East Village Cemetery

Monroe, Connecticut

East Village Cemetery is located on East Village Road in Monroe, Connecticut. The cemetery was established in 1766 and there are a few stones still legible from the late 1700s, but they seem to be fading fast. East Village, though on the smaller side, is still an active cemetery with contemporary burials. Some of the common family names in East Village are Beardsley, Blakeman, Bulkley, Clark/Clarke, Curtiss, Downs, Lewis, McEwan, Sharp, Shelton, Tomlinson, and Wilcockson/Wilcoxson.

Estimated number of interments, as of November 2024: at least 700.

Photos were taken 12 December 2008, 29 April 2010, and 6 November 2024.

This monument rests in the center of the cemetery. It lists a family history of "Rev. Peter Bulkley B.D. Tenth in descent from Robert of the English barons of Runnymede of 1216 A.D. came to New England in 1635. Founded Concord, Mass., established the first church, and died there March 9, 1659..."

One of the oldest stones in East Village.

"In memory of John Moss Curtis

son to Elijah & Jane Curtis

who died March 30th

AD 1777 in the..."

(The remainder of the inscription has sunken into the earth.)

He was three years old.

"This Monument is sacred to the Memory of Mr. JOHN WILCOXSON who died Apr. 24th 1793 In the 72 Year of his age."

David (d. 25 April 1795, age 49) and Mary (d. 6 Oct. 1799, age 40) Blackman.

"They were boath Snatched from there growing offspring before they were eather of them settled in the world, or even the youngest could reallise that they ever had a father, the widow remained with her children a few years but soon a disease Seized her that mocked the power of medicine."

On November 19, 1801, David Brinsmade Wilcockson was returning home from Derby. Supposedly, while crossing the Housatonic River via Leavenworth's Bridge, he was thrown from his horse. His body was found the next day in the river, his horse still standing on the bridge.

"This Monument is Sacred to the Memory of Mr. DAVID BRINSMADE WILCOCKSON A Masonic Brother who unfortunately Drowned Nov.r 19th 1801 in the 26th year of his age. he was graduateed at yale College in the year 1788. he possessed while Living every virtue to make Life happy and talents to make it agreable. by his Death his Relatives acquaintance & Society Sustains a real Loss."

"In memory of William Tucker who was stabed by his nearest neighbor, Sept. 30, 1845 & Died Oct. 4 AE. 56.

Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity."

Tucker and his neighbor, Foster Marsh Cargill, shared a well-known and vicious animosity. Cargill was put on trial for murdering Tucker with a knife. At the trial (in Danbury), Tucker was characterized as a vindictive man who frightened Cargill's wife and threatened Foster. Cargill claimed self-defense. Perhaps because of this, or the fact that Cargill owned a successful cotton twine factory (powered by a waterwheel) and a pond used for recreation, Cargill was acquitted. Cargill's monument (also in East Village) follows.