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Box 212 Monroe, CT 06468
by Nancy Zorena There is much to learn from our town cemeteries: what are the names of Monroe's early citizens, what symbols were carved in the stones, who were the veterans? Historians and genealogists gather important family records and sometimes can even determine the cause of death from a tombstone. In the East Village Cemetery located on East Village Road, the following is carved into the headstone: William& Who was stabbed by his nearest neighbor - Sept. 30, 1845. From the stone we can also learn that William died four days after being stabbed. East Village Cemetery was organized in 1805 from land purchased by John Wilcoxson. The oldest headstone is for Deacon Peter Curtiss who died in 1766. Before many cemeteries were formally established, they began as private family burying grounds which came into use by the community. "The cemeteries of Monroe are among its art and literary treasures. These tombstones, sometimes cut by local craftsmen, have handsome and intricate symbols such as winged angels, skull and cross bones or a forlorn weeping willow," explains Edward Coffey, Town Historian. In his book, A Glimpse of Old Monroe, we learn that the first cemetery in Monroe was established in 1765 and abandoned about 1800. It was located on the north side of Old Tannery Road near Wheeler Road. According to Ed Coffey, records prove that it was the site for the resting place of Monroe's first settlers. By 1818, there were five cemeteries in town to take the place of the first burying ground. Monroe Center Cemetery, located on Route 110 was established in 1797 on land purchased from David Wells. The oldest headstone is for Andrew Scott who died on April 14, 1776 at the age of 51. Etched in an epitaph in that cemetery dated 1787 are the words: 'Her blooming cheeks, her sparkling eyes, Her every comely feature lies, Defaced by death my friends come see, For soon your case will be like me.' The Cutler's Farm and Elm Street Cemetery is located on Cross Hill Road. Emma Johnson, the Treasurer of this cemetery's association said that they recently had the iron fence repaired and painted, removed large bushes that obscured some of the tombstones, and had the stone wall restacked. Her son, Gary Johnson is the Sexton of the Cemetery and Ned Steinmetz from Brown's Monuments in Stepney installs new grave stones. Established in 1804 on land purchased from Nathan Booth, the oldest headstone is for Anner Booth who died on July 20, 1760. She was the daughter of Zechariah and Elizabeth Booth. When Dick Orr led a Brownie Troop from St. Jude School through the cemetery with Cemetery Association member, Emma Johnson, the girls were so surprised to see that a Revolutionary Soldier was buried there. From his stone we learn that Nathaniel Sherman was born in 1729 and died at the age of 68 in 1797. American flags are placed by the tombstones of all of the Veterans on Memorial Day. There are 10 Revolutionary War soldiers, 11 from the War of 1812, and 10 who fought for the north in the Civil War. This makes it easy to spot the stones of those who fought in the service of our country. The Brownies were impressed with the engravings - the angels, the 'Tree of Life' and the hands and fingers pointing to heaven. There are many stones for infants and children. James and Carolyn Burr lost two infant sons. Each of their stones has a lamb carved into it. One son lived less than a month; his tombstone has the word 'infant' engraved into it. Another son, David Wesley lived seven months. The Burrs also lost a daughter, Elnora at age 28 but their daughters Fannie and Jennie lived on the family farm on Elm Street well into their 80's. Many mothers died in childbirth. Amelia Jane, the wife of WB Lamphear, died when she was 31 years old in 1877. Her epitaph reads, "Be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the son of God cometh." Stepney Cemetery, once known as Birdsey's Plain is located next to the Stepney Green. It was established in 1794 by donors Noah and James Burr, Jr. The oldest headstone is for Nathaniel W. Knapp who died in 1797. Civil War hero Ira Penfield and his wife Sarah Beard are buried there. Another notable person buried in Stepney Cemetery is Hanford Hull who built many houses along Main Street in Stepney. A captain in the local militia, he died at 86 years of age in 1892. The Walker's Farm Cemetery, located on Hammertown Road was established in 1818 by donor Edmond Lewis. The oldest headstone is for Sarah Lewis who died in 1792 at the age of 82. The town historian believes that the iron fence at Walker's Farm Cemetery was once located around the Monroe Center Green. Three other small cemeteries include Bradley Cemetery located off Route 34 on Bradley Lane, just over the Monroe/Newtown line. Almost everyone buried there is a Bradley or related to the Bradley Family. The Riverside Cemetery is located off Route 34 in Oxford. Although both of these cemeteries are out of town, some of the people buried in them lived in Monroe. Those buried in Riverside Cemetery were once buried in the small village of Pleasant Vale which existed where Lake Zoar is today. Gregory's Four Corners Burying Ground, located on Spring Hill Road in Trumbull, is the resting place of Monroe's legendary witch, Hanna Cranna. She lived in the Bug Hill - Cutler's Farm area of town in mid 1800's. She was perhaps more shrewd than most and seldom lacked for firewood and food. Hannah knew that area folk were partial to superstitions and by threatening them with dire misfortunes she tricked them into accommodating her. Further information is available about the burying grounds of old Monroe in the Monroe Public Library. Credits: A Glimpse of Old Monroe by Edward Coffey, Leaving No Stone Unturned by Michele Oltra, Monroe Historical Society Archives (Return to index) |
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