This past Saturday, an impressive ceremony took place in the Hammond Cemetery in today’s Mattapoisett. The cemetery is across from where the first 2nd Precinct was located. Rochester’s 2nd Precinct was created in Mattapoisett, so residents in that part of town would not have to travel as far for Sabbath services. This created a second church building but was not a separation from the town of Rochester.
The Hammond Cemetery, where Rochester’s Revolutionary soldiers were honored, was once part of the Hammond Farm in a section of town called Hammond Town. The cemetery was started as a family burial ground by Noah and Israel Hammond around the 1700s. It was deeded to the 2nd precinct in 1789. The marker shown in the article was placed by the Mattapoisett Bicentennial Committee.
On Saturday the 19th, a new plaque was unveiled with the names of those Revolutionary soldiers resting there. Of those honored on the plaque, 10 have the last name Hammond. Of these, one of the most noteworthy is Capt. Nathaniel Hammond. He was one of the militia officers chosen when Rochester town meeting began to prepare for the possibility of war. He led a “2nd foot Company of Militia” to answer the Lexington call.
He served as a Captain in a company stationed at Wareham and Rochester in defense of the seacoast. He went on to serve as a captain in the 4th Plymouth Co. in 1776 and 1778 and then under Col. Daggett and Col. White through 1780.
His is one of many stories that were honored by the Town of Mattapoisett and the Sons of the American Revolution while commemorating the 250th anniversary of the country to which these men pledged their “Lives and Fortunes” in its defense.
By Connie Eshbach
