PUBLISHED IN THE NEW HARTFORD TRIBUNE FRIDAY JUNE 28 1907

Page 2 | VOLUME XXVII. | NUMBER 33.

Of all the historic spots in New Hartford none deserves such veneration as the Town Hill Cemetery, a legacy from the founders of the town, laid out in 1738 and "sequestered forever" as a burial place. Unlike all others, this cemetery belongs to no association or ecclesiastical society, but to the town as a whole. For seventy-five years this was the only public burial place and here lie the ashes of the old families for three generations, beside many others who belong to a later period. Here are buried three of the four pastors of the Town Hill church, Rev Jonathan Marsh, Rev Amasa Jerome, Rev Cyrus Yale and their respective families. Here lie the soldiers of the Revolution, and the men prominent in the early civil life of the town.

In 1853, nearly seventy-five years after it was laid out, the cemetery was sadly in need of attention and repair and, in response to an appeal from the Rev Cyrus Yale, a subscription of $179 was raised. With this the enclosure was clear, graded and improved and the fallen grave stones were re-set. Mr Yale himself also paid for an extension to the cemetery. After the clergyman's death, in 1854, his son, Cyrus Yale of New York, built the fence around the cemetery and made other improvements. Thirty years later, in 1882, the grounds again needed attention and in that year a vote was passed in town meeting that New Hartford would keep the old cemetery in repair, its fences in order and its grave stones preserved from the ravages of time. An appropriation of fifty dollars was made for this purpose and Henry A. Kellogg was appointed to superintend the work.

Now twenty-five years have passed, and the historic burial place is again lying waste. The fences on three sides are decayed and fallen, many of the old stones are prone, broken or defaced, the ground is over-run with grass, weeds and brambles and cattle trample the sacred graves.

A movement is proposed to restore the cemetery to decent condition. It is estimated that a substantial wire fence can be built for about a hundred dollars and more will be required to clear and mow the enclosure and put the old stones in position. The work will be supervised without charge if the funds can be raised, and surely every descendant of the pioneer families should feel it a privilege to give.

Any contributions for this purpose sent to Mrs. Albert Beadle or to Mrs. Henry R. Jones will be placed on deposit in the New Hartford Savings Bank and used to the best advantage for the cemetery improvement. Meanwhile it will behoove the town at its next meeting to redeem its pledge of 1882.