Westerly, Washington Co., Rhode Island - Cemeteries
Excerpted from Westerly (Rhode Island) & Its Witnesses
For Two Hundred & Fifty Years
Rev. Frederic DENISON, A. M.
1878
[Chapter XLVIII, pages 274 - 301.
The graveyards were visited, and the inscriptions copied, during the years 1867-8.
Only the stones of those 20 or older were copied and then only the names & dates.]
ALLEN GROUND: About thirty rods south of the post-road, and one third of a mile west of the residence of Sidney GAVITT, uninclosed, in the corner of a meadow, are the unlettered graves of Capt. Samuel ALLEN, his wife, and members of his family - about a dozen graves.
AUSTIN GROUND: A few rods northeast from the Lanphear Ground, across the path leading to the quarry on Cormorant Hill, in the pasture of J. THOMPSON, in an old orchard (now nearly gone), are perhaps twelve neglected, brier-wreathed graves, evidently very old, as the little head-stones of rubble have sunk deeply down. Here lie the remains of Jedediah AUSTIN, and probably others of this name.
BABCOCK GROUND: This is south of Mastuxet Brook, on the slope of the hill, east of the highway leading to Lottery Village. It is prehaps the largest, and it is i=one of the oldest of the ancient burial-places in the town.
BABCOCK GROUND (2): We thus designate a spot in the open pasture, about two hundred yards south of the residence of Mr. William Robinson FRAZIER, not far from the railroad.
BARBER GROUND (1): This is found on the so-called Case CHAPMAN farm, now owned by P. S. PECKHAM, southeast of the farmhouse, on the south side of the shore road, in a meadow, uninclosed, and in a sadly neglected state.
BARBER GROUND (2): This is found about forty rods east of the Back Road, about thirty rods south of Mr. Joshua BARBER's residence, uninclosed, in a meadow. Of the half-dozen graves, none are lettered. Here lie Hannah BARBER (wife of Benj. P. BARBER), who died Jan. 3, 1855, age 67; also Eliza BARBER (wife of Matthew S. BARBER), who died March, 1842, age 21; and others of the BARBER name; also, children of Thomas SISSON.
BILVEN GROUND (1): This is found about three eights of a mile north of the post-road, on the west side of the cross road that leads to Dorrville, by the road-side, on the land of Henry BLIVEN, Esq., without enclosure, in a meadow.
BLIVEN GROUND (2): This in the eastern part of the town, on the lands of Samuel SAUNDERS, Sen., about forty rods southwest from the farm-house, in a pasture, and without an inclosure. Here lie the remains of persons of various names, but the tombstones are unlettered. We give the names of a few: Nathaniel, Ruth, Wells, & Charles FRAZIER. Also members of the BLIVEN family.
BRUMBLY GROUND: This is a secluded though inclosed spot, in a pasture now owned by Mr. James BABCOCK, a few hundred rods northeast from the SMITH Ground. It is now neglected, and rank briers and shrubs are growing over it.
CARR GROUND: A little north of the railroad, some four rods east of the high, perpendicular, unbroken front of Mr. John R. MACOMBER's bluff of ledges - being part of his quarry, - in the open pasture ground, in a state of sad neglect, are about thirty graves, with rubble head-stones and sunken mounds. No inscriptions reveal the names of the moldering generation here reposing. It was formerly regarded as the CARR Ground; but some of this family have been removed to River Bend Cemetery. It is thought that some of the VINCENT family also lie here; and the hill of bluff of ledges now yeilding to the quarryman's hammer, is still called Vincent Hill.
CHAMPLIN GROUND: This is found south of the shore road, on the old NOYES Farm, west of Mr. Sanford NOYE's residence, about eighty rods southwest from the school-house (No. 5), in a pasture, among rocks, and without inclosure, and much overgrown by bushes & briers.
CHAPMAN GROUND (1): On the north border of BURDEN's Pond (or CHAPMAN's Pond), a little west of the residence of Charles P. CHAPMAN, between the railroad and the new highway, on a sandy knoll, from which the road-makers have largely drawn, are many ancient graves, without inclosure or care. While many have only rough headstones, one has an inscription:
CHAPMAN GROUND (2): On the land of G. W. COTTRELL, on the north side of the new road, by the road-side, inclosed by a fence, in a pasture.
CHAPMAN GROUND (3): This lies on the Samuel CHAPMAN estate, on the west side of the pound road, about forty rods northwest from the CHAPMAN homestead, in a field, and without inclosure.
CHAPMAN GROUND (4): This is found on the Daniel CHAPMAN estate, on the west side of the pound road, by the road-side, about a quarter of a mile south of the new road leading from Westerly to Dorrville, and is inclosed by a fence.
CHAPMAN GROUND (5): This is located on the top of the rocky, sandy ridge, in the rear of the farm-house on the north side of the shore road, on the old CHAPMAN farm, a few rods west of the drift-way that runs northward.
CHASE GROUND (1): This is a little below Westerly village, on the old LEWIS farm, afterwards the KENYON farm, in the stony pasture now owned by Charles PERRY, Esq., on the eastern slope of a very rocky knoll, on the east side of the highway leading to Lottery Village, and a short distance south of the LEWIS Ground. The ground is not inclosed, and the graves, about thirty in number, have only rude, unlettered stones. Here lie many of the CHASE family among whom is named Frederick CHASE, an excellent man. Here too are James BROWN and Mary BROWN, both of pious memory.
CHASE GROUND (2): This is on the north side of the post-road, about twenty rods east of the residence of Mr. Nathaniel J. L. CHASE, by the road-side, in a meadow, and not walled. The grave-stones are not yet uninscribed, but here lie.
CHILDREN'S GROUND: A frew rods west of the old farm-house, norteast of White Rock Village, on land owned by the White Rock Company, is a yard containing the graves of a dozen children. No adults are buried here. There is only one stone with an inscription.
CHURCH-YARD: We thus designate the large, well-inclosed, sacred ground, by the side of the consecrated spot where stood the first Sabbatarian meeting-house in Westerly. The meeting-house stood at the east of this ground, where the foundations are yet seen. Within the present century, as the old ground was filling up, a new ground was opened a short distance to the east of the old, and which has already become numerously tenanted with silent sleepers. Although these grounds are now in Hopkinton, we shall copy somewhat fromthe monuments of the old church-yard, since here rest many of the important witnesses of Westerly. As the graves are vey numerous, we shall, as in other instances, omit the inscriptons relative to children and youth.
CHURCH-YARD inscriptions [Large file]
CITIZENS' GROUND: We thus designate a small burial-place, inclosed by a picket fence, on a knoll a few rods north of the residence of Mr. Aaron PIERCE, a little northeast from Stillmanville.
CLARKE GROUND (1): This ancient burial-ground is on the left bank of the Paweatuck, on its curve, above the "Meeting-house Bridge," and a few rods east of the "Pound Road," uninclosed, in the edge of a grove, and sadly overgrown with bushes.
[Several graves have only rough stones without inscriptions. Here, too, lie the remains of Rev. John MAXSON, the first male child born on the Island of Rhode Island. He was born in the spring of 1638; was ordained pastor of the Sabbatarian Church in Westerly in 1708, and died Dec 17, 1720, in the 83d year of his age. Since Dr. John CLARKE, the first settler of Newport, and his brother, Carew CLARKE, both died childless, their brother, Joseph CLARKE, who lieds here, alone perpetuated the worth name. It is to be lamented that no inscribed tombstone guards his remains. From what I can gather, I am of the opinion that here also lies the dust of Tobias SAUNDERS, one of the first settlers and magistrates of the town. Among the last persons, perhaps the very last, here buried, was an honored schoolmaster of the former century, Mr. Thomas SLAUTERY. His death occurred early in the present century.]
CLARKE GROUND (2): Southeast from the Rhodes Ground, in the adjoining field, and about five rods west from Potter Hill road, uninclosed, and distinguished only by rubble-stones, are about twenty-five graves. We are told that here lie the remains of persons bearing the came of CLARKE. In a former generation this ground was much larger that at present; the plow has invaded the sacred bounds.
CLARKE GROUND (3): This lies in the eastern portion of the town, on the land of Mr. Arnold SAUNDERS, near half-way betweenthe residence of Mr. Saunders and the residence of Mr. Thier J. CRANDALL, in a meadow. It is uninclosed, and thickly overgrown by wild plum brush. The head-stones are unlettered. Her lie, says reprot, the remains of Ichabod CLARK, and the remains of his father; alsot the remains of his wife Polly CLARK; also the remains of his son, Ichabod CLARK, and his wife, Mary CLARK.
CLARK GROUND (4): This burying-place is situated in the northern portion of the town, on the estate of Weeden CLARK, Esq., about twenty rods northwest of Mr. C's residence, in a meadow, and is without inclusure. Here are numberous graves, only a part of which have inscribed stones.
COTTRELL GROUND: On the lands of the heirs of Mr. Russell COTTRELL, on the south side of the new road, in the road, near thirty rods east of the COTTRELL farm-house, inclosed by a fence, are about a dozen graves, all without inscriptions. Here lie the remains of Elias COTTRELL, and his wife, Phalley COTTRELL; Thankful COTTRELL, Gorton COTTRELL, and Fanny COTTRELL.
CORDNER GROUND: This lies on the land of Mr. Joseph HISCOX, in Dorrville, on the east of the street, and near the river bank, uninclosed, in the corner of a pasture. It has one lettered stone.
CRANDALL GROUND (1): This is found in the southeastern part of the town, about a fourth of a mile north of the post-raod, and the same distance south of Benj. YORK's residence, in a pasture, and is not inclosed. Here are nearly fifty graves, but none of them have lettered head-stones. Here was buries Arnold CRANDALL and others of the CRANDALL family.
CRANDALL GROUND (2): This is found about forty rods west of the Pound Road, and west of the old CRANDALL house (now the residence of Mr. Charles CRANDALL), and without and inclosure. None of the fifteen or twenty graves are lettered. Here lie the remains of John CRANDALL, 1st, and his two wifes; John CRANDALL, 2d, and his wife Anna; Esther, Lewis, Hannah, and Joshua CRANDALL; Lydia CRANDALL, wife of Charles; John CRANDALL, son of Charles.
CRANDALL GROUND (3): This lies on the eastern side of the town, on the farm of Thier J. CRANDALL, Esq., east of the farm-house and some rods east of the highway, inclosed with a fence, in a pasture.
DAVIS GROUND: This is in the southeastern part of the town, on the farm of Mr. Oliver DAVIS, by the side of the post-road, on the south side of the road, and is well inclosed by a wall. The graves are yet without inscribed stones. Here were buried:
DENISON GROUND: On the lands of Burrell THOMPSON, Esq., south of his residence,east of Pawcatuck Rock, in the corner of a meadow, inclosed by a wall, and shaded by a few trees, are several ancient graves. The ground was first consecrated by the Denison family.
DIXON GROUND: The spot devoted to the sepulture of this family is a few rods southwest from the present DIXON mansion, and nortwest from the depot, and is inclosed by stone posts and iron rails.
DODGE GROUND: This is situated north of the post-road, by the side of the drift-way, on the land of the late Henry C. GRAVITT, some rods northeast from the house, on the east side of the highway, and well inclosed by a wall.
This was once known as the WELLS Ground, but the bodies have been removed to River Bend Cemetery.
DUNN GROUND: This is on the farm of John K. DUNN, Esq., about three eights of a mile from Mr. D's residence on the east side of the north road, by the side of the highway, and inclosed. Here lie members of the DUNN family, though some of this name have of late been buried inthe River Bend Cemetery.
DUNHAM GROUND: This lies about thirty rods east of the Back Road (leading from the post-road near the quary to the Lottery Road, near Pawcatuck Rock), and about forty rods northeast from the residence of Joshua BARBER, near the corner of a pasture and is uninclosed. Of the twenty graves, none have inscribed stones. Here lie a Mr. PERKINS and his wife, Mr. Peleg SISSON and his wife, Timothy SISSON, Abby (wife of Ichabod SISSON), Esther DUNHAM, Robert DUNHAM, Rosina SISSON, John SISSON, and Rebecca DUNHAM.
FOSTER GROUND: In the southwestern portion of the town, on the farm belonging to Mr. Edward F. VOST, west of the Watch Hill road, about thirty rods west of the farm0house, in a pasture, inclosed by a poor wall.
FRAZIER GROUND: This is on the farm of Mr. William Robinson FRAZIER, and near fifty rods northwest of his residence, a little north of the railroad, inclosed in the corner of a field, and in plain view from the railroad bridge.
FREEBODY GROUND: This is a sadly neglected burying ground, on the farm of Oliver DAVIS, Ewq., in the southeast corner of the town, some eighty rods southeast of Mr. D's residence, in a pasture, near a grove. It is without inclosure and only one stone gives evidence of having been inscribe.
FRIENDS' GROUND: By this name, rather than that of any family, is recognized the burying-ground situated on the old post-road leading to Charlestown, on the north side of the road, a little east of the site of the WILCOX Dhurch, near the late residence of Ephraim GAVITT, Esq. It is substantially inclosed by a wall, and furnished with gates. Most of the graves being those of Quakers, are without inscribed headstones, though here lie the remains of persons of eminent worth. Six persons, not Quakers, have inscribed marbles.
In this ground lie the remains of the two famous Quaker preachers, Peter DAVIS, Sen., & Peter DAVIS, Jr., of whom mention is made in the religius history of the town. Here were buried Thomas PERRY, who died March 26, 1826, age 49; and his wife, Elizabeth (F.) PERRY, who died Dec 23, 1856, age 68; also, Sarah PERRY, who died June 16, 1854, age 73; also, the wife of Charles PERRY, Temperance (F.) PERRY, who died Nov. 27, 1861, age 32; also, John FOSTER, who died Nov. 3, 1863, age 70.
GRAVITT GROUND (1): This is found on the north of the post-road, and west of the residence of the late Joseph GAVITT, 2d, in a meadow owned by the heirs of Mr. G., and without an inclosure. Here are perhaps ten graves. Here lie the remains of Joseph GAVITT, 2d, and his children, Rhoda, Oliver, Everett & Lydia A. GAVITT.
GAVITT GROUND (2): This is situated on the top of a knoll or hillock, by the side of the post-road, on the north side of the road, nearly southwest from the residence of the late Joseph GAVITT, 2d, and is protected by a stone wall. It contains three or four unlettered graves, and one with an inscription.
GAVITT GROUND (3): This is located on the land of the late Henry C. GAVITT, north of the post-road, and north of Mr. G.'s residence, on the west side of the driftway, on the side of the hill, and is inclosed. Two graves are apparent, one with an inscription.
GAVITT GROUND (4): This is situated east of the post-road, southeasterly from the summit of Quarry Hill, on the farm of, and about thirty rods northwest from the residence of Dea. Thomas B. KENYON, inclosed, in a meadow. Here are at least sixteen graves, only a few of which have lettered slabs. Here lies Dea. Ezekiel GAVIT, 1st, and doubtless his wife also.
GREEN GROUND: This is found in the easter part of the town, about half a mile north of the drift-way leading from the York residence to the house of the late Henry C. GAVITT, on the old Rathbun GREEN farm, now owned by Mr. Benjamin W. BENTLEY, on the north side of the pasture, on the hill-side. It is inclosed by a wall, but the head-stones are without inscriptions. Here lie Rathbun GREEN, his wife Esther GREEN, and his daughter Martha GREEN, and others.
HALL GROUND (1): This is located in the northern portion of the town, about two hundred rods northwest from the residence of the late Elisha SAUNDERS, and about the same distance east of the residence of William BURDICK, Esq., on the side hill sloping west, in a pasture, and without inclosure. Here are fifty unlettered graves. Here lie the remains of Isaac HALL; Thomas HALL, a revolutionary soldier; Thier VARS, age 84, and his wife, Molly VARS; also Isaac VARS, age 88, and his two wives, one of whom was named Waity.
HALL GROUND (2): This lies a short way above the post-road, on the south side of the drift-way, about one hundred rods west of the residence of Joseph T. SAUNDERS, on land belonging to Clinton LANPHERE, on a little knoll in a meadow, and is uninclosed. Here are about twenty graves, only one of which has an inscribed stone.
Here lie Theodore HALL, Isaac HALL, Abby HALL, Mary HALL, Anna HALL, Sally (HALL) GREENE, Isaac VARS, and wife Rebecca; Thier VARS (age 85), and wife Molly (age about 80); Isaac VARS (died 1821, age 87), and wives Elizabeth & Waity. [sic - names are the same as in Hall Ground (1)]
HALL GROUND (3): This is located in Lottery Village, on the lands of Capt. Jesse W. HALL, in the corner of a small meadow, east of the Baptist Church, and is inclosed with a picket fence.
HARDY GROUND: On the west margin of Burden's Pond, aboaut two hundred yards southwest from the VOSE Ground on the Town Farm, is a cluster of graves reputed to belong to a family of HARDYs. About twelve are apparent by the mounds and the little headstones.
HAZARD GROUND: This is found in the eastern portion of the town, about thirty rods east of the drift-way leading towards Dorrville from the post-road, on the farm now owned by Mr. Benjamin HAZARD, a little southwest from the farm-house, in a field, and inclosed. The few graves are without inscriptions.
HISCOX GROUND (1): This is in the village of Dorrville, between the KNOWLES Ground and the CORDNER Ground, east of the street, in a field, and is without inclosure. It contains two small graves.
HISCOX GROUND (2): In the north part of the town, on the land of Truman BURDICK, on the north side of the drift-way, near the river, in a pasture, uninclosed and overgrown by vines and bushes. A large number of graves are unlettered.
Also, three children of John & Mary. Also, an infant son of Joseph & Martha HISCOX.
INDIAN BURIAL GROUNDS: Eleven Indian burial grounds in the Westerly area.
KNOWLES GROUND: This lies in the village of Dorrville, a few rods north of the residence of Amos C. WEEDEN, Esq., on the west side of the street, in the corner of a meadow, inclosed by a wall.
LANPHEAR GROUND (1): This little burial-place lies about one hundred rods north of River Bend Cemetery, uninclosed, in a meadow. Only one grave appears.
LANPHEAR GROUND (2): West of the Boom Bridge road, about forty rods north of the residence of Thomas SALT, and on lands of Truman LANPHEAR, is a yard inclosed with a picket fence, which contains a score or more of graves.
LANPHEAR GROUND (3): This is located on the pasture land on Hon. N. F. DIXON, on the southwest slope of Cormorant Hill, about midway between the residence of Rev. A. B. BURDICK and Lanphear Hollow, and within view from the Potter Hill road.
LARKIN GROUND: In the northern portion of the town, west of Dorrville, north of the railroad, on the farm of Hon. N. F. DIXON (formerly the LARKIN farm), about fifty rods north of the farmhouse, inclosed by a rail fence in a meadow, are about fifteen uninscribed graves. Here rest members of the LARKIN family.
LEWIS GROUND (1): This is a large unfenced spot, in the southeast corner of a field now owned by George D. CROSS, Esq., on the east side of the highway leading to Lottery Village, just below the village of Westerly, and in front of the house of Thomas E. SAUNDERS. The land once belonged to the LEWIS family and afterwards to Arnold KENYON. It is said that seven generations of the LEWISes, beginning with John LEWIS, are here buried; but their tombstones are unlettered. John LEWIS was one of the first settlers in the town.
Here rests the body of George KENYON, born Sept. 28, 1714, died about 1796; also the remains of his wife, Anna (LEWIS) KENYON, born Nov. 27, 1716, died in her 90th year. Here, too, were buried Mary LEWIS, wife of Joseph LEWIS, born in 1688, died Nov. 27, 1762.
Joseph BARBER, quite aged, died near 1835. Samuel BROWN, and his wife Amy BROWN, both aged, and both died near 1840. Also, David BROWN, buried near 1810, with great Masonic ceremonies.
LEWIS GROUND (2): On the crest of a gravel hill, south of the house of Pardon LEWIS, is the burying-ground of this name. The location is a pleasant one, but the ground has been neglected. No fence inclsoes it, and no head-stones mark the spot where repose some of the progenitors of this family. It contains perhaps a dozen graves.
NOYES GROUND: This is located on the old NOYES farm, on a high knoll, a number of rods north of the shore road, in a pasture, and is well inclosed by a wall.
NYE GROUND: This lies some ten rods west of the cross road, between the post-road and Dorrville, near where the pound road begins, a few rods northeast from the residence of Mr. Samuel Russel NYE, in the corner of an orchard, well cared for, though not inclosed.
PARK GROUND: This is on the north side of the post-road, by the side of the high-way, a few rods east of the residence of Christopher RATHBUN, near where the shore road enters the post-road.
I am told that here lie the remains of Edwin D. GAVITT, of the Fourth Rhode Island Regiment, who was wounded at Newburn, N. C., and died in a hospital in New York. Near a dozen graves are without inscribed stone.
PECKHAM GROUND (1): This if found in the northeastern part of the town, on the farm of Samuel PECKHAM, Esq., about thirty rods east of the farm-house, on a knoll, inclosed by a fence, in a pasture. Though without lettered stones, here lie Daniel B. BECKHAM, and his wife, Olive PECKHAM, and thier children.
PECKHAM GROUND (2): This lies in the northeastern portion of the town, on the road leading into Charlestown, on the east side of the road, on the farm of the heirs of Daniel J. PECKHAM, inclosed by a wall.
PECKHAM GROUND (3): This may be found in the northeastern part of the town, east of the highway, about forty rods west of the residence of Mr. Aziel LARKIN, on Mr. L's land, in a meadow, inclosed by wall and fence. Here were buried Peleg PECKHAM, Lydia PECKHAM, Rowland PECKHAM, Polly PECKHAM, Elizabeth PECKHAM, & Thos. PECKHAM.
PENDLETON GROUND (1): This is found on the lands of William R. CHAPMAN, Esq., on the point of land running into the Pawcatuck, south of Lottery Village, and called Graves's Neck. Here lie the first generations of the PENDLETON family, but without inscribed tombstones. The remains of some of the former generations, however, appear to have been removed to toher grounds. The spot is inclosed by a wall, but the wall is in a state of neglect.
Here are buried, says report, Edmund PENDLETON (son of James, the father of the Westerly PENDLETONs), and his son William (who died near 1784), and William's sons, Benjamin (who died near 1826), and Ephraim; also Lois (wife of Benjamin). Capt. James PENDLETON, the first of that family name, came to Westerly prior to 1669.
PENDLETON GROUND (2): This is an inclosed spot a few rods northeast of Mr. A. PIERCE's residence, near the Citizens' Ground. Here lie the remains of Simeon PENDLETON, died about 1819, age 84; and his wife, Mercy PENDLETON, died within a week of her husband, age 79. Both were esteemed members of the Hill Church. The graves of the SMITHs have been removed to Elm Grove Cemetery.
Here also rests, beneath rude, unlettered stones, a long-remembered slave woman and faithful servant, Philis JUMBO, whod died at the good age of about one hundred years.
RATHBUN GROUND (1): This lies about one fourth of a mile east of the cross road from the post-road to Dorrville, on the old Samuel CHAMPLIN farm (now owned by Case CHAPMAN), on the west side of a maple swamp, in a pasture, and is uninclosed. Here are about thirty graves with unlettered stones. This ground contains the graves of Anna, Paul, Mercy, & Thomas RATHBUN, and others of the RATHBUN family.
RATHBUN GROUND (2): This may be found on a rough ridge, about five or six rods north of the post-road, a little west of F. BLIVEN's residence, on the old James ROSS estate. It is uninclosed and much neglected.
RAY GROUND: This belongs to a colored family of excellent repute, and is located between the post and shore roads, near three fourths of a mile south of the residence of Mr. Nathan CHASE, on the old RAY estate, near thirty rods southwest of the RAY house. It contains the remains of Thomas RAY and his wife Sarah, and their son Gideon, and others. Thomas lived to be very aged, and saw four generations of his descendants. His grandson, Rev. Charles RAY, has been for many year an able Methodist minister in New York. Gideon RAY was drowned at the beach of Worden's Pond. The family was highly esteemed throughout town. We might here add, that the mother of Thomas RAY came from Guinea, and was landed on Block Island from the famous ship "Palatine." Falling into the hands of Col. Ray SANDS, of Block Island, she obtained the name of RAY, which was accepted by her children. The name of the locality of the Ray family, in this town, was commonly called Guinea Hollow, in honor of the country of the mother of the family.
RHODES GROUND: This is familiar to the public eye, being about twenty rods west of the Potter Hill road, on the farm of Joshua THOMPSON, Esq., now improved by Wm. P. TAYLOR, in the field southwest of the farm-house, in part only inclosed by a picket fence.
RIVER BEND CEMETERY: This is the only proper cemetery in the township. It is beautifully situated, on the left band of the Pawcatuck, a little more than a mile south of the village of Westerly. The grounds embrace about eighteen acres, artistically laid out and tastefully ornamented. Since the dedication of the cemetery, in 1852, it has been under the superintendence of Rev. John TAYLOR. To these inviting grounds, many graves have been removed from the old and neglected burying-places in the surrounding region. [Inscriptions are as found in the autumn of 1868, omitting those persons under twenty years of age.]
River Bend Cemetery Listing [Large File]
SAUNDERS GROUND (1): This neglected ground is located inthe eastern part of the town, on the farm of Mr. Thier J. CRANDALL, on the west side of the highway, in a pasture, quite a distance south of Mr. CRANDALL's residence. The graves are without the protection of an inclosure, and the head-stones without inscriptions. But here lie Joseph SAUNDERS, and his wife Lydia SAUNDERS; also the father, Joseph SAUNDERS, 1s5. and the mother of Joseph SAUNDERS; Russell SAUNDERS and his wife, Catharine SAUNDERS; Mercy SAUNDERS, daughter of Joseph SAUNDERS, 1st.
SAUNDERS GROUND (2): This lies on the farm of the heirs of Elisha SAUNDERS, on the north side of the highway, about twenty-five rods northeast from the SAUNDERS farm-house, on the east side of a field, and without inclosure.
SAUNDERS GROUND (3): This lies south of Dorrville, on a knoll, about thirty rods south of the Seventh Day Baptist meeting house, on the lands of Samuel SAUNDERS, Jr., in a pasture, inclosed by a fence.
SAUNDERS GROUND (4): This is found on the extreme northern border of the town, on the north slope of a hill, not far from the river, between Boom Bridge and Potter Hill, about three fourths of a mile from Potter Hill, in a meadow, and without inclosure. It is on the SAUNDERS estate.
SHEFFIELD GROUND: This is situated south of Lottery Village, on the lands of John & Amos P. CHAPMAN, on the east of the highway, on a little stony knoll, near the fork of the roads.
SIMS GROUND: Between the post-road and the shore road, on lands of the heirs of Oliver WILCOX, near one hundred rods southwest from the late residence of David RATHBUN, in a pasture, uninclosed and overgrown with bushes and vines, are a number of unlettered graves, belonging, by report, to the SIMS family.
SISSON GROUND: This lies about twenty-five rods west of the cross road between the post-road and Dorrville, about twenty-five rods northwest from the residences of Mr. SISSON. The inclosure contains two graves.
Outside of the inclosure, in the same meadow are about twenty-five graves, only one of which is inscribed.
Here rests the remains of Joseph SISSON and his wife; Sanford SISSON, and his wife Elizabeth; John SISSON, and his wife Keturah, and others.
SISSON GROUND (2): This lies near the road on the east side, on the lands of Mrs. Caroline SISSON, southeast of River Bend Cemetery.
SLAVES GROUND: About four rods east of the Denison & Champlin Ground, in a pasture, are four or more unprotected graves, marked by rude head and footstones. Here were buried slaves belonging to Samuel THOMPSON and his family. One of these slaves was named Gerand.
STETSON GROUND: In the northwestern section of the town, on lands of Samuel PECKHAM, Esq., east of the road leading into Charlestown, in the northeastern corner of an orchard lot, north of the saw-mill, without inclosure, and densely covered with vines and bushes, are a few graves, some having broken head-stones.
STILLMAN GROUND: This is situated by the side of Potter Hill road, bounded by the lands of Mr. Richard CURRIE and the highway, and is well protected by a thick-faced wall.
A large number of graves here, as in similar grounds, have only rought head and footstones, without letters. Here, it is believed, lie the remains of Dr. George STILLMAN, the father of the numberous STILLMANs of Westerly. Here, too, like the remains of William S. PECKHAM, a soldier and orderly sergeant, who served six years in the Revolution, and who died April 30, 1822,age 84. Also the remains of his wife, Dorcal (L.) PECKHAM, who died near 1845, age 95. William S. PECKHAM, Jr., was a soldier in the war of 1812, and fell in the naval battle of Lake Erie, under Commodore Perry, being killed in the boat by the side of his commander, while passing from the disabled flagship to another; age 32.
THOMPSON GROUND: This is located about one hundred rods west from the post-road, nearly midway between the post-road and the road leading from the quaries to Mr. Burrell THOMPSON's warf, on the land of Isaac L. EDWARDS, in the edge of a pasture, on the slope of a hill, and is inclosed by a wall. It contains upwards of forty graves, most of them with only rough uninscribed head-stones.
UNNAMED BURIAL GROUNDS: A series of fifteen burial grounds that can not be identified with any family. Only one or two have even historical clues to the persons who were buried there.
VARS GROUND: This is situated in the eastern part of the town, on the farm of Isaac VARS, Esq., about fifty rods southwest from the farm-house.
Here is the grave of Mrs. Hannah VARS (wife of Isaac), who died Aug. 26, 1864, age 72. Also the grave of Gorton GARDNER, age 86. Also the graves of Lucinda (VARS) CASE, daughter of Isaac & Maria VARS.
VOSE GROUND: This is on the recent VOSE farm, now the TOWN Farm, southeast from the farm-house about one fourth of a mile, and on the west margin of Burden's Pond. The inclosing fence has nearly disappeared. Here are scores of old graves, great and small, that have only little, rough, unlettered head and foot stones. Some stones do have inscriptions.
Connected with this ground is a little yard now inclosed by rails, where rest a family of HALLs. The small grave-stones are of uncut granite, but on them we find the following letters, without dates.
WARD GROUND: This is north of the shore road on the ancient WARD farm, now owned by Albert B. LANGWORTHY, Esq., a few rods northwest of the mansion, inclosed by a wall. It contains but a few bodies and only two inscribed stones.
WHITE GROUND: A mile and a half west of Dorrville, on the farm of Hon. N. F. DIXON, south of the railroad, on top of a low knoll, in a meadow, and uninclosed, are unlettered graves. Here was buried Major Walter WHITE, once a prominent citizen in the town, and his wives, first and second. Major WHITE's first wife was Sophia BROWN; his second was Esther SAUNDERS.
WILCOX GROUND: This is situated on the ancient WILCOX farm, on the south side of the shore road, by the road-side. It is quite a large burying-place, well inclosed by walls, and kept in good order in comparison with most grounds of this sort. Numerous graves are found here, many of them without inscriptions.
YORK GROUND: This is in the easter part of the town, in the Thirteenth School District, more than half a mile north of the post-road, on the north side of the drift-way, about a quarter of a mile north of the YORK residence, in a pasture, inclosed by a wall. Though with unlettered stones, here lie Edwin & Deborah RIDER, and William & Hannah YORK. Benjamin YORK died near 1835, age 84; and his wife Desire YORK, died near 1855, age 85. James YORK, and his wife Martha YORK.