The Relocation of Smithfield Historical Cemetery #47
Smithfield’s Historical Cemetery #47 is presently part of Historical Cemetery #44, located in a brushy area along the northern bank of Sebille Pond between the end of Sebille Road and Route 295. It was established in 1822, but was relocated to its present location during the summer of 1973.
In April of that year, the town council approved moving all 25 graves to a new location to make way for ramp construction for Route 295. The 151-year-old graveyard had fallen into disrepair with most of the tombstones having been toppled and broken. Some had become unreadable. And the iron fence enclosure had severely rusted.
One grave that was still legible was that of 82-year-old Mary Barnes who died in 1900. The inscription read:
“This languishing head is at rest,
its thinkings and achings are o’er.
This quite, immovable breast,
is heaved by afflictions no more.”
She was buried next to her husband, William Belknap.
Others buried in the cemetery included Mowry and Rosanna S. Barnes and their children, Gilbert, age 10 months, died in March of 1850; Albert, who died at nine months in October of 1850; Adison, age 6, who drowned in 1854; Caroline, age 19, who died in 1855; Anne, age 18, who died in 1856, Franklin, age 23, who died in 1875.
An inscription on the grave of Rosanna Barnes who died at age 43 in 1855 read:
“Friends nor physians could not save
Her mortal body from the grave.
Nor can the grave confine her here,
When Christ shall call her to appear.”
The state department of transportation advertised the proposed move to give decedents the chance to have the remains interred elsewhere, but if any relatives came forward, it was not recorded in the newspapers.
A license funeral home was hired to oversee the relocation which took place in July. The broken headstones were not repaired, but instead were duplicated as closely as possible.
Sources:
The Observer, “Route 295’s Deadly Move”, by Gregory Smith, May 4, 1973.
The Observer, “Care And Concern Taken In 295 Grave Relocation”, by Ellen F. Hall, July 26, 1973
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