History - Branford Center Cemetery

A Look Back in Time

The Totoket Indians inhabited the land along the southern shore of Connecticut and were part of the larger Quinnipiac tribe. They numbered about one hundred individuals when the English came in 1644. Branford was settled with the encouragement of Samuel Eaton, son of Theophilus of New Haven and many of the first settlers were from New Haven. The settlers were attracted by the availability of land and its location along Long Island Sound, its river and estuaries and proximity to New Haven.

**Artist rendering of early 15th Century settlements**

The English built their homes along today’s Main and Montowese Streets with access from the Branford River. The focal point of the settlement was the Meeting House, located in the southwest corner today’s Center Cemetery. The location is marked with a mill stone and plaque.

**Artist rendering of the 1701 Branford Congregational Church**

The Meeting House remained at this location until 1701 when a new church was built on today’s Branford Green. Branford is one of the few towns in Connecticut where the original burial ground has always been in the same location surrounding the original Meeting House. There are a few stones still extant from the late 17th century. There are many examples of the iconography of early gravestones and subsequent changes in views about death through gravestone art.

**1731 Burial site of Rev. Samuel Russel**

Buried in Center Cemetery is Rev. Samuel Russell (1660-1731) one of the founders of Yale College, a member of the council who adopted the Saybrook Platform and was a trustee of Yale from 1701-1731. His tablet stone still sits over his burial place. Other ministers are buried in Center Cemetery as are many Revolutionary War, Civil War, and veterans from subsequent conflicts.