Notes on the establishment of the Monmouth Center Cemetery

"…In later years, as settlers began to take up lots farther north, it became necessary to have a cemetery more centrally located; and by consent of the owner, a plot of land belonging to Gen. Dearboirn was used for this purpose. This buryiomg ground was in the field on the east side of the road, nearly opposite the farm buildings of Mr. George L. King, below Monmouth Center. Not far from one hundred bodies were buried there. After the cemetery was established at the Center, in 1799, many of these were taken up and re-interred in the new ground, but a large number still lie in their first resting place. …"

Harry Hayman Cochrane, History of Monmouth and Wales, Pp. 37-38

"The second (town) meeting for the year 1787 was held at Ichabod Baker's house, on Monday, the 20^th day of April. Capt. James Blossom was chosen moderator, and Levi Dearborn, James Blossom and Ichabod Baker, a committee to consult Col. Dearborn in relation to securing a title to the 'burying-place.' The meeting was then adjourned to the 23d of April, 1787.

"At the adjourned meeting, held April 23, it was 'voted that Benjamin Dearborn be overseer to keep the obligation that shall be drawn and signed to fence and clear the burying-place, and see that the work is done. Each man subscribes his name, and the meeting is dissolved. John Chandler, Clerk.'

"The burying-place referred to is the one mentioned on page 37 as being on land nearly opposite George L. King's, south of Monmouth Center. As has been stated, many bodies were interred there, and a large number of them still remain in their first resting place; among others, the first wife of Robert Withington. There is no evidence that Gen. Dearborn ever gave the plantation abt title to this land, nor that the obligation to clear and fence it was ever fulfilled."

Harry Hayman Cochrane, History of Monmouth and Wales, P. 127

"To carry out the ancient custom of having a burying lot in close proximity to the church, the town voted, at a meeting held yje 29th day of Sepotember, 1805, 'that the town do appropriate and relinquish foe a Burying ground the following part of the land that was given by Lady Temple, viz: Beginning at the South-east corner of said piece, then running north 22 1-2 degrees, east, ten rodfs; thence running west north-west, carrying the width of ten rods so far as that a line parallel with the Range will run within two rods of the east end of the East porch to the meeting house.' It will be seen that the whole of this lot lay east of the meeting house. A few were interred in this place before any action was taken to have it set apart as a cemetery. Later, the town voted to change the location to the present site, on account of the condition of the low land east of the meeting house. When this removal was effected, it was the intention to use only the upper part of the lot, and bodies that had been buried east of the high land were taken up and reinterred near the road. But, as this part of the yard has become filled, a gradual encroachment on the low land has been made, until, now, the portion that was discarded as unfit for burial purposes has become the most attractive part of the cemetery. "Samuel Avery, who died in 1799, was the first persoin buried in the new yard."

Harry Hayman Cochrane, History of Monmouth and Wales, Pp. 390-391