Fairview Cemetery: The Learned Blacksmith Multi-Cache
Fairview Cemetery: The Learned Blacksmith
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Your search for this cache takes you to historic Fairview Cemetery, in New Britain, CT, established in 1756. You'll be visiting the grave of New Britain's most famous son, Elihu Burritt.
Elihu Burritt, 1810-1879
Elihu Burritt was an American author, philanthropist and social activist. He was born in New Britain, CT on Dec. 8, 1810, the youngest of ten children. As a child he was an excellent student but due to his father’s death, he was forced to leave school at age 15 and apprentice himself to a local blacksmith. However, he continued to educate himself while working at the blacksmith’s craft. In 1837, Burritt left New Britain for Boston, where he continued to work as a blacksmith. While there, he learned about the American Antiquarian Society's library in Worcester, and spent several years there studying the Society’s famous collection in his spare time. There, he became interested in humanitarian causes that would later make him famous, such as the abolition of slavery, the dignity of the American working man and the cause of world peace. In 1842, he established the 'Christian Citizen' at Worcester, which was a weekly journal devoted to the causes of slavery abolition, peace, temperance and self-improvement.
Burritt had an amazing aptitude for languages and was able to master them quickly, a feat which earned him the title “Learned Blacksmith”. By age 30 he could read and understand more than 50 languages. For this, he was offered a chance to study at Harvard, but he declined, saying his place was with the common people.
Burritt was an advocate of pacifism, and put out a number of publications on behalf of world peace. While visiting England in 1847, he organized the League of Universal Brotherhood, which was a forerunner of the League of Nations and the UN. In 1847, he was instrumental in organizing the first Peace Congress in Brussels, and took part in two following Congresses in 1849 and 1850. Burritt also campaigned for a standard international postage rate, believing that it would increase correspondence between nations and thus promote peace. He was opposed to slavery in the United States and worked towards its abolition. During this time, he was a sought-after lecturer, where he spoke to large audiences in England on behalf of the League of Universal Brotherhood, which resulted in thousands of people supporting its cause. Although he had no formal education to speak of, Burritt was the author of over 37 books and articles, and many pamphlets and publications devoted to the subject of world peace.
President Abraham Lincoln appointed him as a US Consul to Birmingham, England, in 1865. In 1870, Burritt returned home to New Britain. In 1871 he designed the official city seal of New Britain, which is still in use today. He continued to farm, teach, lecture, and write until his death on March 6, 1879 at the age of 68. He is buried in Fairview Cemetery in New Britain. Burritt Street, which is located on Burritt Hill not far from where his farm once stood, is named after him, as well as the Elihu Burritt Library on the campus of Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, which was dedicated in 1959.
This is the seal of the City of New Britain, designed by Elihu Burritt. The Latin motto reads: 'Industry fills the hive and enjoys the honey.'
The Elihu Burritt Library, shown here, is located at Central Connecticut State University.
2010 marked the 200th anniversary of Elihu Burritt's birth, and a number of events celebrating this anniversary were planned by the Elihu Burritt Library at CCSU, culminating on Dec. 8, his birthday.
This wreath was laid at Elihu Burritt's grave on Dec. 8, 2010, to mark the 200th anniversary of Burritt's birth. It was placed by Rod Skinner and his brother David Skinner, Jr., both great-great-great grandnephews of Elihu Burritt.
There are two entrances to Fairview Cemetery on Smalley Street in New Britain, and a third one on East Street. While you can reach the cache from any of them, we recommend you use the Main Entrance on Smalley Street, as it's closest to the cache site. NOTE: Fairview is a large, active cemetery, so please observe the posted speed limits and be respectful of visitors and funeral services that may be going on in the vicinity of the cache. The cemetery is open only between 8 AM and dusk daily, so plan your hunt accordingly. Please do not attempt to do this cache at night or after the cemetery is closed. It is illegal to be in a Connecticut cemetery from 1/2 hour after sunset until 1/2 hour before sunrise. While you're always welcome to visit during the day, nobody's allowed in the cemetery after hours, and this rule is enforced by the New Britain Police Dept.
This cache is a two-stage multi. You can park on the road within 40' of each stage. The posted coordinates will bring you to Stage 1, at Burritt's grave marker on a hill in the cemetery near a huge oak tree. Although it's impressive, Burritt's grave reflects his desire for simplicity, as it lists none of the honors he received during his life, but only his name and the dates of his birth and death.
Ready? Let The Hunt Begin!
The final is located at: N41° 40.ABC W072° 45.DEF.
To reveal those hidden numbers, you'll first have to find your "magic" number... it's located on that big oak tree near Mr. Burritt's grave. Got it? OK, let's find A-B-C with a bit of simple arithmetic (don't worry; no trig or calculus... I hated math class in high school! ) Take the 'magic number' and add 496. Your answer is ABC. Now, multiply the 'magic number' by 100 and subtract 16. That'll give you DEF. Lock 'em in, and off you go!
The final is located in the cemetery. You can park on the road within 40' of GZ. You're looking for a small camo'd bison tube, with just room enough for a log sheet. When you find it, please remove the bottom part only and leave the top part in place. When you've signed the log, please replace the bottom part carefully. You do not have to move or disturb anything at either Stage 1 or the final in order to reach the cache! Stealth may be required when visitors or cemetery workers are in the area. NOTE: Although this cache is winter-friendly, the final may be a bit difficult to reach after a heavy snowfall.
After you've logged this cache, we invite you to make it a "two-fer" and visit our other cache in Fairview Cemetery, "The Monu-Metal Tour #1" GC28QHW If you'd like to know what a "Zinkie" grave marker is, you can learn about 'em by doing this cache!
There are many interesting grave markers and monuments in Fairview Cemetery, including the grave of Teddy Wilson, in Section 8A at approximately N41° 40.453 and W72° 46.053, just past the main entrance to the cemetery on Smalley St. Wilson, a pianist known as the "Mozart of Jazz", was an original member of the legendary Benny Goodman Quartet. As part of that group, he became one of the first African-American musicians to break the color barrier of the Big Band Era of the 1930's.
At N41° 40.614 and W72° 46.015 is the grave of Joseph White, the youngest person to serve in the Civil War. He joined the Union army at the age of 9 and served as a drummer boy. His grave is in an area reserved for Civil War veterans. Here also stands a stately oak tree which is the 'grandson' of the famous Charter Oak.
The cemetery office is open until 5PM on weekdays and is located a short distance from the Burritt grave. There you can get a free map of the cemetery which includes a historical description and points out the locations of the grave sites of many notable and prominent people.
FTF: Firefighter Skippy and Mr. Echo -- July 17, 2009
...and congrats to MathAdams for FTF "the second time around" -- January 22, 2019
Hope you enjoyed your visit -- Happy Caching!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ybbx qbja 'gvy lbh frr WBUAFBA & WBUAFBA. (Lbh jba'g svaq nal Onaq-Nvqf, onol funzcbb, be PBIVQ-19 inppvar, ohg lbh JVYY xabj jurer gb fgneg frnepuvat!) Unatvat, nobhg rlr yriry.
Treasures
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