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Coordinates: 41°33′21″N 72°39′49″W / 41.5557°N 72.6636°W / 41.5557; -72.6636
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{{Short description|Cemetery in Middletown, Connecticut, US}}
{{Infobox cemetery
{{Infobox cemetery
|name = Indian Hill Cemetery
|name = Indian Hill Cemetery
|image = Middletown, CT - Indian Hill Cemetery 02.jpg
|image = Indian Hill Cemetery, Middletown, CT - October 2024.jpg
|established = 1850
|established = 1850
|country = [[United States]]
|country = [[United States]]
|location = 383 [[Connecticut Route 66|Washington Street]], [[Middletown, Connecticut]]
|location = 383 [[Connecticut Route 66|Washington Street]], [[Middletown, Connecticut]]
|coordinates =
|coordinates =
|type = private
|type = private
|owner = <!--entity that owns the cemetery-->
|owner = <!--entity that owns the cemetery-->
|size = 40 acres
|size = 40 acres<ref name=Sherman/>
|graves= 9,000<ref name=Warren/>
|graves= 9,000<ref name=Warren/>
|website = [http://www.indian-hill.org www.indian-hill.org]
|website = [http://www.indian-hill.org www.indian-hill.org]
|findagraveid = 103419
|findagraveid = 103419
}}
}}
'''Indian Hill Cemetery''' is a historic [[rural cemetery]] located at 383 [[Connecticut Route 66|Washington Street]] in [[Middletown, Connecticut|Middletown]], [[Connecticut]] on a hill adjacent to [[Wesleyan University]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Hill Cemetery About Us |url=http://indian-hill.org/aboutus/ |website=www.indian-hill.org |access-date=14 July 2019}}</ref>
[[File:Russell Chapel at Indian Hill Cemetery.jpg|thumb|Russell Chapel]]
'''Indian Hill Cemetery''' is a historic [[rural cemetery]] located at 383 [[Connecticut Route 66|Washington Street]] in [[Middletown, Connecticut|Middletown]], [[Connecticut]] on a hill adjacent to [[Wesleyan University]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Hill Cemetery - About Us |url=http://indian-hill.org/aboutus/ |website=www.indian-hill.org |accessdate=14 July 2019}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
The hill was originally named "''Wunne Wah Jet''" by the [[Wangunk]] indigenous people who lived in Middletown.<ref name=Dominguez>{{cite web |last1=Dominguez |first1=Diana |title=Indian Hill Cemetery and the Vernacular of the Times |url=https://connecticuthistory.org/indian-hill-cemetery-and-the-vernacular-of-the-times/ |website=www.connecticuthistory.org |accessdate=14 July 2019}}</ref> The Wangunk built fortifications on the hill around 1639 to protect against enemy tribes and European settlers for Sowheage, a grand [[sachem]] in the tribe.<ref>{{cite web |title=ASK THE COURANT |url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2000-01-24-0001240172-story.html |website=www.courant.com |accessdate=14 July 2019}}</ref> Over time, the Wangunk sold much of the surrounding land to settlers but kept the hill parcel for themselves. The Wangunk and settlers lived peacefully together for many decades but the hill parcel was eventually sold to settlers in the late 1700's.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Hill Cemetery |url=https://www.ctmq.org/12-indian-hill-cemetery/ |website=www.ctmq.org |accessdate=14 July 2019}}</ref>
The hill was originally named "''Wunne Wah Jet''" by the indigenous [[Wangunk]] people who lived in Middletown.<ref name=Dominguez>{{cite web |last1=Dominguez |first1=Diana |title=Indian Hill Cemetery and the Vernacular of the Times |url=https://connecticuthistory.org/indian-hill-cemetery-and-the-vernacular-of-the-times/ |website=www.connecticuthistory.org |access-date=14 July 2019}}</ref> Sowheage, a grand [[sachem]] in the tribe,<ref>{{cite web |title=Ask The Courant|url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2000-01-24-0001240172-story.html |website=www.courant.com |access-date=14 July 2019}}</ref> built fortifications on the hill around 1639 to protect against enemy tribes and invading European settlers. Over time, the Wangunk lost much of the surrounding land to settlers by theft, but were able to keep the hill parcel for themselves. The Wangunk and settlers lived together for many decades until the hill parcel was eventually taken by settlers in the late 1700s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Hill Cemetery |url=https://www.ctmq.org/12-indian-hill-cemetery/ |website=www.ctmq.org |access-date=14 July 2019}}</ref>


The cemetery was developed as part of the [[City Beautiful movement]] which promoted the development of rural environments and landscapes for public spaces including cemeteries. After the [[yellow fever]] epidemic of 1841, rural cemeteries were thought to be more hygenic since they were located on the outskirts of cities.<ref name=Warren>{{cite web |last1=Warren |first1=Abby |title=Indian Hill, Unearthed: A Cemetery's Roots |url=http://wesleyanargus.com/2015/10/19/indian-hill/ |website=www.wesleyanargus.com |accessdate=14 July 2019}}</ref>
The cemetery was developed, in part to change the association of Indian Hill as having been central to Wangunk life, as part of the [[City Beautiful movement]] which promoted the development of rural environments and landscapes for public spaces including cemeteries. After the [[yellow fever]] epidemic of 1841, rural cemeteries were thought to be more hygienic since they were located on the outskirts of cities.<ref name=Warren>{{cite web |last1=Warren |first1=Abby |title=Indian Hill, Unearthed: A Cemetery's Roots |url=http://wesleyanargus.com/2015/10/19/indian-hill/ |website=www.wesleyanargus.com |access-date=14 July 2019}}</ref>


The Indian Hill Cemetery was dedicated on September 30, 1850<ref name=Dominguez/> and became the burial site of choice for Middletown's elite.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Hill Cemetery - Welcome |url=http://indian-hill.org/ |website=www.indian-hill.org |accessdate=14 July 2019}}</ref>
The Indian Hill Cemetery was organized June 11, 1850, under a general act of legislation passed in 1841.<ref>{{cite book |title=History of Middlesex County, Connecticut |date=1884 |publisher=J.B. Beers & Co. |location=New York |page=[https://archive.org/details/cu31924097556595/page/n176 151] |url=https://archive.org/details/cu31924097556595 |access-date=14 July 2019}}</ref> The cemetery was dedicated on September 30, 1850,<ref name=Dominguez/> and became the burial site of choice for Middletown's elite.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Hill Cemetery - Welcome |url=http://indian-hill.org/ |website=www.indian-hill.org |access-date=14 July 2019}}</ref>


==Russell Chapel==
==Russell Chapel==
[[File:Russell Chapel at Indian Hill Cemetery.jpg|thumb|Russell Chapel]]
The brownstone gothic revival Russell Chapel was built in 1867. Samuel Russell was a businessman who owned the Russell & Company trading business in [[Canton, China]].<ref name=chapel/> He was the first president of the Indian Hill Cemetery Association and the chapel was built by his wife in his memory.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sherman |first1=Roger |title=Historic Resources Inventory Form For Buildings and Structures |url=http://www.cityofmiddletown.com/DocumentCenter/View/12856/383-Washington-Street---Indian-Hill-Cemetery-Chapel--Funeral-Chapel--1867-MHAR-Card-Number-289-PDF |website=www.cityofmiddletown.com |accessdate=14 July 2019}}</ref>
The brownstone gothic revival Russell Chapel was built in 1867. Samuel Russell was a businessman who owned the Russell & Company trading business in [[Canton, China]].<ref name=chapel/> He was the first president of the Indian Hill Cemetery Association and the chapel was built by his wife in his memory.<ref name=Sherman>{{cite web |last1=Sherman |first1=Roger |title=Historic Resources Inventory Form For Buildings and Structures |url=http://www.cityofmiddletown.com/DocumentCenter/View/12856/383-Washington-Street---Indian-Hill-Cemetery-Chapel--Funeral-Chapel--1867-MHAR-Card-Number-289-PDF |website=www.cityofmiddletown.com |access-date=14 July 2019}}</ref>


The chapel houses the original bell forged at the [[Troy, New York]] [[Meneely Bell Foundry]] in 1868.<ref name=chapel>{{cite web |title=Indian Hill Cemetery - Chapel Rehabilitation |url=http://indian-hill.org/chapel/ |website=www.indian-hill.org |accessdate=14 July 2019}}</ref>
The chapel houses the original bell forged at the [[Troy, New York]] [[Meneely Bell Foundry]] in 1868.<ref name=chapel>{{cite web |title=Indian Hill Cemetery Chapel Rehabilitation |url=http://indian-hill.org/chapel/ |website=www.indian-hill.org |access-date=14 July 2019}}</ref>


The chapel is listed on the Connecticut Register of Historic Places.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Drake |first1=Olivia |title=Wesleyan Supports Historic Russell Chapel Restoration |url=https://newsletter.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2015/08/04/russellchapel/ |website=www.newsletter.blogs.wesleyan.edu |accessdate=14 July 2019}}</ref>
The chapel is listed on the Connecticut Register of Historic Places.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Drake |first1=Olivia |title=Wesleyan Supports Historic Russell Chapel Restoration |url=https://newsletter.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2015/08/04/russellchapel/ |website=www.newsletter.blogs.wesleyan.edu |access-date=14 July 2019}}</ref>


==Notable burials==
==Notable burials==
[[File:Gravestone monument for Joseph K. Mansfield, Indian Hill Cemetery, Middletown, CT - February 2016.JPG|thumb|Gravestone monument for [[Joseph K. Mansfield]]]]
[[File:Gravestone monument for Joseph K. Mansfield, Indian Hill Cemetery, Middletown, CT - February 2016.JPG|thumb|Gravestone monument for [[Joseph K. Mansfield]]]]
[[File:Middletown, CT - Indian Hill Cemetery 02.jpg|thumb|View of the surrounding neighborhood]]
*[[Joseph Wright Alsop]] (1910-1989), journalist
*[[Stewart Alsop]] (1914-1974), newspaper columnist and political analyst
* [[Joseph Wright Alsop IV]] (1876–1953), politician and insurance executive
* [[Joseph Alsop|Joseph Wright Alsop V]] (1910–1989), journalist
*[[Wilbur Olin Atwater]] (1844-1907), chemist known for his studies of human nutrition and metabolism
* [[Stewart Alsop]] (1914–1974), newspaper columnist and political analyst
*[[Everett Bacon]] (1890-1989), college football quarterback
* [[Wilbur Olin Atwater]] (1844–1907), chemist known for his studies of human nutrition and metabolism
*[[Raymond E. Baldwin]] (1893-1986), 72nd and 74th Governor of Connecticut
* [[Everett Bacon]] (1890–1989), college football quarterback
*[[Owen Vincent Coffin]] (1836-1921), 56th Governor of Connecticut
* [[Raymond E. Baldwin]] (1893–1986), 72nd and 74th Governor of Connecticut
*[[John Kenneth Galbraith]] (1908-2006), economist
*[[Samuel Dickinson Hubbard]] (1799-1855), U.S. Representative from Connecticut
* [[Owen Vincent Coffin]] (1836–1921), 56th Governor of Connecticut
* [[Morris B. Crawford]] (1852–1940), first professor of physics at Wesleyan University
*[[William Stone Hubbell]] (1837-1930), U.S. Civil War Medal of Honor recipient
* [[John Kenneth Galbraith]] (1908–2006), economist
*[[Ebenezer Jackson, Jr.]] (1796-1874), U.S. Representative from Connecticut
* [[Samuel Dickinson Hubbard]] (1799–1855), U.S. Representative from Connecticut
*[[William Manchester]] (1922-2004), author, biographer and historian
*[[Joseph K. Mansfield]] (1803-1862), Union General during the U.S. Civil War
* [[William Stone Hubbell]] (1837–1930), U.S. Civil War Medal of Honor recipient
* [[Ebenezer Jackson Jr.]] (1796–1874), U.S. Representative from Connecticut
*[[Sigmund Neumann]] (1904-1962), politicial scientist and sociologist
* [[William Manchester]] (1922–2004), author, biographer and historian
*[[James Timothy Pratt]] (1802-1887), U.S. Representative from Connecticut
* [[Joseph K. Mansfield]] (1803–1862), Union General during the U.S. Civil War
*[[Samuel L. Warner]] (1828-1893), U.S. Representative from Connecticut
* [[Sigmund Neumann]] (1904–1962), political scientist and sociologist
*[[Frank B. Weeks]] (1854-1935), 64th Governor of Connecticut
* [[James Timothy Pratt]] (1802–1887), U.S. Representative from Connecticut
* [[William North Rice]] (1845–1928), geologist, Methodist minister, theologian
* [[Samuel L. Warner]] (1828–1893), U.S. Representative from Connecticut
* [[Frank B. Weeks]] (1854–1935), 64th Governor of Connecticut


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.indian-hill.org Official website]
* [http://www.indian-hill.org Official website]
* {{Find a Grave cemetery|103419}}
*[https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/103419/indian-hill-cemetery Indian Hill Cemetery] at [[Find A Grave]]


{{Authority control}}
{{US-cemetery-stub}}


{{coord|41.5557|-72.6636|display=title}}
{{Coord|41.5557|-72.6636|display=title}}


[[Category:1850 establishments in Connecticut]]
[[Category:1850 establishments in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Cemeteries in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Cemeteries established in the 1850s]]
[[Category:Cemeteries in Middlesex County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Middletown, Connecticut| ]]
[[Category:Rural cemeteries]]

Latest revision as of 23:26, 22 October 2024

Indian Hill Cemetery
Map
Details
Established1850
Location
CountryUnited States
Typeprivate
Size40 acres[1]
No. of graves9,000[2]
Websitewww.indian-hill.org
Find a GraveIndian Hill Cemetery

Indian Hill Cemetery is a historic rural cemetery located at 383 Washington Street in Middletown, Connecticut on a hill adjacent to Wesleyan University.[3]

History

[edit]

The hill was originally named "Wunne Wah Jet" by the indigenous Wangunk people who lived in Middletown.[4] Sowheage, a grand sachem in the tribe,[5] built fortifications on the hill around 1639 to protect against enemy tribes and invading European settlers. Over time, the Wangunk lost much of the surrounding land to settlers by theft, but were able to keep the hill parcel for themselves. The Wangunk and settlers lived together for many decades until the hill parcel was eventually taken by settlers in the late 1700s.[6]

The cemetery was developed, in part to change the association of Indian Hill as having been central to Wangunk life, as part of the City Beautiful movement which promoted the development of rural environments and landscapes for public spaces including cemeteries. After the yellow fever epidemic of 1841, rural cemeteries were thought to be more hygienic since they were located on the outskirts of cities.[2]

The Indian Hill Cemetery was organized June 11, 1850, under a general act of legislation passed in 1841.[7] The cemetery was dedicated on September 30, 1850,[4] and became the burial site of choice for Middletown's elite.[8]

Russell Chapel

[edit]
Russell Chapel

The brownstone gothic revival Russell Chapel was built in 1867. Samuel Russell was a businessman who owned the Russell & Company trading business in Canton, China.[9] He was the first president of the Indian Hill Cemetery Association and the chapel was built by his wife in his memory.[1]

The chapel houses the original bell forged at the Troy, New York Meneely Bell Foundry in 1868.[9]

The chapel is listed on the Connecticut Register of Historic Places.[10]

Notable burials

[edit]
Gravestone monument for Joseph K. Mansfield
View of the surrounding neighborhood

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Sherman, Roger. "Historic Resources Inventory Form For Buildings and Structures". www.cityofmiddletown.com. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  2. ^ a b Warren, Abby. "Indian Hill, Unearthed: A Cemetery's Roots". www.wesleyanargus.com. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  3. ^ "Indian Hill Cemetery – About Us". www.indian-hill.org. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  4. ^ a b Dominguez, Diana. "Indian Hill Cemetery and the Vernacular of the Times". www.connecticuthistory.org. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  5. ^ "Ask The Courant". www.courant.com. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  6. ^ "Indian Hill Cemetery". www.ctmq.org. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  7. ^ History of Middlesex County, Connecticut. New York: J.B. Beers & Co. 1884. p. 151. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  8. ^ "Indian Hill Cemetery - Welcome". www.indian-hill.org. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  9. ^ a b "Indian Hill Cemetery – Chapel Rehabilitation". www.indian-hill.org. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  10. ^ Drake, Olivia. "Wesleyan Supports Historic Russell Chapel Restoration". www.newsletter.blogs.wesleyan.edu. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
[edit]

41°33′21″N 72°39′49″W / 41.5557°N 72.6636°W / 41.5557; -72.6636