This year marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the start of the Revolutionary War. On Saturday, October 17, the Stratford Historical Society, Christ Episcopal Church, and First Congregational Church will commemorate the event with a full-dress grave marking ceremony by the Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard at the burying grounds of the two churches. The event will commence at 1:00 at Christ Episcopal Church’s burying ground, where patriots Abijah Beardslee, Col. Aaron Benjamin, John Fairchild, Jeremiah Curtiss, and Curtiss Beardslee will be honored. It will conclude with the playing of Taps and a musket volley salute. Immediately, the group will move to the graveyard of the First Congregational Church, where five additional patriot soldiers will be recognized: Captain Ebenezer Coe, Jr., Private Samuel Wells Southworth, Lieutenant Stephen Wells, and Rev. Izrahiah.
The public is invited to attend this ceremony. Christ Episcopal Church’s historical burying ground is located on Monument Place, behind St. James Catholic Church. Enclosed by a fence, it is marked by a plaque donated by Columbia University (Kings College) in honor of two of its early presidents: Samuel Johnson (first rector of Christ Church) and his son William Samuel Johnson (framer and signer of the Constitution, first senator from Connecticut). It will open at 11:00 on that day, and costumed re-enactors will be stationed at various patriotgraves until 2:00 to tell visitors a little about their lives and service in the war. Rev. Ebenezer Kneeland, who closed the church (Church of England at the time) and William Samuel Johnson will join the soldier re-enactors. Parking is limited, but street parking is available on Elm Street, Academy Hill Road, and Christ Church and St. James parking lots.
The Congregational burying ground will be open for tours at the same time. Established in 1678, it is the oldest existing burying ground in Stratford. It is located between the library and Sterling House, with parking available in the library/Baldwin Center parking lot. On the park side of the rock wall is the distinctive iron entrance gate and a plaque donated by the Mary Silliman Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Guides will be available to recount the contributions of these soldiers to the war effort.
Rain date is October 24, 1:00-3:00 p.m.