Committee says ledger revealed 397 previously unrecorded burials, staff has applied for veteran headstones

Cemetery staff told the committee on April 1 that a ledger found during recent work identified hundreds of previously unrecorded burials in older sections of the cemetery. The staff report said the ledger allowed the department to locate roughly 397 additional people in the New Hill area, including two Revolutionary War veterans, one War of 1812 veteran and one Civil War veteran.

"We now know where 397 more people are," a staff member reported to the committee, describing the discovery as significant for historical records and for identifying veterans eligible for government-provided headstones. The staff said it had applied for headstones for the identified veterans and was awaiting a response.

The committee noted the find as an important archival and historical development and discussed next steps for marking, memorialization and records preservation. Staff said weather and field work will determine the timeline for completing remaining locating and marking efforts; members suggested the work could continue through the coming winter if needed.

The ledger was described as having come from town archives and was discovered by a volunteer (Nate Smith) while staff were engaged on another project. Committee members praised the archival work and asked staff to coordinate with veterans' services and the town clerk as applications for headstones proceed.

No formal action was taken beyond staff noting the headstone applications; committee members asked staff to keep the committee informed of outcomes and any follow-up costs or needs.