What is the connection between the Bennington Centre Cemetery and the Old First Church?
Other than being neighbors, there is no connection. They were both, along with a animal pound, created by the town's proprietors in 1762 on land at the current location.
What is the oldest grave?
The oldest grave belongs to Bridget Harwood (1715-1762). She came from Massachusetts with some of her children in 1761. She died shortly after the land for the cemetery was set aside. Her grandson, Benjamin Harwood, was the first child of settlers born in Bennington.
Is the cemetery still active?
Yes, there are still interments. While the cemetery is nearly full, there are still plots available, subject eligibility.
How many people are buried in the cemetery?
There are approximately 2,800 buried here. The actual number is unknowable for several reasons:
- Historical records are incomplete,
- The exact number in the mass grave of revolutionary war soldiers is uncertain, probably fewer than 50, but…?,
- When the Old First Church was built in 1806, many graves were within the building's footprint. While many were reinterred outside of the structure, some were left in the cellar of the present church. Regardless of the remain's locations, the headstones for all were removed and most were placed just inside the cemetery's front gate on the right. It is uncertain if these gravestones have an associated body beneath.
What is the purpose of the vault?
The vault, located on the east end of the gray house, was originally used for holding bodies when frozen ground prevented burials during the winter. Now it stores materials used for cemetery maintenance.