Monroe Center Cemetery

Monroe, Connecticut

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Monroe Center Cemetery was established in 1776. It is located where the right fork of Old Tannery Road meets Route 110 (Shelton Road) in Monroe, Connecticut. The left side of the cemetery contains primarily stones from the 1700s and 1800s; there are many Civil War veterans interred here. The remainder of the land accommodates more contemporary burials. Common surnames on the older side of the cemetery include Wheeler, Bearsdlee/Beardsley and Hawley.

Estimated number of interments, as of January 2024: at least 1135.

Photos taken 29 April 2010 and 4 April 2023.

A view of the old section of Monroe Center Cemetery.

"In memory of LEMUEL BEARDSLEE,

who departed this Life

Oct.o 26th 1789; In the 26th Year

of his Age.

Atend ye Youths as you pass by

as you are now, so once was I

As I am now so you must be

(?) for Death (?) me"

Typically the last line reads, "Prepare for Death and follow me."

"To the Memory of DAVID WELLS, Esq.r; this monument is sacred. He left his weeping Friends & resigned to death May 29th, 1790. In the 53d Year of his age. their is no discharge in that War.

O reader come and cast an eye

On this Grave wherein I lye;

For death has call'd and conquer'd me

(?) in a short time, will conquer thee."

"SACRED

to the Memory of

CHARLES BALDWIN

Aged 14 y'rs. & 6mo's.

Born in New Orleans.

December 9, 1833

Drowned in Monroe. May 29, 1847"

"Rev.d ELISHA REXFORD, A.M. died April 3d 1808; In the 71st year of his age; and 44th of his ministry. He was a faithful, skilful, laborous minister of the gospel. His liberal & unaffected piety; his devotion to all the offices of the ministry, in the pulpit and out of it; endeared him to his brethren & to his flock. His friendly and Social disposition; his amiable & obliging manners; his virtues, both public & private; rendered him an example, in all the relations of minister, husband, parent, friend & neighbour; truly worthy of imitation.

Mrs. LYDIA REXFORD,

first wife of Rev.d E. Rexford.

Died 31st of March AD. 1785; AE. 42.

LYDIA, daughter of Rev.d E. Rexford;

by Sarah, his last wife.

Died 8th of June AD. 1787 AE. 7 months."

A very large stone offering very little information.

"TO MARY AND JULIA.

Father Henry Fitch"

"Rev. RODNEY ROSSITER, Rector of

St. Peter's Church Monroe

departed this life Nov. 24, 1846.

ADALINE, his wife

departed this life Feb. 18, 1857."

"In memory of

ABEL FRENCH, ESQ.

A Revolutionary Soldier

who died Oct. 10 1846

aged 81 years."

Capt. Hurd was a Mason - who lived to be over 100!

"Capt. Samuel L. Hurd

Died May 30, 1862

AE. 100 Yrs 3 Mo. & 10D's."

Mr. Grandmaison (translated: "large house") was born in Quebec, Canada.

"Omer Grandmaison

1915 - 1986

Frenchy"

The entrance to Monroe Center Cemetery.