The Union Cemetery, Killingworth, CT, the Burying Yard

The Union Cemetery sits on the Roast Meat Hill Road in Killingworth. A stone fence separates it from the home lot purchased by Samuel Griffin Jr. in 1761. It is a beautiful little spot. The first time I visited the cemetery it supported a grove of tall stately evergreens. Many were knocked over in a storm 4 or 5 years ago. It is populated with very old headstone, many very weather worn. In the oldest section many are unreadable. There are 428 souls interred in the cemetery. It was actively used until the late 1800s. ---------- We find a land deed dated in 1784 in which Samuel Griffin purchases a small piece of property from the city of Killingworth that is identified as the "Burying Yard". The property is identified as being next door to other property owned by Samuel.There is a rich tradition of family cemeteries throughout New England. It is my assumption that with the burial of his wives Marah Griffin and Mercy Nettleton and a daughter Molle in the Burying Yard Samuel saw it as an eventual Griffin Family Cemetery. ---------- At the time Samuel made the purchase there were only a handful of people buried in the cemetery probably fewer than 25. That being said it was still a well know place in the area. In the land records, land deeds are referenced by their relationship to know locations rather than specific north, south, east and west coordinates. The “Burying Yard” was a common reference point for the land deeds in the surrounding area. ---------- In one corner of the cemetery is a small collection of older headstones that the years have erased the names. I have always assumed that the Griffins are buried there. The oldest readable headstone in the cemetery is for Mary Parmelee dated in 1744. Most of the early headstones are for the Clark, Parmelee and Lane families. Samuel purchased his original home lot located next to the Burying Yard from Benjamin Turner Jr. Benjamin’s father is buried in the cemetery he died August 31, 1751. Benjamin Turner Sr. was given the original land grant for the property that included the Burying Yard and the original Griffin home lot. It is my guess that it was he who started the cemetery. ---------- The cemetery has a strong connection to the Congregational Society. The Reverend William Seward, who officiated for the marriages of Samuel Griffin Jr. and his three wives, Marah Griffin, Mercy Nettleton and Mercy Bailey, is buried there. The Rev. Seward also baptized all of Samuel’s children. ---------- “Rev William Seward, died Feb 5, 1782, age 70.” ----------- We have made reference many times to Deacon Abraham Pierson and his influence in the Congregational Society that was home to the Griffins. He is also buried in the Union Cemetery; ---------- “Deacon Abraham Pierson, Rev War, died May 11, 1823, age 67 yrs”. ---------- Also buried in Union cemetery is Samuel’s sister Thankful Buell and her husband Nathan who died quite young in 1770, ---------- “Thankful Buell, wife of Nathan, died Feb. 16, 1816, age 85 yrs”. Her headstone is the last one posted. ---------- The Buell family lived but a short distance away on Roast Meat Hill Rd. The large Buell home was a local institution. It served at times as a tavern and a meeting place. ---------- In addition to Samuel’s family a good portion of his son, Worden’s, family is found in the Burying Yard. The headstones of Worden and his wife Rhoda Hull are found just over the stone fence from the home lot nestled up under one of the large trees. ---------- “Worden Griffin, died Feb. 17, 1847, age 75 yrs.” ---------- “Rhoda Griffin, wife of Worden, died Dec 9, 1848, age 75 yr.” ---------- Worden’s son Harmon and his wife and children are also buried here. ---------- “Harmon Griffin, died Feb 20, 1860, age 59 yrs.” ---------- “Betsey M. Griffin, wife of Harmon, died Feb 7, 1847, age 39 yrs.” ---------- “Charles H. Griffin son of Harmon & Betsey m., died Jan 15, 1829. ---------- “Eliza M. Griffin, daughter of Harmon & Betsey M., died Apr 11, 1830, age 28 days.” ---------- With the death of Harmon the Griffin family name ceased to exist in Killingworth Connecticut. By the time of his death Harmon and his father Worden had amassed about 500 acres surround the original home lot. ---------- Worden’s daughter Mercy Griffin and portions of her family are also buried in the cemetery. ---------- “Mercy Stevens, wife of Daniel died Jan 15, 1861, age 62 yrs.” ---------- “Daniel Stevens, died Mar 25,1866, age 71 yrs.” ---------- “Ellis M. Stevens, son of Daniel & Mercy Stevens, died June 2, 1839, age 9 mos.” ---------- “Harmon L. Stevens, son of Daniel & Mercy, died Apr 15. 1842., age 6 Yrs.” --------- Ellis and Harmon share a headstone. --------- Mercy Griffin Stevens named a son Samuel Griffin Stevens. A collection of letters that we found in the Connecticut State Archives titled, “Letters home to Daniel Stevens of Killingworth” provided us with rich insights into the Griffin family life in Killingworth. There are several essays on the Blog based on material from those letters. They introduced us to the family of Mercy Griffin Stevens. ---------- At some point in time ownership of the Burying Yard passed back to the city.