bobdina
11-06-2009, 03:37 PM
Revolutionary War Soldier to be Buried
November 06, 2009
New Haven Register
MILFORD, Conn. -- For Thomas J. Beirne Jr., the upcoming November funeral service with military honors for the remains of a Revolutionary War Soldier is about 230 years too late.
Beirne has spearheaded efforts to have the skull of a U.S. Revolutionary War Soldier, who may have died in Milford in 1777, buried at Milford Cemetery later this month. There will first be a funeral service at 10 a.m. Nov. 28 at the First United Church of Christ, Congregational, followed by a burial service.
Smith & Sefcik Funeral Home has donated a suitable container that will be placed inside a 6-foot-long coffin, which was crafted by Chuck Roy, a longtime local carpenter.
Residents are encouraged to attend the funeral and burial ceremonies. People dressed in Colonial garb will carry the casketfromthechurchtothecemetery. Representatives of the Governor's Foot Guard and the Kentish Guard will be present.The military burial will include firing salutes and folding the American flag. Additionally, a cannon will be present, Beirne said.The idea for the funeral came after resident Gary Gianotti this summer discovered an item in the New Haven Museum and Historical Society's records dating back to 1907, concerning a skull that may be connected to Milford and the Revolutionary War.
The skull has been in the possession of Connecticut Archaeologist Nicholas Bellantoni since the early 1990s after it was turned over by the historical society. Bellantoni recently told Beirne that he had shipped the skull to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C ., but it is being returned to the state.
Beirne said he believes proof that the skull is linked to Milford is in the historical society's museum catalog, which says the skull is from a Soldier who died in Milford.
History shows that on Jan. 1, 1777, a British ship was anchored off Milford with 200 American prisoners. The Soldiers were dropped off because they suffered from smallpox. The townspeople tried to aid them, but many died. Capt. Stephen Stow volunteered to take care of the Soldiers, but soon thereafter, Stow and 46 prisoners died somewhere near what is now the Milford Cemetery on Prospect Street.
Beirne said he believes that when the railroad bridge was being built around 1840, the Soldiers' remains were dug up. Beirne said the skull will be buried as close as possible to Milford's Revolutionary War memorial, which is located at the cemetery.
"Finally, we're giving the military honor these men deserve," Beirne said. "They died for their country."
C e m e t e r y Superintendent Raymond Scholl said he's working to find the right location to bury the skull. He said the burial is definitely appropriate.
"Out of respect for the Soldier, we're bringing it back to where it rightfully should be," Scholl said. "It's very important. It's part of our patriot duty."
City Historian Richard Platt said, despite the fact there is no definitive proof that the skull can be traced to Milford, the military burial is "quite appropriate."
Platt said he's never heard of something like this and called it very unique.
"Generally speaking, bones do not survive in the New England soil," Platt said. "The bones would have completely disintegrated. It's quite unusual to find bones."
Platt said burying the skull is an important symbolic gesture. Beirne said the military honor is deserved.
"These people sacrificed their lives; how much more can you sacrifice to give us this country that we have today?" Beirne asked.
November 06, 2009
New Haven Register
MILFORD, Conn. -- For Thomas J. Beirne Jr., the upcoming November funeral service with military honors for the remains of a Revolutionary War Soldier is about 230 years too late.
Beirne has spearheaded efforts to have the skull of a U.S. Revolutionary War Soldier, who may have died in Milford in 1777, buried at Milford Cemetery later this month. There will first be a funeral service at 10 a.m. Nov. 28 at the First United Church of Christ, Congregational, followed by a burial service.
Smith & Sefcik Funeral Home has donated a suitable container that will be placed inside a 6-foot-long coffin, which was crafted by Chuck Roy, a longtime local carpenter.
Residents are encouraged to attend the funeral and burial ceremonies. People dressed in Colonial garb will carry the casketfromthechurchtothecemetery. Representatives of the Governor's Foot Guard and the Kentish Guard will be present.The military burial will include firing salutes and folding the American flag. Additionally, a cannon will be present, Beirne said.The idea for the funeral came after resident Gary Gianotti this summer discovered an item in the New Haven Museum and Historical Society's records dating back to 1907, concerning a skull that may be connected to Milford and the Revolutionary War.
The skull has been in the possession of Connecticut Archaeologist Nicholas Bellantoni since the early 1990s after it was turned over by the historical society. Bellantoni recently told Beirne that he had shipped the skull to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C ., but it is being returned to the state.
Beirne said he believes proof that the skull is linked to Milford is in the historical society's museum catalog, which says the skull is from a Soldier who died in Milford.
History shows that on Jan. 1, 1777, a British ship was anchored off Milford with 200 American prisoners. The Soldiers were dropped off because they suffered from smallpox. The townspeople tried to aid them, but many died. Capt. Stephen Stow volunteered to take care of the Soldiers, but soon thereafter, Stow and 46 prisoners died somewhere near what is now the Milford Cemetery on Prospect Street.
Beirne said he believes that when the railroad bridge was being built around 1840, the Soldiers' remains were dug up. Beirne said the skull will be buried as close as possible to Milford's Revolutionary War memorial, which is located at the cemetery.
"Finally, we're giving the military honor these men deserve," Beirne said. "They died for their country."
C e m e t e r y Superintendent Raymond Scholl said he's working to find the right location to bury the skull. He said the burial is definitely appropriate.
"Out of respect for the Soldier, we're bringing it back to where it rightfully should be," Scholl said. "It's very important. It's part of our patriot duty."
City Historian Richard Platt said, despite the fact there is no definitive proof that the skull can be traced to Milford, the military burial is "quite appropriate."
Platt said he's never heard of something like this and called it very unique.
"Generally speaking, bones do not survive in the New England soil," Platt said. "The bones would have completely disintegrated. It's quite unusual to find bones."
Platt said burying the skull is an important symbolic gesture. Beirne said the military honor is deserved.
"These people sacrificed their lives; how much more can you sacrifice to give us this country that we have today?" Beirne asked.