The headstone of Mary Colton aka Mary Drake
"The old burying ground of the Town of Longmeadow consisted originally of just one acre of land "granted" out of the town highway leading eastward from the main street into the commons--literally a "God's acre," in area as well as in assignment of sacred use." (From the Proceedings at the Centennial Celebration of the Incorporation of the Town of Longmeadow,October 17th, 1783)
Prior to the cemetery being established, burials occurred in the Springfield cemetery near the river. When the railroads disturbed that cemetery, burials were moved to the Maple Street cemetery or to nearby towns.
The earliest stone in the Longmeadow Cemetery belongs to Mary Colton, who died October 19th, 1682. She was originally buried in Springfield, and re-interred here
Mary Colton Alias Mary Drake Who dyed octo 19th
1682: My dayes are few. My glas is run. My age 32 and one
attributed carver: George Griswold.
Contributed by Betsy McKee, Longmeadow Historical Society Board Member
Originally published March 12, 2020
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