Submitted Marijean Conrad
(April 8, 2025) — There has recently been an upsurge of interest in the eleven private cemeteries located in Haddam. Six of these cemeteries have volunteer boards that work to maintain them, but five others have been essentially abandoned. This effort to preserve our heritage is valued by many, but volunteers are needed.
For example, Thirty Mile Island Plantation was the original English name of what is now known as Haddam. The first twenty-eight European settlers built homes along the Connecticut River. Joseph Arnold and George Gates gave land to the community for a meeting house and a burial ground. This initial burial ground in Haddam was set aside in 1667, but not formally laid out until 1699. The earliest remaining tombstone dates from 1711. Unmarked burial sites of other settlers undoubtedly are located within the cemetery. Many of Haddam’s most prominent early residents are buried here including Daniel Brainerd and Thankful Arnold. There is also a section that may contain graves of early Native Americans.
In 2019, the board members had the cemetery scanned and mapped using LIDAR in combination with RSI Radar. It was the first cemetery in the State to use this approach to map and to identify gravesites. Many fascinating things were discovered including evidence of previously unmarked gravesites and possible burials dating from earlier times.
The cemetery is maintained by volunteers belonging to the Board of The Old Burial Yard of Thirty Mile Island. They maintain the grassy areas, clean and repair tombstones and most recently repaired the surrounds of the Brainerd and the Cook family plots.
Should you wish to be a part of this volunteer group or donate to its work, please contact Board President Cindy Sola at (860) 301-9683.
Image provided by Marijean Conrad
