Riverside Cemetery

Riverside Cemetery in Shelton, Connecticut (not to be confused with the Riverside Cemeteries in Oxford and Trumbull), is located on Route 110 (River Road). Riverside is a relatively new cemetery, with burials dating from the mid-1800s until the present day. There are a smattering of older interments; it is said that some people were moved to Riverside from the old Coram Cemetery, which I have yet to locate. (If anyone can point me in the right direction, I would greatly appreciate it.) There are an astounding number of "World War" veterans (World War I) either buried within Riverside, or with cenotaphs indicating that they are interred overseas. At the front of the cemetery is a phenomenal monument to Colonel Watson J. Miller. I have included photos of his memorial at the end of this page.

Estimated number of interments, as of January 2024: at least 6924.

Photos taken 15 June 2010.

This area honors soldiers who died and are buried overseas. From left to right:

"Ernest W. Ledger, Jr. Corporal Co. A, 23d Inf. Died Mar. 31, 1951 Age 19 Buried in Korea"

"John Dudginsky Co. A, 26th Inf. Died Oct. 4, 1918 AE 28 Buried in France"

"Peter Gibbons Co. G. 28th Inf. Died Oct. 1, 1918 AE 24 Buried in France"

"Frank Lowensky Co. E, 38th Inf. Died Aug. 9, 1918 AE 22 Buried in France"

"Raymond B. Scranton Co. B. 39th Engrs. Died Nov. 8, 1918 AE 28 Buried in France"

"Chester A. Burke 5th Regt. Marine Corps Died June 9, 1918 AE 21 Buried in France"

There are also memorials for the deceased members of the Echo Hose Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1 and the Shelton Police Department.

The oldest stone that I was able to locate in Riverside, and one of the few dated prior to the mid-1800s. It's possible this was a relocation from the old Coram Cemetery.

"In Memory of Hannah, wife of Josiah Wakelee, died Sept. 26, 1829, aged 65 years."

Veterans of the Spanish-American War

"Charles W. Sutter,

Co. F. 102nd U.S. Inf. 26th Div.

Born Hebron, Conn. Apr. 12, 1895

Killed in action, Feb. 28, 1918

Chemin-Des-Dames, France"

Two other Sutters are buried nearby:

George T., "Pvt US Army World War I

Oct. 5, 1890 Sept. 6, 1973"

Frederick J., World War II,

"Tech. Gr. 5 US Army Far East

Died Feb. 2, 1973 Age 75"

"Members of Elim Park Swedish Baptist Home of Rest 'Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.' Rev. 14;13" 

"Erected to the memory of 1850 Mary Melby 1925 by her friends First matron and superintendent of Elim Park 1907 - 1919 She hath done what she could. Mark 14:8" 

Monument for Gould A. Shelton

(Aug. 19, 1841 - Jan. 8, 1927)

and his wife, Emily Plumb Capel

(Aug. 12, 1847 - Nov. 11, 1897)

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

"Rev. John Thomas Hamilton

October 6, 1863    September 17, 1939

Pastor Methodist Episcopal Church

Shelton Conn. 1912 - 1919

Pastor Emeritus 1930 - 1939

Annie Grace Leask his wife

May 7, 1861 - January 25, 1952"

A newer stone, that is inscribed entirely in 

an Asian language. 

(I wouldn't venture to guess if it's Chinese, Japanese, Korean, etc. )

The chapel at Riverside Cemetery. 

Colonel Watson J. Miller (Nov. 23, 1849 - Dec. 24, 1911) was a 32nd-degree Mason. (Thirty-three is the highest level within the Masons and an honorary achievement.) Miller would have held the title "Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret". 

The remainder of the photos show the ostentation and scale of Miller's monument.

The crest at the foot of Miller's statue depicts a double-headed eagle with a triangle emblazoned with the number "32". A banner below the eagle says, "Spes Mea in Deo Est", a Scottish Masonic motto meaning "My hope is in God". 

The stairs are inscribed:

"Pyramid Temple

A.A.O.N. 

[Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles]

Mystic Shrine

King Hiram Lodge No. 12

New Haven Commandery No. 2 K.T.

Lafayette Consistory S.P. of R.S."

Miller shares his mausoleum with his two wives and his parents.

Miller depicted with both his wives:

Susie Jane Waite

Apr. 15, 1850 - Dec. 27, 1906

Maude Marion Patchen

July 17, 1875 - September 6, 1961

The colonel's parents:

Watrous Ives Miller

(born June 30, 1822; died Feb. 24, 1885)

Ruth L. Prout

(born Oct. 10, 1821; died June 13, 1898)

Beneath Watrous & Ruth Miller is a listing of Colonel Watson J. Miller's ancestors, including Gov. Benjamin Miller, Capt. Ichabod Miller and "Gen. Joseph Spencer of the Continental Army". 

Colonel Miller's monument from a distance, giving a better sense of scale. 

All photos copyright by the author, 2010. Not to be used or reproduced without permission.

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