The Hannah Benedict Carter Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, New Canaan chapter, celebrated Earth Day on April 22, by cleaning The Carter Street Cemetery in New Canaan.
Hannah Benedict Carter, (1733 – 1780) and her husband, John Carter (1730 – 1819) an officer in the Revolutionary War, are buried side-by-side in The Carter Street Cemetery. Hannah contributed to the fight for independence in the American Revolution by feeding and taking in fighting patriots. According to history, On Feb. 21, 1780, thirty mounted soldiers arrived at the Carter’s home to stay overnight. In the morning, Hannah fed them breakfast and then watched them from her front stoop as they departed. She was taken very ill from a congestive chill. She died a few hours later on Feb. 22.
Twice each year, members of the Hannah Benedict Carter Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution volunteer time to maintain the cemetery as a way of showing respect to the many patriots from the Revolutionary War who are buried in the small cemetery.
As the morning work in the cemetery progressed, a number of people driving stopped and said thank-you. One particular gentleman who stopped introduced himself as Chris Grillo. It turns out he had wondered who rakes the leaves each spring which, in turn, enables him and his young son, Austin, to regularly mow the lawn of The Carter Street Cemetery during the summer months. Chris said he and his son volunteer their time and energy in maintaining the historic cemetery as a way to educate his son on the importance of taking pride in one’s community.
If you are interested in learning more about the New Canaan community’s history, visit The New Canaan Historical Society, located at 13 Oenoke Ridge, or call 203-966-1776.
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