Richard Gridley, Chief Engineer of the Continental Army - Canton, MA - American Revolutionary War Veteran Graves on Waymarking.com

In Canton, within the Canton Cemetery, is the monument to Richard Gridley, the Chief Engineer for the Continental Army, and is considered the first Chief Engineer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The monument is located within sight of the entrance. The entrance to Canton Cemetery is on Washington Street, north of the intersection with Randolph Street. After passing through the gate, take a left and follow the road to the monument at an intersection and on your right.

It sits on a gentle hill, alone. The monument is approximately 8 ft in hieght. It is topped with a stone cannon form. On all four sides are engraved text. Side 1 has a 13 star and stripe shield, with "Gridley" within the design. Side 2 has some quotes of him and about him. Side 3 states that the citizens of Canton erected this monument and give the his birth and death dates. Side four is a short biography of his military career. Quote details are below.

Gridley was born in Boston to Richard Gridley and Rebecca Scarborough. In 1730, he married Hannah Deming and had nine children. For his services he received land on the Magdalen Islands, and New Hampshire, as well as a pension. During the American Revolutionary War, he became Chief Engineer, first of the New England Provincial Army, and then of the Continental Army. He was responsible for the fortifications at Breed's Hill in Charlestown (site of the Battle of Bunker Hill), and at Dorchester Heights - which, combined with the placement of cannons from General Knox, forced the British army and navy out of Boston. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers consider him to be their first Chief-Engineer.

He died from cutting dogwood bushes and was first buried by his home in Canton. In 1876, the citizens of Canton built the monument here and buried him here. Some of his hair was cut and is now with the Canton Historical Society.

Sources:

Findagrave.com (Gen Richard Gridley (1710 - 1796)):
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Wikipedia (Richard Gridley):
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Location type: Single Grave Date of Birth: 1/3/1710 Date of Death: 6/21/1796 Cause of death: Died Later Grave Marker Text: Side 1 Gridley Side 2 I shall fight for JUSTICE and my COUNTRY I love my GOD my COUNTRY and my NEIGHBOR as myself Washington wrote "I know of no man better fitted to be Chief-Engineer than General Gridley" Side 3 This monument is erected by the citizens of Canton to the memory of RICHARD GRIDLEY as a tribute of HONOR and GRATITUDE to one whose life was spent in the service of his country Born January 3, 1710 Died June 21, 1796 Side 4 Veteran of three wars, he commanded the artillery of his Majesty's Army at the siege of Louisburg. He stood by the side of Wolfe at the fall of Quebec and as Major General and Chief-Enginer of the Patriot Army he planned fortifications of Bunker Hill and on the day of battle he fell wounded Ranks: General, Chief Engineer

Visit Instructions:

PLEASE NOTE: This category is for American Revolutionary War Veterans only. Veterans of other revolutions are not part of this category.

I have allowed one entry for a grave of British solders, but it was an exception. Please only list graves for Colonial soldiers.

Simply visit the locations. Please provide as much information as possible. Pictures would be a great addition.

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Date Logged Log User Rating   08/31/2012 AZTech visited it