Richard Bernham - Hartford, CT
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 41° 45.910 W 072° 40.455
18T E 693325 N 4626317
The grave of Richard Bernham, who was killed in an explosion of a schoolhouse, is located in the Ancient Burying Ground in Hartford, CT.
Waymark Code: WMPB5A
Location: Connecticut, United States
Date Posted: 08/02/2015
Views: 5
The gravestone of Richard Bernham is located adjacent to the fence on the north and east side of the Ancient Burying Ground in Hartford, CT. It is actually best seen from outside the Ancient Burying Grounds. Therefore is can be viewed anytime, even when the Ancient Burying Grounds are closed.
According to a description of events printed in the Ancient Burying Ground brochure (Walking Tour Stop No. 9):
Hartford went wild with joy in May of 1766 at the news of the British Parliament's repeal of the despised Stamp Act, which taxed paper products used in the colonies, ranging from newspapers to legal documents. Thirty young men met in the brick school house on May 23 to prepare a fireworks display in celebration. Gunpowder stored in the schoolhouse was accidentally ignited, causing an explosion that "in an Instant reduced the Building to a Heap of Rubbish," according to the Connecticut Courant newspaper. The blast killed Richard Bernham and five other men.
The slate colored grave stone of Richard Berhnam contains winged cherub head in the lunette and is inscribed:
In Memory of
Mr. Richard
Bernham Killed
By ye Bloing up of
ye School house
June 1766 Aged
18 Years & 3 Months
Son to Mr. Elisha &
Mrs. Sarah Bernham
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