Cossitt Graveyard
Researching the files for the graves of the early Cossitts in Granby, Connecticut will yield several cemeteries, one in particular is the Cossitt Graveyard. This secluded and heavily wooded family burial ground on private land is on a hill behind a farm that was once owned by Fransaway Cossitt, the second son of Rene and Ruth.
Originally, there were several graves in the
immediate area, but
today we can only identify three and one memorial. Fransaway,
also known as Francois Cossitt, was born November 2, 1726 and died on
February 23, 1816. His grandson, Rufus Cossitt was born March 3,
1808 and died April 3, 1814.
We must never forget that some of our Cossitt Ancestors gave their lives
for the freedom that we now enjoy in our wonderful country. Jesse
Cossitt, the first child of Fransaway and Abigail Cossitt was born
November 30, 1749 and died fighting the British in New York on November
18, 1776. His brother, Roger Cossitt, was born August 24, 1752 and
died two months later on January 22, 1777. These brave brothers
were confined as prisioners of war on the Prison Ship New York where
they died. From a careful reading
of the original marker, it appears that the body of Jesse was not
brought from New York to the Cossitt Cemetery. Since
both brothers died in the service of their country, Old Glory flies over
their markers.
The Cossitt Family Association gives special thanks to the current
owners of this land. Every spring when the snow melts, they clear
off the debris and post the U.S. Flags. Every fall before the snow
comes, they remove the flags in preparation for winter.
