Greenwich During the Revolutionary War: Abraham Mead

Greenwich During the Revolutionary War: A Frontier Town on the Front Line is the current exhibit open to the public at the Greenwich Historical Society.

The exhibit opened on October 16, 2024. It is set to close on March 9, 2025. 

However, we have received word that the exhibit has been extended to April. 

Bringing to life the experiences of people in Greenwich during the Revolutionary War, this dynamic exhibition presents the stories of Patriots and Loyalists, free and enslaved men and women choosing side and deciding what liberty meant to them.

Original materials from the Revolution belonging to Greenwich Historical Society, as well as other museums and archives, illustrate the experiences of a community on the front line of the American Revolution. 

Abraham Mead (1742-1827) was born in Greenwich and at the age of fourteen was apprenticed to potter Adam Starts, Connecticut's first stoneware potter. Mead Opened his own pottery in Horseback and trained other potters in the trade.

A captain in the militia, he served along with family members Capt. Matthew Mead and Col. John Mead in the battles in and around New York City, including Brooklyn and the retreat from Harlem Heights. Captaincies. Mead was also a member of the Committee of Safety. Local legend suggests that at least twice the British tried to ambush and kill Mead, but both times he successfully evaded the enemy.

On exhibit (pictured above) is one of his pottery jars, late 18th century, as well as a receipt dated 1796. Both items are in the Greenwich Historical Society Collections. 

This receipt shows that Cart. Abraham Mead paid tuition to Davis Bush's son-in-law, Henry Grigg, who may have operated a private school. 

Abraham Mead is buried in one of the Mead family plots in the New Burial Grounds Association Cemetery next to the Second Congregational Church at 139 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich. 

1869: Caroline Mead's Barns in Cos Cob on Fire

 

Greenwich Free Press: Caroline Mills Smith Mead, Greenwich’s First Woman Real Estate Developer

Thirteen years after the death of Caroline Mills Smith Mead in 1910, Lucien Edwards penned a piece in his column “Greenwich Life As It Is – And Was,” published in the Greenwich News & Graphic.

His readers learned about “the first of Greenwich farming land to be developed into residential sites was owned by a woman who promoted what proved to be one of the most successful real estate operations ever planned for Greenwich.”

Click here for the story. 

Thank you, Leslie Yager, Greenwich Free Press.

Images: Caroline Mills Smith Mead Memorial Garden, Cos Cob (July 10, 2024)

These are the latest, most up-do-date images of the Mead Cemetery at Cos Cob, located on the eastern side of the Mill Pond. 

Most of the images are from the strip of land connecting the cemetery to the terminus of Relay Place, off East Putnam Avenue. 

Most all of the foliage here consists of perennials such as black-eyed susans, cone flowers, day lilies, ferns and golden rod -which has not blossomed yet.

This perennial garden is dedicated to the life and legacy of Mrs. Caroline Mill Smith Mead, second wife of William H. Mead. She is acknowledged to be the Town of Greenwich's first woman real estate developer (starting in 1906). 

More changes and improvements are in store. For now, with daytime temperatures in the mid-90s, we pause and enjoy what has been accomplished so far. 

While visitors are welcomed, all are reminded not to disturb the neighbors. Please do not pick the flowers nor walk dogs here. 

Happy 4th of July! Listen to the Greenwich, A Town For All Seasons Show Podcast with Jeffrey Bingham Mead

 

You are invited to enjoy the Greenwich, A Town For All Seasons Show Podcast hosted by Jeffrey Bingham Mead.

The podcast is released every Tuesday. 

The show this week offers a sampling of how the Fourth of July was observed and celebrated. 

It also features historical accounts of the American Revolutionary War in Greenwich featuring Mead family ancestors. 

Sons of the American Revolution Marks Graves at Mead Burying Ground at North Greenwich

 

On Memorial Day 2024 weekend, David Wold and Don Sylvester of the Captain Matthew Mead Branch of the Connecticut Society, Sons of the American Revolution visited the Mead Burying Ground at North Greenwich. 

While there, they placed SAR medallions and flags at several graves of patriots who died in or associated with the American War of Independence. 

Historic Mead Burying Grounds, Inc., the family cemetery preservation association, extends its sincerest gratitude for this recognition. 

One of the most famous stories associated with this Mead family farm and cemetery in North Greenwich was written by Historian Spencer P. Mead in the family genealogy book:

“The old house was raided by a party of British and Tories. Obadiah, a son of Benjamin III, was then quite a lad. His sisters, Anna and Phebe, who were younger, hid with their mother in the cellar of the old house as the Redcoats marched up the road, and their father and the older girls, Mary and Theodosia, barricaded the doors and windows, while Obadiah, the only son, solicitous for the cattle without, drove them into the yard, then beat a hasty retreat to a neighbor’s barn. 

Shirt worn by Obadiah Mead when he was killed. It is now
in the collections of the Greenwich Historical Society. 

“An unfriendly Tory, Knowing the fact, informed the British soldiers, who surrounded the barn, threatened to set fire to it unless he came out. He, too brave to surrender, jumped from the barn and ran across the orchard towards the rocks above Dyspepsia Lane (Cliffdale) but the British followed. 

Benjamin Mead II House, circa 1728. 

“Seeing that escape was impossible, Obadiah surrendered, only to be immediately fired at and instantly killed. The ball passed through his left arm and entered his side. After killing the son, the Redcoats forced their way into the house, but unable to find the father, they departed, taking with them the horse and the geese.”

Marked graves include Obadiah Mead and Benjamin Mead III. 

Spring Update, May 21, 2024: Mead Cemetery, Cos Cob

 

Accessway and site of the pollinator garden. 

On Friday, May 3, 2024 the process of removing the grass path at the family cemetery was completed. 

Fresh mulch now covers the strip of land extending back and forth from the cemetery to the terminus of Relay Place, Cos Cob. 

We are already observing that day lilies planted along either side of the path are rapidly emerging, as are coneflowers, golden rod, bee balm, ferns  and other perennials. 

This is known as a "garden cottage" design concept. It eliminates the need for lawn-mowing, saving on time and expense. 

More day lilies are scheduled to be transplanted from the embankment fronting the Mill Pond to various locations. 

Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

The upper and lower tiers of the cemetery have had all grass removed. Mulch now covers both sections. As mulch breaks down it should add needed nutrients to the soil.

Eventually, natural ground covering plantings will be added. This will allow foot-traffic as well as the permanent elimination of lawn care and its expense. 

On the upper tier, pathways have been marked and laid out. These will be lined with stone and filled with gravel in the future. 

Day lilies line the perimeter, with ferns and golden rod planted as well. 

Trimming and removal of trees is in-process.

Trash that washes along the waterline with the Mill Pond also continues to be picked up. 

We remind everyone that the cemetery and the access way to and from the terminus of Relay Place are not open to the public. 

In the near-future, our plans are to open this site on a limited basis to the public, charging a nominal fee for the purposes of fundraising to support its perpetual care. 

Finally, individual cemetery plots are not for sale -nor are they open to the public. 

Burials are for Mead family descendants as described in the last wills and testaments of William H. Mead and Caroline Mills Smith Mead. 

A view of the Cos Cob Mill Pond, facing south, from the Mead Cemetery accessway.