PATRIOT BURIALS

Inscription

PATRIOT BURIALS
JEREMIAH SMITH CEMETERY
AKA CHARLTON OLD CEMETERY
BURIALS AS EARLY AS CA. 1797.
AT LEAST 17 REVOLUTIONARY
WAR VETERANS INTERRED HERE.
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2024

The origins of the American Revolution can be traced back to 1775, when the first shots were fired between colonial and British forces at the Battle of Lexington and Concord. Soon after, the American Colonies declared their independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776. As the newly formed United States went to war with Great Britain, hundreds of men across the Thirteen Colonies joined the fight. These men came from different walks of life; some were farmers, others were tradesmen, lawyers, doctors and merchants. Despite their differences they desired the same thing: freedom and independence. Colonial forces faced severe challenges, including lack of supplies and military training. However, in the face of obstacles they were undeterred. After nearly 8 years the colonies defeated Great Britain and successfully achieved their independence. It is important to remember the lives and sacrifices made by those who fought for American freedom.

Jeremiah Smith Cemetery, also known as Chalton Old Cemetery and Old Charlton Cemetery, is the final resting place of many of the area’s early residents with burials beginning as early as 1797. Among those buried here are at least 17 Revolutionary War veterans, including: John Allen, Jonathan Bailey, Phenick Cox, Eleazer Dow, Thomas Folgar, Caleb Gates, James Gillespie, Gideon Hawley, John Hayes, Job Hedden, Isaac Holmes, Seth Kirby, James Lewis, Benjamin Marvin, William Mead, Jeremiah Smith and Henry Van Hoeven Bergh. Along with those veterans whose burial and service were definitively proven with primary sources as of 2023, there are several additional individuals believed by many to be buried here and who plausibly served during the War, including: James Cunningham, Nathan Pardee, James Sherwood, Reuben Sprague, William Clark, Joseph Beach and Abraham Northrop.