"In honor of forty-six American soldiers who sacrificed their lives
in struggling for the independence of their country;
This monument was erected in 1852, by the joint liberality of the General Assembly;
the people of Milford and other contributing friends.
Two hundred American soldiers, in a destitute, sickly, and dying condition
were brought from a British prison ship, then lying near New York,
and suddenly cast upon our shore,
from a British cartel ship, on the first of January 1777.
The inhabitants of Milford made the most charitable efforts for the
relief of these suffering strangers;
yet, notwithstanding all their kind ministrations,
in one month, these forty six died, and were buried in one common grave.
Their names and their residences are inscribed on this monument.
Who shall say that republics are ungrateful?"
"In memory of Capt. Stephen Stow of Milford
who died Feb. 8, 1777 Aged 51 years
To administer to the wants and soothe the miseries of these sick and dying soldiers,
was a work of extreme self denial and danger,
as many of them were suffering from loathsome and contagious maladies.
Stephen Stow voluntarily left his family to relieve these suffering men,
he contracted disease from them, he died, and was buried with them.
He had already given four sons to serve in the War for Independence.
To commemorate his self sacrificing devotion to his country, and to humanity,
the Legislature of Connecticut resolved that
his name should be inscribed upon this monument."
The first stone states,
"Daniel Langstaff
died March the 9th 1698
in the 5 YR of his age"
The stone on the right reads,
"Here lies the body of Mrs. Mary Baldwin
died ye 29h day of Nov. 1703
in ye 45th year of her age.
Wife to Mr. Timothy Baldwin"
The burial sites of Governor Robert Treat (left) and his wife, Jane (stone at right, in the foreground).
In addition to serving as Connecticut's Governor,
Robert Treat also founded Milford (CT) and Newark, New Jersey.
The inscription (below) is so weather-worn that it is impossible to read.
I found a copy of it online.
"Here lyeth interred the body of Coll Robert Treat Esq.
who faithfully servd this colony in the post of governour and deputy governour
near Ye space of thrity years and att. Ye age of four score and eight years
exchanged this life for a better July 12th Anno Dom: 1710"
"1703 Heere lieth interrd Mrs. Jane Treat at age 75 years an dyed the last..."
The remainder of the inscription was never completed.
Jane Treat was born 14 February 1628 and died 31 October 1703.
She was the daughter of Assistant Governor of Connecticut Edmund Tapp.
There are several table tombs in Milford Cemetery.
"Here lies interred the body of
Capt. GEORGE ALLEN
who died Oct. 7. 1734
in the 57th year of his age"
Two views of Jonathan Law's memorial.
"JONATHAN LAW
Governor of the Colony of Connecticut 1741-1750
He was born at Milford August 6, 1672
where he died November 6, 1750."
"Here Lyes the body of Mrs. Phebe Gillit
Wife to Mr. William Gillit Junr who
Died Febry 10 A D 1736 AE 29
Her Dying Word's Unto her husband are
Restraine you'r Passions! - Why So much Disspar'e.
It's the Will of God_ I hope It's for the Best
For you! for me! and for my mother-less
To Whom'e adue -- to God and, you
I Now Commit thare Care --
Pattorn of Pations to the End of life;
Now Ded she Speak's to Every Liveing wife
Peti Such Juell's Should Be Laid in Dust;
Men are Unworthy and the Lord is Just."
"Here lyes Ye Body of Mrs. Mary Gibb,
Wife to Mr. John Gibb,
Who departed this life Octo.r ye 21. 1769.
Aged 38 Years & 4 Months.
See there all Pale, & dead She lies,
for ever flow my Streaming Eyes.
MARY is fled, the Loveliest Mind,
Faith, Sweetness, Wit, together Foind.
Dwell Faith & Wit & Sweetness there,
O view the Chang, and Drop a tear."
"In memory of Mrs. MEHETABEL wife of Mr. SAMUEL TIBBALLS
who died 2d. March 1774
Aged 22 Years.
Behold and see as you pass by,
As you are now so once was I,
As i am now so you might be.
Prepare for Death & follow me.
Here doth my body rest in dust,
Till my redeemer come.
With himile live & spend along
Eternity at home.
"
"In memory of Dr Samuel Whittlesey A.M.
a young Gentleman endowed with good natural abilities
and furnished by education for public Service but which was
the pleasure of righteous Heaven He departed this life
in the 31st of his age Feb. 9, 1776."
The stone on the right is inscribed completely in Latin.
It is for the Reverend Samuel Whittelsey who attended both Yale and Harvard.
He died at the age of 56 on 22 October 1768.
"In memory of Mr. Noah Baldwin Deacon and Ruling Elder
in the second Church in Milford who departed this life
March 3 (?) 1784, in the 83d year of his Age.
The memory of the just is blessed."
A monument "In memory of..." several generations of the Northrup family,
from Joseph Northrup (died 1669) to Abigail Smith (1785-1872).
The stone was placed in 1912.
"Sacred to the memory of Miss Mary Fowler
daughter to Mr. William & Mrs. Eunice Fowler
who Died Feb.y 1st AD 1792 in the 24th Year of her age.
Molly though pleasant in her day
was sudd'nly seiz'd and sent away
How soon sh's ripe how soon she's rott'n
sent to her grave, & soon forgott'n."
Miss Fowler's morbid epitaph is locally famous;
so much so that her headstone has been stolen on at least one occasion.
"Here the wicked cease from troubling & here the weary are at rest
Entomb'd is here deposited the dear remains of Mrs. Margaret DeWitt
the amiable comfort of Garrit VH DeWitt who closed her eyes upon a vain World
Febr'y 11th 1794 aged 54
Her exemplary conduct in life, her unparelled patience, when wreck'd with pains
the most excruciating & her perfect resignation in her last illness
charmed the King of Terrors of his sting & soften'd him to a Prince of peace."
"In memory of
Henry & Elizabeth Botsford Milford 1639
Placed by Band of Botsford 1921"
The banner has the Botsford Family motto: "Digna Sequens" - "Worthy of Following".
"Erected to the memory of Nathan A. Baldwin
Born March 18, 1824 - Died May 20, 1898."
The four corners are crowned Faith, Hope, Charity, and Love (below).
According to sources, this is the most photographed monument in the cemetery.
All photos copyright by the author, 2012. Not to be used or reproduced without permission.
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