Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2023 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Dorrance Inscriptions Old Sterling Township Burying Ground Oneco, Connecticut Copied by Emma Finley Welch, June 1-4, 1909 source: Library of Congress JOHN and GEORGE DORRANCE, with their families and the Rev. SAMUEL DORRANCE, Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, emigrated from Ulster Co., in the north of Ireland, before April 17, 1723. (Records of the First Church of Voluntown.) JOHN and GEORGE DORRANCE settled in that part of Connecticut after- ward included in the township of Foster, Rhode Island. The Rev. SAMUEL DORRANCE, their brother (Voluntown Land Records, 1721-1730, Part I, 202), married ELIZABETH SMITH, August 1, 1726, and lived between Sterling Hill and Oneco, in that part of Voluntown Township afterward included in the township of Sterling, Connecticut. The following inscriptions were copied in the order in which they stand, beginning with the first row and reading from left to right. First row, Nos. 1-13; second row, Nos. 14-19; third row, Nos. 20-31; fourth row, Nos. 32-33. 1. HORACE son of MR. JAMES DORRANCE & MRS. ESTHER his wife who died Feb the 9th 1803 Aged 3 years and 6 months 2. In Memory of JOHN son of MR. JAMES and MRS. ESTHER DORRANCE who departed this life Aug ye 13th A.D. 1792 Aged 1 year & 11 days. Sweetly he sleeps beneath 3. In Memory of MRS. MARY Daugh'r of MR. JAMES & MRS. ELIZABETH DORRANCE who died May 4th 1777 in ye 31st Year of her age The precious Soul hath taken flight to Relms of Everlasting day and left ye Body here confind to mix and dwell with fellow clay. 4. Sacred to the Memory of MR. JAMES DORRANCE who departed this Life March the 12 A.D. 1799 in the 96th year of his age I've took my leave of time and toys Fond of the worlds allure My Soul poffessed of heavenly joys In Jesus rests secure Although my body lies in the ground Among my kindred clay Twill not be lost nor scape being found At the great rising day. 5. In Memory of MRS. ELIZABETH wife of MR. JAMES DORRANCE who died June 7th 1777 in the 70th year of her age I hope to sing without a sob the anthem ever new I gladly bid this dusty gloab and vain delights a dieu 6. In Memory of MR. JOHN DORRANCE who died Nov A.D. 1781 in the 76th year of his age 7. In Memory of MR. GEORGE DORRANCE who departed this Life September ye 22 A.D. 1754 Aged 79 years 8. In Memory of MRS. MARGERY ye Wife of MR. GEORGE DORRANCE who departed this Life April 24 A.D. 1754 Aged 81 years 9. This Monument is erected to the memory of SAMUEL DORRANCE Esq'r who departed this Life Feb'y 19th 1788 in ye 79th Year of his Age 10. Sacred to the memory of MRS. MARGARET DORRANCE Consort of SAM'L DORRANCE Esq'r who departed this life March 20th 1795 in ye 69th Year of her Age The sweet remembrance of the Just Shall flourish when they Sleep in dust. 11. In Memory of MR. ARCHIBALD DORRANCE who Diec Oct. 3 1816 in the 60 year of his age Praises on tombs are trifles vainly spent A man's good name is his best monument 12. In memory of MRS. DEBORAH DORRANCE Wife of MR. ARCH'D DORRANCE who died Oct 1st 1809 in the 44th year of her age May the sweet remembrance of the just Flourish when they are in the dust 13. In memory of MISS MARTHA DORRANCE daug'ht of MR. ARCH & MRS. DEBORAH DORRANCE Who died Aug't 3rd 1813 in the 17th year of her age 14. In Memory of the well beloved MR. SAMUEL DORRANCE who died February the 7 A.D. 1745/6 in the 30th year of his age 15. In Memory of MRS. AGNESS ye Beloved Wife of CAP'T GEORGE DORRANCE who died Nov 3d 1776 in ye 53d year of her Age She in her youth made choice of Christ her Husband and her Friend She walked by Faith and died beloved and peaceful was her end. 16. In Memory of CAP'T GEORGE DORRANCE of Foster Who departed this Life December ye 1st A.D. 1793 Aged 78 years Adieu my children and my friends i go to Christ where ----- ----- where songs of praise ---- ---- ----- Prepay'r for death and meet ----- end 17. In Memory of MR. JOHN DORRANCE who Departed this life novemb'r ye 28 A.D. 1752 AE 81 years The Righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance 18. In Memory of MEHITABLE widow of JAMES DORRANCE who died March 6, 1844 in the 83d year of her age 19. In Memory of JAMES DORRANCE who died April 23, 1833 in the 71st year of his age 20. In Memory of NANCY DORRANCE who died Jan. 10, 1835 in the 72 year of her age. 21. In Memory of ELIZABETH wife of ALEXANDER DORRANCE who died Oct. 12, 1830 Aged 68 years 22. In Memory of ALEXANDER DORRANCE who died April 18, 1840 in the 84th year of his age 23. Sacred to the Memory of MRS. AMA Consort of MR. ALEXANDER DORRANCE and the amiable Daughter of CAPT. BENJAMIN BURNHAM of Lisbon who Departed this Life June 25th 1792 in the 33 Year of her age. She in her youth made choice of Christ Her husband and her friend She walked by faith, she died beloved And peaceful was her end Cut by J. Walden Windham 24. In Memory of MRS ANNA wife of SAMUEL DORRANCE Esq who died July 1 1832 in her 81 year Blessed are the dead Who die in the Lord 25. Sacred to the Memory of SAMUEL DORRANCE who Died the 31st of August 1793 in the 49th Year of his Age From stern integrity he never swerv'd He honore'd openly the God he serv'd To us who mourn he has example given And made more bright the path which leads to heaven 26. In Memory of MAJOR GEORGE DORRANCE who departed this life Jan. 18, 1828 in the 77th year of his age A lover of truth and an honest man. 27. In memory of MRS SUSANNA wife of MAJ GEORGE DORRANCE who died Aug. 25, 1834 Aged 84 28. In Memory of JOHN G. DORRANCE who died July 26, 1814 in the 20 year of his age 29. MEHITABLE Daughter of JAMES & MEHITABLE DORRANCE Died Oct. 16, 1872 Aged 72 years Dearest Sister thou hast left us And thy loss we deeply feel But tis God who has bereft us He can all our sorrows heal 30. ABRAM DORRANCE Died Aug. 13, 1859 aged 63 years Oh Husband dear - thy name shall dwell In the heart that best thy love can tell Thy loss I mourn and deeply feel The wound which God alone can heal 31. SALLY T. Widow of ABRAM DORRANCE & daughter of PELEG & HANNAH PLACE Died Nov. 3, 1871 Aged 68 years 1 mo & 21 days The pains of death are past Labor and sorrow cease And life's long warfare closed at last Her soul is found in peace 32. EPHRAIM C. son of FRINK U and MARY DORRANCE died June 28, 1836 Aged 1 year, 8 mo & 16 days Weep not for me for I am blest And in my Saviours bosom rest. F. Cooley 33. In Memory of GEORGE son of ALEXANDER & ELIZABETH DORRANCE who died Aug. 30, 1834 in the 31st year of his age. In addition to the above there are a number of unmarked graves in this section. The burial plot of the Rev. SAMUEL DORRANCE, fifty feet or more south of that of his brothers JOHN and GEORGE, contains but three graves -- his own, his first wife's, and that of his daughter-in-law, MARY, first wife of his son GEORGE. Nos. 34-36 34. In Hopes of A Resurection to Eternal Glory Here lies interred ye Body of ye REV SAMUEL DORRANCE A.M. receiv'd ye Honors of ye Univer sity at Glasgow in Scotland A.D. 1709 & licensed to preach the Gospel by the Presbytery at Dumbarton A.D. 1711 was the first ordained Mini ster over the first Church of Christ in Voluntown A.D. 1723 and continued to be their faithful Pastor until A.D. 1770 and Departed this Life November 12th 1775 AE 90 years All vain Endeavors You must quit The Price is held too high No Sums can purchase such a grant That Man should never die The Lord reigneth let the people tremble He sitteth between the cherubim. Roberts - sculptor. 35. In Memory of ELISABETH ye Wife of REV'D SAMUEL DORRANCE died Sept. ye 10 1750 aged 45 years. 36. In Memory of mrs MARY the beloved Wife of mr GEORG DORRANCE & only daughter to mr ROBBART & MARY WILSON who Died Feb'ry ye 19 A.D. 1765 & in ye 28 year of her age think on me You that pas by Prepare to die West of the REV. SAMUEL DORRANCE'S lot is the Dixon burial plot. In it are Nos. 37 and 38. 37. In Memory of MR. JOHN DORRANCE Son of MR JAMES & MRS ELIZABETH DORRANCE who died March 30th 1777 in ye 39th year of his age Adieu to ---- ---- ---- ---- Weep not for me I have Rec'd ---- ---- Altho to you its out of sight 38. In Memory of mrs AGNESS the Beloved Wife of mr JOHN DORRANCE Jnr Who Departed this life march ye 17 A.D. 1765 AE 27 years from the Grave hear the Cry Improve time prepare to die 39. In this silent Mansion is deposited the Remains of LEMUEL DORRANCE Esq. Who departed this earthly Scene April 28, 1812 in the 65th Year of his Age The Soul that nobler part survives The ruin of the Clay And now an Heir of Glory thrives In Heavens eternal day. 40. (transcriber note: There is no inscription no. 40 in this book) 41. Sacred to the Memory of MRS MARY wife of LEMUEL DORRANCE Esq who departed this life Nov'r the 17th A.D. 1781 in the 28th year of her age. The sweet remembrance of the just Shall flourish when they sleep in dust 42. In Memory of MRS PRISCILLA Wife of LEMUEL DORRANCE Esq who Died Oct. 25, 1841 Aged 88 43. LEMUEL son of LEMUEL and MARY DORRANCE Died June 12, 1777 44. Erected to the memory of MARY daught'r to LEMUEL & MARY DORRANCE Esq who died Nov. 24, 1830 Aged 49 years Blessed are the dead Who die in the Lord 45. OLIVE daughter to LEMUEL DORRANCE Esq and MRS MARY his wife who departed this life Aug'st the 12 A.D. 1786 In the 9th year of her Age Death is a debt to nature due Which I have paid & so must you 46. In Memory of MISS OLIVE daught'r to LEMUEL DORRANCE Esq & MRS PRISCILLA his wife who died May 2nd A.D. 1807 Aged 19 years & one month Number'd & few my years you see Soon yours like mine shall number'd be 47. Erected to the Memory of SARAH S daught'r of LEMUEL & PRISCILLA DORRANCE who died Sept. 26, 1833 AE 37 Friends & Physicians could not save Her mortal body from the grave 48. PALMER DORRANCE Died Dec. 21, 1873 in the 69th year of his age. 49. LOUISA R. Wife of PALMER DORRANCE Died March 27, 1856 Aged 44 years 50. SALLY E. daughter of PALMER & LOUISA R. DORRANCE who died Sept. 4, 1837 Aged 2 years 1 Mo. 4 Days 51. IRA son of PALMER & LOUISA R. DORRANCE died Sept. 20, 1840 Aged 6 mo & 4 Ds. 52. OLIVER son of PALMER & LOUISA R. DORRANCE died April 14, 1842 Aged 4 Ds 53. LEONARD Son of PALMER & LOUISA R. DORRANCE died May 20, 1844 aged 6 years & 10 months 54. CHAUNCY G. Son of PALMER & LOUISA R. DORRANCE died Sept. 22, 1844 aged 1 year 55. GEORGIA L. Daughter of PALMER & LOUISA R. DORRANCE died Sept. 14, 1845 aged 21 days 56. EDWIN DORRANCE Son of PALMER & LOUISA R. DORRANCE Died Jan. 22, 1865 Aged 26 years & 6 months The following inscriptions in the same burial ground are those of DORRANCE descendants: 57. MARY P. HILL wife of JOHN HILL & Daughter of ALEXANDER & ELIZABETH DORRANCE Died March 15, 1856 Aged 57 Years Erected by PALMER DORRANCE 58. CLARRY Wife of OLIVER GREENE Died Jan. 18, 1885 Aged 84 yrs. 3 mos. 26 days 59. In Memory of DORRANCE KNOX who died March 16, 1855 in the 83rd year of his age 60. MARTHA Wife of DORRANCE KNOX who died Aug. 2, 1845 AE 59 61. In Memory of MISS MARY WOODWORTH daughter of DOUGLASS and CHARLOTTE WOODWORTH who departed this life August 28, 1827 in the 34 year of her age. 62. Erected to the Memory of HENRIETTA wife of AMOS BRANCH who died May 3, 1834 AE 54 Released from all her cares and woes She rests in calm & sweet repose. State of Connecticut}ss Sterling Windham County } June 7, A.D. 1909 I hereby certify that I have carefully examined the foregoing list of the burial inscriptions of the Dorrance family taken and compiled by Mrs. Emma Finney Welch from headstones in the Oneco Cemetery in said Town of Ster- ling, from pages 1 to 16 inclusive, and embracing the numbers from 1 to 62, that I have compared each item with the original inscriptions and find each of them to be a true copy of the original inscriptions. Attest. ORREN W. BATES Town Clerk & Registrar of Vital Statistics of the town of Sterling, Ct. ================================================================================ TRANSCRIBER NOTE: There is more to this book however the remainder of the inscriptions are in Foster Township, Providence County, R.I. Please see our Rhode Island page.