Old Congregational Burying Ground
Photo added by Jan Franco

Old Congregational Burying Ground

Also known as Congregational Burying Place

Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA

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  • Get directions Stratford, Connecticut, USA
    Coordinates: 41.19118, -73.13193
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The Burying Ground is located behind the Stratford Library and access is through the driveway, once known as Cemetery Lane.

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 Burying Ground is located behind the Stratford Library and access is through the driveway, once known as Cemetery Lane.

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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  • Added: 27 Nov 2002
  • Find a Grave Cemetery ID: 1730571