1884 Auction: 'The Great Oak Tree Place' (Port Chester Journal, September 4, 1884, Page 2)

 

Summer is Here! Update on the Mead Cemetery at the Cos Cob Mill Pond

 

Now that the 4th of July Independence Day holiday has passed, summer is now in full swing in Greenwich. The transformation of the family cemetery property off Relay Place in Cos Cob continues! 

There is much to celebrate -and more to come. 

The images below were captured on Friday, July 8, 2022. The new perennial flower beds have blossomed into an attractive border between the cemetery access way and the neighboring residences. 

We have witnessed the proliferation of black-eyed susans, asters, lavender, Queen Anne's Lace, cone flowers and more. We expect this to continue. 

Caroline Mills Smith Mead, died 1910, was Greenwich's first
female real estate developer. The perennial gardens that now
constitute the access way to the cemetery where
she is interred will be dedicated to her legacy. 

The entrance at the terminus of Relay Place, Cos Cob. Tree work is being planned
remove intruding tree branches in the upper-left of the image, as well as cleaning up and
widening the entrance way. 

Upon entering, a grass pathway divides the perennial flowering beds from
each other. The beds on the right have been planted with a variety of mostly summer 
perennials. Mulch provided by Mike Helupka's tree service continue to hold weed's down.
The black walnut tree on the embankment -originally scheduled to be removed- will be pruned up and retained. In the future, the grass and lawn mowing will be eliminated,
with mulch and fieldstone path stones in place.  

Just beyond the black walnut tree are these pollinator gardens. The Cos Cob Mill Pond
is to the left side of the image. In the distance are residences located off
Strickland Road and Loughlin Avenue. 

Black-eyed susans, cone flowers and other perennials are flourishing. All of the
perennials were raised from seeds and roots. They were chosen based
on their ability to withstand hot, direct sun conditions. 

This is a look-back from the halfway point of the access way towards
the black walnut tree (center) and the entrance at the terminus of
Relay Place, Cos Cob. The Mill Pond is on the right side. 

A view looking south at the Cos Cob Mill Pond. 

Another view looking south at the Cos Cob Mill Pond from the access way,
with yuca plants flowering and in full bloom.

The wall of the cemetery is seen in the distance. The grass path leads visitors to the
graves. The Mill Pond is on the left side of the pathway and pollinators. An
apple tree will be pruned back. A large, dead sumac tree will be cut down and 
removed in the coming months. 

The Mead Family Cemetery is covered with mulch. Most of the small and medium-sized
trees will be removed. The two large oak trees will be pruned. Based on feedback
from Peter F. Alexander of Site Design Associates, a concerted effort will be made to
plant ground covers, such as periwinkle, rather than grass. Indeed, 
eventually all grass will be permanently removed. 

1908: Lamp Presented to Capt. Seaman M. Mead

 

Source: Greenwich News. March 13, 1908. Page 5. 

Captain H. D. Remsem, First Lieutenant J. Randolph Reynolds and Second Lieutenant Charles Marshall, of the harry Howard Hook and Ladder company of Port Chester came to Greenwich last Tuesday evening and presented Captain Seaman M. Mead, of the Twelfth Company Coast Artillery with a beautiful antique bronze electric desk lamp. The gift was a token of the appreciation of the company for Captain Mead's services in drilling them for the big Port Chester fire parade. 

Gravestone Vandalism Reported: Laura Davis Mead (Feb. 9, 1791-Nov. 23, 1853)

 

This is in the cemetery next to the Second Congregational Church in Greenwich, Connecticut known as the New Burial Grounds Association.

Some time between February 5 and February 24 the marble gravestone on the left (second image) was vandalized. It is in three pieces, and found it lying flat on the ground. The inscribed side was facing down.

The gravestone marks the burial place of Laura Davis Mead (Feb. 9, 1791-Nov. 23, 1853). 

Her 'Davis' family was long associated with the Davis Mill that once stood on the mill pond in today's Bruce Park.

The gravestone on the right had been vandalized years ago. It marks the burial place of her husband, Jabez Mead (Nov. 7, 1785-Dec. 4, 1871).

Vandalizing a cemetery -including its gravestones- is a Class C Felony punishable by possibly one year in prison.

If anyone has information about who perpetrated this crime please contact the Association at meadburyinggrounds@gmail.com. 

Thank you.

Obituary: Deacon Silas Hervey Mead (1879)

 

 

Source: Greenwich Observer. January 2, 1879. Page 3.

Deacon Silas Hervey Mead died at North Greenwich, Conn., on the evening of Dec. 14th, 1878, aged 82 years and two days. He was buried on the following Wednesday from the church, and his funeral was attended by a large concourse of friends and acquaintances of early days. Few men have lived who did more faithfully the work given for them to do than did he. He united with the Congregational church at Horseneack (as Second church in Greenwich was the called) when about 26 years of age, and from that time till his death he was always busy doing good. 

In 1827, the Congregational church at North Greenwich was organized with 18 members, of which Silas H. Mead was one, and the same day, Dec. 25th, he was chosen deacon, which office he held at the time of his death, the time being 11 days less than 51 years. During all these years he was absent from only one Communion. From the time of accepting the diaconate of the church, the welfare of the church was the object of his chief thought and care, and no effort on his part was neglected that its numbers might be increased and the orderly walk of its members secured. 

In the prime of his life he went far and near to hold meetings, that sinners might be saved, and in his latter days, was uniformly at the church before the Sunday and mid-week meetings that he might have personal conversation with such as might come early, or with those with whom he had made arrangements to be present. He kept a record of all the members of the church, and knew their place of residence when they moved away; and once, to the knowledge of the writer, went to New York city to look up an absent brother, and once, when journeying West, left the train and walked six miles to see another, who had left without a letter and persuaded him to change his relation. He kept also a record of the attendance of the Communion seasons of the church, and at its annual meetings reported the names of those who had been present or absent during the year. 

From 1850, when he became convinced that unfermented wine only should be used at the Lord's Supper, he made the wine himself, that he might be sure of what he had, and used his influence among the churches to have them follow in his paths. His temperance principles he carried to such lengths that he would not use alcoholic stimulants as a medicine.

In "anti-slavery times" he was a radical on the question of human rights as on that of alcoholic drinks, and all in these parts who knew an Abolitionist, knew Deacon Silas H. Mead, of Quaker Ridge. But special among all the reforms which he sought to advance was that of practical honesty, which came in as an item in almost all his public addresses, and which in his life was a prominent as in his speech. Having such a man and example before them, and such doctrine to feed upon, it is no wonder that the church should be singular. Before the church was organized, they who were to be organized, and some others who sympathized, had built at their own expense a commodious church building and parsonage, and on the organization of the church, assumed the support of the pastor, and for 51 years have sought no help of others, while they have given from year to year something to spread the Gospel into the regions beyond. 

The church, now numbers about 170 members, and its contributions to benevolent objects the past year is one of the best monuments of his wisdom and zeal of any that can be addressed. Though not all of him, he was in it all. His activity continued nearly to the last. He was confined to bed but three days, and most of that time partly unconscious, so that his desire not to be a trouble to anybody was granted. A life of service for Christ is the best evidence we have that he died the Christian's death.