Happy Independence Day!

So far, Exploring Cemeteries includes many people who fought for our Independence.  I for one am very thankful to live in the United States of America.  And I am very grateful for all that fought to give us the wonderful heritage that we have.  Have a great Forth of July.  Regards on our Independence Day.  Donna

Col. William S. Smith buried at West Hill Cemetery, Sherburne, NY

West Hill Cemetery on Rt. 80 out of Sherburne, NY is an active and well kept cemetery.  Of historical significance are Col. William S. Smith and his wife Abigail Adams.  Abigail was the only daughter of John Adams that lived beyond age 2 years.  John Adams was our second president of the United State.  And Abigail was brother to John Quincy Adams.

Sign in front of the West Hill Cemetery at Sherburne, NY

Overview of Col. William S. Smith's gravesite.

"Here Lie The Mortal remains of Col. Wm. S. SMITH Who died At Lebanon June 10, 1816 Aged 59 years"

Plague by the headstone of Col. William S. Smith

IN Memory of ABIGAIL ADAMS The Wife of Col. Wm. S. Smith And only Daughter of JOHN ADAMS, The Second President of the United States.  Abigail died in 1813 and was buried at Quincy, MA.

"In the War of Independence, He Fought in Twenty two Battles, served as aide To GEN. WASHINGTON Who always Held him in Affectionate Esteem"

 William Stephens Smith was born November 8, 1755 on Long Island, NY.   While secretary of the Legation at London in 1784, he met and courted John Adam's daughter Abigail ("Nabby") and they married in 1786.
He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 17 district.  He held many offices under President Washington and Adams which you can read about at the link below.

Col. Smith and Abigail had four children:  William, John, Thomas, and Caroline. 

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Stephens_Smith  This is a good bio of Col. Smith.

And a bio of Abigail's life.  Abigail died in Quincy, MA in 1813, so I assume she is buried there.

Many Gardner Headstones found at Pioneer Cemetery at Mt. Vision, NY

I found a number of Gardner graves at the Pioneer Cemetery in Mt. Vision.  I was unable to find anything on Phillip Gardner in the post below.  I checked on Ancestry.com.  There were several Phillip Gardners in the Civil War, but none seemed to coordinate with his stats.  I was surprised to find so many older men signed up for the Civil War in the registry from Laurens, NY.

Phillip and Seth Gardner, Civil War Veterans, Buried at Mt. Vision Pioneer Cemetery

The Pioneer Mt. Vision Cemetery is right by the roadside and is a small cemetery with many gravestones.
It is no longer an active cemetery, but is well cared for.  There are many Gardners in this old cemetery.  In my photo collection, I found two veterans there, Phillip and Seth Gardner.   Since the Civil War took place from 1861-1865, it would appear that Phillip died in the war since the date of his death is Dec. 7, 1863.  Also, he wasn't young at 52 years of age to be at war.  Seth was 44 when he signed up.  I found the info on Ancestry.com. and it stated he was a farmer. 

Phillip Gardner, member of Co. D. 42nd Regt. N. Y. Vol.  1811-1863.

Family stone of Seth and Gulielma (Howland) Gardner

SETH  A.  GARDNER  1818-1889  and  his wife  GULIELMA (HOWLAND)  1816-1897

Lieut. Horatio N. Duroe, Civil War Veteran, Killed in battle at Petersburg, Va. 1865.

Hillington Cemetery is a large active cemetery at Morris, NY.  Many in the Duroe family are buried there up on the hill in the newer part.  Six of the 11 children of Francis and Jane (Jackson) Duroe's children are buried in the family plot or nearby.  Their daughter, Arrianna Duroe Yates is the one nearby.  Their son, Lieut. Horatio N. Duroe was killed in battle at Petersburg, Va. on March 25, 1865 at age 24 years. 

LIEUT.  H.  N.  DUROE

A  MEMBER  OF  Co. K. 121 Regt. N. Y. S. V.  Killed at Petersburg, Va. 1865

The mother of Horatio Duroe was Jane (Jackson) Duroe 1817-1907 

The father of Horatio Duroe was Francis J. Duroe 1810-1871

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The large Duroe family monument and the names below are on the back.

Siblings of Horatio Duroe, all buried at Hillington Cemetery