Photo Courtesy of 
Michael R. Bradbury

Peet Burying Place
HISTORY
OF THE TOWNS OF
NEW MILFORD
AND
BRIDGEWATER,
CONNECTICUT,
1703 – 1882,
BY
SAMUEL ORCUTT.

Transcribed by Richard M. Clarke
Of New Milford.


Photo Courtesy of 
Michael R. Bradbury


This ground was used as a private burying-place by the Peet families many years, and in April, 1812, 
was purchased by the town, the deed stipulating that it should continue as a burying—place. It is a strange, 
wild-looking place, but because of its historical associations, has a charm and marvelous ness that should 
secure for it care and future preservation. At present, as a burying-place it has no appearance but that of 
desolation, but with a little attention it might be made a place of beauty and attraction.

At the southwest corner stand two rocks, rising to the height of nearly twenty feet. They were once in 
one rock, but became separated, yet remained erect. Between these two upright stones is rock with two 
depressions, corresponding to the indentures made in the ground when one kneels upon it. Here in this 
place called the Altar, Samuel Peet prayed many times a day; and the legendary story is that his knees made 
the depressions in the rock. Hence, because of this devotedness in praying and the seclusion and 
strangeness of the place, he was called the Hermit, and these high rocks the Altar Place. The burying-place 
has three sides or is a triangle, and at every corner there is a large rock, and on the north side is a most 
charming brook that lends enchantment to the place.

In 1812 the ground was deeded to the town of New Milford by Elnathan Peet and the deed in part 
reads “a certain piece of land now occupied as a place of burial and to he occupied as such in the future, 
being part of lot number 11, in the North purchase , a few rods east of the turnpike road leading from said 
New Preston meeting-house to Bull’s Falls, and known by the name of the old Altar place; which land or 
place of burial lies on the side of said Hermitage Rocks-------- with a privilege to pass and repass from said 
turnpike to said place.”3

Town Record, B.XXVIII, 392


Inscriptions at the Peet Burying-place.

In
memory of
MR ABEL EDWARDS
who died
Apr 5,
1826
aged 73 years.		 In memory of
AMANDA daughter of
Elnathan & Olive Peet
who departed this life
Jan 30, 1813
in the 20 year of
her age.		 In
memory of
AN infant son of
Amos & Lorry
Shelden
who died
Dec 2, 1830
aged 7 days.
In memory of
CARLOS son of
Samuel W
& Lucy Peet
who died
June 20, 1814
in the 22
year
of his age.		 DON O son of
Riley &
Sarah Peet
died Sep 17, 1814
aged 6 months
& 16 days.		 In memory of
ELIJAH son of
Samuel W &
Lucy Peet
who was drowned in
Lake Ontario
Dec 2, 1802
in the 26 year
of his age.
He is gone he is gone alas
As above it does appear
And in remembrance of his dust
I have set his grave-stone here
In
memory of
OLIVE wife of
Elnathan Peet
who departed this life
Nov 10, 1808
in the 39 year of
her age.		 In memory of
GEORGE PEET who departed this
life Jany 6th , 1817 in the 73d
year of his age.
To young and old that is Passing by
If you these lines should read
Remember you have got to die
It is by God decreed.		 In
memory of
Lucy wife of
Mr. Samuel W Peet
who died
April 21, 1832
in the 79 year of her age.
OLIVE
daughter of
Alba &
Harriet Peet
Died
Jan 21, 1823
in the 6th year
of her age		 In memory of Mrs.
SARAH PEET wife to 
Mr. Samuel Peet who
Departed this life March
the 16th , 1801 in the 77
year of her Age.		 In memory of
POLLY PEET who died
March 10, 1789 in the
3rd year of her age.
SHELDEN PEET who died
May 4th, 1790 in the 1st
year of his age.
Son & daughter of
Joseph & Rhoda Peet.		 In memory of
REUBEN PEET son
of Mr. George &
Mrs. Ruth Peet he
died Oct 5, 1796
in the 23rd year of
his age.		 In memory of
MR SAMUEL W PEET
who departed this life
12th Feb 1824 in the 74th
year of his age.
My friends I have left to mourn
Let this a wanting be
Your time is short you have to stay
You have got to follow me.
In memory of Mr.
SAMUEL PEET who
Departed this life
March 9 A D 1789
In ye 69th year of
his age.
My flesh must slumber 
in the dust till God
Doth say awake ye Just
Come from your tomb in
Quick surprise and in your
Savior’s image Rise.		 In memory of
WILLIAM J twin to Charles E
and son of
Elnathan & Chloe Peet
who departed this life
Aug 14, 1808 in the
4th year
of his age.		  



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