Old Derby Uptown Burial Ground

Old Derby Uptown Burying Ground (also known as Colonial Cemetery), located on Derby Avenue/CT-115 (across from Academy Hill Road) in Derby, Connecticut, is one of the oldest colonial burial grounds in the country. It is reputed to be the oldest public cemetery in the United States (meaning a burying space not affiliated with a church). Old Derby Uptown definitely contains some of the oldest stones in the area. As the sign states, the oldest stone remaining in the burial ground dates from 1687 (photo to follow) and there is an older section to the cemetery that undoubtedly contains the remnants of stones from the late 1600s and early 1700s. The oldest legible stone I was able to find was dated 1712. (Most other colonial cemeteries in the area contain burials dating only as far back as approximately the mid-1700s.) Numerous headstones from the 1700s still retain their accompanying footstones here. There are many Revolutionary War veterans, as well as several Civil War veterans, within Old Derby Uptown. Most of the burials range from the late 17th century through the 19th century. Caution: there is no parking - you will have to utilize a side street.

Estimated number of interments, as of January 2024: at least 607.

Photos were taken 17 June 2021

Old Derby Uptown's oldest existing stone

(surrounded by the larger memorial):

"First Minister of Derby

Feb. 1673 to June 1687.

Rev. John Bowers

Died June 14, 1687.

Aged 58 years."

"Here lies y body of

Israel Johnson Lieu.t

Son of Colonel Ebenezer Johnson

who died Jan. 31 1712

in y 24 yeare of his age"

"Dr. John Durand

Born: La Rochelle, France 1667

Died: Derby, Conn. March 29, 1727

A French Hugenot who came to 

America in 1685.

He brought the first lilac bushes 

to this country."

"Clinga Smith

Daughter of Epheraim & Anna Smith.

dec.d Oct.r 6 1735 In ye

4 Year of her Age"

"Here Lyes the Body of

Elizabeth Hull

Daught.r to Joseph & Sarah Hull

Departed this Life April 16 1738

in the 7th Year of Her Age"

Headstone with accompanying footstone:

"IN MEMORY of

Mrs. Lowis Tomlinson

who died Sept.r 11th A.D. 1767

in the 87th Year of her Age."

Another headstone with 

accompanying footstone:

"In Memory of

Richard DeForeest [sic]

Son to Mr. David & Mrs. Hannah

DeForeest [sic] who departed

this Life July 10th, 1776,

aged 8 Years 6 Months & 13 Days."

"In Memory of SAMUEL BASSETT a Man long employed in civic & military Offices which he discharged with great Fidelity and having served his Generation by ye Will of God fell on Sleep" 

Mr. Bassett died 15 September 1764. 

Sergeant Isaac Tomlinson who died 27 January 1754, age 64 years. 

Lucey Keeney

Died 23 November 1761, age 22.

"When the Flesh sinks the Heaven born Soul Leaving the Tracks where Planets roll, Sublime on SERAPH PLUMES Shall rise To FLOWRY Fields of PARADISE."

"Here lyes ye Body of Mrs. Sarah Whitney wife to Mr. Stephen Whitney, & Daugh.tr to Cap.t James & Mrs. Sarah Wheller, & Mother of Samuel, Isaac & James Whitney: Died March ye 31st, 1764 in ye 27th Year of her Age

Look on me as you Pass By,

As you are Now so once was I

As I am Now, so you must be,

Prepare for Death and follow Me."

"In Memory of Joseph Hull, Esqr. A Gentleman Whose Integrity & Capacity for publick Business. Rendered his Usefulness Very extensive. His domestick character. As a Parent. Husband. Friend and Master. Was highly amiable. The graces of Christianity embellished his life. Softened the agonies of death. And gave hopes of a happy Immortality. He departed this Life the 24 of Sept.r 1775 In the 48 Year of his Age. An honest man's the noblest work of God" 

Noah French was a veteran of

the American Revolution.

"Here lies the Body of Mr. NOAH FRENCH

who Departed this Life

January 7 AD 1781

in the 46th Year of his Age.

Some hearty friend Shall drop his tear

On our dry bones, and say

There once were strong as mine appear

And mine must be as they"

"JOHN FRENCH SMITH

Son of Mr. ABRAHAM & 

Mrs. SARAH SMITH

who departed this Life

April 20th 1781

aged 19 Year"

"Sam. L. Johnson

Rev. Soldier"

1719 - 1788

"In Memory of PHILOMELA KIMBERLY

Daugh.tr of Mr. Israel & Mrs. Desire

who Died August 24th 1794

aged Three Years

Thrice happy child

That saw the Light and turned its eyes aside

From our dim Regions to the eternal Son

Guided the Parents way to glory."

"Doct. LIBERTY KIMBERLY

Died June 17, 1827

AE. 60

ELIZABETH

His wife

Died Mar. 17 1801

AE. 32"

"Louise

wife of John Miller

Died Feb. 23, 1858

Aged 26 years"

Revolutionary War Patriots in Colonial Cemetery

as listed on the commemorative plaque within the burial ground

Reuebn Baldwin

Dr. Silas Baldwin

Ensign Thaddeus Baldwin

Timothy Baldwin

Deacon Amos Bassett

Benjamin Bassett

David Bassett

John Glover Bassett

Enos Bradley

Dr. Josiah Canfield

Edmund Clark

John Coe

Dr. Edward Crafts

John Davis, Esq.

David DeForest

Joseph Ells

Charles French

Francis French

Nathaniel French

Noah French

Captain Edward Gibbs

Jedediah Harger

Samuel Hawkins

Zadock Hawkins

David Hitchcock

Jonathan Hitchcock

Captain Daniel Holbrook, 2nd

Captain Thomas Horsey

Eliphalet Hotchkiss

Leverett Hotchkiss

Lieutenant Levi Hotchkiss

Corporal Moses Hotchkiss

Joseph Hull, 3rd

Major Elijah Humphrey

Reverand Daniel Humphreys

Sergeant John Humphreys

David Johnson, Jr.

Captain Nathaniel Johnson

Samuel Johnson

Joseph Pickett

Captain Nathan Pierson

2nd Lieutenant Jacob M. Pope

Lieutenant Joseph Riggs, Jr.

Joseph Riggs, Sr.

Samuel Sherwood

Lieutenant Abraham Smith

Abram Smith, Jr.

Isaac Smith

Josiah Smith

Major Nathan Smith

Captain Chipman Swift

Daniel Tomlinson

John Tomlinson

Reuben Tucker

All photos copyright by the author, 2021. Not to be used or reproduced without permission.

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