Lands End Cemetery

Located on Route 25, just over the Newtown line, is the area that at one time was called Land's End. This land was set aside in 1748 to be used as a burying ground. A cemetery association was formed in 1863. For many years the association held its meetings in the brick schoolhouse just south of the cemetery. It was called the Land's End School. The cemetery is still managed by the Land's End Cemetery Association. In 1942 and 1967 additional land was purchased to increase the size of the Cemetery. Benjamin Hawley settled in this area from Stratford, Connecticut. He was the son of Samuel Hawley, Sr. and the grandson of Joseph Hawley. His descendants became so numerous that this area became known as Hawleyville. Reverend Thomas Brooks and members of his family are buried in this cemetery. He was the first minister of the Congregational Church in the Parish of Newbury. I n 1788, the Parish was incorporated into a town, and was named Brookfield, after Reverend Brooks. At that time, he had been the minister for 31 years. He served in Brookfield for a total of 42 years. This cemetery is often included in the history of Cemeteries of Brookfield because many of the residents of Newbury Parish and Brookfield are buried there. The epitaph on the tombstone of Reverend Thomas Brooks reads: "Mors, mihi vila est (Death to me is life) O mortal, wander where you will, Your destiny is cast. The rising stone and verdant hill Proclaim your destiny from: http://www.brookfieldcthistory.org/page_Cemetery.html#lands_end_cemetery august 28 2014