Hillside Cemetery
Hillside Cemetery, aptly named for its winding gravel driveways, lush hillocks, and mature cypress trees, was founded in 1808.
Formerly located upon the land of Josiah Wolcott, one of Farmington Township’s first settlers, what is now known as Hillside Cemetery came into existence in 1808 following the death of Mary “Polly” Wolcott, Josiah’s 18 year old daughter. Remaining within the Wolcott family for over 40 years, the cemetery was transferred to the trustees of Farmington Township in 1853 by Orlando Wolcott, one of Josiah’s grandsons.
By the end of the Civil War, the original cemetery, which ran parallel to State Route 88 (Greenville Road), was expanded outwards; eventually encompassing 19 acres in all. In 1865, a marble obelisk dedicated to West Farmington’s Civil War dead was erected in the new section of the cemetery. Raised at the cost of $1,400, it was paid for by the citizens of West Farmington and dedicated by future president James A. Garfield, then a congressman. At present, Hillside Cemetery is West Farmington’s main burial ground, and is still in active use, although the old section has been closed to new interments.