"Here's a cedar tall, gently wafted o'er  From Great Britain's Isle to this western shore,  Near fifty years crossing the ocean wide,  Yet's anchored in the grave from storm or tide,  Yet remember the body only here,  His blessed so fixt in a higher sphere.

     Here lies the body of Giles Hamlin, 'squir, Aged 67 years who departed this life the first day of September Anno Dom, 1689."
     "N. W. CVTLER, AGE IN THE 100 YER DIED IVNE THE 5, 1706:
     "Here lies interred the body of Mary, the virtuous consort of Jabez Hamlin, Esq., and daughter of ye Hon'ble Christopher Christophers, Esq., of New London, who fell asleep April ye 3d, A. D., 1776, in ye 22d year of her age.

" So fair, so young, so innocent, so sweet,   So ripe a judgment, and so rare a wit,   Require at least an Age in one to meet;   In her they met, but long they could not stay,,  "Twas gold too fine to mix without allay."

     "In memory of Mr. Hathll Goodwin who was born in Boston Febey ye 24th 1672-3 departed this life March ye 7th N. S. 1753 upon his birthday in Middletown being just 80 years old."
     "Here is interred the mortal remains of Dr. John Osborn  Ask nothing further, traveler; nothing better can be said, nor nothing shorter.  Ob. 31st May, 1753, Æ. 40. - Life how short, Eternity how long."
     It is said that a very pompous inscription was originally placed upon the monument, from which these words were taken, but that the son of Dr. Osborn, when he became of age, caused it all to be erased, and substituted the above.
     Dr. Osborn was n eminent physician, and a poet of some note.  He was the author of the "Whaling Song," the first verse of which is -

" When spring returns with western gales,     And gentle breezes sweep   The ruffling seas, we spread our sails      To plough the wat'ry deep."

     "In memory of Mrs. Desire late wife of Mr. Abner Ely, died Sep. 1st, 1764, aged 48 years.
 

" A loving wife, and tender mother   Left this base world to enjoy the other."

     "Sacred to the memory of Mrs. Lucy Ann, wife of Com. Thomas Macdonough, and daughter of Nathaniel and Lucy Ann Shaler  The richest gifts of Nature and Grace adorned her mind and heart; and at her death, Genius, Friendship and Piety mourned their common loss.  She preceded her husband to the realms of glory only a few short months, having departed this life Aug. 9th 1825, Æ. 35.  They were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided." 
     " To commemorate the piety and virtues of Mrs. Louisa, wife of Lieut. Horace Sawyer, U. S. Navy, daughter of Nathaniel and Lucy Ann Shaler, who departed this life on Monday, 15th Dec. 1828, aged 24.  This stone is erected by her husband.

" Thou art gone to the grave, but we will not deplore three   Since God was they refuge, thy ransom, thy guide;   He gave thee, he took thee, and he will restore thee,   And Death has no sting since the Savior has died."

OLD CEMETERY IN MAROMAS.

     There is an old cemetery in Maromas District, near the Connecticut River, below the Maromas Station on the Hartford and Connecticut Valley railroad.  This yard contains but a few graves; and it was used only a short

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time for burial purposes.  The oldest date recorded in the cemetery is that of 1708; and the latest interment designated by a tomb-stone was made in 1754.  The time of layout is unknown.

OLD SOUTH FARMS CEMETERY.

     This cemetery, which is familiarly known as the "South Farms Burying Ground," was set apart for burial purposes by a vote of the town passed December 16th 1723.
     It is located in the Farm Hill District, and lies contiguous to the "Farm Hill Cemetery."  the first interment in this yard was that of the body of John Andrews who died in 1724.
     From that date until about 1850 this was one of the principal burial places, as is proven by the great number of tombstones which mark the many graves of those.

"Hose name and age spelled by the unlettered muse,   The place of pomp and eulogy supply."

     It is still used for burial purposes.  Epitaphs:

"My sun Is Set My Glass Is Run   My Candle's Out My Work Is Done.

 

" In youth she lived beimes the best of lives,   For nine eyars and four months the best of wives."

     The present officers are: Henry C. Johnson, treasurer; Abner Roberts, secretary; Samuel Harris, Elijah Tryon, Langdon Johnson trustees.

WASHINGTON STREET CEMETERY.

     The cemetery is located in the city of Middletown, corner of Washington and Vine streets, and was laid out by a committee appointed by the town in December 1739.  About 1830 it was enlarged by an inclosure of a portion of the street on the north side.
     At present it is in an extremely dilapidated condition.  It seems strange that while few if any cemeteries in the State evince more scrupulous care than Indian Hill, this old necropolis where, "the rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep," is a sadly neglected spot.  Many of the tombstones are so buried beneath weeds and poisonous undergrowth that it is almost impossible to read the inscriptions thereon.
     The following are a fw of the obituary records in this grave-yard.
     "Sacred to the Memory of the Rev'd Walter Cranston, late Rector of Christ Church, Savannah, Geo; who departed this life, the 25 of July 1822, in the 33 year of his age.
     "He was born at Newport, Rhode Island, the 12 of Dec. 1790, & educated at Harvard University. Distinguished for his benevolence, his learning & his piety, he died, as he had lived, respected and beloved.
     "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."
     "In Memory of Mr. David Doud, Who after He Served His Generation, He Gave his Friends A Good Exortation & Died In Hope of Eternal Salvation, August 17th 1775 in ye 28 Year of His Age."
     "Here lies the Body of Mr. William Bartlit who Departed this life October ye 10th int 1741 Aged about in 70 Years.  the first Interr'd In this Yard."
     This grave is near the center of the cemetery, on the left hand side of the aisle passing southward, about five rods north of the old fashioned monument which marks the resting place of Capt. Daniel Clark.

"Stop fellow mortal as you pass this way!  Head and contemplate on your final doom  I once like you was animated clay     And you like me must slumber in the tomb." " Reader think on these things     Life how short.  Death how succen.  Eternity how long.   Some hearty friend shall drop a tear On our dry bones and say     These once were strong as mine appear   And mine must be as they."

THE NEW MAROMAS CEMETERY

     The Maromas Cemetery, now in use, was laid out by a vote of the town in January 1766.

CEMETERY IN NORTH DISTRICT, NO. 2.

     The old cemetery in the southwestern part of the North District No. 2. is a public yard; but the time of lay out is unknown.  the oldest inscription is that on the tombstone of Edward Boardman, bearing the date, 1772.

THE MORTIMOR CEMETERY

     The old part of this cemetery was given to the inhabitants of the First Society by two conveyances, the earlier dated June 6th 1778, and the later October 6th 1781, and granting, respectively, one acre, and one hundred and thirty rods.  This tract of land ran westerly from the Mortimer tomb thirty-foot rods.  In 1830, an addition was made to the burial field by Martha Mortimer Starr; and in 1849, it was still further enlarged by William S. Camp.  The western portion of the cemetery has been cut off and discontinued by the lay out of North Pearl street.

CEMETERY IN SOUTH DISTRICT, NO 4.

     In April 1793, Samuel Plum gave to the inhabitants of Westfield Parish a tract of land for burial purposes.  Some bodies were interred in this yard; but it was abandoned about 1825-30 because of the watery nature of the soil.  The ground is located in the northeastern part of the South District, No. 4.

THE OLD WESTFIELD STREET CEMETERY.

     This cemetery is located in the first district, near the village of Westfield.  There is now seldom if ever an interment in the yard, and it is in a very dilapidated condition.  Some of the graves have been opened and the bodies formerly interred therein transferred to other cemeteries.  There but are two monuments in this ancient yard.  One of these was erected to the "Memory of Giles Wilcox who died Oct. 23, 1838 Æ. 89;" also his wife Rachel" who died Sept. 4, 1828 Æ. 74."
     The other marks the resting place of William F. Boardman who died June 17th 1847, aged 34, and Lucy Ann his wife, who died October 21st 1843, aged 29.
     Both of these monuments bear the scriptural quotation:  

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     "Be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh."

     Indeed, one might well call this the cemetery of epitaphs, for they are to be found on every hand.
     Deacon Joseph Graves was buried in this place.  He died February 24th 1855, age 76.
     His epitaph is:

"If an honest man is the noblest work of God   Then His noblest work now lies beneath this sod."

     The tomb of Elder Josiah Graves is in this cemetery, and the inscription on the unostentatious stone that marks his sepulchre is as follows:
     "In Memory of Elder Josiah Graves, Pastor and founder of the first Free Will Baptist Church in the State of Connecticut, who died July 24, 1825, Æt. 50.

"I have fought a good fight   I have finished my course   I have kept the faith

     Miss Loly H. Graves, "an amiable and accomplished young" lady, died in 1825, aged 19.  She is buried near Elder Graves, and beside her tomb is that of Amos Tryon her intended, whose deceased occurred the same year.
     In the rear of this old cemetery, near a sombre pine, is a small grave-stone on which are inscribed the following words:
     "Sacred to the memory of Polly, wife of Capt. Daniel Bacon, of Unadilla, N. Y. who died Sept. 28, 1826, AE. 45.

" From Unadilla she did come   To help her feeble body some   Her soul departed to its flight   To dwell in everlasting light."

     This burial ground was granted by Calvin and Joseph Cornwell 2d, to the Westfield School Society in November 1820.

THE MINER CEMETERY

     The Miner Cemetery is located on a sightly eminence a few rods west of teh Methodist chapel.  Rows of fine threes with their evergreen foliage bound the cemetery on every side, and contribute much to its picturesque beauty.  The land was originally gien to the Congregational Society of Westfield, by Thomas Miner, but in 1860 it was conveyed to the Miner Cemetery Association, which was formed in 1859.
     There are in this cemetery 19 monuments, bearing the following names:  Kenyon, Cornwell, Smith, Norton, Topliff, Bacon, Hollister and Bowers, Sawyer, Galpin, Root, Coe and Plumb, Bailey, Graves, Sloper, Miner, Doolittle, Addis, Boardman, and Williams.
     The Kenyon monument bears the following inscription:
     "Eugene W. Kenyon, Co. B, 14 Reg. C. V.  Died at Washington, Dec. 31, 1862, Æ 20."
     The Smith lot is ornamented with an elegant marble monument, near which is a substantial slab of sandstone that marks the grave of John Smith, the originator of the japanning business in this country.  He died November 20th 1859, aged 68.
     The Topliff monument marks the grave of Rev. S. Topliff, third pastor of the Westfield Congregational Church.  Born November 9th 1796; died August 7th 1875.
     The Bacon monument is inscribed on one side as follows:
     "Ebenezer Bacon, Born Oct. 2, 1789, Died Dec. 20, 1881.  Lavinnia, His wife, was murdered Sep. 24, 1843, Æ 47.  Clarissa, His 2nd wife, Died Mar. 20, 1865, Æ 76.
     The Miner monument is made of freestone, and bears the following inscriptions:
      "Thomas Miner, M. D., Donator of Property to the Fourth ECC. Society, Died Apr. 23, 1841, Æ 63."
     "Rev. Thomas Miner, First Pastor of the Cong. Ch. in Westfield, died Apr. 28, 1826, Æ 88.
     "Dolly Miner, Relict of Rev. Thomas Miner, died Jun. 5, 1828, Æ 88."
     "Gilbert Miner, Died June 17, 1821, Æ 39."
     On the Doolittle Monument is the following:
     "John K. of Co. K, 89 Reg. C. V.  Died of wounds received at teh Battle of Antietam, Oct. 10, 1862, Æ 22."
     There are in the western part of the cemetery two graves marked by ancient tombstones, bearing respectively the following inscriptions:
     "In Memory of Mr. Samuel Plum who died July 15th A.D. 1794 Aged 84.

"The grave is now my home   But soon I hope to rise   Mortals behold my tomb   Keep death before your eyes."

     "In Memory of Patience Plum wife of Samuel Plum who died Jan'ry 10th A. D. 1793 in the 81st Year of her Age.

"Come now and see as you pass by   As you are now so once was I   As I am now so you must be   Prepare for Death and follow me.

     These bodies were evidently brought from some other graveyard, for the first interment in the Miner Cemetery was that of Mr. John Smith, which occurred in 1859.
     The cemetery was enlarged in 1876.

CEMETERY IN WEST DISTRICT, NUMBER 3.

     This lot was given in 1831, by Joseph Wilcox to Hosea Goodrich and others to be used for burial purposes.  Interments are at present made therein.

INDIAN HILL CEMETERY.

     The Indian Hill Cemetery Association was organized June 11th 1850 under a general act of the Legislature passed in 1841.  The capital stock was $5,000.  About 40 aces, on what is known as Indian Hill, were purchased by the company.  The first officers were: Samuel Russell, president; Samuel D. Hubbard, vice-president; Thomas J. Brower, Secretary; Joseph Taylor, treasurer.  The directors were: Ebenezer Jackson, Austin Baldwin, Charles R. Alsop, Jesse G. Baldwin, Thomas Addison, Clark Elliott, Stephen Brooks.  The corner stone was laid July 23d 1850, by Dr. Horatio Stone.  The cemetery was formally dedicated September 30th 1850.  The

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grounds were beautifully laid out, and several expensive and elegant monuments now adorn the cemetery.  the present officers are:  Jesse G. Baldwin, president; Joseph W. Alsop, M. D., Vice-president; Stephen B. Davis, secretary and treasurer.  The directors are: Jesse G. Baldwin, Aaron G. Pease, E. F. Sheldon, Charles E. Jackson, O. Vincent Coffin, George W. Harris, Samuel T. Camp, and Arthur B. Calef.  A beautiful memorial chapel stands near the main entrance.  this chapel was erected in 1867, by Mrs. Samuel Russell in memory of her deceased husband, and is used for burial services.

FARM HILL CEMETERY.

     The Farm Hill Cemetery Association was formed in 1853 under the general act relating to burying grounds and places of sepulture.  The corporators were: Asa Hubbard, Isaac Roberts, Alfred Hubbard, Elisha S. Hubbard, Samuel C. Hubbard.
     Asa Hubbard was the first president, and Alfred Hubbard the first secretary.
     The first interment in this cemetery was that of Joseph Warren Johnson who died September 30th 1853.
     The yard is located on a beautiful eminence in the Farm Hill District, and lies adjacent to the South Farms Burying Ground.
     Asa Hubbard was the first president of the association.

PINE GROVE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.

     The corporation was organized under the law of Connecticut relevant to burial grounds in 1870.
     The corporators were: Gaston T. Hubbard, Wilbur F. Burrows, Alfred Hubbard, Robert P. Hubbard, and Buckley N. Hedges.
     The cemetery is located in the East Long Hill District.

PROMINENT MEN

MIDDLETOWN BIOGRAPHIES

REV. SAMUEL STOW HON. GILES HAMLIN COMMODORE THOMAS McDONOUGH WILLIAM L. STORRS HENRY R. STORRS JAMES T. PRATT RT. REV. JOHN WILLIAMS, D. D. LL. D.*        By Rev. Frederic Gardiner, D. D. GEN. JOSEPH K. F. MANSFIELD THE ALSOP FAMILY JOHN FISK REV. SAMUEL F. JARVIS HON. EBENEZER JACKSON JR. EDWIN FERRY JOHNSON JESSE G. BALDWIN HON. SAMUEL D. HUBBARD HON. HENRY G. HUBBARD HON. JULIUS HOTCHKISS JONATHAN KILBOURN WILLIAM DOUGLAS HON. BENJAMIN DOUGLAS JOSEPH W. DOUGLAS GEN. E. W. N. STARR WILLIAM WALTER WILCOX CAPTAIN JOSEPH J. HENDLEY LEONARD BAILEY, M. D. HON. SAMUEL L. WARNER RUSSELL FAMILY (PAGE 169 MISSING) ABRAM M. SHEW, M. D. WILLIAM WILCOX NORMAN C. STILES FRANCIS D. EDGERTON, M. D.

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