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Old Derby Uptown Burying Ground (also known as Colonial Cemetery), located on Derby Avenue/CT-115 (across from Academy Hill Road) in Derby, Connecticut, is one of the oldest colonial burial grounds in the country. It is reputed to be the oldest public cemetery in the United States (meaning a burying space not affiliated with a church). Old Derby Uptown definitely contains some of the oldest stones in the area. As the sign states, the oldest stone remaining in the burial ground dates from 1687 (photo to follow) and there is an older section to the cemetery that undoubtedly contains the remnants of stones from the late 1600s and early 1700s. The oldest legible stone I was able to find was dated 1712. (Most other colonial cemeteries in the area contain burials dating only as far back as approximately the mid-1700s.) Numerous headstones from the 1700s still retain their accompanying footstones here. There are many Revolutionary War veterans, as well as several Civil War veterans, within Old Derby Uptown. Most of the burials range from the late 17th century through the 19th century. Caution: there is no parking - you will have to utilize a side street.
Estimated number of interments, as of January 2024: at least 607.
Photos were taken 17 June 2021.
View of the burial ground from the entrance.
A sign honoring the Revolutionary War patriots interred
within Old Derby Uptown Burying Ground or, Colonial Cemetery.
A list of these veterans is provided at the bottom of this page.
Memorial to Isaac Hull:
"United States Daughters 1812
State of Connecticut
In honor of ISAAC HULL
Born in Derby March 1773.
Commander of the frigate Constitution
capturing the Guerriere
August 19, 1812."
Old Derby Uptown's oldest existing stone (surrounded by the larger memorial):
"First Minister of Derby
Feb. 1673 to June 1687.
Rev. John Bowers
Died June 14, 1687.
Aged 58 years."
The oldest legible stone I came across, after Rev. Bower's:
"Here lies y body of
Israel Johnson Lieu.t
Son of Colonel Ebenezer Johnson
who died Jan. 31 1712
in y 24 yeare of his age"
"Dr. John Durand
Born: La Rochelle, France 1667
Died: Derby, Conn. March 29, 1727
A French Hugenot who came to America in 1685.
He brought the first lilac bushes to this country."
"Clinga Smith
Daughter of Epheraim & Anna Smith.
dec.d Oct.r 6 1735 In ye
4 Year of her Age"
"Here Lyes the Body of
Elizabeth Hull
Daught.r to Joseph & Sarah Hull
Departed this Life April 16 1738
in the 7th Year of Her Age"
Two examples of 18th century headstones with their accompanying footstones.
"IN MEMORY of
Mrs. Lowis Tomlinson
who died Sept.r 11th A.D. 1767
in the 87th Year of her Age."
"In Memory of
Richard DeForeest [sic]
Son to Mr. David & Mrs. Hannah DeForeest [sic]
who departed this LIfe
July 10th, 1776,
aged 8 Years 6 Months & 13 Days."
View of the oldest section of Old Derby Uptown.
"In Memory of SAMUEL BASSETT
A Man long employed in civic & military
Offices which he discharged with great
Fidelity and having served his Generation
by ye Will of God fell on Sleep"
Mr. Bassett died 15 September 1764.
Marker for Sgt. Isaac Tomlinson
who died 27 January 1754,
age 64 years.
Lucey Keeney
Died 23 November 1761, age 22.
"When the Flesh sinks the Heaven born Soul
Leaving the Tracks where Planets roll,
Sublime on SERAPH PLUMES Shall rise
To FLOWRY Fields of PARADISE."
"Here lyes ye Body of Mrs. Sarah Whitney
wife to Mr. Stephen Whitney, & Daugh.tr to
Cap.t James & Mrs. Sarah Wheller, &
Mother of Samuel, Isaac & James Whitney:
Died March ye 31st, 1764 in ye 27th Year of her Age
Look on me as you Pass By,
As you are Now so once was I
As I am Now, so you must be,
Prepare for Death and follow Me."
Two children's graves from the late 1700s.
"AMOS HAWKINS
Son of Mr. ISAAC & Mrs. LOIS JOHNSON
died Spt.r 26, 1772,
aged 18 Months.
The peasfull Babe
That lies beneth
In charity
We must believe."
"WILLIAM, Son of
Dr. Josiah & Mrs. Naomi Canfield,
died 14th, OCt.r, 1774
Aged 2 Years.
Death has crop't the tender flower,"
The remainder of the inscription is no longer visible.
"In Memory of Joseph Hull, Esqr.
A Gentleman Whose Integrity & Capacity for
publick Business. Rendered his Usefulness Very extensive.
His domestick character.
As a Parent. Husband. Friend and Master.
Was highly amiable.
The graces of Christianity embellished his life.
Softened the agonies of death.
And gave hopes of a happy Immortality.
He departed this Life the 24 of Sept.r 1775
In the 48 Year of his Age.
An honest man's the noblest work of God"
"Sam. L. Johnson
Rev. Soldier"
No dates are provided on the marker.
Noah French was a veteran of the American Revolution.
"Here lies the Body of Mr. NOAH FRENCH
who Departed this Life
January 7 AD 1781
in the 46th Year of his Age.
Some hearty friend Shall drop his tear
On our dry bones, and say
There once were strong as mine appear
And mine must be as they"
"JOHN FRENCH SMITH
Son of Mr. ABRAHAM & Mrs. SARAH SMITH
who departed this Life
April 20th 1781
aged 19 Year"
"In Memory of PHILOMELA KIMBERLY
Daugh.tr of Mr. Israel & Mrs. Desire
who Died August 24th 1794
aged Three Years
Thrice happy child
That saw the Light and turned its eyes aside
From our dim Regions to the eternal Son
Guided the Parents way to glory."
"Doct. LIBERTY KIMBERLY
Died June 17, 1827
AE. 60
ELIZABETH
His wife
Died Mar. 17 1801
AE. 32"
"Louise
wife of John Miller
Died Feb. 23, 1858
Aged 26 years"
Another view of Old Derby Uptown Burying Ground.
Reuebn Baldwin
Dr. Silas Baldwin
Ensign Thaddeus Baldwin
Timothy Baldwin
Deacon Amos Bassett
Benjamin Bassett
David Bassett
John Glover Bassett
Enos Bradley
Dr. Josiah Canfield
Edmund Clark
John Coe
Dr. Edward Crafts
John Davis, Esq.
David DeForest
Joseph Ells
Charles French
Francis French
Nathaniel French
Noah French
Captain Edward Gibbs
Jedediah Harger
Samuel Hawkins
Zadock Hawkins
David Hitchcock
Jonathan Hitchcock
Captain Daniel Holbrook, 2nd
Captain Thomas Horsey
Eliphalet Hotchkiss
Leverett Hotchkiss
Lieutenant Levi Hotchkiss
Corporal Moses Hotchkiss
Joseph Hull, 3rd
Major Elijah Humphrey
Reverand Daniel Humphreys
Sergeant John Humphreys
David Johnson, Jr.
Captain Nathaniel Johnson
Samuel Johnson
Joseph Pickett
Captain Nathan Pierson
2nd Lieutenant Jacob M. Pope
Lieutenant Joseph Riggs, Jr.
Joseph Riggs, Sr.
Samuel Sherwood
Lieutenant Abraham Smith
Abram Smith, Jr.
Isaac Smith
Josiah Smith
Major Nathan Smith
Captain Chipman Swift
Daniel Tomlinson
John Tomlinson
Reuben Tucker
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All photos copyright by the author, 2021. Not to be used or reproduced without permission.