To view the more famous interments of Mountain Grove, proceed to page 1. 

The oldest tombstone that I've come across in Mountain Grove. There is a cluster of graves at the far back of the cemetery dating from the late 1700s to the early 1800s, perhaps moved from the Bridgeport and Stratfield Burying Ground. (Read about Bridgeport's missing cemeteries.)

"In Memory of

Robert K. Linus

son of Robert & Mary Linus

of Bridgeport.

He was born the 24 day of Nov.r 1776

and died the 30 day of Aug. 1795, in the City of Savanna [sic]"

"F. T. B. Nov. 5, 1873."

Frederick Tomlinson Blakeman,

son of Birdseye & Anna M. T. Blakeman.

Age 23 years.

The Harral monument - this structure is huge, on a hill, and astonishing. It is to the left of the Wordin monument (photo posted further on). 

Plot of Henry Remer Parrott (1829 - 1919) and extended family. 

Private Steven W. Clarkson, Civil War veteran who fought with the U. S. Colored Troops.

"S.W. Clarkson

Co. H 127 Regt.

U. S. Col. Troops

Died May 24, 1897."

William Elliot Baillie (1848-1931) and his wife, Gertrude Maria Sterling Baillie (1846-1931). 

The Jennings stag, before (above) and after (below). The statue was replaced and a fence installed. The "after" photos were taken with an iPhone, June 2025.

Fred (1880 - 1902), Mother (1820 - 1884) and Teresa George (no dates). 

Two older views of the Jennings stag, circa 1920. 

John Moody (1798 - 1867)

"The appropriation of these grounds as a Rural Cemetery was first suggested by JOHN MOODY. He was many years a DIRECTOR and its SUPERINTENDENT and retained until his death a deep interest in its improvement and prosperity."

There are several decorated Celtic crosses

in Mountain Grove.

This monument is for the Edwards family:

Cornelia Clark (Aug. 21, 1882 - 

Dec. 7, 1949;

George Holmes (Feb. 26, 1881 - 

Dec. 26, 1967);

Ardelia Esther (May 6, 1848 - 

Nov. 2, 1916);

George Clarke (June 29, 1846 - 

Sept. 23, 1919).

"62nd Regiment N. Y. V.

Major Wilson Hubbell

Born April 21, 1821

Died at Cold Harbor, VA.

June 3, 1864.

He entered the service of his country April 1861, was engaged in twenty-five battles in the Army of the Potomac and was killed by a shell from the rebel lines; while in the extreme front gallantly performing his duty. He was a brave and accomplished officer and possessed the love, respect and confidence of his men to an unusual degree."

"Perry-Setzer"

A flat stone in front of the monument states,

"Perry Setzer / July 5, 1882 / Jan. 31, 1892"

 The Nichols family.

On 3 March 1898, while on a voyage to Key West, the schooner Speedwell was caught in a squall off the Marquesas. The ship capsized, and all those below deck were trapped and drowned. This included the entire Nichols family and three young sons of the captain, Bill Collier.

Bradley Nichols (born 1832), his wife, Sarah Louisa Pardee (born 1833), their son, Warren Bradley (born 1856), Warren's wife, Ida Augusta Giddings (born 1864), and their children, Bradley Giddings (born 1889) and Charlotte Augusta (born 1895) were all drowned in the shipwreck. (A third child of Warren and Ida was not present on the ship.) 

The Richardson monument. 

"Looking unto Jesus

JONES.

Rev. Henry Jones

Born 15, Oct. 1801.

Y.C. 1820.

Died 9, Nov. 1878.

Eliza S. Webster, his wife

daughter of Noah Webster L.L.D.

Born 21, Dec. 1802.

Died 16, Nov. 1888."

Eliza Steele Webster was the daughter of Noah Webster, creator of Webster's Dictionary.

W. H. Perry 

"George H. Lounsbery was killed at Vicksburg, July 15, 1862, Ae. 27 yrs. 

He was an Officer on board the U.S. Flag Ship Hartford commanded by Admiral Farragut and fell with his face to the Enemy in defence of his Country." 

A Sanford memorial.

The Barnum & Bailey Circus train wrecked in Beuthen, Germany on 6 July 1901. Two circus employees were killed: William Smith, Superintendent of Ring Stock, and John Wilton, Mr. Bailey's coachman. 

"Sacred to the memory of 

William Smith

Born - 1842

Died in Beuthen, Germany

July 6, 1901.

This monument is erected by the members of the 

B.O.S.S. Lodge of Barnum & Bailey 

to mark the resting place of their brother."

Another Sanford monument. 

"Our loved one.

Allie, son of Alfred and Eunice A. Hopkins

Died July 12th 1872,

Aged 10 years, 3 months & 22 days

Yet thou art gone our hearts (?)

our boy so fond and dear."

The Wheelers

George E. (1882 - 1935),

Mary E. (1848 - 1920),

Elbridge E. (1846 - 1929) &

Emma Wheeler Beers (1872 - 1952).

"Until the day break and the shadows flee away,"

from Song of Solomon 2:17 or 4:6,

depending on which interpretation you prefer.

The Wordin monument - this monument is on a hill and huge. It is to the right of the Harral monument (photos posted previously). Notice the gentleman in classical attire at the summit of the pillar. The back of the memorial says, "In te, Domine, speravi." (Translates as "In thee, O Lord, did I hope.") 

"Samuel Beach, M.D.

Born July 7, 1802

Died suddenly at Norwalk, CT.

May 6, 1853

A Christian, a philanthropist, 

a skillful physician

His friends lamenting his untimely end and

grateful for his faithful service

have erected this monument to his memory."

"Mary Swift, Widow of Samuel Beach, 

M.D. & wife of A. A. Wright, M.D.

Died at North Canaan, Mar. 1, 1871 

AE. 65."

Samuel S. Beach (the son) died in Clinton, Iowa on July 22, 1874, age 32.

Dr. Samuel Beach was killed in the Norwalk Rail Accident (8 May 1853), the first major US railroad bridge disaster. Forty-eight people were killed and thirty were injured. The train, traveling at 50 mph, plunged into the Norwalk (CT) Harbor off of an open draw bridge when the engineer failed to notice the signal indicating that the bridge was up. (It had been raised to allow passage of a steamship.) The engineer and the fireman leapt from the train before the bridge, avoiding serious injury. The engine itself flew across the 60-foot chasm, striking the opposite abutment eight feet below the level of the track and sinking into twelve feet of water. The baggage cars crashed onto the locomotive; the front of the first passenger cars slammed into the baggage cars and then was submerged as the second passenger car piled on top of it. The third passenger car broke in two, the front hanging off the edge of the abutment, the rear remaining on the track. Many of the passengers were doctors attending the Sixth Annual Meeting of the American Medical Association in New York. After the tragedy, the Connecticut Legislature enacted a law requiring every train in the state to come to a complete stop before crossing any opening bridge. The engineer was charged with gross negligence and held primarily responsible for the disaster. He was charged with manslaughter, but was acquitted. (Information and photo of the disaster from Wikipedia.)

Philo C. Calhoun (Dec. 4, 1810 - Mar. 14, 1882) and his wife, Sarah Caroline Sterling (Nov. 27, 1818 - May 15, 1884).

Calhoun started as a saddle maker, acted as president of the Connecticut National Bank of Bridgeport, and vice-president of the Fourth National Bank of New York. He was mayor of Bridgeport, Connecticut from 1855 to 1858.

"Walker MCMXXVIII" (1928);

the stained glass art at the

back of the mausoleum.

The trees behind me reflected 

in the window.

Milton L. Orelup, 1914 - 1999. 

Postcard, circa 1910, showing the main entrance to Mountain Grove Cemetery, at the corner of North Avenue and Dewey Street. 

Another postcard, postmarked 1915, showing the main entrance to Mountain Grove. 

Undated postcard of the main entrance to Mountain Grove, showing the Read Memorial Chapel. (The chapel was donated by the D.M. Read family and completed in 1914).

The Read Memorial Gateway located at the North Avenue entrance; photo circa 1911. (The photo is from the book, Images of America: Bridgeport, by Sue A. Del Bianco.) 

All photos copyright by the author, 2025. Not to be used or reproduced without permission.

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