Old Burial Ground

(Kings Highway Cemetery)

Westport, Connecticut

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Old Burial Ground (also known as Kings Highway Cemetery) is located at the corner of Route 33 (Wilton Road) and Route 57 (Kings Highway) in Westport, Connecticut. It has burials dating back as early as the mid-1700s, with the most recent from the later 1800s. The cemetery looks fairly small from the street, but it is deceptively deep, protruding into the neighboring woods. Although decorations were added to the entrance for the holiday season, the burial ground itself is clearly neglected, with several large, fallen tree branches to climb over and under, and many illegible and disintegrating stones (particularly the older ones in the back of the land). Many of the gravestones were fairly standard for the 1800s, but scattered about are some fairly interesting carvings from the 1700s (photos, below). Many of the 18th century burials bear the surname, Taylor. Apparently, because there were so many Taylors in that area, it was once known as Taylortown. Old Burial Ground is less than a quarter mile from Assumption Cemetery Old and Christ and Holy Trinity Church Cemetery. (The two are next to one another.)

Estimated number of interments, as of January 2024: at least 127.

Photos were taken 31 December 2021.

The plaque at one of the entrances to Old Burial Ground.

Two closer views of the burial ground entrances. The pillar on the left, in the first photo, says "Rest Enjoy Protect".

"Here Lies ye Body of

mr. Leut. John Taylor Who died

Nov,r. ye 18th 1744 Aged 77 Years"

"Here Lies ye Body of

mrs. Wait ye Wife of John Taylor

Who died Jan,ry. 29th 1721 Aged 51 Years"

"Here Lies ye Body of mrs. Sarah,

ye Wife of Leut. Noah Taylor

Who died May ye 9 1744

Aged 39 Years"

A view of the far back of the burial ground, where the oldest tombstones (primarily members of the Taylor family) are located.

"Here lieth the Bodies of

Lieut. NOAH TAYLOR; He died

Febr.y 15th 1768 in the

69th Year of his Age.

And his Daughter SARAH

died June 25th 1744 in

the 13th Year of her Age."

"IN MEMORY of NOAH, Son of

Lieut. NOAH TAYLOR,

and SARAH his Wife

who died Aug.st 25th 1749 in ye

27th Year of his Age."

"IN MEMORY of ELISABETH, the Wife of

Lieut. NOAH TAYLOR who died

Aug. ye 29 AD 1766 in the

56th Year of her Age."

"In Memory of Mr. JOSIAH TAYLOR;

who Died Feb.ry 11th AD 1781

aged 79 years."

View of the burial ground from the back of the burial ground, facing the street.

"Here are Deposited the Remains of

Capt. Phinehas Hanford who Died

August 17th AD 1787 in the

74 year of his age

Behold and see all that pass by

As you are now so once was I

As I am now so you will be

Prepare for Death and follow me."

A view of the Nash monument from in front of a Taylor crypt.