A stone rubbing of the epitaph of Benjamin Mead III, buried in the family plot in North Greenwich off Cliffdale Road.
A circa summer 1990 panoramic view of the cemetery. Note the plain fieldstone markers as well as the inscribed markers in the far corner. The surrounding woods and fence have been cleared and nearby trees removed.
This is a view of the cemetery dated 1990. Note the surrounding forested area. The entire cemetery was covered as such, and all the inscribed marker were lain flat. Estimates are that the cemetery had not been cared for at least 50 years. It was only by accident on a very hot summer day in July 1989 that the site was rediscovered.
A circa 1990 picture of the northwestern corner of the cemetery. Prior to initial restoration all gravestones were lying flat. The surrounding forested area has since been cleared and the plot is borders by a hedge or bayberry bushes.
Another circa 1990 picture of the cemetery. The surrounding woods have been cleared, trees, featured gate and fence removed.
A picture taken circa summer 1990.
On the eastern side of the cemetery are two coarsely inscribed fieldstone markers. One pictured here is for Sarah Mitchell who died on November 16, 1776. Some of the letters on Sarah's "homemade" stone are carved backwards. Who were they? Why is she interred here? Her identity continues to be a source of interest and mystery. This image is from a scanned slide dated 1992.
On the eastern side of the cemetery are two coarsely inscribed fieldstone markers. This one is for John Dunn who died August 23, 1786, 32 years, 5 months, 15 days. When initial restoration work began in 1989 this stone was face down. All the inscribed gravestones had been lain flat. Who was he? Why is he interred here? His identity continues to be a source of interest and mystery. This image is from a scanned slide dated 1990.
A view of the gateway off Cliffdale Road, located next to the second gate on the north side of Cliffdale Road.
A view of the cemetery from the gate at Cliffdale Road. The house in the background is not on the farmland. Note the other gate on the right side of the bayberry hedges. This is where visitors may enter and exit the cemetery.
A view of the cemetery from the gate on September 18, 2008. Burials marked with fieldstones include Benjamin Mead II, died Oct. 22, 1783; his wife Martha Ferris, died Nov. 6, 1797; and Obadiah Mead, killed in the Revolutionary War 1779 -he was engaged to Charity, daughter of Nathaniel Mead. She married Joshua Knapp. (Mead Genealogy p. 389).
Benjamin Mead, Esqr. Died March 5, 1815, aged 85 years, 6 months and 17 days. His epitaph (original spellings retained) reads: My flesh fhall flumber in the ground/Till the last trumpet joyful founds/Then burst the chains with fweet furpise/And in my Faviour's image rise.
Mary M. (Reynolds) Mead, who died on November 24, 1817. She married Benjamin Mead III Nov. 1751 The inscription on Mary's stone is mostly defaced. Her daughter Theodosia is buried nearby. (Mead Genealogy p. 389).
The grave of David Mead, born Oct. 27, 1747 and died August 29, 1808, aged 61 years. According to family history, David was a skilled craftsman and cabinet-maker. He learned his expertise in making fine furniture from some of the original craftsmen to create Chippendale furniture in America. (Mead Genealogy p. 389).
The grave site of Whitman Mead, died January 29, 1795, aged 29 years. He was the son of Capt. Sylvanus Mead, killed in the Revolutionary War. (Mead Genealogy p. 393).
The gravestone of Theodoshe Mead. She was born August 2, 1756 and died on October 11, 1827, aged 71 years, 2 months and 9 days. On February 15, 1776 she married Edmund Mead of New York, a merchant in the city at that time. He was mysteriously lost at sea on a voyage to the West Indies around 1799 on the vessel Sally. Theodoshe returned to the family homestead and lived there for the remainder of her life. Her stone is ornamented with a weeping willow tree and urn. Her son, Obadiah, went on to become one of the founders of the North Greenwich Congregational Church. (Mead Genealogy p. 389).
Memorial stone to Rachel and Alford Stokum, children of Lemuel and Rachel Stokum. Both children died one day apart from each other on June 22 and June 23, 1823.
Susan Stokum,Died October 26, 1832 aged 27 years, 2 months and 26 days. The epitaph reads: Farewell Dear friends my life is past/My love for you while life did last/Now after me no sorrow take/But love my Children for my sake.
A view of the Benjamin Mead II House built circa 1728. The house is located near the cemetery off Riversville Road, Greenwich, Connecticut. Picture taken September 18, 2008.
A side view of the Benjamin Mead II House.
The front of the Benjamin Mead II House off Riversville Road. Note the tiny window above the front door. This was said to be used to look for British soldiers and Tories during the American Revolutionary War.
A new barn/garage on the site of the original barn when the property was a farm.
Another peephole on the second floor, used to safely lookout for British soldiers and Tories during the American Revolutionary War. The home was raided during this period. Obadiah Mead was shot and killed in that raid and is assumed to be buried in the cemetery, currently marked by a plain fieldstone marker.
This foundation was for a water tower that once functioned on the farm in the 20th century. It is situated on the hillside behind the new barn and circa 1728 Benjamin Mead homestead.
A view of the gate with Cliffdale Road on the other side.
A circa 1890 photo of the original house built 1728.
The rear view of the house built in the late 18th century. It once stood near the corner of Riversville Road and Cliffdale Road. The farm was purchased by a developer who demolished the house. Photo circa 1890.
The front view, circa 1890, of the Mead house that once stood on the corner of Cliffdale Road and Riversville Road.
An image from Google Earth. The barn is near the center of the image, and the old 1728 Mead farmhouse is to the right. On the left side of the barn is a group of trees, and you may see an area on the left with what appears to be an enclosure. This is the site of the cemetery.
