06/15/2026
Today, during the dedication of the William G. Pomeroy Foundation Patriot Burial Marker, we acknowledged the patriotism, courage, faith and loyalty of Hezekiah Wright, Edward Lawrence, Jacob Redington, and Joseph Edsall, four Revolutionary War veterans buried in Old Brookside Cemetery. This event was part of our efforts to acknowledge America’s 250th and while the weather put a damper on our attempt to hold the ceremony at the cemetery, we were fortunate to use the Island View Pavilion that kept us dry and able to complete the task.
We were very excited to have several members of our younger generations volunteer to help us with the event. Abbie Brady and Emilia Putney led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, Madison Losey sang a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem, the Boy Scouts of Pack #9 formed the color guard, Hannah Pryce, Niccole Sabatini, Lucy Rose and Abby Smith each read a short biography of the Patriots we honored. Dan Ames, representing the 1000 Islands Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, was a big help in organizing the event as he dressed in period clothing, secured all the flags that were used during the ceremony, led the advancing and posting of colors, and fired the salute. Ellen Nesbit and Susan Jackson, representing the Daughters of the American Revolution, read the American’s Creed and laid a wreath. Russell Strait led the beginning and closing prayers and we listened to inspirational remarks from Town Supervisor Travis McKnight, Mayor Mike Zagrobelny, and Assemblyman Scott Gray. Waddington Historian Kathy read a letter from the William C. Pomeroy Foundation and WHA President Mary Hamilton was Masters of ceremony for the event. Tracey Putney also helped organize many event details and along with the American Legion Post #420, organized the luncheon that followed the ceremony. Highway Superintendent David Putney and the Waddington Town Crew will install the sign on Linden Avenue in front of the fence at Old Brookside cemetery. Once it’s installed this week, we hope you will take the time to view it and as well as the graves of the four patriots buried there. Their gravesites will be marked with a special Betsy Ross flag as well as a wreaths from today’s ceremony.
Thank you to all who attended today’s event and helped us honor these brave Patriots.
Here are the short biographies of the four Patriots we honored today:
PATRIOT HEZEKIAH WRIGHT was born in Glastonbury, Connecticut on July 8, 1744. He was the son of Hezekiah and Mehitable (Talcott) Wright and one of eight children.
Patriot Wright enlisted in the Revolutionary War, serving under Captain Samuel Talcott. His sense of duty and commitment to his country was evident through his military service during this pivotal time in American history. It was noted that he may also have served in the War of 1812 although details are uncertain. Patriot Wright’s dedication to service was part of a family tradition as his father served in the French and Indian War. This legacy of military involvement continued across generations as his grandson, George Redington Wright fought in the Civil War and is also buried in Old Brookside Cemetery.
Patriot Wright married Honor Stratton on March 10, 1776 and together they raised three children. They moved their family from Connecticut to what was then Madrid, where he worked as a farmer.
Patriot Wright died on February 18, 1824 and holds the distinction of being the first patriot buried in Old Brookside Cemetery.
PATRIOT EDWARD LAWRENCE was born on October 15th, 1754 at or near Deerfield, Massachusetts. He was the son of Samuel and Hannah (Totman) Lawrence and was one of seven children. In July 1774, he was a member of the Sons of Liberty who helped erect a Liberty Pole in Deerfield to show support for early patriots.
Patriot Lawrence enlisted in April 1775 and served nine months in several regiments including that of Colonel Benedict Arnold. After an arduous march to Quebec, on December 30, 1775 he was taken prisoner by the British at the Battle of Quebec. He was released in August 1776 and returned to Deerfield. In April 1777 he re-enlisted in the Continental Army and served as a Sergeant while fighting in battles at Fort Stanwix, Saratoga, Stillwater, and Monmouth. He was honorably discharged at West Point in April 1780.
Patriot Lawrence married Elizabeth Thomas in Deerfield, Massachusetts and had nine children. They left Deerfield in 1780 and moved to Bennington, Vermont, then to Hartford, NY before finally settling in what was then Madrid in 1797. At a town meeting in 1802 he was elected Pound Master which was a job of overseeing animals.
Patriot Lawrence died on October 4th, 1825. He was the second patriot to buried here in Old Brookside Cemetery.
PATRIOT JACOB REDINGTON was born on July 4th, 1759 in Tolland, Connecticut. He was the son of Nathaniel and Sarah (Haynes) Redington and was one of three children.
In 1777, Patriot Redington volunteered, at age 18, for duty at Fort Ann in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. He was a private in Captain Gideon King’s Company and also deserved in Captain Aaron Rowley’s Company in Berkshire County. He served in the Burgoyne Campaign and was at West Point when British officer Major John André was captured. He was honorably discharged from service on December 23, 1783.
In 1798, Patriot Redington had moved his family from Vermont to what was then Madrid. He is known for being part of a July 4th celebration that year at the end of Point Iroquois when he read the Declaration of Independence. In 1800 he officially purchased land and the following year he was named the first clerk of what was then Madrid. Patriot Redington also served in the War of 1812. During a skirmish on Ogden Island, Jacob was injured. He healed and then moved his family to the Potsdam area.
Patriot Redington married Eunice King on November 17, 1785 and together they had 13 children. Two of their sons, George and James, remained in and became well-known members of the Waddington community.
Jacob Redington died on August 22, 1843. He is the third Patriot buried in Old Brookside Cemetery
PATRIOT JOSEPH EDSALL was born in 1763 in Vernon, New Jersey. He was the son of Jacobus and Charlotte (Barton) Edsall, and was one of seven children. He enlisted in 1781 as a Private and Minuteman under Captain Gane and Colonel Lewis Dubois in New York where he demonstrated his commitment to the cause of American independence. His father was a captain in the Revolutionary War and three of his brothers also served.
In 1798 Patriot Edsall came to what was then Madrid as a land agent for the Ogden Family who had recently acquired the land. He was the town’s first Supervisor from 1802-1804. Records also show he was appointed assessor and path master. When St. Lawrence County was formed in 1802 he was named the first supervisor. He was also an assistant justice in the court of common pleas when it met at the county seat in Ogdensburg in 1802. He was employed by David and Thomas Ogden in 1803 to survey what was then Hamilton and would later be known as Waddington. He also was employed by Nathan Ford to survey land in Ogdensburg and Heuvelton as well as the road from Ogdensburg to Massena via Hamilton.
Patriot Edsall was appointed a first major in the New York Militia by Governor Morgan Lewi in 1805. In 1809 he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the New York Militia by Governor Daniel Tompkins. He was also a patriot in the War of 1812.
Patriot Edsall first married Anna Shelter. After her death he married Sophia Barton and they had four children.
He died on May 26, 1844. and is the 4th Patriot buried in Old Brookside Cemetery.
