Tiverton is participating in the RI Historical Cemeteries Awareness & Preservation Weeks program by holding the following programs for the public in May 2024:
Saturday, May 4th at 10:30 AM: Guided walking tour of the Old Congregational Cemetery #11 on Lake Road (near East Road intersection). This cemetery has the most slate gravestones of the 90 known Tiverton burial grounds. The tour will highlight some of the 16 Revolutionary War veterans and 2 Civil War veterans, including some other renowned Tiverton citizens of the past. The public may park in the adjacent St Madeleine’s Church lot on Lake Road, north of the cemetery.
Saturdays, May 11th and 18th from 10-3: Hands-on gravestone cleaning, resetting, and repair at the Daniel Dwelly Lot #39 on Windwood Drive (east side of Stafford Road/Rte. 81). No experience or supplies needed, but work gloves might help (on the job training provided). Parking available on Windwood Drive. Come help for a couple of hours – or more!
The Daniel Dwelly Lot is a fairly large lot (50′ by 100′), and contains several older fieldstone grave markers, a majority of marble (1800’s) headstones and footstones, and one 1940’s granite double gravestone.
Three military veterans are buried here with their families: Daniel Dwelly was Captain with the Tiverton 2nd Company from 1765-6, 1768-70, and 1774; Jeremiah Dwelly was Ensign under Capt. Humphrey Shearman with the Tiverton 3rd Company in 1781; Joshua Dwelly (father of Daniel) was Lieutenant under Capt. Wm Cooke with the Tiverton 2nd Company in 1761 & 1762. Once their gravestones are cleaned and reset and/or repaired, as the case may be, American flags will be placed in time for Memorial Day.
This cemetery has 16 gravestones to clean, at least 3 to be straightened, and another half dozen to be reset. This is why the Tiverton Historical Cemeteries Commission is asking for help from anyone willing to spend some time working on either or both of these Saturdays. The five retired members of the Commission cannot do it alone – they need your help!
This is a great opportunity for Scouts and others needing community service hours!