Southborough historical commission finalizes research on Revolutionary War burials in Old Burial Ground

Sally Waters, a volunteer researcher working with the Southborough Historical Commission, presented a revised roster of Revolutionary War veterans connected to burials in the Old Burial Ground, saying her current count is 68 names: 32 in marked graves and 36 in unmarked graves.

The list is the product of months of research using published compilations and primary sources, Waters told commissioners, and she said it removes people earlier researchers had included in error while identifying at least one veteran who should receive a flag but does not currently have one. Commission members said they would seek peer review, consult veterans’ groups and return with vendor and design options for a marker.

The work began after contact from the Massachusetts Sons of the American Revolution, which specialists told the commission lacked funds to cover a large plaque for Southborough because of the number of names. Waters said she cross-checked the historical-society pamphlet published in 1985, pension and service records on Fold3, the New England Historic Genealogical Society (American Ancestors) holdings and compiled records such as Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War to resolve mistaken identities and confirm service. She said some names originally listed were later shown to be residents who paid fines or otherwise supported the wartime effort but had no service record. She also said a small number of names initially thought to be interred locally turned out to be buried in New Hampshire or Vermont and were removed from the Old Burial Ground list.

Commission members discussed how a marker could present both marked and unmarked burials. Options cited included a double-sided bronze plaque, a single tablet with separate columns or symbols to indicate unmarked graves, or placing names in order with explanatory notation. Kelly O’Brien asked whether the marker could be updated if later research adds or removes names; staff and commissioners noted bronze casting is permanent and that a granite wall can be modified to add names. The commission said it will prioritize getting the list reviewed before finalizing an irreversible design choice.

Commission leadership said they will share the revised list and a separate document identifying names Waters recommends be removed from flag lists with veterans-service organizations — specifically the local VFW and the American Legion — and with the (currently vacant) town veterans' graves officer. Commissioners emphasized they have no statutory authority to place or remove veteran flags; they described their role as advisory and fact-finding to support veterans’ groups and the town in making any changes.

Waters noted one addition of interest: Daniel Henry Gardner, a privateer who reportedly served aboard the Bonhomme Richard, appears not to be honored with a flag at his burial site. She also said she intends to meet with an experienced genealogist from the New England Historic Genealogical Society on March 27 to double-check entries she has marked for removal from memorialization lists.

Commissioners agreed to more internal review: one commissioner volunteered to do a technical review with Waters ahead of an April meeting; the commission will post the documents with the minutes and solicit public comment. Chair comments indicated the commission also expects to contact the vendor who produced recent National Register-style signs for the town to estimate cost and design options for a memorial to be sited near the Old Burial Ground entrance.

The commission framed the project as timely ahead of Southborough’s tricentennial, and said the research also supports a future revision of an older booklet about local militia and minute men. Commissioners stressed accuracy, noting the 1985 pamphlet itself warned it was a starting point for additional research and may contain errors. They also noted the practical limits of town authority over veteran flags and the need to coordinate with veterans’ organizations.

Looking forward, the commission set a plan to: (1) complete peer review of Waters’ roster and the recommended removals; (2) consult the local VFW and American Legion commanders and the town veterans’ grave officer (when the position is filled); (3) present vendor options and cost estimates to the commission in April; and (4) keep the refined list in the public record for comment before any permanent plaque is produced.