Community Corner

Hidden Gems Of Hartford And Tolland Counties

This week's Hidden Gem marks the final resting place of a soldier honored by Abraham Lincoln as giving "the last full measure of devotion."

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The grave of Civil War casualty Pvt. William Goodell, who was was killed on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863. His final resting place is in Vernon's Grove Hill Cemetery near the New England Civil War Museum.
The grave of Civil War casualty Pvt. William Goodell, who was was killed on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863. His final resting place is in Vernon's Grove Hill Cemetery near the New England Civil War Museum. (Chris Dehnel/Patch )

VERNON, CT —The latest hidden gem commemorates the service of a soldier recognized by Abraham Lincoln as one of thousands who gave "the last full measure of devotion" at Gettysburg during the Civil War.

It's the final resting place of William Whitney Goodell at Grove Hill Cemetery in Vernon.

Goodell was a native of the Rockville section of Vernon and served in Company D of the 14th Connecticut Regiment.

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He was killed on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863.

According to records at the New England Civil War Museum and Research Center, which, happens to be a short distance from his grave, a sergeant reported that Private Goodell was "shot dead (by a Rebel bullet) as he was loading his gun," along the stone wall during Pickett's Charge.

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He was 18 years old.

At Grove Hill, Goodell is buried adjacent to his uncle, LT. Col. Thomas Burpee, who died of wounds received at the Civil War Battle of Cold Harbor nearly a year later.

The grave of William Goodell sits across from that of his uncle and fellow Civil War casualty Thomas Burpee (brown market to the left). (Chris Dehnel/Patch)

A Grand Army of the Republic badge sits at the base of Goodell's headstone. In his address at the Gettysburg cemetery dedication, President Abraham Lincoln honored those who died at Gettysburg for giving "the last full measure of devotion."

A GAR marker sits at the base of William Goodell's headstone. (Chris Dehnel/Patch)

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The Hidden Gems series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path, all located within Hartford and Tolland counties. Do you have a favorite "hidden gem" in the area that you wish to see featured in this column? Email your ideas to Chris.dehnel@patch.com.

Other Gems in this series:
2022

2021 and earlier:

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