Old Congregational Burying Ground
Also known as Congregational Burying Place
Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA
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The Congregational Burying Ground was established on undivided town land in 1678 by a Town Meeting. Some additional land was added from time to time by gifts and purchases. It was known as the "Cemetery" for a number of years because the Congregational Church was the only church in the town. Anyone was buried there, regardless of color or religion.
When other religions were established in the town, they set up their own cemeteries. By default, it fell to the Congregational Church to maintain it, hence the name. In the early 1920's a number of prominent citizens agreed to relieve the church of that responsibility. The State Legislature passed a special act establishing "The Congregational Burying Ground Association, Incorporated", as a non-profit corporation.
The earliest count of the number of burials is based on a headstone count in 1883. That count was about 900 stones and it is estimated that another 300 burials are without markers. In 1966 a memorial to Rev. Adam Blakeman, leader of the Town's founders, was installed. An area that seemed clear was selected for the six feet by five feet foundation. Workers found three skeletons in the excavation. They were replaced at a lower level and the work was completed.
The Congregational Burying Ground was established on undivided town land in 1678 by a Town Meeting. Some additional land was added from time to time by gifts and purchases. It was known as the "Cemetery" for a number of years because the Congregational Church was the only church in the town. Anyone was buried there, regardless of color or religion.
When other religions were established in the town, they set up their own cemeteries. By default, it fell to the Congregational Church to maintain it, hence the name. In the early 1920's a number of prominent citizens agreed to relieve the church of that responsibility. The State Legislature passed a special act establishing "The Congregational Burying Ground Association, Incorporated", as a non-profit corporation.
The earliest count of the number of burials is based on a headstone count in 1883. That count was about 900 stones and it is estimated that another 300 burials are without markers. In 1966 a memorial to Rev. Adam Blakeman, leader of the Town's founders, was installed. An area that seemed clear was selected for the six feet by five feet foundation. Workers found three skeletons in the excavation. They were replaced at a lower level and the work was completed.
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Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA
- Total memorials357
- Percent photographed47%
- Percent with GPS6%
Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA
- Total memorials7k+
- Percent photographed79%
- Percent with GPS64%
Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA
- Total memorials65k+
- Percent photographed76%
- Percent with GPS62%
Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA
- Total memorials639
- Percent photographed72%
- Percent with GPS38%
- Added: 27 Nov 2002
- Find a Grave Cemetery ID: 1730571
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