Updated:  April 2022

Veterans Interred in Montgomery Cemeteries Alphabetical By Last Name

Veterans Interred in Montgomery Cemeteries Alphabetical By Cemetery

Memorial Day

An annual Memorial Day service tradition began at a meeting on May 11, 1995 at the home of Bill and Margaretta Branthoover on Hazen's Notch Road.  In attendance at this meeting were:

Agatha Blodgett
Bill Branthoover
Margaretta Branthoover
Gyneth Lumbra
Sally Newton 

The history and significance of Memorial Day was discussed and from ideas presented by those present a program outline was accepted. This program of events has been followed in the succeeding years.

Each year the program is held in one of Montgomery's six cemeteries; rotation is determined by the date of the first burial of each cemetery as follows:

Clapp Cemetery

Old Montgomery Center Cemetery (lower)

Montgomery Village Cemetery

Montgomery Center Cemetery (upper)

West Hill Cemetery

St. Isidore Cemetery

2006 

W.R.B.

Preface

Lest we forget: the observance of Memorial Day is an American tradition that must be maintained to honor those who served their country- in order to preserve democratic principles established so long ago.  If we are to survive as a great nation we must not forget the past. 

The Rev. Grace Brooks, a Montgomery resident and is buried here, who entered the ministry in the early 1900' s at Georgia Plains, Vermont and is believed to be the first woman ordained in the State of Vermont, and at her Memorial Day sermon on May 30, 1927 stated: 

"Memorial Day is one of the most significant occasions of the year.

It shows that as a nation we honor the spirit of patriotism . . . .

It is altogether fitting that at least once in the course of the busy year we should remind ourselves of the debt we owe to those who have suffered and died that we might have larger liberty."

For that service she used as the biblical text Proverbs 14:34 "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." 

Memorial Day was significant, is significant and must remain significant.

Let us pause 

Lest we forget

W.R.Branthoover

Cemeteries of the Town of Montgomery, Vermont.

Cemetery                                                         First Burial

Clapp Cemetery                                               1801

Montgomery Center Old Cemetery             1822

Montgomery Village Cemetery                     1843

Montgomery Center Cemetery                     1864

West Hill Cemetery                                          1871

St. Isidore Cemetery                                        1872

2021 Clapp Cemetery

2011 Montgomery Center Old Cemetery

2023 Montgomery Village Cemetery

2024 Montgomery Center New Cemeter

2025 West Hill Cemetery

2026 St. Isidore Cemetery

2027 Montgomery Common

2028  Clapp Cemetery

2029  Montgomery Center Old Cemetery

2030  Montgomery Village Cemetery

 

Burials other than in one of the Town cemeteries.

1. On East Hill (Rt. 242, Jay Road) at the old Curt Davis home a gravestone was located under an apple tree out behind the house.

Ira R.Warren died April 17 1859 Ae 36 yrs & 10 mo 

A short distance from this grave is another grave in a lilac grove but identification not known (July 20,1975, 2005)

2. Regan Road - approximately one mile from the South School on Rt. 118 are two grave stones lying on the ground under an apple tree (August 15, 1973):

Eliza A. (Upham)

wife of John H.Tarble

died Aug. 24, 1857

Aged 48 years

 

Lurana (Joy)

wife of John Tarble

died Aug. 16, 1852

Age 43 yrs & 10 ms 

3. Further along on the Regan Road on what was known as the Reed place is another grave stone.

Stillman Wilkins

died Aug. 27, 1854

Aged 45 years

4. On the Gibeau Road - the old Cushing farm on the road from the Gibeau to Hill West supposedly has three graves but not found (Aug. 15, 1973). 

5. Gibeau Road - grave found on the Mason Lot about half way up Brown Hill beyond where the schoolhouse used to stand. Grave several hundred yards in the woods on the left. Found 1978. 

Guy D.

son of John & Mary Mason

Died March 12 1859

Aged 3 years

Typical Memorial Day Program

 

I. Invocation

II. Welcome 

III. Special Music. ( if it is the National Anthem, put before the welcome)

IV. Poem.  Edgar Guest's poem "Memorial Day" 

V. Address

VI. Roll Call of Veterans in that cemetery 

Pericles, one of the greatest Greek statesmen wrote some 2450 years ago:

I would have you, day by day, fix your eyes upon the greatness of your country, until you are filled with the love of her; and when you are impressed by the spectacle of her glory; reflect that it had been acquired by men who knew their duty and had the courage to do it. 

VII. Military Salute by the American Legion Post #242 of Enosburg

  a. Gun salute

  b. Benediction

  c. Taps

VIII. Tailgate refreshments

Memorial Day

by

Edgar Guest

 

Blow gently, winds of May,

And softly stir the trees,

Whispering today

The love we bear to these

Who sleep that silent sleep,

At rest forevermore.

 

Blow gently, winds of May . .

Their warfare now is o'er.

Blow gently, winds of May,

Bearing the perfume rare

Of blossom's o'er the way;

Rose petals scatter there;

The starry flag we place

In glory on each grave,

Catches in a fond embrace

For us and proudly waves.

 

Blow gently, winds of May,

Shine softly, summer sun;

Our heroes sleep today,

Their duty nobly done.

And with the flag they loved,

And flowers, we come today

To honor those who sleep . .

Blow gently, winds of May.

 
     Up until 1990 the Town of Montgomery had no monument commemorating those from the Town who had served their country. Through the inspiration of local citizens, funds were raised for the triangular monument which was dedicated on November 11, 1990.  Contributors are hereby listed; names in parenthesis indicate a veteran for whom a contribution was made.

- A -