THE STRATTON FAMILY CEMETERY
In recounting the historic background of the Foxborough Country Club property, Historian John Hodges refers to Richard Stratton as the first resident. He also notes that he is buried in a private cemetery on his farm. This is the little cemetery near the 15th green.
Richard Stratton purchased the land in 1772 while it was a wilderness of trees and rocks, and proceeded to carve out his farm. We can appreciate somewhat the struggle he must have endured, for two hundred years later we found the property in much the same condition as we began to build a golf course. We had far better equipment to work with, however.
It is sad to note that Stratton did not live long enough to enjoy the benefits off his labor He died in 1778 at the age of 53 from smallpox. In those early days there were no
Established cemeteries in the area so, as was the custom of the times, he was buried on his farm. One can only speculate on how many similar graves scattered across the country, unmarked and unregistered, have been lost as the region was developed.
Local legend tells us that Stratton's death occurred during a smallpox epidemic that wiped out his entire family. The Vital Records of 1850 cast doubt on this for it shows that Stratton's wife lived several years after his death, as did others in his family.
The cemetery was used by the Stratton’s for several years. There is no record of how many, or when the last person was laid to rest there. We know that his wife Sarah was buried beside him in 1806. His grandson, Joseph Pettee Stratton, an infant, also died in 1806, and a small piece of a gravestone with the words "-ettee St-" was found under the leaves while the area was being cleared. Some persons familiar with the cemetery remember seeing six or eight stones standing but they have disappeared as time went by.
When we began building our second nine holes, the 15th fairway and green came close to this historic site. The Board of Governors realized the Club had the responsibility of preserving the cemetery. AI Beach and Bud Dudley were authorized to clear the brush and establish the bounds
The only remaining evidence found of a grave location was the stub of Richard Stratton's gravestone. Close by it was a flat fieldstone placed on edge in the ground. This was sometimes used as a marker in ancient burying grounds. Small pieces of slate gravestones were found covered by leaves and a thin layer of dirt. So far not enough have been found to form a complete headstone.
Although the exact bounds of the cemetery are not known, we have erected a low stonewall in the general area. This will protect the cemetery and assure its visibility for the future. Since it originally faced toward the roadway to the Stratton farm, we have left an opening in the wall on that side. The Board of Governors has established a Club Rule of a free drop of a ball coming to rest within the walled area.
A large fieldstone has been placed at one end of the wall to hold a bronze plaque. This was placed there by the Club and the Foxborough Historical Commission. It reads:
STRATTON FAMILY CEMETERY
Here lie at rest Richard Stratton, B. 1724 D. 1778 and his wife Sarah Newell Stratton, B. 1728 D. 1806 and their families. The Stratton’s were among the earliest settlers of Foxborough. This was a private cemetery on the Stratton farm. The farm buildings were located some 350 feet south of this site. The number of Stratton’s buried here is unknown.
The Foxborough Country Club, Inc. The Foxborough Historical Commission AD. 1971
