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Old Yard Cemetery is the resting place to some of the country's first veterans

The Chronicle - 7/27/2022

Jul. 26—COLUMBIA — The Old Yard Cemetery in Columbia is a resting place for some of this country's first veterans.

24 of Columbia's American Revolutionary War veterans are buried in the cemetery, which is located at 332, CT-87. This makes up all but one resident who served in that war.

Of the 25 residents who served in the war, all were men. They served in many different roles during the war and fought in many key battles.

Samuel Bliss served as a private and sergeant in the Continental Army. He participated in the Siege of Boston, which led to the end of the British occupation of the city. Asahel Allen fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill, which is one of the most well known battles of the war.

Samuel Barstow served as a deacon in the Continental Army while Nathaniel Hyde served in the cavalry.

Rufus Collins was a drummer for the Continental Army. This was a key position in the military, as drummers communicated directions to troops while on the battlefield.

" These are the people that gave instructions," said Columbia Town Historian Ingrid Wood.

Columbia's servicemen ranged between the ages of 16 and 60. Many of the town's older veterans had served in the French and Indian War alongside the British. That war was fought from 1754 to 1763.

At the time of the Revolutionary War, modern day Columbia was a part of the Town of Lebanon.

The part of Lebanon that is now Columbia was known as Lebanon Crank during the war. Columbia became an incorporated town in 1804.

The Town of Lebanon was an important setting during the Revolutionary War, as it was home to the War Office.

The War Office is located at 149 West Town Street in Lebanon. It was there that Connecticut Governor Jonathan Trumbull convened the Council of Safety to deal with the defense of Connecticut and provide supplies to the Continental Army and French military forces.

More than 1,000 meetings took place at the War Office. Many notable individuals

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