Vermont AHGP
Part of the American History and
Genealogy Project
The Middlesex Centre Cemetery
One of the most neatly arranged country cemeteries to be found;
situated in a slightly, pleasant place, on the east side of the
first made and most direct road from the village to the Centre,
about 2 miles from the river, on the top of the first of three
elevations of rolling ground found in coming from the village on
this road. Along the roadside and within the gate near the
entering avenue, is a grove of handsome maples in rows, casting
their shade upon the turf and over the pretty, white school
house upon the left. The grounds within the cemetery are neatly
arranged in 6 rows of lots, with 3 carriage avenues running the
length of the ground and cross avenues. Each lot is raised above
the avenues, with walk left between each 2 lots, and flowers,
blooming shrubs and roses, break the mat of thick green grass
and add their beauty to the sacred plots. A substantial wall and
close-trimmed cedar hedge inclosing all.
But it is more the tasteful arrangement of the whole that makes
the place seem beautiful for everyone, than any profuse
adornment. The stranger, too, pauses to admire the lovely
scenery around as well, and the mourners feel a spirit of
thankfulness that their dear friends are resting in so fair a
place.
There are some 200 graves here now, with many monuments. January
1, 181 2 Nathan Benton, one of the first settlers, deeded 2
acres of land here to Joseph Chapin, Josiah Holden and 16
others: the land tc be used for a neighborhood burying ground.
In the spring of 1822 there were 5 graves in this ground, but it
was in an open field, and had not been exactly located. That
year the neighbors met and appointed Stephen Herrick to measure
and stake out the ground, and a fence was built around it.
But little was done to improve it more until about 1856, when
through the influence and under the supervision of Horace
Holden, the friends of the deceased buried there, and others who
felt interested, began to kill the weeds and brakes that had
become abundant, and improvements were continued from time to
time till 1858, when everything was completed nearly as at
present. In 1866, an association was formed called "The
Middlesex Centre Cemetery Association," to which Aaron Ladd, Asa
Chapin, and 21 others, owners of lots, deeded their right and
title. Under the Association each one of those who deeded and
each one who took an active part in the work of improving the
ground were entitled to a family lot.
Some of the oldest buried here are:
Elizabeth McElroy, came from Scotland to U. S. in 1740, died in
1823, aged 99
Joseph Chapin, Sr., 96
Susanna Chase, 89
Jeremiah Leland, 78
Elizabeth, wife of Jeremiah Leland, 88
Samuel Daniels, 87
Lucretia, wife of Samuel Daniels, 78
Polly McElroy, 84
Sanford White, 80
Maj. John Poor, 79, and Eliza M., his wife, 77, both buried in
one grave
Joseph Chapin, Jr., 78
Horace Holden, 74
Marian Leland, 92
Abram Gale, 78, and Mary, his wife, 92
Margaret Mead, 79
Benjamin Willey, 72
Mary Wilson, 73
Hosea Minott, 74
Knight Nichols, 81, and Mercy, his wife, 92
Geo. H. Lewis, 71
Source: History of Washington County Vermont, Collated and Published by Abby Maria Hemenway, 1882.
Please Come Back Again!
