Hallowed Grounds: The Historic Mead Family Burying Grounds Association

House & Garden Magazine (1911) Article on Caleb Mead House

2011-06-16T19:27:00.002-04:00

House and Garden Magazine has been around much longer than many people realize -and we include ourselves as surprised!

We recently found via Google Books this link to the Volume 19, 1911 edition. When you click the link the 1796 Mead house that appears will look very familiar. It is located at the intersection of North Street and Taconic Road, with the cemetery across the street.

The article includes some interior photos of the house. Enjoy!

For Sale: Elkanah Mead House (circa 1838) on North Street, Greenwich

2011-06-16T19:18:00.004-04:00

We were perusing the Greenwich, Connecticut real estate advertisements the other day. Round Hill Partners has a listing for one of the old family homes, apparently just listed recently. It was built in 1838.

The property is shown on an 1867 map of the town as belonging to Elkanah Mead (there is another home of the same ancestor at the intersection of Stanwich and Guinea roads that is not for sale).

The text of the listing, which we copy and paste here from the Round Hill Partners web site, states:

Poised among the great estates of Greenwich's prime mid-country, this unrestricted landmarked residence is a neo-classic Federal masterpiece. Rich in history, the sophisticated six-bedroom estate with a charming guest cottage has been skillfully delivered into the twenty-first century, blending today's modern amenities with all the stature of its c.1838 origins meticulously preserved. The quintessential Old New England home on 1.59 sculpted, level acres has been exquisitely renovated and expanded into an eclectic experience of grand luxury on a manageable scale.

Enter the stately residence through a columned front porch, introducing the unmistakable period ambiance which continues throughout. Original detail including leaded-glass windows, lavish wood paneling, eight fireplaces, hand-painted walls and wide-board hardwood floors enhances the elegant public rooms and beyond. Each with its own epoch character and handsome detail, the main floor features living room, formal dining room, children's and adults' family rooms, billiard room and paneled library with camouflaged bathroom.

Bathed in natural light, the gourmet kitchen with butler's pantry and oversized breakfast alcove opens through French doors to the rear grounds. White marble on the kitchen floor and counters originated from the old Yale University library, adding yet more intrigue to the home.

The second floor features three beautifully appointed double bedrooms, a laundry room and the master bedroom suite with dual dressing areas, sitting room and fireplace. Perfect for guests or au pair, the third floor is a double bedroom suite with sitting room and bathroom.

Additional amenities include central air-conditioning, in-ground irrigation and security system.

The spectacular property with grand old trees, sweeping lawns, artful stone masonry, flagstone terraces and a heated gunite swimming pool/spa is a magical oasis for memorable entertaining in a year-round naturally private setting. Featured on Greenwich Historical Society's Antiquarius house tour and in House and Garden, this distinguished residence enjoys a perfect location, minutes to town and all transportation.

Photos of Lot and Drake's Corner Cemetery in Greenwich Updated

2011-03-05T13:44:00.003-05:00

The Association's online photos of the cemetery at Lot & Drake's Corner (North Street and Taconic Road in Greenwich) has been updated with all gravestones individually featured. Please go to this link to see more.

Update: Who Owned This (Mead?) House

2011-03-05T13:12:00.005-05:00

(Photo courtesy of Connecticut State Library Digital Collections)

Last November we posed a question about a house featured in a painting. We were contacted by Pitts Yandell whose family owned this home for a number of years. With the help of Greenwich Historical Society researcher Nola Taylor and Anne Young, archivist of the Society's archives, plus a survey using Google Earth the pieces of this puzzle came into place.

Pitts originally thought the house was at the intersection of Stanwich and Taconic roads in backcountry Greenwich. It turns out this house is located at the intersection of Stanwich and Guinea roads south of the Merritt Parkway overpass.

As Nola Taylor wrote:

I looked at 1938 Franklin Map. The road you refer to as “craggy crest road” was called Rocky Craig Road and Guinea Road in Stamford. The name was later changed to Guinea Road. This map shows your family property on Stanwich Road north of Cognewaugh where Rocky Craig/Guinea Road intersects with Stanwich and continues north along Stanwich Road.

The deed research that was done in on the Elkanah Mead House, 411 Stanwich Road when the house was plaqued by HSTG in 1996 as a Signs of the Times house shows that the property was in the Yandell family from 1918 until 1950.

A mystery solved! The painting is of the Elkanah Mead House. Thank you Nola and Pitts!

Who Owned This (Mead?) House

2010-11-03T20:42:00.002-04:00

We were contacted today by Pitts Yandell with the attached image to his e-mail. He wrote:

"My great grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. L. P. Yandell lived in a house that I believe was a Mead's house. The house was at the corner of Stanwich and Taconic in Greenwich. They moved in around 1917. Included is a painting of the house which was most accessible at the moment but I have more photos and historical documents archived. Anyway I was wondering it the place was familiar to you, if it still stands and which Mead resided there."

If you can answer his question please contact us at meadburyinggrounds@gmail.com.

Bill Mead Oak Tree, by Whitman Bailey

2010-09-09T17:01:00.004-04:00

A long time ago a massive oak tree once graced the landscape in front of the Mead home located where Cos Cob Elementary School is today. The drawing featured here is by Whitman Bailey of the "Bill Mead Oak." No one recalls when the tree came down, though it reputedly happened during a hurricane. The tree was so large that a large section of the trunk was hollow, allowing people to actually go inside. The date of this drawing, allegedly from a photograph, is 1930.

William H. Mead is interred in the family cemetery off Relay Place and the Cos Cob Mill Pond.

Removed Plots: Mead Burying Ground Lafayette Place, Greenwich

2010-09-06T18:42:00.003-04:00

In Greenwich's Town Clerk Records there are additional records of further disinterments from isolated family plots to other localities. There is still such a plot for the Lewis Family, long associated with the Second Congregational Church (it's next to the offices of the Presbyterian Church off Lafayette Place).

Yet another small family plot associated with the Mead's was located near the corner of Lafayette Place and William Street, within sight of Greenwich Hospital and nearby condominiums. The graves were apparently removed from this location to Putnam Cemetery in 1936. Pictured is the sexton records and listing of those transferred.

When the graves were transferred to Putnam we were intrigued to discover that the remains were apparently combined and a single monument stone will all names listed in common.

A Signed Document by Revolutionary War Patriot Dr. Amos Mead

2010-08-31T13:59:00.003-04:00

Today’s mail brings news of a relic from the American Revolution involving Dr. Amos Mead. He is interred in the New Burial Grounds Association Cemetery next to the Second Congregational Church off East Putnam Avenue in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Scott Winslow, a dealer in historical documents in New Hampshire writes, “I am a dealer in historical documents from New Hampshire. I'm forwarding a scan of a document signed by Dr. Amos Mead during the American Revolution which I thought you might have an interest in. I recently sold an early Connecticut pay order issued to (not signed by) Dr. Amos Mead but frankly, can't remember who I sold it to and thought it might be someone in your family.” The document image is provided here.

Historian Spencer P. Mead provides some interesting information found in the family genealogy book. On page 59:

“Dr. Amos Mead, of Greenwich, Connecticut, who was ye Surgeon of ye 3^rd Connecticut Regiment in the expedition against Crown Point and Ticonderoga in 1759, and also one of the committee of Safety, was so chased and hunted by these men as to be obliged to travel about back in the country for a whole winter. He retraced by night the tracks he had made by day, and then moving off a short distance in another direction, spent the night in the first sheltered place that could be found. In the early spring following the winter of 1780, he came down to look at a field of wheat growing some distance back of his house, but, on arriving at a certain point in the road, he turned back, for he was impressed with the idea that he must not go any farther, but how to account for the impression he knew not. A few days after a neighbor met him and told him that five men bent on taking his life were in that very wheat field with their loaded muskets aimed at a certain point in the road where he must have passed had he proceeded. Dr. Mead, wisely acting on this timely warning, retired again into the country.”

This text is also found on page 145 of Ye Historie of Ye Town of Greenwich, also authored by Spencer P. Mead, published in 1911. Both the town history and Mead family genealogy book feature more interesting background on Dr. Mead.

If you are interested in acquiring this wonderful piece of family history please contact Mr. Winslow at 800-225-6233, or e-mail him at Scott@scottwinslow.com.

Nehemiah Mead House, Cos Cob

2010-08-30T14:26:00.000-04:00

This is a picture of the Nehemiah Mead House. It stood where Cos Cob Elementary School is today. As mentioned in my previous blog post, Nehemiah Mead was one of those disinterred from the family cemetery off Relay Place and the Cos Cob Mill Pond. His remains and those of others were reinterred at Putnam Cemetery.

Whitman Bailey and the Cos Cob Mill Pond

2010-08-27T13:43:00.000-04:00

Pictured here is a sketching by the late Whitman Bailey of the Cos Cob Mill Pond. It is dated 1933.

Look closely at the left side of the print where the two tall pine trees are featured. The stone wall of the family plot as well as the granite obelisk are visible.

A Mystery Solved: Disinterments at the Cos Cob Family Plot

2010-08-26T23:26:00.000-04:00

For as far back as anyone alive today can remember the family burying ground at Cos Cob has posed a mystery. Upon ascending up into the cemetery visitors notice a small downswing off to the right side closest to the Mill Pond. Why was it there? It certainly did not appear to conform to the rest of the landscape.

I was going through my collection of 35mm slides for donation to the Greenwich Historical Society’s archives. This collection mostly consists of research I conducted on the cemeteries in Greenwich, Connecticut during the 1980s and early 1990s. I had some of these professionally scanned. While going through them I noticed the image pictured here.

The area in question was the site of graves that were disinterred in the 1880s. The image is one taken of records kept at Greenwich’s Town Hall showing that a number of graves were disinterred from this cemetery and reinterred in Putnam Cemetery. The name ‘Thomas Young’ is the sexton who, by definition, is someone employed or perhaps a church officer whose responsibility is to care for church property, including the digging of graves.

The names and dates of those disinterred are:

Samuel H. Mead, son of Nehemiah and Ruth Mead, b. December 2, 1796, d. October 15, 1854.

Henry Richards, son of James and Ruth Richards of Norwalk, d. September 28, 1800, aged 17 years and 9 months.

Nehemiah Mead, Jr., d. March 21, 1826, aged 54 years, 3 months and 17 days.

Nehemiah Mead. Sr., d. August 16, 1791, aged 70 years.

Mrs. Ruth Mead, wife of Nehemiah Mead, b. April 25, 1770, d. February 13, 1854.

Mrs. Sarah Mead, d. August 20, 1808, aged 74 years, 3 months and 27 days.

Sarah Mead, daughter of Nehemiah and Ruth Mead, d. May 12, 1871, aged 72 years, 10 months and 9 days.

Aside from the list of names, the genealogical information was taken from Spencer P. Mead’s Abstract of Records of Tombstones of the Town of Greenwich, Connecticut, 1913. Caroline Mills Mead, the second wife of William H. Mead, died in 1910. She was the last to be interred here. As to why the graves were disinterred, that remains a mystery and I suspect always will.

Jeffrey Bingham Mead

Back to Historical Blogging!

2010-08-26T18:18:00.001-04:00

I am please to report that I have not fallen off the side of the Earth, as some have pondered recently. I just recently moved to a new home with a decidedly country air to it. My hope is that my career in condominium living is over.

I also had some 35mm slides scanned which relate to the family cemeteries. These will be posted with historical commentary in the days ahead.

It's nice to be back. Cheers!

Historically yours,

Jeffrey Bingham Mead

Gravestone Motifs: Weeping Willows and Urns

2010-07-16T14:26:00.000-04:00

In the 1980s I wrote a local history column that appeared in the Greenwich Time newspaper. I was a member of its Board of Contributors in those fun-filled days when I also served on the board of the Greenwich Historical Society.

Last night I was inspecting my files of old published articles from my column when I found one that focused on the motifs and iconography carved on gravestones. “The motifs found on a number of gravestones throughout the burying grounds of Greenwich have withstood most of the effects of the elements, leaving meanings and significance for us to ponder,” I quote from ‘Unlocking the Secrets of the Past.’

Perhaps the best-known proponent of analysis and study of New England’s ancient burying grounds was the late Harriette Merrifield Forbes. “To interpret them properly it is necessary to close our 20^th century eyes and look at them with the eyes of the past. Thus we can appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of those designs and perhaps find a lesson for ourselves in a few of them at least.”

I think anyone walking through the cemeteries and burying grounds today would notice the carved weeping willow trees that appear on 19^th century marble stones. This motif started to appear on gravestone markers in the early 1800s. Often the weeping willow tree stood alone or with an urn to its side. The Greeks and Romans to store cremated ashes utilized urns. Their appearance also reflected a renewed interest in ancient Greek and Roman architectural styles that also found their ways on to home and government buildings built in the early 19^th century.

The most significant feature of live weeping willows we see on today’s landscapes and the carved examples on marble gravestones are the drooping branches. The image conveyed a sense of mourning and sadness felt by the living as a special loved one was laid to eternal rest.

Featured here are some examples of the weeping willow tree and urn motifs found on the gravestones of a few of our ancestors in Greenwich, Connecticut cemeteries.

Bob Keeler, Mead descendant, Maintaining Cemeteries

2010-07-08T03:53:00.000-04:00

We are very pleased to announce that Bob Keeler, a Mead descendant, as stepped to the Association's cause and is now maintaining the family cemeteries under our care. We are very grateful for such Bob's involvement in our continuous efforts to preserve these hallowed places. Thank you, Bob!

Mead Burying Ground at Lot & Drake's Corner

2010-07-06T14:26:00.000-04:00

The family burying ground featured today is the smallest of the three the Association preserves. It is located near the intersection of North Street and Taconic Road within sight of one of the family homesteads. In 1971 Edgar T. Mead, Jr., a direct descendant of those interred here, published a book entitled The House on Lot and Drake's Corner, that we highly recommend.

The three final pictures featured at the link below were taken during the last week of June, 2010 by my cousin Robert Keeler, who is maintaining the cemetery off Relay Place at Cos Cob's historic Mill Pond and the cemetery off Cliffdale Road in North Greenwich.

Go to this link to the Association's web-based albums to view the pictures.

The Silleck House, a Mead House, Built Circa 1827

2010-07-05T18:19:00.001-04:00

As I sit writing from my home in Honolulu I have read that temperatures at Yankee Stadium in New York City stand at 110F. It seems that the horrid winter experienced by some many in the Northeast is to be followed by one equally hot. You have my sympathies! If we in Hawaii were experiencing some trade winds I'd gladly send them your way.

This news reminded me of how in any historical age people will do what they can to seek comfort. The above picture was taken by me on a ride to and from Island Beach off the Greenwich coast in Long Island Sound in 2008. The building is located adjacent to the Indian Harbor Yacht Club off Greenwich Harbor. For many years it was known as the Silleck House, one of the earliest shore hotels in the region. I've long wondered if any of our family ancestors built the place.

I contacted Anne Young, archivist of the Greenwich Historical Society with a request for some information. After inspection of the materials I received my curiosity appears justified.

From the Greenwich News & Graphic story dated March 14, 1919 entitled 'Silleck House To Be Sold' is the following excerpt (original spellings and typographic errors retained):

The Silleck house is the oldest hotel on either shore of Long Island Sound between Sands Point, which is located opposite City Island, New York, and Stonington, Conn. It was build by the late Jared Mead in 1827, the frame construction being erected on dirt cellars which had been on the property a number of years prior to that date. Mr. Mead was a great-grandfather of W.P. White of Field Point Road. During the first few years it was run by Mr. Mead as a boarding hotel under the name of 'The White House,' the project did not prove successful and in the spring of 1849 Mr. Mead sold the building and grounds to Mrs. Fannie Runyon and Mrs. Mary Dennis, who in turn resold it to Thomas Funston on February 9, 1850. Thaddeus Silleck, grandfather of Elbert A. Silleck, became the owner on May 25, 1855, and later it fell into the hands of Mr. and Mrs. Elbert A. Silleck and Edward T. Foote. Mr. Silleck for many years conducted a most successful fashionable summer hotel there.

Why was Jared Mead unsuccessful? Businesses thrive or fail for any number of reasons. I wondered about this. I found out why in one of my favorite Greenwich history books, 'Other Days in Greenwich,' by the late Judge Frederick Hubbard. On Page 262 Hubbard wrote:

"Situated near the shore with a dense forest on three sides, it was an ideal spot for a quiet summer retreat. The trouble with the "White House," as Mr. Mead called it, was due to the fact that table supplies were difficult to obtain. At that time there was no market in Greenwich. To supply the table with meat it was Jared Mead's custom to purchase lambs and calves of the farmers and butcher them on the premises. Vegetables were secured at market sloops. Butter was difficult to buy as the farmers preferred to send it to New York. The cows were pastured on Field Point, assuring a good supply of milk and cream. The water was brought from one of the Field Point springs, there being no well near the hotel. Apples were free to anyone who would gather them.

"Mr. Mead had a good class of boarders at what then thought to be remunerative prices, but he found it quite a struggle to maintain a satisfactory table. His fried fish, broiled lobsters, succulent oysters and scallops were considered most palatable, but there always came a time when the appetite demanded fresh meat."

The above-mentioned Greenwich News & Graphic story lists the names of some of the luminaries who stayed at the Silleck House. The include William B. Taylor, former postmaster of New York City; Horace Greeley, John Hoey, Robert M. Bruce, Charles A. Whitney, the New York banker; and a "Professor King" of Columbia University. Yet perhaps the most famous -or infamous- was none other than William M. Tweed, better known as "Boss Tweed" of New York.

"From a small building it was enlarged from time to time until it becamse one of the finest and most up-to-date hotels outside of New York and hundreds of prominent people from all parts of the country used to spend their summers at this popular hostelry, " continued the Greenwich News & Graphic. "In the early days boarding rates were $2.50 a week while of more recent date enormous prices have been charged not only at this but other similar hotels in Greenwich. Summer sojourners will now pay most any prices to get a breath of real country air and enjoy the many privileges afforded at these resorts."

The Passing of Herbert Bingham Mead 1924-2010

2010-05-13T16:07:00.000-04:00

(Note: I have established another blog about the book I am researching on my father's service in postwar China. Go here: MyDadtheUSChinaMarine.blogspot.com)

I have not been posting for some time due to the recent passing of my father, Herbert Bingham Mead.

Dad died in the closing moments of his 86th birthday at a nursing home in Croton-on-Hudson, New York on February 25. He is dearly missed. Dad enthusiastically supported the creation of our cemetery association in 1990. In his younger days he maintained the cemetery property off Relay Place near Cos Cob's Mill Pond. When he and my mother were first married they lived in a small cottage nearby that has since been demolished. Up until five years ago Dad would go down to the Cos Cob plot and two others the Association maintains and keep them in good order.

He was a World War II veteran serving as a radioman in the U.S. Marines 1^st and 4^th Marine Division from 1943 to 1947, at Guadalcanal, Peleiu, the front lines in the Battle of Okinawa, and stationed for several years in Tianjin and Beijing, China after the Japanese surrender.

For many years he was employed in the Clairol’s research division of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Corporation in Stamford, Connecticut. After his retirement he started and operated a garden design and landscape business until six years ago.

My father was an active and passionate volunteer for over 40 years in Greenwich’s fire department services including serving as chief of the Round Hill Volunteer Fire Department and the Amogerone Volunteer Fire Company, contributing his time and energies. He was also a proud supporter of various US Marine Corps organizations.

I am very grateful for his guidance and support when the Association was first created and in the years since. Rest in peace, Dad. Thank you for all that you did -and for your example.

Jeffrey Bingham Mead

Moonlight Marriages Barred in Greenwich: January 12, 1900

2010-03-02T00:55:00.000-05:00

We found this article in the archives of the New York Times. Published on January 12, 1900, it features comments by then-Town Clerk James R. Mead. It seems New Yorkers were venturing to Greenwich in order to be married under the evening moonlight, spoiling many evenings for Mead, his assistant, Greenwich clergy and Justices of the Peace. Enjoy!

New York Times 1910: TELLS STRANGE TALE OF TWEED'S FLIGHT; Greenwich Man Says He Escaped on Train to Cos Cob, Where Couple Awaited Him

2010-03-01T01:18:00.000-05:00

Special to The New York Times: December 7, 1910, Wednesday

GREENWICH, Conn., Dec. 6 -- After a silence of more than thirty years, Judge Frederick A. Hubbard of this town has published in a local paper a story which he believes explains the method by which Boss William M. Tweed got away from New York after his escape from Ludlow Street Jail on Dec. 4, 1875.

Click here and download the pdf file.

Deacon Abraham "Potter" Mead

2010-02-28T22:24:00.000-05:00

Abraham Mead was born in 1742 who during the American Revolutionary War served as a Captain, assisting in the defense of New York.

But Abraham Mead is best known for the unique pottery he produced from his kiln. The following is reproduced from this link to the Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich:

Deacon Potter Mead was a prominent citizen of Horseneck, the original name for central Greenwich. He was a commissioned captain in the Revolutionary War, town treasurer, real estate agent, deacon and treasurer of the Second Congregational Church, and one of the first Connecticut potters. As a teenager he was apprenticed to Adam Staats, a Dutchman considered Connecticut’s first stoneware potter. Staats kiln was located just south of the Davis gristmill. According to legend, Deacon Potter Mead, from close observation of Staats, discovered the secret of salt glazing. When Staats observed him throwing salt into the kiln, he is said to have exclaimed, “He’ got it! He’s got it!” True or not, Mead is known for his functional stoneware that was sold to the farmers and merchants of the Greenwich area and probably beyond to New York and New Jersey as well. The blue design is typical of his work.

For some high resolution photographic examples of his work go to this link.

Later in life he served as a deacon in the Second Congregational Church. He died in 1827 and is interred in the cemetery adjacent to the church known as the New Burial Grounds Association Cemetery.

Can you help? Dr. William Mead, Revolutionary War Surgeon, 1st New York Regiment

2010-02-20T14:51:00.000-05:00

The Association has received an inquiry from Glenn Hunger of Burnt Hills New York. Can you help? He was referred to us by Anne Young, archivist of the Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich, Connecticut.

Glenn is conducting research on Doctor William Mead, Revolutionary War Surgeon, 1st New York Regiment. Dr. Mead was the son of Benjamin Mead and Martha Ferris, born in Greenwich on October 15, 1747 and died on February 1, 1829. Dr. Mead is buried in Charlton, N.Y. Benjamin Mead and Martha Ferris are buried in our family plot at the Mead farm in North Greenwich off Cliffdale Road.

*From Spencer P. Mead’s History and Genealogy of the Mead Family, William Mead is mentioned on page 404, and as having married Phebe Farrant (b. October 30, 1741, d. October 21, 1776).

*From Daniel M. Mead’s A History of the Town of Greenwich, William Mead is mentioned on page 290 as having William, Abigail and Anne. (Daniel M. Mead continues with names of children not attributed elsewhere to Benjamin Mead.)

Dr. William Mead married Geertruyd Myndertse in Schenectady, N.Y. and had two children - Catarina b. March 7, 1780 and Benjamin b. November 25, 1783.

Glenn wrote, "I have found two references to Anne Mead. The first reference is in a geneologist’s notes in the Saratoga County Clerk’s Office indicating Anne is the daughter of Dr. William Mead. The second reference is of Anne and Geertruyd Mead’s signatures on a request to the County Clerk in appointing an executor to probate Dr. Mead’s estate in 1829. I have no additional information on Dr. Mead’s other children - William, Abigail, Catarina or Benjamin."

"I’m seeking any information, insights, references, etc. with regard to:

Doctor William Mead’s childhood, education (primary, secondary and medical), friends, family, medical practice, etc.
the death of Phebe Farrant and the lives of their three children - William, Abigail and Anne,
the lives of Dr. Mead’s two children with Geertruyd - Catarina and Benjamin.

I appreciate any help you are able to offer."

If you can assist Glenn please contact him:

Glenn Hunger
PO Box 529
Burnt Hills, NY
Tel: 518-399-9079
Email: psesq1@aol.com

Deacons Silas Hervey Mead: Abolitionist

2010-02-17T03:17:00.000-05:00

As this is Black History Month we share an excerpt from a letter dated November 8, 1842 by Deacon Silas Hervey Mead of North Greenwich to Amos Starr Cooke, a Danbury-born missionary to the Hawaiian Islands. The original letter is in the archives of the Hawaiian Mission Children's Society which maintains the Mission Houses Museum in Honolulu:

You speak about the Abolitonists. I will here just state that their enemies gave them the name of persons of one idea and I for one will respond to that name. I hope I never shall have any other idea only to do God's Will without distinguishing whether it is popular or not, and that I believe is true respecting the largest part of the Abolitionists that I am acquainted with.

You say you are afraid some of the Abolitionists zeal for that object blinds their eyes to other benevolent objects, we often hear that said with us, so often, that it would be impossible for us to sleep. The truth is because we do not go and spend all our strength pushing the car where the most are pushing, then we are slandered.

I tell you my friend in a general way show me an Abolitionist, and I will show you a strong Temperance man, and a strong man for keeping the sabbath, and a strong man for God anyway and everyway, a real go ahead Christian. There may be some exceptions, but I should think not many in proportion to the whole.

You say you are afraid I am a getting cold on that subject: no my dear friend, nor shall I ever so long as I have the Bible to read, and my powers of reason left me. I have made up my mind not to foul my fingers with it anyway. I'll not vote for it, but against it, nor will I use the products of slave labor as a general thing neither for eating, or wearing, at home or abroad.

I must say that (as I do by alcohol) that I am opposed to it at all times and places and for anything and everything. And I would say to you hold on against slavery, it does good.

Web Site Update in Progress

2010-02-17T03:06:00.001-05:00

The Association's web site is in the process of updating and redevelopment. Some of the features will be simplified. Links to this news-blog and the YouTube channel will also be added. Some of the visuals have been updated. Our hope is that our descendants near and far will further enjoy the web site as our primary educational tool for family and public outreach.

The Year 2009 Concludes...

2009-12-30T19:49:00.001-05:00

The Year 2009 is concluding. Time flies, as those of us immersed in history know well. May 2010 bring all of you hope, happiness, good health and prosperity.

Historically yours,

Jeffrey Bingham Mead

(Pictured: The Benjamin Mead II House, off Riversville

Road in Greenwich, Connecticut. Built circa 1728)

Internet Archive: Spencer P. Mead's Abstracts of records and tombstones of the town of Greenwich (1913)

2009-12-30T13:24:00.000-05:00

As a follow-up to yesterday's posting of the Internet Archive's access to an electronic version of Spencer P. Mead's 'History and genealogy of the Mead family' visitors may also access and download Mead's 'Abstracts of Records and Tombstones of the Town of Greenwich (1913). This was the first comprehensive inventory of gravestone records and inscriptions in Greenwich's history. The book is divided into a listing individual cemetery sites with alphabetized inventories of those interred in Greenwich cemeteries as of 1913.

The box on the left side of the page provides visitors with various options. You may download the text as a pdf-file, for example, or you may also read the text online. Enjoy!

Internet Archive: Spencer P. Mead's History and Genealogy

2009-12-29T18:02:00.000-05:00

For those who do not own or have access to a printed version of Spencer P. Mead's 'History and genealogy of the Mead family of Fairfield county, Connecticut, eastern New York, western Vermont, and western Pennsylvania from A.D. 1180 to 1900 (1901)' it is possible to go to the Internet Archive and find online and scanned editions there. Go to this link. Visitors have a number of choices including downloading a pdf file and reading the text online. Enjoy!

Come Christmas!

2009-12-23T18:33:00.000-05:00

(Pictured: Second Congregational Church of Greenwich, Connecticut, started by our ancestors in 1705)

On behalf of the Historic Mead Family Burying Grounds Association I extend to all Mead family descendants near and far best wishes for a festive, safe and very Merry Christmas. May the light and peace of the Christmas season keep you and guide you well.

Sincerely yours,

Jeffrey Bingham Mead

Removed Plots: Mead Plot at Byram Shore

2009-12-18T02:35:00.000-05:00

It comes as a surprise to many that the hills and valleys of the Town of Greenwich once featured an even larger number of small family plots than there are today. In addition to the three Mead family plots under the care of the Association there were three others.

One of these is identified in Spencer P. Mead’s Abstract of Greenwich Tombstones published in 1913 as the ‘Mead Plot on Byram Shore.’ Dated March, 1908 its location is given as “Near the Trolley Line a short distance east of Grigg Avenue.”

Charles Hale authored the ‘Index of Greenwich Graves,’ compiled as a WPA Project in the early 1930’s. The Hale Map Index on page 471 shows a cemetery in the vicinity, called the "Mead Plot on Byram Shore”, described in Mead's survey on Page 140 as “Near the Trolley Line a short distance east of Grigg Avenue”, which avenue is now known as St. Roch’s Avenue. The actual distance straight line is 0.07 miles. The area is described as “a driveway,” with graves apparently removed.

A survey by Aidan McCann, PLS, Soundview Engineering dated January 26, 2004 indicated that this long-removed plot was located off Charles Street between Josephine Evaristo Avenue and Hamilton Avenue.

Spencer P. Mead’s survey lists 12 persons buried there, the earliest being Jabez Hobby in 1823, who was joined by Abigail Hobby in 1847. Between 1839 and 1859 eight Meads were buried there, along with Sarah L. Martin 1849 and Mary E. Oliver, 1851.

The late Greenwich Town Historian William E. Finch stated that the graves were relocated to Union Cemetery. The following is a listing of 19^th century ancestors who were interred at this site:

Abigail Hobby, died June 16, 1847, aged 84 years, 4 months and 26 days.

Jabez M. Hobby, died December 23, 1823, aged 66 years, 11 months and 11 days.

Sarah L. Martin, wife of Jacob Martin, died May 30, 1849 aged 38 years, 3 months and 26 days.

Henry H. Mead, son of Jabez H. and Harriet Mead, died March 9, 1849, aged 2 years and 8 days.

Jabez H. Mead, son of Nehemiah and Mary Mead, died June 26, 1850, aged 46 years, 5 months and 15 days.

Mary, Widow of Nehemiah Mead, died March 15, 1859, aged 74 years and 4 days.

Mary Lucretia Mead, daughter of Jabez H. and Harriet Mead, born January 26, 1839, died May 29, 1839.

Nehemiah Mead, died December 4, 1833, aged 54 years, 3 months and 13 days.

Oscar Hobby Mead, son of Jabez H. and harriet Mead, born February 26, 1842, died December 18, 1845.

Sarah Ann Mead, daughter of Jabez H. and Harriet Mead, born November 11, 1844, died August 4, 1845.

William A. Mead, son of Nehemiah and Mary Mead, died February 20, 1849, aged 35 years, 7 months and 10 days.

Mary E. Oliver, daughter of William H. Oliver, died January 29, 1851 aged 16 years, 11 months and 10 days.

Obituary (New York Times) Spencer P. Mead, Lawyer and Historian

2009-12-15T17:15:00.002-05:00

Spencer P. Mead (Buried in Putnam Cemetery, Greenwich, Connecticut)

New York Times Death Notice and Obituary: January 8, 1935

MEAD-On January 7, 1935. Spencer p. Mead in his seventy-second year. Funeral service at the home of his brother, Ephriam Mead, 240 Milbank Av., Greenwich, Conn., on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2 P.M.

SPENCER P. MEAD

New York Lawyer Wrote ‘Ye Historie of Greenwich’

Spencer P. Mead, descendant of one of the oldest and most prominent families in Greenwich, Conn., died yesterday at the Fifth Avenue Hospital of a gall bladder ailment after a short illness. Mr. Mead, who lived at 828 Union Street, Brooklyn, was 71 years old.

Mr. Mead was an examiner of real estate titles for the law department of the Lawyers Title Corporation, 160 Broadway, having been with the company since 1903, at which time it was called the Lawyers Title Insurance Company of New York.

Born in the old Mead homestead at Mead’s Point, Greenwich, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Howe Mead and was descended from William Mead, who came from England to Connecticut in the seventeenth century. He was the author of a book on the genealogy of the Mead family and of ‘Ye Historie of Greenwich.’ He was graduated from New York Law School.

Mr. Mead belonged to the Sons of the American Revolution and Society of Colonial Wars. Surviving are three brothers.

"Should Have Good Roads" by Solomon S. Mead, July 4, 1903

2009-12-14T20:09:00.000-05:00

The following is a letter-to-the-editor of the Greenwich Graphic dated July 4, 1903. It was written by Solomon Stoddard Mead. He lived on the family farm at the corner of Riversville and Cliffdale roads in North Greenwich. Mead died June 7, 1906, and he is buried in the North Greenwich Congregational Church Cemetery at the corner of Riversville Road and John Street.

His death notice in the New York Times was printed as follows: MEAD- At Quaker Ridge, Greenwich, Conn., June 7, 1906, Solomon S. Mead, aged 80 years. Funeral services at his late residence June 9, at 4 P.M. Carriages will be waiting at Greenwich Station for train arriving from the East at 1:40 P.M. and train leaving Grand Central Depot 2 o'clock P.M.

Should Have Good Roads: Greenwich Graphic: July 4, 1903

Mr. Solomon S. Mead Gives Some Suggestions-Thinks There is No Place Like Greenwich

Editor of the Graphic:

I am an advocate of good roads to Travel over for the few remaining days that I will be among you, and I know that good roads are everything to any country or town. There is nothing whatever that will boom a place like good roads.

But to have them you must have them worked and graded by a person who is competent to do the job. If you want your gold watch repaired when out of order you must employ a man who understands his business of the job will be worse after a poor workman has had it in charge than when you left it in his care, and so you must have a man to work a road who has some knowledge of what is needed.

If for the past one hundred years the roads had been properly worked they would now be in number one condition and there would be no cause to complain. But they are worked just as they have been for years; if there is a wall in the gutter, instead of blasting it a huge break is placed across the road to carry the water from one side to the other.

And the roads are made up so narrow that one horse has to travel on the ridge and the other in the gutter, and no matter how much space there is between the fences the roads are worked to a single track and only occasionally a place where one can pass a loaded team in front of him or where one can pass a loaded team coming toward you.

The roads are all too narrow and I can show roads that have been narrowed up in the past two years from three to four feet. To me this is all wrong and no road should be worked less than twenty-five feet across and in no instance a break should be permitted on any road. If it is necessary for the water to pass from one side of the road to the other let it be done with a pipe; iron is best, earthen would do.

I know it is very hard for persons who have schooled themselves to work a road in the old way to change, but the change must come and will come if the present road makers will insist on the old way, give the roads to someone who will.

My idea of working roads would be to first draw a line on each side as far as it could be done conveniently and make the place straight if the distance was long or short, and where a rock interferes with the gutter blast it out. Have the road as wide as twenty or twenty-five feet and not round it up too much, but enough so all the surface water would run off its sides, not follow the wheel track. And above all never go into a road-bank or a lot of dirt or gravel when there are hundreds of hillocks all along the roadway that should first be removed, by ploughing and carting where it may be needed. I see hundreds of these knolls all along the roads I travel about Greenwich.

I feel very proud of the town that gave me birth and I hope to see it still improved and everyone that belongs in Greenwich should take an interest in its welfare. I never felt one half so proud of my native town as I do today, because I have seen more of good, and bad, that has been presented to my view.

Now let every body go for good wide and well-graded roads and if one will not do it get someone that will. Let the old foggies go.

I am truly disappointed in the working of the highways this season. That the roads are very rough and uneven and so narrow up from four to six feet that it is very dangerous for driving when one meets say half a dozen automobiles one after another, and the autos are bound to keep the road and on a one track road it is very dangerous driving, and the roads are so uneven and they seem to me worse then I have known them for years by and gone.

I will say here that the auto drivers are generally a class of hogs. An exception is Richard Carpenter, of the Upper King Street Road. He always gives all he can to the driving horse class and stops his auto if he sees any horse afraid.

I must say that I do not think I have miscalled or mis-classed the auto drivers. I find they in general do not pay any attention to raising the hand when coming, but on the contrary will keep as near the middle of the road as possible and often they will turn their machine right in front of the horse. I hope someone will put the law in force and bring the autos to know their place, and if they frighten a horse and upset the carriage they will run on the faster to avoid being known I wish every driver of a horse would see the law is complied with.

SOLOMON S. MEAD

Hester Bush Mead: Resident's Contribution was Timeless (Greenwich Time 1993)

2009-12-14T13:51:00.000-05:00

The following text was published in Greenwich Time's 'Looking Back' local history column authored by Jeffrey Bingham Mead. It was published on September 19, 1993.

For an audio-visual presentation go to this link on the Association's YouTube channel. Featured photos include Hester Bush Mead's gravestone in Union Cemetery, the watercolor work attributed to her, and a photo of the Jabez Mead House that once stood on the southwestern corner of East Putnam Avenue and Indian Field Road. The Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich acquired this work in February 2006.

Resident's Contribution was Timeless

Looking Back: by Jeffrey Bingham Mead

Greenwich Time, September 19, 1993

In a quiet corner of Union Cemetery off Milbank Avenue sits a small, worn marble gravestone. It marks the final resting place of Hester Bush Mead, daughter of Candice Bush.

Hester's name does not appear in the roster of famous persons in Greenwich history; her life is obscured by the passage of time.

Hester Mead in reality is not a descendant of the original ancestors at all-she is the direct descendant of slaves who were emancipated when Connecticut, with her sister New England states, mandated the abolition of slavery in the late 18th century.

Candice Bush, her mother, was a servant in the David Bush household. Mr. Bush owned what we preserve today as the Bush-Holley House, headquarters of The Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich. Candice's name appears in the David Bush estate in 1797, and Hester was born there the next year. We believe Hester married a freed back man who was emancipated from service to the Mead's in Greenwich.

My interest in Hester centers on a mysterious but beautiful watercolor of one of our ancestral houses. I'm told by a relative that this fine example of early American folk art on woven paper was created by a black woman employed by our forebears; it dates from 1840-1860.

The Jabez Mead House, circa 1840, stood at east Putnam Avenue and Indian Field Road. The farm encompassed all of Milbrook and the lands up to the base of Put's Hill. The house was demolished when East Putnam Avenue was widened many years ago.

Could Hester be the mystery artist? It's possible, but we may never know since the work is unsigned and no written documentation to confirm this has been uncovered.

Hester died March 2, 1864. Her will in the Greenwich Probate Court leaves her few belongings to her granddaughters, Martha and Julia, and ordered good tombstones to be put up for herself and her mother. The austere appearance of her marker may be deceiving if it is true that Hester was the mystery artist of the old homestead built long ago.

Jeffrey B. Mead is a free-lance writer and direct descendant of one of the town's founding families. He grew up in backcountry Greenwich and is a member of the Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich.

Charles N. Mead Presents New Bell to Commemorate Deacon Ancestors (1919)

2009-12-12T17:18:00.000-05:00

Six Generations of Meads, Deacons

Greenwich News and Graphic: February 14, 1919

Charles N. Mead Presents New Bell to Commemorate Deacon Ancestors

Announcement was made at the morning service of the Second Congregational Church last Sunday, that Charles N. Mead had presented a bell for the new spire, in memory of six successive generations of deacons in his family, serving this church for nearly 200 years.

It will be a victory and peace bell, bearing the inscription “Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth Peace, Good Will Toward Men.” It will be cast at the Meneely Works in Troy, and probably will be installed by Easter Sunday.

The old bell, which was taken down and placed in one of the horse-sheds at the rear of the church, while the spire was being rebuilt, had become cracked from being overheated in a fire which broke out in the sheds some time ago, and instead of the former clear tones of the bell, which were most pleasing to the ear, it had sounded muffled of late.

For many years the spire of this church has been a guide for seafaring men on Long Island Sound. The church itself stands on the highest point of and along the Sound between New York and New London.

Obituary: Isaac L. Mead 1913

2009-12-11T16:06:00.000-05:00

Obituary: Isaac Lewis Mead
The Greenwich Graphic: March 14, 1913.

Isaac L. Mead died at his home on Lafayette Place on Saturday morning, in his 79^th year.

Mr. Mead had recently suffered from shock, and early last week submitted to a serious piece of surgery performed by Drs. Griswold, Brooks and Clarke, designed to afford relief, and as he rallied readily it seemed to have proved successful. But relapse followed later, and he passed away finally as above stated.

Mr. Mead was one of the first organizers of Lombard Post and had been its commander. He was a Connecticut veteran, serving in the Civil War in Company I, Seventeenth Regiment 3 years. He was attached to the invalid corps as a member of the Sixth Veteran Reserves, and served until 1865, when he mustered out at Cincinnati. He was a member of the Congregational Church and Acacia Masonic Lodge.

Mr. Mead was a public spirited man and took great interest in whatever concerned the town and the borough.

For a number of years he was a member of the Board of Burgesses and a very active member of that body, suggesting and putting through a number of important measures.

As a member of the Board of School Visitors for many years, or until his blindness interfered, he was an indefatigable worker, being intensely interested in the work of putting the schools on as high a plane as possible, and what’s more he spent much time and was at some trouble in doing his duty, for which he took no pay, although entitled to remuneration for every visit he made to the schools. He believed in good schools, good teachers and good school houses. His ideals were high, and so far as he could he tried to bring the schools up to a higher plane, and did much for their betterment.

Putnam Cemetery, said to be one of the most picturesque, best laid out and attractive places of its kind along the shore, came about through Mr. Mead’s suggestion, planning and general work. He started the company that brought the plot and was superintendent of the cemetery for a number of years. In everything he did he stood for the best.

He was of the old school of New Englanders, sturdy, honest and kind hearted, patriotic, loyal and true, and was of the kind of men that are alluded to as having so much to do with having made America what it is today.

He was a prominent member of the Connecticut Undertakers Association, the president and secretary coming down from Hartford to attend the funeral services.

Mr. Mead was married in 1855 to Esther A. Mead, daughter of Daniel Seton Mead, and is survived by his wife, sons Willis T. and S. Warren, and daughter Miss Lucy A., and a sister Mrs. George H. Mills. He had been married for 57 years.

He was engaged as an undertaker in Greenwich for a quarter century, or more but during his latter years became blind and had become more or less of a recluse because of this defect, occupying his mind largely in an improvised shop where his spare time was spent in making gifts for his friends which included wood making into cabinets and such things.

Mr. Mead was greatly esteemed by a large circle of relatives and friends, and his business and social dealings were of the highest type. He was of most generous and sympathetic nature, his benefactions being many although only known to himself and his beneficiaries. For years he was a central figure in the business life, upbuilding and enterprising in his efforts to promote the general interests of Greenwich. He erected the first brick business building in Greenwich village, at Greenwich and Putnam avenues, which never passed from his possession.

The funeral services were held at his Lafayette Place home and were attended by a large assemblage of relatives and mourning friends, Rev. Mr. Taylor of the Congregational Church officiating, interment being in Putnam Cemetery.

YouTube Channel in Development

2009-12-07T17:17:00.000-05:00

The Historic Mead Family Burying Grounds Association, Inc., is developing a channel on YouTube. To view the channel go to this link.

Future content of the channel will include audio and visual images of ancestral grave sites with material based on historical research from various sources.

The Association encourages descendants to participate in the development of this channel. This include narratives about individual grave sites relying on obituaries, publish histories, land records, probate records, letters and correspondences.

Obituary: Colonel Thomas A. Mead 1932

2009-11-18T02:43:00.001-05:00

Col. Thomas A. Mead: Leading Citizen

Early Owner of ‘Dearfields’ Prominently Identified With Town

The Greenwich News: Thursday, March 17, 1932.

Colonel Thomas A. Mead, an early owner of “Dearfields” where today stands the new Franklin Simon & Co. store building, occupied a prominent place in the early history of Greenwich, serving the community with distinction in many capacities.

Born in 1799, the son of Richard Mead, a revolutionary figure long connected with Greenwich history, Colonel Mead spent almost his entire life in Greenwich, growing up to till the fertile acres of “Dearfields” as had his father before him. He died in 1892 after an active life which carried over a span of 91 years.

While Colonel Mead was primarily a farmer, shipping large quantities of milk to the New York markets and also producing grain and farm produce as well as raising large flocks of sheep, his interest in civic affairs was a keen one, his name appearing with frequency in accounts of early days as an advocate of progress and civic betterment.

Many interested in the early citizens of the town have often wondered as to the title of “Colonel” borne by Thomas A. Mead and some have even been of the belief that the title was an honorary one. However, such is not the case, he having served as lieutenant-colonel of the 9^th Regiment from 1831 to 1833. The regiment had served with distinction in the Revolutionary War.

Colonel Mead served upon the school and town committees and at one time represented this section in the General Assembly. He was a member of a committee, with Silas Davis and William Timpany, which on October 5, 1835 was appointed to arrange for the construction of the first town hall in Greenwich. This building was later erected on the present site of the Soldier’s Monument, near the Second Congregational Church. In May, 1841, he served on a committee which went before the General Assembly to attempt to have the court house and jail moved from Fairfield to Norwalk. In October, 1854 he was one of a committee which secured prices upon property as a site for a town poor farm. This farm was finally located upon Pecksland Road and remained there until 1905. In 1855 he acted as one of the incorporators of the Greenwich Mutual Fire Insurance Company and as early as 1827 his interest in education was revealed when he was named among the founders of the Greenwich Academy.

That Colonel Mead was a wealthy man in his day is revealed by the account of an ancient transaction in which he loaned the sum of $10,000 to a relative. That he was progressive is also indicated through his association with real estate transactions of his day. He was one of the stockholders of the Rocky Neck Company, one of the first efforts of land speculators in Greenwich. This concern purchased a tract of land near Indian Harbor Point and subdivided it into approximately 58 lots which were sold by a form of public auction on March 23, 1837.

Colonel Mead and his nephew, Amos M. Brush, were also recorded as the owners of the old Congregational Church, which they purchased upon the erection of the new church, moving the building in 1860 to the northeast corner of Putnam Avenue and Sherwood Place where it stood for many long years.

Obituary: Jabez Mead 1886

2009-10-30T01:40:00.000-04:00

Obituary: Jabez Mead

The Greenwich Graphic: April 17, 1886, page 3, col. 3

Another Old Resident Gone

Another one of the old citizens passed away this week, - Mr. Jabez Mead.

His death was not unexpected, for he has been an invalid for two years, though able to be about, often driving to the village himself from his home on the Post Road. For a year and a half Mr. Mead has been unable to lie down, and his sleep and rest were obtained sitting in a chair. Of late it was seen that he was failing and that his end was near. He died Monday night; his age was 77 years.

Jabez Mead was born, Dec. 21^st 1808, on the farm, on the Post Road, where he has just died; his father lived there before him, and his grand-father, who was Gen. Mead, of Revolutionary fame, resided only a short distance away, on the farm now occupied by Mr. Tracy, the artist.

Mr. Mead married Marry Hobby, a daughter of Jabez Hobby, and four of their children are now living, -Mrs. Abram Reynolds, Mr. Lyman Mead, Mr. Herman H. Mead, and Mr. Arthur D. Mead; a large number of grand-children, and several great-grand-children.

During his life Mr. Mead held many prominent positions in this community, twice representing his town in the General Assembly; he was for many years town treasurer; he has also been selectman, school visitor and assessor.

He was a man universally liked and respected. Of genial disposition, he held a place in the hearts of the people and all mourn his death. He was a man of broad views, and exceedingly found of travel, and until ill health caused him to remain at home, was accustomed with his wife to take an extended trip almost every year, and being a careful observer, he had a wide knowledge of the country.

His funeral took place from the 2^nd Congregational Church, Thursday afternoon, Rev. Mr. Porter officiating. There was a large attendance. The pall bearers were Messrs. Alfred Bell, Isaac H. Mead, Jos. G. Mead, Eliphelet Husted, Alex. Mead and Stephen Peck. The remains were interred in the 2^nd Congregational church cemetery. Requiescat in pace.

Obituary: Seaman Mead 1915

2009-10-30T01:37:00.000-04:00

Obituary: Seaman Mead

The Greenwich News & Graphic: Friday, July 2, 1915.

Hon. Seaman Mead Died Last Wednesday

Has Been Identified with Greenwich Business and Social Affairs for Many Years--Funeral To-Morrow

Death claimed one of the old residents of Greenwich on Wednesday when Seaman, son of the late Thomas A. and Hannah Seaman Mead, died at his home on West Putnam Avenue, following an illness of a short duration.

The deceased was born in the old Mead homestead in the year 1837. He was a descendant of John Mead, who came to the United States from England in 1635. Amos Mead, the great-grandfather of the deceased, was a surgeon in the French and Indian War and his grandfather, Richard Mead, served in the Revolutionary War.

Mr. Mead's life in Greenwich has been associated with public affairs. He was sent to the General Assembly four times; he served twelve years on the State Board of Agriculture at the St. Louis, Pan-American, Buffalo and Jamestown Expositions; he served on the board of assessors of the Town of Greenwich for twenty-two years; he was a borough assessor for twelve years; chairman of the Republican Town Committee for twelve years; a director of the Greenwich Trust Company and of the Rippowam Manufacturing Company.

The following children survive the deceased: Susan H., Louisa M., Amelia W., Thomas and Seaman M. Mead.

The deceased was born on the Mead homestead which included what is now Edgewood Park, Brookside drive, running down Greenwich Avenue to the point where the St. Mary's Catholic Church now stands. He was reared on that farm and attended schools in the neighborhood, his first teacher being Mr. Loundsberry. Subsequently the deceased attended the Greenwich Academy from which he graduated.

Two years of his life after graduation was spent on the large farm in Stanwich owned by his family. In his agricultural pursuits Mr. Mead was always successful. He ever took deep interest in Agriculture and aided in its advancement throughout the state.

Mr. Mead inherited many of the traits which brought his ancestors into prominence and gave them the distinction they merited. He was of the same religious faith and political complexion as his forefathers. Ever an ardent Republican, he cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln.

Hester Bush Mead: An Uncommon Artist?

2009-10-04T00:32:00.000-04:00

Originally published Spring/Summer 2001, by Jeffrey Bingham Mead

The southeastern section of Greenwich's Union Cemetery was set aside for the burial of free blacks or African-Americans.

Robert W. Mead deeded the land for the use forever as a burying ground, "The Southern part of Said Lot twenty three is to be Set apart by said Committee for the interment of people of color, and such portion as Said Committee may deem advisable to Sell in burial lots to people of color at a rate not exceeding one cent the Square foot. Lots numbers twelve and thirteen are to be reserved for free ground if required."

One of the worn marble gravestones marks the final resting place of Hester Bush Mead, the daughter of Candice Bush.

Hester's name does not appear in the roster of famous persons in Greenwich history, nor is she listed in Spencer P. Mead's family genealogy book. Hester is the direct descendant of slaves who were emancipated and made free when Connecticut, with her sister New England states, established for all time the abolition of slavery in the late eighteenth century.

Candice Bush, her mother, was a servant in the David Bush household. Mr. Bush, no relation to President Bush or his family, owned what we preserve today as Bush-Holley House, headquarters of the Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich. Candice's name appears in David Bush's estate in 1797, and Hester was born there the following year. We believe Hester married a freed black man who was emancipated from the Mead's in Greenwich.

Our primary interest in Hester centers on a mysterious but beautiful watercolor of one of the family ancestral houses. A relative in Massachusetts, who owns the painting, said that this fine example of early American folk art on woven paper was created by a black woman who was employed by the Jabez Mead family and dates from 1840-1860.

The Jabez Mead House, circa 1840, stood at the corner of East Putnam Avenue and Indian Field Road. The farm encompassed all of Milbrook and the lands up to the base of Put's Hill. The house was demolished when East Putnam Avenue was widened in the 1950's.

Could Hester Mead be the mystery artist? It's very possible. We may never know since the work is unsigned, and no written documentation to confirm this has been uncovered.

Hester died on March 2, 1864. Her will in the Greenwich Probate Court leaves her few belongings to her granddaughters Martha and Julia and ordered good Tomb stones to be put up for herself and her mother. The austere appearance of her marker may be deceiving if it is true that Hester was the mystery artist of the old homestead built long ago.

The will of Hester Mead, daughter of Candice Bush

Book A, Pages 410-411, Probate Court, Greenwich, CT

March 7, 1864

I, Hester Mead of the Town of Greenwich, County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut do now make this my last Will & Testament.

I direct my Executor hereafter named to Collect all my Just dues and pay all my just debts- to cause to be erected a good tomb stone over the grave of my Mother and also one for myself.

I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Martha Mead all my wearing apparrel and bedding and I direct my Executor to deliver them to her at such time or times as he may think best.

I give and bequeath the residue of my Estate after paying my funeral expenses and the cost of the Tomb Stones above named to my two granddaughters Martha Mead & Julia Mead, to them their heirs & assigns forever to be divided between them in the ratio of 2/3 for Martha and 1/3 for Julia and to be paid to them when they shall respectively become of Lawful age. If either of them Shall die before receiving her share then the whole amount Shall be given to the other.

I now constitute and appoint Philander Button Executor of this my Last Will & Testament.

In witnefs whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and seal this 1st day of March AD 1864.

Signed sealed and delivered by the Testatrix to be her last Will and testament in the presence of us who at her request hereunto Subscribe our names as witnefses in her presence and in the presence of each other

March 7, 1864

Clarissa Mead

Julia Button

Lydia M. Button

Hester X Mead

her mark

I hereby Certify that the N.S. Internal revenue Stamp to the amount of 50 ct was affixed to the foregoing instrument & was duly cancelled.

James H. Brush, Judge

Milo Mead's Will… “with papers pinned on”

2009-10-03T23:40:00.000-04:00

by Jeffrey Bingham Mead

Every family, no matter how large or small, has its share of eccentric souls. Milo Mead was no exception. The Greenwich native lived all of his life in the Byram section of town.

His eccentric ways made him something of an enigma in Greenwich. He never married, but died with a substantial amount of land in his name. Over the course of his adult life he deeded plots in the area he named 'New Lebanon.'

Milo Mead’s gravestone is located in the New Burial Grounds Association Cemetery next to the Second Congregational Church, Greenwich.

The piece below comes from the Greenwich News-Graphic shortly after his passing:

The will of Milo Mead of New Lebanon has been placed on Probate at the Probate Court. It has some peculiar features beside that of giving practically the whole property to two mission societies. Several clauses in the original were scratched out, and papers with Milo Mead's signature were pinned over them.

The value of the property is not accurately known, but is supposed to amount to more than $100,000 in real estate bonds and mortgages.

The original will was made on September 4, 1888, and in it Mr. William M. Ritch was named as executor. The will, which is on probate, reads as follows:

I, Milo Mead, of the Town of Greenwich, County of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following.

1st: I will that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid by the executor hereinafter mentioned.

2nd: I give, devise and bequeath to my brother Charles money sufficient to pay half his claim to his father's estate with interest.

3rd: I give, devise and bequeath to my sister Hannah five hundred dollars.

4th: I give, devise, and bequeath to my brother Mark five hundred dollars.

5th: I give, devise, and bequeath to Agnes S. Smith five hundred dollars.

6th: I give, devise, and bequeath to Agnes Wright, daughter of George Wright, dec'd, two hundred and fifty dollars.

7th: I direct that all of my property be sold by my executor hereinafter named within two years after my death.

8th: I give, devise, and bequeath the remainder after paying my bequests and legacies above mentioned to the American Missionary Association and the American Home Missionary Society, both located in the city of New York, to be divided equally.

9th: I hereby constitute and appoint William M. Ritch executor of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this fourth day of September in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight-hundred and eighty-eight. Signed and declared and sealed by me the said Milo Mead as his last will.

Milo Mead L.S.

And testament in presence of us, who in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names

Sylvester D. Hill

William Talbot

Willis M. Ritch, Jr.

A paper was pinned on clause 3 containing the following: As I have outlived my sister Hannah, I cross off her name as one of the heirs. Milo Mead. The clause was run through with a pen.

Over clause 4 was pinned a paper as follows: As I have outlived my brother Mark I cross off his name as one of the heirs. Milo Mead. The clause was also struck out by the pen.

Over the fifth clause the following was pinned on: Jan. 17, 1900. As I have outlived Agnes S. Smith I this day cross off her name from my will, not from any disregard to her. Milo Mead. The clause was struck out.

Over the witness clause another paper containing the following was pinned: New Lebanon, Sept. 22, 1894. As Agnes Wright is about to be married to Edward C. Fischer I cross her name off my will. Milo Mead.

Still another paper and evidently the latest one was pinned over the attest clause, which read as follows: It is my wish in case of my death, that the Danish Independent Club and Societies of New Lebanon should have plenty of time to pay the mortgage on their building, notwithstanding the limit of two years for the settlement of my estate, in my will, let it run indefinitely according to circumstances by paying the interest. Milo Mead.

American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions

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Originally published Spring/Summer 2001 by Jeffrey Bingham Mead

America's Second Great Awakening started in the 1790's and went well into the nineteenth century. The cause of foreign missions that sought to spread Christianity worldwide began at this time. The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) coordinated mission activities across North America, Polynesia, Asia, and beyond.

Religious enthusiasm was widespread throughout New England, including Greenwich. Religious leaders were at the forefront of communication and culture. Greenwich's nineteenth century citizens were enthusiastic participants and supporters of those causes. They included foreign and domestic missions, abolitionism, temperance, improvements in medical care, women's rights, and education.

Records show that a number of our nineteenth century Mead ancestors were made honorary members of the ABCFM. Their names appear in original editions of The Missionary Herald, a monthly magazine published by the ABCFM itself. Though not all individuals listed were residents of the town, all were made honorary members of the ABCFM by parishes and congregations located in Greenwich, Connecticut. The minimum donation required was $50.

The first to be listed was Obadiah Mead in January, 1834. The people of the North Greenwich Congregational Church held a "monthly concert" and raised $100. In June, 1841, Deacon Silas Hervey Mead of North Greenwich (pictured) was made an honorary ABCFM member. The Missionary Herald lists "Miss S. Mead" as contributing $100.

Marcus Mead was next to be listed in the May, 1842 issue of The Missionary Herald. A contribution from "a friend" for $100 is mentioned, though no name is given. In December, 1843, Augustus Mead was constituted an honorary ABCFM member by Miss S. Mead again for another contribution of $100.

In 1817 the women of Greenwich's Second Congregational Church started a "Heathen School Society" which helped to underwrite the costs of missionary-run schools.

Hannah Mead is listed as the "First Directress," and in January, 1845 the School Society gave $100 to constitute her an honorary ABCFM member, according to the Missionary Herald.

The "West Society Ladies," referring to the women of the Second Church, gave $50 to make Rev. Ebenezer Mead an honorary member as stated in the January, 1848 issue. In that same year, Miss Hannah Mead was constituted by "a friend" in May, 1848.

Though not living in town, Luther Mead of Fitchburg, Ohio was made an honorary ABCFM member by Miss S. Mead again. The June, 1848 issue of The Missionary Herald reports a contribution of $100 for this.

The Second Congregational Church gave $139.77 to the ABCFM for Miss Mary Mead to be added to its roster of honorary members in August, 1848. A year later, Miss Mary H. Mead is listed in December, 1849 for a donation of $50, too.

A monthly concert was held in North Greenwich, and Alla, wife of Deacon Obadiah Mead, was constituted an honorary member. The December, 1851 edition of The Missionary Herald states that $226.35 was raised for the ABCFM.

The last four Mead descendants were all members of the North Greenwich Congregational Church. A monthly concert helped make Miss Huldah Mead an ABCFM member in December, 1852. The church contributed $123.25 for Mrs. Harriet S. Mead in January, 1856. Civil War Veteran Silas Deliverance Mead was made an ABCFM member in February, 1872, after the church gave $159.33. The last was Hattie A. Mead, who is listed in the February, 1882 edition as being made an ABCFM member for a contribution of $100.33.

Epitaphs on the Gravestones of the Mead Family in Greenwich, Connecticut

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Originally published Spring/Summer 2001 by Jeffrey Bingham Mead

If there is any place where time stands still, and where history lies unruffled by the passage of time, it's in a burying ground or cemetery. Calmness, stillness, placidity, and serenity characterize these hallowed settings.

History stands poised by changing trends; the weather-worn stones stand in defiant indifference. Strolling among the graves of our Mead ancestors is a fascinating experience. That's especially true for those seeking to unlock the dim mysteries of our heritage.

Many Mead ancestors are buried in other cemeteries in the Town of Greenwich, Connecticut. A number of these stones are carved with epitaphs. They tell us many things, ranging from particulars about faith in God, tributes to departed loved ones, records of military valor, and much, much more. These have been transcribed from the tombstones, and a few are reproduced here for the enrichment of our family descendants and friends. The name, date of death, and burial site is listed.

Whether the intent is to reinforce moral standards, or record achievements and legacies, epitaphs continue to elicit curiosity. The most expressive and informative inscriptions on Greenwich gravestones voice lament, outline lifetime achievements, teach lessons to the living reader, and offer timely and bewitching warnings from times past.

Lucy, wife of Titus Mead

died April 11, 1804

aged 78 years.

New Burial Grounds Association Cemetery, next to the Second Congregational Church

Here lies a mother kind

A wife most dear;

In her manners mild

Friendship sincere.

Catherine, wife of Jonathan Mead

died May 1, 1841

aged 55 years & 15 days.

Round Hill Cemetery

Dearest Mother thou hast left us

And thy loss we deeply feel

But tis God that hath bereft us

He can all our sorrows heal.

Lewis Mead

died May 7, 1830

aged 30 years, 9 months & 25 days

The Old Burying Ground at North Greenwich

The scene was tranquil and serene

No pain in his look was seen

The Savior smil'd and dispel'd the gloom

And sooth'd his paings to the tomb.

Charity Mead, wife of Joshua Knapp

died November 16, 1842

Knapp Burying Ground, Round Hill

By her integrity, disinterested benevolence, faith and charity, she exemplified the Christian Religion. The death came suddenly she was entirely resigned. Her mind clear and serene, filled with the presence of God, she anticipated meeting her departed friends to enjoy with them the presence of God.

Devoid of envy, selfishness and guile

Resting on Christ with every calm delight

Thro' death's dark vale she passed

without a tear

And faith & hope exchanged for

blissful sight.

Hannah, wife of Darius Mead

died May 5, 1836

aged 65 years, 10 months & 28 days

The North Greenwich Congregational Church Cemetery

Blessed are the dead which die in

the Lord from henceforth.

Be ye also ready for in such an hour

we think not, they Son of man cometh.

Deliverance Mead

died May 3, 1785

67 years

Putnam Cemetery, Greenwich

Oh death! how sudden was thy wait paid

No time allow'd to take a last adieu

This hour in health the next a corpse

was torn from this world his friends

no more to view.

Whitman Mead

Mead Burying Ground, North Greenwich

Died January 29, 1795,aged 29 years.

The body must ascend to earth above

it came by the spirit to God who gave it.

Jared Mead

who perished on the Hudson River

in the sinking of his Schooner the JONATHAN BORAM

by the steamer FRANCIS R. SKIDDY.

Died October 14, 1852, aged 36 years & 3 months

New Burial Grounds Association Cemetery, next to the Second Congregational Church

Husband thou art gone to rest

Thy toils and cares are o'er

And sorrow pain and suffering now

Shall ne'er distress thee more.

Mrs. Keziah Mead, wife of Deacon Abraham Mead

Died April 12, 1826

New Burial Grounds Association Cemetery next to the Second Congregational Church

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord

From henceforth yea saith the Spirit

That they may rest from their labors

And their works do follow them.

Two infant sons of Daniel S. & Huldah Mead

One born April 29, 1838 and died April 30, 1838

The other born January 6, 1842 and died January 9, 1842

New Burial Grounds Association Cemetery next to the Second Congregational Church

Suffer little children to come

Unto me for of such is the

Kingdom of Heaven.

Henry H. Mead

Son of Sanford & Cynthia F. Mead

A member of CO. 1 10th Regt. C.V.,

Having passed through the Battles of Roanoke & New Bern, N.C.

Died of Typhoid Fever at New Bern, N.C. on

April 20, 1862

Aged 21 years, 5 months, 3 days.

New Burial Grounds Association Cemetery next to the Second Congregational Church

Die on the field of battle

Tis noble thus to die

God smiles on valiant soldiers

Their record is on high.

Rise from the field of battle

The Saviours gone before

Who puts his trust in Jesus

Is safe evermore.

Alice, wife of Amos Mead

Died February 17, 1815

Aged 29 years, 11 months, and 7 days

Union Cemetery of the Second Congregational Church

The kindness of her disposition

Endeared her to all her acquaintances

She filled up her life with usefulness and

Duty. Supported her last sickness

With Christian fortitude and had left

In her friends a well grounded hope.

Letters to Paradise: Deacon Silas Hervey Mead and Nineteenth Century Missionaries in the Hawaii Kingdom

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by Jeffrey Bingham Mead

In the summer of 1807 in the hills of Massachusetts, a group of Williams College student sought shelter from an oncoming thunderstorm in a haystack. As innocent as that sounds, this meeting would spark the beginnings of the American Foreign Mission Movement.

Half a world away, on the shores of Kelakekua Bay off the Kona coast of the Big Island of Hawaii, a young Hawaiian boy named Opukahaia would swim to an American ship, join its crew, see the world, end up converting to Christianity, receiving a New England education, and die in Cornwall, Connecticut. Opukahaia's death was the catalyst for missionaries to journey to the Hawaiian Islands in the heyday of the Second Great Awakening. History was changed.

The impulse to do good included our nineteenth century Mead ancestors. They participated in local and foreign mission enterprises, believing in perpetuating a Protestant commonwealth that, they hoped, would encompass the world. They founded churches, and corresponded with some of those that left the shores of New England who never returned to the land of their birth.

Perhaps no one in nineteenth-century Greenwich personified the fervor and dedication to that goal than Deacon Silas Hervery Mead of North Greenwich. He was born on December 12, 1796, and later married Harriet, the daughter of Jehiel Mead on January 2, 1816. Until his death on December 14, 1878, his adult life was consecrated to the North Greenwich Congregational Church, of which he was one of the founders and Life-Deacon. He was an ardent abolitionist, temperance man, and kept a keen interest in the cause of foreign missions from his farm near the church. The house he built still stands today.

One of the missionaries he kept in some contact with was Horton Owen Knapp. He was born on March 21, 1813 in the Round Hill section of town. Knapp expressed a desire to go to Hawaii, then known as the Sandwich Islands, on mission work as a teacher. His bride, a requirement of all missionaries, was Charlotte Close.

In Knapp's ‘autograph book’ in which family and friends expressed their farewells in writing, Silas Hervey Mead wrote the following, dated August 1836:

Brother Horton-

We have often met in the same prayer meeting and there united in prayer and praise to our Heavenly Father, and in the same Meeting House and there united in worshipping God, and around the same table there to commemorate the dying love of that Saviour who went about doing good, and has commanded his followers to imitate him in all his imitable perfections, who has commanded go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature and who is now risen and is at the right hand of God interceding that sinners may live.

This our meeting together and other things makes your countenance very familiar to me, and really binds you to me in the most tender ties of affection.

But the time is come when our spheres of action must be far distant. You are soon to leave for a heathen land where it seems that your room for labor will be greatly enlarged. And now brother be faithful to the heathen where you go, and do all that you can for their salvation. Be faithful to your own soul and to that God who has said "I will never leave you nor forsake you," and you will find by your own experience that promise verified.

Go Brother, determined to know nothing save Jesus Christ and Him crucified and you will find yourself paid an hundredfold in this life and in the world to come life everlasting.

Perhaps the missionary he kept in most contact with was Amos Starr Cooke. He was born in Danbury, Connecticut, in 1810. He was recruited for mission work by his borther-in-law, Rev. Chauncey Wilcox of the North Greenwich Church, to serve as a teacher. Cooke and his wife taught school in Honolulu for two years before being asked by the alii, or the Hawaiian royal family, to set up and serve as teachers in a special school reserved for the young royals. He was one of the founders of Castle & Cooke, one of Hawaii's "Big Five" conglomerates. Cooke died in 1871.

A letter from Silas Hervey Mead, dated June 8, 1840, was sent to Cooke in Honolulu

I have very unexpectedly received a letter from you, I say unexpectedly because you have been gone so long and I had not received any communication from you. I had given up the hopes of receiving any. But to my almost surprise last week I received your letter of Jan. 13th 1840. I was delighted to have this evidence that you had not forgotten an old friend. I read it over and thought I would sit right down and answer but business has put it off till now. And as I expect to go to New York tomorrow to get Brother Knapp's big fiddle I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to carry it to the Agent so I would now set about writing.

I did think that I would give you my opinion fully on all those questions you propounded but perhaps it is not best it may only make bad worse. You must not think that I am an idle spectator to what is going on in North Greenwich. Let me tell you that it is not easy to see that little church die and placed so that I cannot do anything to help it, that spirit that had commenced a very little before you left has increased ten fold so that now if anything is attempted to build up there is nothing to bad to report about the individual. Sometimes he is accused of boasting, sometimes of robbing God of the glory of the salvation of sinners, sometimes of being a hypocrite, and so on. I believe there is but two sins that Mr. Savage or myself or both of us has been accused of, the one of them is murder and the other drunkenness. I believe every other sin that can be thought on we have been charged with, so you will see that our influence at home is not much, yet I hope we are not idle.

We attended one meeting at Middle Patent and another at North Castle, the one at North Castle has been very interesting. For above a year the number that has attended has been never less than thirty. I should think it would average about fifty.

There has been as we believe one conversion and for the last four months I could spend as much time as I chose in religious conversion with the people in that tract District, there has been many I should think under conviction.

O! Brother you cannot tell how my heart has yearned over these dying souls. The field seemed to me to be already white to the harvest but nobody to reap. They have pretty much given up coming to the meeting house to meeting but now summer has come and we have decided to distribute no more tracts, what will become of them I don't know.

Brother, pray for us that God would teach us what to do and what to speak to that people. Mile Square has been abandoned for some time.

You asked if we forgotten to pray with the deepest humility, I would say that there was a secret prayer meeting held which I attended and in the revival that I mentioned in Brother Knapp's letter all our petitions were granted but one, or in other words all those who we made subjects of prayer were converted as we trust but one. And the last one that was converted I never see nor heard of a more particular answer for while he was determined not to yield nor would he allow that he felt on the subject of his soul salvation, yet some of his friends felt positive he would be converted. And thanks be to God he did not hear prayer and answer in spite of the fellow. So far as Mrs. Mead is concerned she told Mr. Wilcox at the outset she thought herself a Christian but she does not make a public profession of religion.

My class in the Sabbath School numbers five, all profess religion but one. Three were brought in last spring.

And now let me enquire how you are a getting along in the Sandwich Islands. It has seemed to me that you had nothing to trouble you, no professing Christian afraid you would do too much for Christ and so try to spoil what you was doing. But on the contrary each helping the other on in the great work and the best of all God pouring down his spirit and showing his power and goodness and mercy in bringing to repentance multitudes of those around you. What a sight, I almost wished for the wings of an eagle that I might fly to those happy seats. Perhaps you will it is not all (papping) here but you must admit it must be and is and ever will be happiness in the strictest and highest sense of the word to see mankind by tens and hundreds and thousands coming into the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

And now Brother I want you should write just as particular to me about the Sandwich Islands as you want me to write about North Greenwich. Write just as though you had written to no one else. If I should read in another letter what you might write to me I should feel as proud of it as though I had never seen it before.

And now Brother Cooke I want you to know yes I feel anxious about the brandy & Roman Catholics, what is to be the result of the outrage committed on the Islands? It seems to me that you need great faith to very persevering in prayer and faithful to that God who is able to deliver, who is able to protect & defend at all time and who has promised to be with you unto the end.

To conclude, I must beg you to pray for me, pray that I may do just exactly what God would have me do, that my will may be wholly bound up in his will.

This from you friend and Brother, Silas H. Mead

On November 24, 1840, Cooke replied to Deacon Silas Hervey Mead:

You have replied so promptly to my first communication that I will improve the present opportunity to acknowledge the receipt of your (Dated June 8th) this day. Yours with one from my niece in New York are the only letters I have received by this opportunity. Mrs. C has received eight, it is generally in that proportion we receive letters from home: Just as our letters were sent to us, I went over to Bro. Knapp's & read your letter to him & one from Jared- also, heard, read four sheets from Sister Knapp's younger sister Sarah.

When others are getting so many letters & I so few I almost resolved I will not write anymore until I receive more returns.

But a convenient opportunity occurs to send & I think perhaps the next arrival will bring me many long communications, so down I sit & inflict a letter, or letters, upon someone. But as yet I have been disappointed, & the fact of your noticing my letter so soon compels me to write now this ( ) especially I am over run with cares: for on Saturday last (21st) Mrs. C. presented me with a little daughter, & I do her works in some things-nurse her & the two children, attend school with our family of twelve, and now getting some letters ready for a vessel that expects to sail this week for New York. We as a mission are much in the same condition that we were last week with the enemy in our midst sowing tones.

But blessed be God, that they were not sown until the wheat had something of a start, & in many cases, had produced good fruit. There has been quite a rush for the new religion, but in many places it is dying away & growing unpopular. In others, however, it is increasing & the issue we know not, except that it is smitten "He shall rule till he hath subdued all nations under his feet." Here at Hon. we mind but little about them, keep the work going, sowing beside all waters, particularly pressing children into schools, circulating the Scriptures. No regards myself I have never fallen with a priest nor with any of their disciples, neither am I anxious to do so, because it would be useless for as a general thing, I believe, those who go after such delusions are those who are given up to believe a lie that they be damned.

Brandy has had unlimited sway through the Islands & has produced its legitimate effects- converting men into demons & women into sluts (They were quite enough so before). But it has enriched the French Consul who has made a fine speck by importing brandy & scattering it all over the various islands- "but his mischief shall return upon his own head, & his violent dealing shall come down upon his own fate." He has been very mute since the arrival of the U.S. Exploring Squadron. Many of the Officers are strong temperance men, especially the two lieuts., Wilkes & Hudson, who have been troubled some with their men getting drunk. They charge it all upon the French Consul & he rather writhes under it.

Indeed, some who encouraged him once are now turned against him. What Louis Philip will say I know not. We are very anxious to hear from France. We hope the vessel now arrived from New York has papers to that effect or we shall expect some by way of Mexico, as a vessel from the Coast is daily expected. Since the arrival of the Squadron, say 10 or 12 weeks since, we have had more quiet times. These two men mentioned above used to go about the streets nights on purpose to see the influence of liquor among us. They were perfectly disgusted & have advised the King & Chiefs to suppress it. The Squadron leave us next week & we shall expect a riot again. We hope Catholicism & Brandy will work their own destruction, but we cannot tell. The King has passed a law prohibiting the manufacture of any vegetable into rum, & I understand the Frenchman's brandy is almost gone.

Perhaps however the Thos. Perkins has brought a new supply. As you remarked in your letter to Brother K., Catholicism & Brandy go nice together. The latter is a powerful Spirit to help in their work of deluding souls. The former was introduced among us in her real garb, under cover of Cannon & ball. But we use no such weapons, tho' ours are mighty through God to the pulling down of Strong holds. God has done great things for his people, & some realize it, but he is ready to do still greater things than these if we will go forward relying alone on his arm for success. He can save by many, or by few, & we hope he will still work a great work for this people, even tho opposed by the "man of sin."

The King has lately issued as law requiring children to go to school, & parents to assist in the support of native teachers.

We hope mush from this. These laws will affect Bro. K's schools more than the one in our hands, I refer to our School of Chief's Children. These children have now been in our family six months. They are happy & contented with us, & are very healthy, which goes far to render our establishment popular among the parents. Some of the parents are very much interested in our school. It is a severe trial to them, however, to be separated as they are from their children, but they are willing a trial should be made, & thus far the trial has exceeded their own most sanguine expectations. The children improve in manner & obedience & their acquisition of the English language, which is one great object in view of starting a school expressly for the children of the King & Chiefs. They are interesting children aside from the fact that they will be the future ( ) of this people. Tho' many of them never knew what it was to have a master, they submit to our authority much more readily than one would expect, brought us as they have been to have their word the law to those about them, tho' they were their parents. I have frequently seen one of the parents ask his son, five years old, if he should do this & that as obsequiously as the meanest servant & now that same boy is as obedient to us. At first he rebelled but when he found he must submit he did it cheerfully, & since he has been one of our most pleasant scholars. The common natives & in most cases the parents look on with astonishment at the authority we have gained over them but it has cost us much ( ) of effort. We were aware when we commenced that we must have their confidence & obedience, or all our efforts to do them good would be nothing. They all go to church twice every Sabbath & have not failed since coming into our family. This was a new thing to them. The great ( ) now is their conversion to God. None of them are pious, but they are daily learning something of God & their obligations to him from the Bible which they read every morning & evening & from which they commit a verse daily to recite in school.

Many of the preceding particulars I have communicated in my letters to S. but you said write as if I had written to no one else. Most of our other missionary operations are in a flourishing condition, especially our boarding schools. The high school at Lahainaluna, Female Seminary at Wailuku, Boarding School for boys at Hilo & a small female boarding school at the same place. Our other schools have been rather low, but the new laws will soon make them all wear a different aspect. O! let there be special prayer at monthly concerts & other places also, for our schools both here & at all missionary stations. Schools are a mighty machine to convert a heathen nation into a civilized & enlightened nation.

Ignorance is the matter of heathenism & all it concomitants evils, temporal & Spiritual. To enlighten a nation the children must be taught. In vain may you hope to enlighten a grown up heathen, or make him any interested in the education of his children. They know not, neither can they be made to know its value. But I must stop. Dear bro., press ahead in your efforts to save souls around you. My love to all who know me in Mile Square (today called Armonk, NY), North Castle, Middle Patent &c & all others.

Mead replied to Cooke on April 17, 1841:

It is not for want of affection, it is not because I have not thought of you, nor is it for want of respect to the cause in which you are engaged that I have not answered the letter that you sent so kindly favored me with, and which favors I should like to have often repeated. You must remember that I am a farmer, and my hands are clumsy, and my business is such that I write but little, and perhaps that is one reason and time flies very, very rapid so that that year is gone like a dream or a tale that is told so I have delayed until now. It has been a hard winter for old people, there has been many deaths among that eldest of persons. I believe as yet there has not been any deaths among our immediate friends, many of them however are not well. Uncle Calvin's health is good yet he is confined to the house pretty much on account of the failure of his limbs yet he comes to meeting some. Aunt Deborah is pretty much confined to her room on account of being worn out with old age.

Mr. Levi is pretty much confined to his room on account of a sore leg, and his wife also with the rheumatism, and so I might go on to mention others. Your father I believe is thought to have his last sickness, all must die, and well is it for those who has lived in preparation for this great event. This is a world of trials especially to the Christian who wants to see his redeemer's cause prosper.

It has seemed to me that you know what it was to be bothered in that respect, for the Lord it seems his (blessed be his name) come down in great power and might and caused your ____ to see his wonderful love and mercy in bringing sinners to repentance. It did seem ________from those islands as ______ only prepared the _______ but in wonderful _____ matters that there _______ the missionary going _______ but since the Brandy _____ are forced upon the Islands you have _______ , but you must remember in the word of God it is said that "when the enemy comes like a flood the Lord will lift up his standard against him" so you need not fear for if you stand by the Lord he will always stand by you. Such a thing is possible that the great goodness of God in bringing such a multitude of sinners to repentance has caused a little speck of pride to find its way into the breast of the missionary, and it was seen necessary that something should be done to remove it, or that joining God's people was so popular that it was necessary that something should be done to keep the church pure, or something else. God's ways are not our ways nor are Hs thoughts our thoughts. All I have got to say is go forward and do your duty with your might and God will be with you.

We have had in America perhaps the greatest commotion that ever existed or can exist without shedding blood in this or any other nation. We as a people felt that we were in the hands of spoilers, and a determination did exist to put them away.

I said in the hands of spoilers, judge for yourself the currency deranged so that it was almost impossible to do business and in four years was spent for the nation twenty eight millions of Dollars of surplus money and beside run the nation into debt forty million not only so but our liberties both civil and religious were at stake. So you see duty called the Christian as well as the Philanthropist into the campaign to give a history of the past year, truly to one that did not witness it is impossible.

There was the last part of last summer and fall meetings held what they called mass meetings where thousands would assemble together, the leading men of the nation would address the people and then appropriate songs would be sung with great effect. I will try to give a faint description of one of those meetings held at Mile Square. The people of Westchester County to prepare for the meeting built a long log cabin at the expense of some three hundred Dollars and also raised a liberty pole. They made seats in front of the cabin for the ladies that they calculated would hold seven hundred, which was filled. They built a scaffold or stand on the outside of the cabin for the music and the speakers.

They had a cannon on the hill south of the cabin which was built on the corner south of Mr. Sutton's where the road crosses Mile Square and ends in the north and south road. Thus prepared the day for the meeting arrived and what then. Astonishing to behold by the middle of the forenoon it was constant coming from all quarters and all directions, all sorts of people of sizes, sexes, politics, complexions, Ministers and people, saint and sinner but no drunkards.

I do not know but I am a little to fast, I believe I did see one person in the field that I thought might have a little liquor in his head and after I had got more than a mile towards home I seen another that is in the habit of getting too much. He did

not show he had too much at this time. This is all the drunkenness that I seen. There was no accident excepting one man had the shafts of his wagon broke while he was putting his horse before it, and that a mile from the cabin the side of the road from that to the cabin with little exception was line with horses and carriages besides fields full of horses and carriages.

Carriages came with banners hoisted, one came with a log cabin on it with many persons in it. When the speakers mounted the stand they had an attentive audience as thick as they could stand and as far as their voice would reach to speak to. The day was fine. They dispersed before night, such a scene I never before witnessed. I do not think there was less than twenty thousand persons present. And now think that there was a reason why such multitudes of the better class, the peaceable class of persons, for they must be of that class ____ have been improper conduct ____ the vanity of man ____ generally called or rather ____.

_____ was elected president by the largest majority ever known when there was no opposition worth naming. He was inaugurated the fourth of March, all was pleased he was the people's man. The fourth of April death seized upon him and he is no numbered with the dead, as what is future we know not. John Tyler now take the chair, if he carries out his principles it will be bad, but if he obeys the dying command of Harrison it will be well, but _______ of room. I must stop.

There is some revivals of religion. One in Hartford & vicinity. New Haven, in college and in other places. With us Darkness reigns. And now Brother Cooke write to me, don't wait for me to write often. This from a friend.

In a letter Cooke penned, dated March 29, 1842, he wrote:

Brother Mead: I have just closed a letter to Abigail & hasten, as I can catch time between schools, to reply to your long & interesting letter of April 17th '44 which came to hand in company with several others, the 5th Feb. Capt Spaulding, who brought your epistle, returns this week in another vessel. My time left for replying to those letters is very short & I must do it in the midst of cares, as you say, or not at all. Please accept them of my few & hasty lines. Your letter spoke of politics & as I was glad to hear of the peaceable meeting held at my old missionary station. You & bro. (S) must take a lesson from it to be as zealous as politicians in their endeavors to make a reformation. I am rejoiced to hear that you continue your meetings at North Castle. Go on, my bro & persevere in your efforts to do good. "The redemption of the soul is precious and it ceaseth forever."

May you be eminently successful in saving many a soul ready to perish. For what do we live, if not, to save souls! And souls are as precious with us as with you & with you as with us. The earth is filled with those who are going down to hell, & you

& I must do our part in reclaiming them. You have a hope that your two beloved children are safe in the ark. Oh may we also have the pleasure of seeing members of our family, bowing not with their bodies only, but with their spirits at our family shrine.

Evening. This far I wrote this noon, our family have now retired, & it is almost 10 o'clock; but I resume my pew to add a few lines. Last night I wrote till midnight & watched some with our sick son the rest of the night. Such a course is wearing.

How do you get along counting the congregation about these days? I have thought you would find it difficult to do so here, where we have more thousands than you do hundreds. By the way, have you got your new road through? And, if so, do you get any more people to meeting? I love, still, to think of you, the people of Mile Square, North Castle, Middle Patent, Round Hill, City, & Mrs. Lounsbury's neighborhood. Does the latter family still continue to come to meeting on the Ridge?

You will probably hear soon, if not already, the stand some of our brethren took, last Spring, on the Anti-Slavery Question.

You said but little in your last about that subject. I hope you are not growing cold in it. It is too important a subject to leave alone; and yet it must not be attended to to the neglect of its accompanying or similar subjects, which now agitate the Christian church. I see by papers &c that some of our good brethren at home are so zealous in the Anti-Slavery cause that it blinds their eyes to the interest of the A.B.C.F.M., A.B. Soc., A.F. Society & similar institutions. "The head" ought not to "say to the hand, I have no need of thee &c." They are all one, & the same thing, to overturn the kingdom of Satan. May you & your neighbors be always ready with your means & your prayers, to help on all the difficult objects of benevolence: as I have no doubt you are doing. Your influence & means are both great. May you become "ruler of ten cities."

A letter rec'd, by bro. Knapp, from you in Dec. gave me the first intelligence of my father's death. Since then I have rec'd particulars from your beloved pastor. A few days ago since bro. K sent me a paper containing an account of Mr. Darius Mead's in less than two months after the death of my aged parent. They both died in years, & in "hope of the glory of God."

May those their children "imitate their virtue & shame their errors." The majority of those we love are gathering on the opposite side of the river, you, & I are, soon, to cross. May we be welcomed by them, & be ready to unite in their song, "Upon Him that loved us," &c.

You spoke of "Catholicism & Brandy." They are doing execution & go, hand in hand, finely. They are Satan's most successful agents. By their agency, he can "transform himself into an angel of light. Light enough to make darkness visible." Some of our laborers are making efforts with the children to enlist them on the side of rejecting all that can intoxicate (Which of course includes tobacco, for it is a notorious fact that natives get drunk on the noxious weed & take it for that very purpose, "to make drunk come." At Honolulu the cold water army of children number 1000. Our new family scholars are about to sign the pledge, while all their patents, or most of them, are notorious drunkards. But I'm happy to mention that news has reached us, today, from Lahaina, on Maui, that the King, from being a beastly drunkard, has signed the tee-total pledge. It sends a thrill of joy through all our ranks. God grant that it may prove a reality which is almost too much to expect.

April 1- Yesterday another brig arrived from Mass. I got no letter. Sister Knapp told me today that she got some. Seven of our Scholars signed the temperance pledge on the 30th, all without knowing that the King had done it. I hope each will be benefited by the example of the other. Old laws on the subject of selling spirits have revised & none can sell without paying a license of $400 a year. Notwithstanding some will take out licenses. It will make Spirits so high that natives cannot afford to but it. The higher the price, the better. Let me hear from you soon. Please remember Mrs. C & myself to Mrs. M., to your children & family- to your Uncle Calvin's family & other neighbors, to the people of Mile Square & N.G. Your brother in Christ, Amos S. Cooke.

The last known letter penned by Silas H. Mead to Amos Starr Cooke is dated November 8, 1842:

Brother Cooke: I received your communication about a week since and thought I would now write you & you may tell Brother Knapp I shall write to him in the course of a month or two. I received his letter the same time I did yours.

You ask about our congregation. I think that it is full one third less than when you was with us, and those that do go to meeting go grumbling. And about the new road that seems to have stopped as well as everything else. You need not look for anything good from us and you will not get disappointed, and if there should be anything good then that will be clear gain.

For my part without change I am completely discouraged. You will say trust in the Lord, that will do, but to presume on God is another thing, but enough of this. I should think there was an appearance that some extra effort was about to be made and if there should be I would hope for the best.

Ever since the Meeting house has been closed against the prayer meeting for the slave we have been going down rapidly.

The subject of Abolition is gaining ground very fast, it was debated in Congress last session in spite of them, for when they put it out of one door the Lord would bring it in at another. For my part I and my family stand very near alone on that subject in our place. Old schoolism reigns with us and of course the customs of the fathers must not be departed from. Yes, I feel that we stand almost alone in almost everything.

Mr. Roys has moved to Berlin and bought him a farm and with others built a shop and works at his trade. Dea. Savage a first rate man has also gone back to Berlin. Mr. Selah Savage has removed his relation to a church in Berlin and I expect the first time I hear from him that he has bought him a place there, and Mr. Eliot Savage, the son of Dea. Savage, is now my help that goes with me to North Castle. He is a fine young man and I fear too much carelessed. His time of apprenticeship with Mr. Wilcox will be out sometime this winter and whether he will then go to Berlin or not I do not know.

I should think they will keep him if they can.

You speak about the Abolitionists. I will here just state that their enemies gave them the name of persons of one idea and I for one will respond to that name. I hope I never shall have any other idea only to do God's Will without distinguishing whether it is popular or not, and that I believe is true respecting the largest part of the Abolitionists that I am acquainted with. You say you are afraid some of the Abolitionists zeal for that object blinds their eyes to other benevolent objects, we often hear that said with us, so often, that it would be impossible for us to sleep. The truth is because we do not go and spend all our strength pushing the car where the most are pushing, then we are slandered. I tell you my friend in a general way show me an Abolitionist, and I will show you a strong Temperance man, and a strong man for keeping the Sabbath, and a strong man for God anyway and every way, a real go ahead Christian. There may be some exceptions, but I should think not many in proportion to the whole. You say you are afraid I am a getting cold on that subject: no my dear friend, nor shall I ever so long as I have the Bible to read, and my powers of reason left me. I have made up my mind not to foul my fingers with it anyway. I'll not vote for it, but against it, nor will I use the products of slave labor as a general thing neither for eating, or wearing, at home or abroad. I must say that (as I do by alcohol) that I am opposed to it at all times and places and for anything and everything. And I would say to you hold on against slavery, it does good. If Mr. Bingham does oppose and point the finger do not mind it, you must expect to be persecuted if you oppose the sin of slavery.

Long before your receiving this Mr. & Mrs. Smith will have reached you and you will of course hear from us and I would here say that we are all well. It makes me feel a little old to get those two little grandchildren in my lap to rock and sing for, but so it is. We are fast approaching the time when we must be called to give an account of all that we do.

And oh! that we may live just as God would have us live, and do just and all God would have us do.

Nov. 9th. The last part of last week our town was set in great commotion. Esbon Huested, Deacon of Horseneck church, failed in his business, perhaps he won't be able to pay one half his liabilities, and the worst of it all is he has used his neighbors names too freely, to what extent I do not exactly know. I should think he has been at it pretty much all summer.

Forge one note & then another take up the first and so on. Whether he meant to be dishonest or not there is a difference of opinion. I should think that he has no money now and I believe today he has given himself up and gone to jail. He commenced first by altering the date of a note from May to August, and there is separately the stile into the meadow as Bunyan says, and now must go into prison, and I doubt very much whether he has a key in his bosom that will unlock any door there. I am told he appears very penitent, says he did not mean to injure anyone, and is sorry he has done as he has.

All this looks well, but there is another side that does not look so well, and I am as yet rather pushed how to make up my opinion whether he is a Christian or hypocrite. I believe it is not best to call him Deacon anymore. I suppose before this his office is taken from him and he suspended from church privileges. Here we can see the propriety of the caution "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."

And now Friend we can see what a fearful thing it is to step out of the path ever so little, for one hair's breath that makes way for more, only a little and he is gone for there seems to be no place to stop, and if he ever does stop it must be break off in the middle.

I wanted to ask a great many questions about your affairs or the affairs at the Islands. I should like to about the schools, about how you are all getting along whether Temperance, truth and every other good thing gets on, your laws, too, &c.

Our country looks dark and dreary. We are under the Chastning hand of the great ruler of the Universe, yet we will not improve by it, but on the contrary grow worse and worse. We as a nation it appears to me are determined to let God know that we van live without Him. And the worst of all, Christians that ought to be the salt of the earth are sanctioning this evil doing. They will say they are not. But is it so, so long as they vote men into office that regards not God. What do you think when the Christian part of the community will throw their influence and votes for a Duelist for Chief Magistrate? A murderer at the head of government, and put there by Christians, too? What must be expect but destruction? The locofoco's I think will gain the ascendancy again, and what then I don't know. And now to close. May the blessings of Our Almighty Father rest on you and yours. And God grant you health and strength and that of your consort and family and grace to do all He would have you do, and finally receive us all to dwell with Him

in glory. Silas H. Mead.

With gratitude...

Our thanks to the Hawaiian Mission Children's Society in Honolulu for its cooperation. The original manuscripts of these and many other letters, journals, and other primary resource materials are preserved, and until several years ago had never been transcribed. Transcribed copies are kept in the William E. Finch Archives of the Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich at its Bush-Holley House headquarters in Connecticut.

The New Burial Grounds Association Cemetery, Greenwich, Connecticut

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Note: Go to this direct link to the online photo albums of this site.

Often referred to as the Second Congregational Church Cemetery, this is one of the most significantly historical sites in the Town of Greenwich. Second Congregational Church actually owns Union Cemetery, located down the hill off Milbank Avenue. It is located at an exceptionally attractive site off the north side of East Putnam Avenue at the intersection with Milbank Avenue.

The most prominent landmark is the 212-foot tall stone spire of the Second Congregational Church, which is found next to the burying ground. In the 1789 George Washington viewed the surrounding area from the summit of this hill, of which he later wrote, the superb landscape which is to be seen from the meeting house is a rich regalia.

The church spire itself is the tallest structure in Greenwich, a conspicuous landmark that can be viewed from the waters of Long Island Sound.

The New Burial Grounds Association was created in July 1833 as an independent organization. The original proprietors of the Association purchased the one and a half acres of land from Solomon Mead for $500. Plots were sold to the public without regard for religious affiliation. Another $440 was invested for necessary improvements, including the reconditioning of the surrounding stone walls.

This tract of land was at one time owned by Angell Husted, one of the original proprietors of Greenwich. At the time of the purchase for the burying ground no buildings, including Mr. Husted's homestead, were situated here.

The stone memorials viewed in this cemetery vary from humble markers to handsome, well preserved, and elaborately carved monuments, most of which are well preserved. A few brownstone gravestones that predate the creation of the cemetery were transferred from other sites many years ago, including a location where Temple Shalom is today. The majority of the stones here are marble and granite memorials.

A number of fine examples of nineteenth century mortuary gravestone art can be viewed. Prime illustrations of carved weeping willow trees, embodying nature's lament, are found on the gravestones of Whitman Sackett (died 1868), Captain Daniel Merritt (died 1849), Prudence Mead (died 1849) and others. Some stones feature twin willow trees, evocative of the custom of planting marriage trees upon the exchange of nuptials. The elaborately carved monument commemorating the memory of Sophia, the only daughter of Isaac & Julia Peck (died 1861) features a rare specimen of a winged hour-glass, symbolizing the flight of time. Flowers adorn the gravestone of Caleb Husted, a child who died in 1857. A few of the markers are embellished with Masonic symbols featuring a crossed Compass and Square on an open book (the Bible). The gravestone for Civil War soldier Elnathan Husted, who died in battle, features some of the finest illustrations of military motifs.

The New Burial Grounds Cemetery contains the final resting places of many who are famous in the annals of Greenwich history. Dr. Darius Mead, died in 1864, founded Greenwich Academy. He studied medicine in Philadelphia and eventually returned to Greenwich, where he married Lydia, the daughter of Dr. Elisha Belcher. Nearby is the grave of Dr. Mead's son-in-law, Philander Button. He is regard as one of the most important principals of Greenwich Academy, serving for 22 years.

Mr. Button closed the Academy only once; in 1848 students were let go to witness the first run of the New York-New Haven-Hartford railroad as the train steamed through Greenwich. He was actively engaged in community affairs, including taking charge of recruiting men for the Civil War effort.

Judge Frederick A. Hubbard contributed many written historical articles and recollections to New England newspapers and authored Other Days in Greenwich and a history of the Acacia Lodge, the local Free Masons organization. He served with distinction as a judge in the Greenwich borough court and represented the town in the General Assembly.

Another judge, George W. Brush, served for 25 years as Justice of the Peace in Greenwich and presided over many important cases. He was so well-versed in law that during his tenure none of his decisions were ever appealed or overturned in a higher court.

A number of military soldiers are buried in this cemetery. Major Daniel Merritt Mead, a lawyer by profession, died of typhoid fever while on sick leave after the battle of New Bern. Major Mead was the author of The History of the Town of Greenwich, the first authoritative book recording the chronicles of local history, published in 1857. Sergeant Caleb Holmes was killed in battle; part of his epitaph quotes a letter he sent to his mother. Jared Finch, died 1939, has the distinction of being the first Greenwich man to sign up for duty in the Civil War effort and the last Civil War veteran to die. Amos Mead, M.D. was a soldier in the Revolution and represented Greenwich in Hartford to ratify the federal Constitution.

Several prominent ministers are interred at this cemetery. Rev. Rufus C. Putney served for 37 years as pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Greenwich. Rev. Oliver Huckel, known as the Venerable Man of the Greenwich Clergy earlier in the twentieth century, was pastor of the Second Congregational Church. Dr. Huckel was wily known as the author of 30 books including The Old Church Tells Her Story and Four Epochs of World Conquest. He lectured on many subjects and was a leading authority on the musical dramas of Richard Wagner. It was during his term that the famous stone church spire was rebuilt, the church interior was rehabilitated, and the congregation celebrated its 225th anniversary. Dr. Joel Linsdley, also of the Second Church, was past president of Marietta College, Ohio.

Other famous people from the past include members of the Holley family, long associated with the Holley Inn that became the headquarters of the Cos Cob School of American Impressionism. The Bush-Holley House was acquired by the Historical Society in 1957 and stands today with National Landmark status. Edward Lyon Holley was the brother of Constant Holley MacRae, the last owner of the house. Deacon Abraham Mead, whose pottery is sought by collectors and museums, is interred here with his family members.

Another Mead character is a man called "the Venerable Sage of New Lebanon." Milo Mead, a rather eccentric bachelor, developed his lands in Byram into what he called New Lebanon. He took the name East Port Chester as a personal insult. The family of Solomon Mead, who owned the tract where the cemetery is now, are interred here. His house, located behind the Second Congregational Church, is today known as the Mead Parish House.

From 1917 to 1919 the bell tower of the Second Congregational Church was methodically removed after it was discovered that the spire was disintegrating, each stone marked for reassembly. The scaffolds were supported by guy wires, one of which was connected in the cemetery. During a sudden windstorm sometime around Easter, 1918, the scaffolds collapsed into the cemetery and damaged a number of the gravestones.

The New Burial Grounds Association still exists today. The cemetery is very well maintained and cared for by direct descendants of the founders and plot holders. It is an age-old historical site featuring a "Who's who" of Greenwich history.

A stroll among the tombstones for those in search of Greenwich's historical legacy is strongly recommend.

A Tribute: Deacon Jonas Mead

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For an audio-visual presentation go to the association's YouTube Channel or this direct link.

Second Congregational Church, Greenwich, Connecticut.

Thursday, January 11, 1872

At a meeting of the Church duly notified from the pulpit held in the Lecture Room this evening, Rev. Horace James, Moderator, on motion of Deacon P. Button the following Memorial of the late Deacon Jonas Mead was unanimously adopted and ordered on the minutes:

Whereas in the appointment of a permanent Clerk in the place of Deacon Jonas Mead, deceased it seems eminently proper that we should enter on the records of the church a testimonial of our appreciation of the Christian character and long and faithful services of our departed Brother.

Therefore resolved that while we mourn his removal from us by death yet feeling sure that our loss is his infinite gain we cheerfully acquiesce in the Divine Will, and would express our devout gratitude to God for his goodness to this Church in giving to our departed Brother the grace and strength which enabled him so wisely, so faithfully and so long to labor for the good of the church and for the glory of Christ in the salvation of men.

Resolved, that we have great occasion to rejoice in and to be grateful for, a Christian life hallowed and made sweet and precious to our hearts as we remember our beloved Brother in the various relations which he sustained to this church and which are embraced in part in the following record.

He united with this Church at the age of thirty years July 31, 1814 devoting himself to a life of Christian labor in the early vigor of manhood. He was made Deacon nine years afterwards in 1823, and about the same time took charge of the books of the Church as stated Clerk.

He was for many years Superintendent of the Sunday School, and served in it as a faithful teacher until the very close of life performing the duties of teacher, Clerk and Deacon for about half a century. During this long period he was in almost constant service as our delegate to other religious bodies or as the most efficient worker on committees to plan and labor for the discipline efficiency and spirituality of this church with which he was in Covenant so long.

The record of his life will show that instantaneous obedience at whatever personal sacrifice to every call of duty from the Church from suffering humanity from Providence or the word of God was his eminent characteristic and when the Master called him from the Church below he was equally ready for the higher duties of the Church above.

The call came August 2, 1871 when he was fully ripe, being in his 88th year, and we buried him with the prayer and in the hope that we may through grace like him strive to be faithful here and be counted worthy to join him in his duties there.

On motion of Dea. Button L.P. Hubbard and elected Clerk of the Church to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Dea. Jonas Mead. On motion of Dea. James H. Knapp Mr. Benjamin Wright was unanimously elected Assistant Clerk.

A communication was presented by the Moderator inviting the Church to be represented at a meeting of the Conference of Congregational Churches of Brooklyn, New York and vicinity to be held in Plymouth Church (Rev. H. W. Beecher’s) on Thursday the 18th inst. at 3 PM. L. P. Hubbard, Dea. Moses Cristy, Sanford Mead, William C. Churchill, Shadrach M. Brush and Joseph G. Mead were appointed Delegates to accompany the Pastor to said meeting.

Adjourned., L.P. Hubbard, Clerk

Eulogy to William E. Finch, Jr., Greenwich Town Historian and Mead Descendant

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Originally published Spring/Summer 2001

by Jeffrey Bingham Mead

In September, 2000, one of our dearest and most respected family members passed away. William E. Finch, Jr., was a household name to many, serving as the town historian of Greenwich, Connecticut until his passing at age 89 years. Finch was one of the founders of the Historic Mead Family Burying Grounds Association. His experience and insights helped guide this association to become what it is today. This inaugural issue is dedicated to him as a token of our appreciation.

The following is a eulogy written by Association President Deacon Jeffrey Bingham Mead, and read at Finch's graveside service at the Middle Patent Rural Cemetery in North Castle, New York.

"He walked with God; and he was not; for God took him home." Genesis 5:24

This Old Testament passage is a sacred reminder that life is but the infancy of our existence, the dawn of the eternal day, the first step on the pathway of man's endless journey. This passage also reveals important truths, does it not? After all, our life and times are in God's loving hands, and there is an invisible existence after this life for the soul.

Today we bow our heads, united with heavy hearts, unencumbered by age or distance, to honor the life and legacy of William E. Finch, Jr. We loved this historian, genealogist, patriot, Yankee gentleman, and he was worthy of it. What a grand man he was! How like a brother, father, grandfather, and best friend he was to us all. Is there any surprise that we trod along like tired and weary children this autumn afternoon? Are our hearts not full of tears this day, providing firm testimony of the unalterable joy, blessedness, and love, which was his? Have any of us not quivered with remorse because we do not wish to be left alone by his absence? We are reminded that our broken hearts are very human indeed.

In all the work of Bill Finch's life with others there was never the shadow of discord or want of harmony. In our midst we were privileged to have a man who scattered innumerable kindnesses like raindrops on a warm, springtime morning. We all bore witness to his impressive force, deep sincerity, and affectionate warmth. To those in need his heart was a cornucopia of empathy and patience. His personal presence on our boards and committees, our winding stone wall-lined streets and country by-ways, in our homes and at our holiday tables was warm, congenial, and benevolent.

It is said that faith is a power through which we rise above fear and selfishness. Bill Finch's faith was alive and firm to the very end. Just as the river into the ocean flows so has the life of Bill Finch been uplifted and broadened into the higher and better life of the hereafter.

There is no joy like this, and there is no one like Bill Finch. In fellowship with God and us all was full of brightness and comfort. He entered into the ministry of preserving Greenwich's history not only with a definite aim, but also with the highest possible purpose. A life so abundant in labors will furnish memories, examples, and teachings as the days go on. Bill Finch illuminated the colors of our heritage and time like the vibrant autumn foliage soon upon us, like the stars in the sky above the New England landscape bursting at evening time in a firmament of glory. As we look at the grandeur of Bill Finch's time with us, though sad seems this day, we are filled with gratitude to God for sharing with us this extraordinary man of all seasons and centuries.

Welcome to Hallowed Grounds

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The scope of this historical news-blog focuses on the Mead family burying grounds and family ancestors interred in Greenwich, Connecticut, the ancestral home of the family since the 17th century.

Jeffrey Bingham Mead -founder and president of the association- is editor. For further information on article submission requirements or other queries please email the association at meadburyinggrounds@gmail.com.

Hallowed Grounds blends a touch of traditional history publishing with the most up-to-date medium for transmitting information worldwide today, the Internet. Sit back, relax, and enjoy learning of the history of our progenitors in by-gone days.