Westford Cemetery Association

Westford Cemetery Association In 1765 the Westford Parish of Ashford was established and the laying out the original cemetery.

In 1869 the cemetery was expanded and the Westford Cemetery Association was formed.

We would like to thank our members and volunteers for a very successful spring workday. Most of our efforts were focused...
05/04/2026

We would like to thank our members and volunteers for a very successful spring workday. Most of our efforts were focused on the old original section of the cemetery cutting back brush and invasive vines. A special thank you for generously donated time by Scotts Landscaping who did an excellent job clearing the stone wall bordering Lipps Road and to Lorditch Property Management for resetting over 20 historic monuments.

Join us for workday. Bring your own clippers, rakes and brush for cleaning headstones.
09/21/2025

Join us for workday. Bring your own clippers, rakes and brush for cleaning headstones.

Restoration at Westford Hill Cemetery The Westford Cemetery Association (WCA) was formed in 1860 by a group of “sharehol...
01/14/2025

Restoration at Westford Hill Cemetery
The Westford Cemetery Association (WCA) was formed in 1860 by a group of “shareholders and wealthy farmers.” They took administration of the Westford Hill Cemetery originally established in 1775.
Their first act was to enlarge the old cemetery to its present size. Ezra White, a local boy who went on to find his fortune in the mercantile business in New York, donated the funds to enclose the new enlarged cemetery with the massive stonewall surround and the installation of gates.
The gates had suffered over time. The cast iron gates on Westford Hill Road had broken to pieces, so in 2001 Ralph Fletcher found and donated a pair of antique gates as replacements. Lifelong Ashford resident Rich Barry, whose late wife Janice served as a WCA director for 20 years, donated his time and skills to refabricate the gates to fit the stone pillar openings.
Rich took it upon himself to also repair the two sets of gates on the Lipps Roadside. Due to subsequent damage caused by vehicles, those gates finally became unrepairable as well. Very generously Rich purchased new materials, fabricating and installing new gates at his own expense. As shown in the photo, Rich was able to salvage elements from the old gates. He installed them recessed in from the road to mitigate future damage from motor vehicles.
Rich has also purchased a grapple for his backhoe which can safely lift memorial markers and has gone about righting a number of stones that have toppled over.
The current WCA board wishes to express our gratitude for the considerable time and personal expense Rich Barry has put into the restoration and improvement of the Westford Hill Cemetery.
Sincerely,
Louis Chatey, President
Charlene Armitage, Sexton
Robert Clark, Director
Gwen Haaland, Director
Tina Barry, Director

09/17/2024

NOTICE
Westford Cemetery Association, Ashford. Connecticut
Greetings:
Plot owners and descendants of Westford Hill Cemetery are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of the Westford Cemetery Association, which will be held on Sunday October 20, 2024 at 3:00 P.M. Said meeting to be held at the Westford Hill Congregational Church Fellowship Hall, 368 Westford Hill Road, Ashford, CT.
The agenda will include:
Treasurer’s report
Secretary’s report
Sexton’s report
Maintenance /Improvements report
Election of Officers
Other areas of interest
Over the past year, the Board of Directors has been meeting to address issues and concerns toward the physical improvements and fiscal responsibility of the cemetery.
Available for viewing at this annual meeting will be the Minutes from previous meetings as a well as the Articles and By-Laws of the Westford Cemetery Association.
It is the intention of the Board of the Westford Cemetery Association through responsible planning and asset management to promote the long -term integrity and growth of the cemetery. We hope you share our interest in the betterment of the Westford Hill Cemetery and invite your participation in this next annual meeting.
In an effort to go green, please let us know if you would prefer to receive electronic copies of the annual meeting minutes and invitation to our meeting each year. You ay contact us by email at [email protected] with your request.
Respectfully submitted,
Board of Directors;
Louis Chatey, President
Charlene Armitage, Sexton
Gwen Haaland, Secretary
Robert Clark, Treasurer
Tina Barry, Member

We would like to thank Joan Gobin and her volunteers, Charlene Armitage, Karen Garret, Terence Chase and George Moran fo...
05/25/2024

We would like to thank Joan Gobin and her volunteers, Charlene Armitage, Karen Garret, Terence Chase and George Moran for placing the flags on the graves of our Veterans this Memorial Day. Joan has carried on this tradition from her mother and volunteers her service not just at Westford Hill but at all the cemeteries in Ashford.

Westford Hill Cemetery Map. Ashford, CT, USA. Oldest section shown on the upper right here.
10/03/2023

Westford Hill Cemetery Map. Ashford, CT, USA. Oldest section shown on the upper right here.

Early era ornate embellished stone. 1780. Captain Ichabod Ward lived 69 years. Note elaborate wavy lines on side borders...
10/03/2023

Early era ornate embellished stone. 1780. Captain Ichabod Ward lived 69 years. Note elaborate wavy lines on side borders. The angel carved under the arched top of this stone appears to be a reoccurring theme (representing rebirth, the departed soul having flown to heaven.)
"The sweet rememberance of ye just
shall flourish as they sleep in dust."
Capt. Ward was a veteran of the French and Indian War. He served during the Revolutionary War as the attaché from Ct. to General Washington's headquarters in Cambridge where he advised on the logistics of provisioning the Continental Army. He was later credited with upgrading the infrastructure of Ashford by managing the construction of new roads and bridges. In 1765 when the Westford Society was established, prior to the to the er****on of a meeting house worship was held in Capt. Wards residence which was on or near the site of the present #419 Westford Hill Road. He donated land for the original Westford Hill Church which was located on the hilltop just north of his home.

1775. Martha Whiton, Daughter of Hannah and Elijah Whiton, died in January 1775 at 15 years of age. One of the OLDEST st...
10/03/2023

1775. Martha Whiton, Daughter of Hannah and Elijah Whiton, died in January 1775 at 15 years of age. One of the OLDEST stones with legible date. Note winged angel (representing rebirth) carved on arched top and curving lines on side border seen from this early time period. Footstone appears rough-hewn and broken.

Early era ornate stone. Bethiah Turner, died in 1805, lived 54 years.
10/03/2023

Early era ornate stone. Bethiah Turner, died in 1805, lived 54 years.

Early era ornate stone. 1803. Flint
10/03/2023

Early era ornate stone. 1803. Flint

Address

Westford Hill Road
Ashford, CT
06278

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm
Saturday 8am - 6pm
Sunday 8am - 6pm

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