Congregational Burying Place, Stratford, Fairfield, Connecticut, United States of America

Notes:
P. 203 Burying Places -- Before the second meeting-house was built or any action taken to secure that end, it became apparent to the people of the town that the first burying-ground was in the wrong place -- could not be extended to meet the wants of the community and that another must be secured. Hence, in 1676, the town appointed a committee to select and lay out such a place, but the work was delayed until February 1677-8, when it was completed. Of those who died before the new ground began to be occupied, the town records furnish only the following list:

Feb. 13, 1677-8. The townsmen according to town act Feb 12, 1676, and by town order have laid out one acre of land on the west end of John Beers his home lot for the use of a burying place, bounded east with John Beers, his home lot and common land, South, West, and North with common land.

This was the place which is now, and for more than a hundred years has been commonly called the Congregational Burying Ground. When laid out it was, doubtless, intended for all the people of the town, but many years afterward, when the Episcopal Church was established, another place was laid out which has always been called the Episcopal Burying Ground. Both of these grounds are well filled, and but seldom in these days is a new grave made in them. To walk through them and read the insciptions is something like a visit to the hearthstones of long remembered kindred, where the house is left vacant. (more, which I did not copy).


INSCRIPTIONS in the CONGREGATIONAL BURYING-PLACE in STRATFORD