Program

Patriot Burials®

Subject

Cemetery, Site

Location

8435 Boston State Rd, Boston, NY 14025, USA

Lat/Long

42.653195331743, -78.744784254129

Grant Recipient

Rochester Chapter Sons of the American Revolution

The origins of the American Revolution can be traced back to 1775, when the first shots were fired between colonial and British forces at the Battle of Lexington and Concord. Soon after, the American Colonies declared their independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776. As the newly formed United States went to war with Great Britain, hundreds of men across the Thirteen Colonies joined the fight. These men came from different walks of life; some were farmers, others were tradesmen, lawyers, doctors and merchants. Despite their differences they desired the same thing: freedom and independence. Colonial forces faced severe challenges, including lack of supplies and military training; however, in the face of obstacles they were undeterred. After nearly 8 years the colonies defeated Great Britain and successfully achieved their independence. It is important to remember the lives and sacrifices made by those who fought for American freedom.

Maplewood Cemetery, located in Boston, New York, is the final resting place of many of the community’s early residents. Among those buried here are at least two Revolutionary War veterans, Richard Cary and Esek Eddy, both of whom applied for a pension for their service. Due to these applications, both of their experiences are well-documented throughout the War.

Richard Cary served three stints between 1775 – 1777. His obituary in the Dec. 1^st, 1841 edition of the Commercial Advertiser and Journal reads:

“Mr. Cary entered the army when a mere youth. He was at the storming of Quebec, under Montgomery, and was one of the few who survived that disastrous campaign. He was at the sanguinary battle of Monmouth, and subsequently in many of the fierce struggles of the Revolution. Mr. Cary was likewise a soldier in the late war with Great Britian.”

As for Esek Eddy, he served in Rhode Island for much of the War, and like Cary, served for multiple stretches. In his testimony, he describes standing guard in Providence and Newport and serving in the Clinton-Sulliven campaign. At the time, his pension was denied as proof of service as required by the pension law was not provided, though pay abstracts confirm much of his testimony. He was buried in Maplewood Cemetery in 1846.