Jaffrey residents can learn about notable natives through Old Burying Grounds tour

A photo of Capt. William Parker Ainsworth is shown to the crowd, as they learn about his death at the battle of Front Roayal in Virginia in 1862. Staff photo by Ashley Saari—

Tour guide Charlie Turcotte speaks about the many veterans who are interred in the Jaffrey Old Burying Ground behind the Jaffrey Meetinghouse. Staff photo by Ashley Saari—

Photographs of some of the veterans who are buried in the Jaffrey Meetinghouse Old Burying Ground were shown to the crowd at a recent tour. Staff photo by Ashley Saari—

Despite drizzling weather, some stopped to see the graves of notable veterans, after the walking tour moved indoors. Staff photo by Ashley Saari—

The grave of Lt. Thomas Adams, the first stop in the tour of notable veterans buried in the Old Burying Ground in Jaffrey. Staff photo by Ashley Saari—

Tour guide Karen Ayers speaks of John Matthews, a member of the British Army, who along with his two brothers, became sympathizers with the colonists during the Revolution, and joined their side when the war broke out. Staff photo by Ashley Saari—

By ASHLEY SAARI

Monadnock Ledger-Transcript

Published: 06-19-2023 10:48 AM

What was intended to be a cemetery walking tour of the graves of notable Jaffrey veterans had to move to an indoor lecture due to the weather on Saturday, but did carry on as part of the Jaffrey Salute to Veterans program.

The Old Burying Ground, located behind the Meetinghouse, was one of several requirements for a settlement to be recognized as a town, and is one of Jaffrey’s oldest center features.

The tour provides information about 12 veterans buried there – though selectman and tour guide Charlie Turcotte noted that is only a small selection of veterans and prominent Jaffrey citizens who have their final resting place in the cemetery.

Among the notables was the Rev. Laban Ainsworth, the first minister in town, who served as minister in the Meetinghouse for a record-setting 76 years. As a student, he was Chaplain of Major Mckinstry’s Corps., with Mckinstry being in command of the 9th Regiment or 2nd Claverack Battalion of New York.

Another person of note, Lt. Thomas Adams, a New Ipswich native who came to Jaffrey prior to 1774, was a soldier of the Revolution. He became a member of the training band in 1784, and was a lieutenant of the the militia, serving in New York. He was part of the force that marched from New Hampshire to reinforce the garrison at Ticonderoga. He held multiple offices including town clerk, selectman, school committee member, and was a teacher in the public schools for many years.

Information about the Old Burying Ground Walking Tour is available online at rs41.org/jhs/obgtour2.pdf. Richard Boutwell, Cathy Proulx, Charlie Turcotte and Robert Stephenson contributed to the research and have served as tour guides.

The tour is produced and sponsored by the Jaffrey Historical Society and Jaffrey Cemetery Committee.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertran script.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.

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