Who Knew? Duck River Cemetery
Visitors to the Duck River Cemetery in Old Lyme can find the resting places of those who played a role in the community’s — and the nation’s — history.
The cemetery on McCurdy Road is comprised of six different sections, from the ancient burial grounds dating back to the 1600 and 1700s, to present-day gravestones, said Bob Whitcomb of the Old Lyme Cemetery Association.
One of the many buried in the cemetery is Sgt. Ezra Lee, who piloted David Bushnell’s Turtle submarine during the Revolutionary War. Lee’s tombstone has attracted particular attention due to an inscription that reads: “He was a Revolutionary Officer, And Esteemed by Washington.”
“Supposedly, that is the only Revolutionary tombstone which makes reference to George Washington,” said Mark Lander, co-chairman of the Old Lyme Historical Society, during a recent interview.
The Turtle, built in Connecticut, had attempted to sink a British warship in New York Harbor during the Revolutionary War, as the British were contemplating a blockade of the Hudson River, according to the story.
Lee maneuvered the submarine close to the British ship in an attempt to drill a hole in the ship and attach a keg mine, but was ultimately unable to bore the hole in the ship, potentially because he ran afoul of the copper plate or hit iron, said Lander.
Spotted by the British, he was pursued by soldiers in rowboats and decided to release the mine.
“Even though he didn’t do any damage, he actually scared the British and they didn’t follow through with the blockade,” Lander said.
Lee went back to the army and assisted George Washington. Lee died in 1821 at the age of 72.
Renold Marvin, one of the original settlers of Lyme, is thought to be the first person buried in the Duck River Cemetery, said Lander.
The Hon. Charles Johnson McCurdy, who was lieutenant governor and a state senator, as well as a judge of the Superior and Supreme courts of Connecticut, is another one of many historical figures buried there.
The cemetery, maintained by the Old Lyme Cemetery Association, is open from 7:30 a.m. to dusk.
Those of us who live in southeastern Connecticut drive the local roads day
in and day out, passing by landmarks but not really seeing them. So,
we've gathered a few spots in our towns that we think you might want to know more about.
What: Duck River Cemetery
Where: McCurdy Road, Old Lyme
Why: Sgt. Ezra Lee, whose gravestone says "Esteemed by Washington," is one of many historical figures laid to rest in the Old Lyme cemetery
Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.