personal sacrifice to every call of duty from the Church from suffering humanity from Providence or the word of God was his eminent characteristic and when the Master called him from the Church below he was equally ready for the higher duties of the Church above.
The call came August 2, 1871 when he was fully ripe, being in his 88th year, and we buried him with the prayer and in the hope that we may through grace like him strive to be faithful here and be counted worthy to join him in his duties there.
On motion of Dea. Button, L.P. Hubbard was elected Clerk of the Church to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Dea. Jonas Mead. On motion of Dea. James H. Knapp Mr. Benjamin Wright was unanimously elected Assistant Clerk.
A communication was presented by the Moderator inviting the Church to be represented at a meeting of the Conference of Congregational Churches of Brooklyn, New York and vicinity to be held in Plymouth Church (Rev. H. W. Beechers) on Thursday the 18th inst. at 3 PM. L. P. Hubbard, Dea. Moses Cristy, Sanford Mead, William C. Churchill, Shadrach M. Brush and Joseph G. Mead were appointed Delegates to accompany the Pastor to said meeting.
Adjourned., L.P. Hubbard, Clerk
Second Congregational Church, Greenwich, Connecticut:
Thursday, January 11, 1872
At a meeting of the Church duly notified from the pulpit held in the Lecture Room this evening, Rev. Horace James, Moderator, on motion of Deacon P. Button the following Memorial of the late Deacon Jonas Mead was unanimously adopted and ordered on the minutes:
Whereas in the appointment of a permanent Clerk in the place of Deacon Jonas Mead, deceased it seems eminently proper that we should enter on the records of the church a testimonial of our appreciation of the Christian character and long and faithful services of our departed Brother.
Therefore resolved that while we mourn his removal from us by death yet feeling sure that our loss is his infinite gain we cheerfully acquiesce in the Divine Will, and would express our devout gratitude to God for his goodness to this Church in giving to our departed Brother the grace and strength which enabled him so wisely, so faithfully and so long to labor for the good of the church and for the glory of Christ in the salvation of men.
Resolved, that we have great occasion to rejoice in and to be grateful for, a Christian life hallowed and made sweet and precious to our hearts as we remember our beloved Brother in the various relations which he sustained to this church and which are embraced in part in the following record.
He united with this Church at the age of thirty years July 31, 1814 devoting himself to a life of Christian labor in the early vigor of manhood. He was made Deacon nine years afterwards in 1823, and about the same time took charge of the books of the Church as stated Clerk.
He was for many years Superintendent of the Sunday School, and served in it as a faithful teacher until the very close of life performing the duties of teacher, Clerk and Deacon for about half a century. During this long period he was in almost constant service as our delegate to other religious bodies or as the most efficient worker on committees to plan and labor for the discipline efficiency and spirituality of this church with which he was in
Covenant so long.
The record of his life will show that instantaneous obedience at whatever personal sacrifice to every call of duty from the Church from suffering humanity from Providence or the word of God was his eminent characteristic and when the Master called him from the Church below he was equally ready for the higher duties of the Church above.
The call came August 2, 1871 when he was fully ripe, being in his 88th year, and we buried him with the prayer and in the hope that we may through grace like him strive to be faithful here and be counted worthy to join him in his duties there.
On motion of Dea. Button, L.P. Hubbard was elected Clerk of the Church to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Dea. Jonas Mead. On motion of Dea. James H. Knapp Mr. Benjamin Wright was unanimously elected Assistant Clerk.
A communication was presented by the Moderator inviting the Church to be represented at a meeting of the Conference of Congregational Churches of Brooklyn, New York and vicinity to be held in Plymouth Church (Rev. H. W. Beechers) on Thursday the 18th inst. at 3 PM. L. P. Hubbard, Dea. Moses Cristy, Sanford Mead, William C. Churchill, Shadrach M. Brush and Joseph G. Mead were appointed Delegates to accompany the Pastor to said meeting.
Adjourned., L.P. Hubbard, Clerk
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Mary Hitchcock (Hitchcock Family Cemetery, Cos Cob) died 1797
Thomas Hitchcock, who died in 1813, was a private in Captain Abraham Mead's Company during the Revolutionary War.
Contrary to what some suppose no Indians are buried in this family plot.
Mary, wife of Thomas Hitchcock,
died April 21, 1797 aged 17 years, 10 months, 19 days.
Blessed are the pure in heart
For they shall find God.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Rev. Isaac Lewis, D.D. Died 1854. Lewis Family Burying Ground, off Lafayette Place, Greenwich
Reverend Isaac Lewis D.D.,
son of
Rev Isaac Lewis D.D. and Hannah
His Wife
He Died in the City of New York
September 23rd, 1854,
Aged 81 years,
7 months and 23 days.
He was graduated at Yale College
in 1794
Licensed to preach the Gospel in
1797:
And installed Pastor of the
Congregational Church in this
Place in 1818
where he continued nearly 10 years.
Grievous in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his saints.
Reverend Platt Buffett, died 1850. Lewis Family Burying Ground, off Lafayette Place, Greenwich
Reverend Platt Buffett,
parted this life May 25th 1850 in the 86th year of his age.
He was born on Huntington, Long Island 1754
Graduated at Yale College 1791
Studied Divinity with Rev. Dr. Edwards
Was licensed to preach the Gospel by
the New Haven Association.
He was ordained and constituted pastor of
the Congregational Church in Stanwich
By the Consociation of Fairfield West
on 25 May 1796
He died peaceful and happy in the
full assurance of that faith in Christ
which he preached to others for
more than half a century.
Blessed are the dead who died in the Lord.
Friday, August 15, 2014
Ebenezer Mead, died 1775. Union Cemetery, Greenwich
Ebenezer Mead, Esq.,
died May 3, 1775,aged 83 years
The Memory of the juft is
Blefsed.
Endangered Gravestones: Edward, son of Frederick Stevenson (1795) Union Cemetery, Greenwich
When I first transcribed the inscription on this brownstone marker in Union Cemetery it was in much better condition. That was in the early 1990s.
Sure, I remember a few cracks developing on the face of it. But since then the marker has seriously deteriorated as you can see.
The stone marks the final resting place of Edward Stevenson. He was from "West Chester" county in New York. He was quite young at age twenty. Why did he die? There are no records specifying this, at least that we know of.
Here is the inscription together with photos of the stone and the epitaph:
Sure, I remember a few cracks developing on the face of it. But since then the marker has seriously deteriorated as you can see.
The stone marks the final resting place of Edward Stevenson. He was from "West Chester" county in New York. He was quite young at age twenty. Why did he die? There are no records specifying this, at least that we know of.
Here is the inscription together with photos of the stone and the epitaph:
Edward, son of Frederick Stevenson of West Chester,
died September 15, 1795,aged 20 years.
Beneath this stone in solemn silence
Th' remains of him who all goodness possess
Dismiss'd from his tenement of clay
With God he lives in one eternal day
death's unrelenting hand cut short his time
Yet willingly he did his soul resign
In life belov'd in death bemoan'd tho' blest
Peace to thy gentle shade and endless rest.
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| Photo taken August 14, 2014. Jeffrey Bingham Mead |
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| Photo taken August 14, 2014. Jeffrey Bingham Mead |
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