Frank's Find

Note from Frank Vanderbilt:
Here is some new information on one of my Willard 6 ggrandfathers. Col. Josiah Willard-3 (Henry-2, Simon-1), who commanded Fort Dummer (Brattleboro, VT.) made his will December 8, 1750 at Fort Dummer. It was proved December 28, 1750. He died as the record says, " on a journey from home, December 8, 1750, aged 58 years." His wife Hannah is buried at Hinsdale, NH in the cemetery on Brattleboro Road. It has long been assumed that Josiah was buried there also, as there are many Willard stones there which are now illegible.

Recently Dan Recricca added his inventory of The Little's Station Cemetery located near Nashua, NH. He found Josiah's tombstone with the following inscription: "Here lyes interred ye body of Josiah Willard, Captain of Fort Dummer, formerly of Lancaster, Lunenburg, and Winchester, and Colonel of Regiment of foot, who died here December ye 8, Anno Domini, 1750, in ye 58 year of his age."

Little's Station Cemetery
Nashua, New Hampshire

This cemetery was once thought to be located within Dunstable, Massachusetts; however, upon reconfirmation of the state boarder it was found to be actually within New Hampshire.  The following list of persons was taken from Elias Nason's "A History of Dunstable, Massachusetts" (1877): pp. 232 - 235.  The information was originally copied from the gravestones by Benjamin French, Esq.  I am not yet certain if this is a complete list of all the people buried in this cemetery.  Further research on the cemetery to follow.

Number of Occupants ~51(?)
Earliest Date of Death 1687(?)
Most Recent Date of Death 1870(?)

ADAMS
Here lies Buryed ye Body of Mr. Thomas Adams, who departed this life February ye 18th, A. D. 1746, in ye 71st year of his age

Here lies Buried ye Body of Phinehas Adams, ye son of Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Juda Adams, who Dec'd December 4, 1747, Age 23 years, 7 months, and 28 days

BANCROFT
In Memory of Col. Ebenezer Bancroft, who died Sept. 22, 1827, Aet. 90.  He was an Officer in the French War and in the American Revolution, and was in the battle at Bunker Hill

In Memory of Mrs. Susannah, wife of Col. Ebenezer Bancroft, who died Oct. 4, 1823 Aet. 80

Here lies the Body of Lieut. Timothy Bancroft, who departed this life Nov. 21st, 1772, in the 63d year of his age

Here lies ye Body of Mrs. Elizabeth Bancroft, ye wife of Lieut. Timothy Bancroft, who Decd. Septr. 23d, A. D. 1754 in ye 39th year of her age

In Memory of Ebenezer Bancroft, Esq., who died May 6, 1858, Aet. 80.
He was the son of Col. Ebenezer and Susanna Bancroft.   He tilled the Farm of his ancestors through life.
Industry, economy, and temperance were his characteristic habits, ever governed by justice and rectitude.
The admiration of men he never sought, but at home all affection and kindness.
Sweet offices of love and duty were to him as needful as his daily bread.

In Memory of Mrs. Hannah, Wife of Ebenezer Bancroft, Esq., who died Oct. 13, 1870, aged 94 years, 1 mo., and 15 days
As in years, so in duty, she excelled : long made home glad.

In Memory of Dea. Jonathan Bancroft, who died July 11, 1815, in the 65th year of his age
Surviving friends, come take a thought,
How soon the grave must be your lot;
Make sure of Christ while life remains,
And death will be eternal gain.

Here lies Timothy Bancroft, Junr, who dep. this life Aug. 12, 1754, in ye 21st year of his age
From Death's Arrest no age is Free,
My Friends, Prepare to follow me.
    This Erected by E. B. in 1774.

BLANCHARD
Here lyes Buried the Body of the Hon. Joseph Blanchard, Esq., who departed this life April 7th, 1758, aged 55 years

Erected in memory of the Hon. Jonathan Blanchard whose remains are here interred, who departed this life July ye 16th, 1788, aged 51, son of Hon. Joseph Blanchard, Esq.

Here Lyes the Body of Mr. Eleazer Blanchard, who departed this life the 19th day of March, 1753, in the 22d year of his age

CHAMBERS
Capt. Matthew Chambers, an officer of the Revolution, died Jany. 30, 1809, AEt. 73

COBURN
Dea. Thomas Coburn died Nov. 2d, 1770 in the 80th year of his age

CUMINGS
Here Lyes Buried the Body of Mr. Ebenezer Cumings, who Deceased Sept. ye 5th, 1724, in ye 29th year of his age

Here lyes the body of Deacon Thomas Cumings, aged 64 years and 17 days, Deceased Jan. 20, 1722-3

FARWELL
Here lyes yye Body of Ensign Joseph Farwe Mrs. Hannah Starr, wife of Ebenezer Starr, who died March 22, 1794, aged 42

WELD
Here lies the Body of Mrs. Elizabeth Weld, the wife of Mr. Thomas Weld, aged about 31 years, who died on July the 29th in the year 1687

WILLARD
Here lyes interred ye body of Josiah Willard, Captain of Fort Dummer, formerly of Lancaster, Lunenburg, and Winchester, and Colonel of Regiment of foot, who died here December ye 8, Anno Domini, 1750, in ye 58 year of his age

 


Photo of the Gravestone (57 kb)

I received this information from Janice Farnsworth mailto:farns10th@aol.com who is involved with the Charlestown, NH web page & gives us this Willard story: Captivity
 

Go To Dunstable Burying Grounds

revised 28 January 2000