In honor of its 285th anniversary, the United Church Christ in Keene is restoring the gravesite of its longest serving minister, Rev. Zedekiah S. Barstow, D.D., and his wife of 51 years, Elizabeth F. Barstow. The Barstows served the Church from July 1,1818, to July 1,1868.
Located in Keene’s historic Washington Cemetery, the original monument lost its inscription over 50 years ago, leaving the site essentially unmarked. Also located in the family plot are two of the Barstow’s four children, Timothy and Elizabeth, who died in childhood.
“This restoration is an exciting cornerstone of our upcoming anniversary,” said Rev. Cynthia Bagley. “It is both a gift to the City of Keene and a tribute to our own history. Dr. Barstow not only served the Church but was an iconic member of the Community.”
On Sunday, October, 15, after the 10 a.m. worship service, the Church will host a light lunch and display of historical artifacts from the Cheshire County Historical Association. The restored monument will be consecrated at 12:30 p.m. in the cemetery at 312 Washington Street, followed by a historical walking tour of downtown.
Thanks to the late David Proper’s history of the Church, there is a record of the original inscription on the gravestone. With the approval of Andy Bohannan, Director of the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, the Church commissioned Keene Monument Co. to create a black granite panel that includes the information on the historic plaque.
Rev. Barstow was the last pastor to be called by the town of Keene. He was ordained on July 1, 1818, in what was then known as the Congregational Church, and the following week, traveled to Westboro, MA, where he married Elizabeth Fay Blake. Rev. Barstow and his family resided at the historic Wyman Tavern on Main Street, adding two wings to the structure for their private studies.
Rev. Barstow graduated from Yale with a Master of Arts degree in 1816. He was a leading force in education, serving on Keene’s school committee for 50 years, was a Dartmouth College trustee for 37 years, and led the building of Keene Academy, the town’s first co-educational secondary school. He also served as a State Legislator for two years. Dartmouth awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in 1849.
Elizabeth Barstow, niece of Eli Whitney, who went on to invent the cotton gin, served twice as President of the Ladies Charitable Society, was founding President of the Heshbon Society which aided Native American and home missions, and President of the Keene Bible and Colporteur societies distributing bibles to those in need. She taught religious education classes for young women and was “universally beloved for her loveliness of character.”
The public is welcome to attend any or all of these events, especially the dedication service at the cemetery. Contributions to this and other UCC history projects can be made to the UCC Historical Preservation Fund, 23 Central Square, Keene, NH, 03431.