Downtown’s Ancient Burying Ground is seeing some changes, like the relocation of a brick walkway and a monument, the addition of a storm water drainage system, and new fencing, benches, and trees. The area is fenced off while work is being done.
Improvements Underway at Boneyard
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Jim
It looks like they also might be building a swimming pool poltergeist style! Is the worker an albino?
Steve Thornton
Ah, The Reverend Samuel Stone. Best known as a Hartford founder. But wait! He accompanied an armed force to destroy the Pequots. They had orders to take the Indians head on. But Rev. Stone said “let me sleep on it.” God then told him to attack the Pequot village at night. So they did, killing almost every woman and child in the camp (the warriors were away).
Steve Thornton
I forgot. Stone also pressured Mary Johnson to confess she was a witch (the whippings helped), and she was executed in 1650.
kerri
Thanks for the history, Steve!
Richard
Thanks Steve I was going to write something about him so I am glad you did so I didn’t have to as I am not so nice about things such as this. Oh yes he was a nasty man just like most of his fellow travelers. Perhaps when done with the entrance way a new plaque will tell the full story and at the dedication the 2 Congs will apologize for the misdeeds, murder and mayhem of their founders. Got an itch.
Richard
Sorry I forgot to add the First Congregational Church of Wethersfield which also played a role in the trials of women accused of being witches. Funny thing in all of these years not much as changed as South Cong and Wethersfield rally today against LGBT people. There is a review of Judy Dworin Performance Project’s piece The Witching Hour over at Furbirds queerly which has links to articles on Stone and the trials. Check out the link http://furbirdsqueerly.wordpress.com/2013/11/05/we-are-in-the-presence-of-art-the-witching-hour/?relatedposts_exclude=3571.
Erik
Ah…my great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather’s resting place. He sat on some of those witch trials.