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A Curious Tale—Old Lyme Death: 1741, Gravestone Found on Old Saybrook Beach: 2023, Reinstalled in Original OL Site: 2024

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Silas Lee’s gravestone reinstalled in the Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery in Old Lyme.  All photos courtesy of OLCA.

OLD LYME—On Sept. 14, 2024, the Old Lyme Cemetery Association (OLCA) reinstalled a small headstone at the historic Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery, established in 1696.

The scenic burying ground near the site of the town’s first meetinghouse is no longer active, and the inscriptions on many of its aging gravestones cannot now be deciphered. No one had noticed that the headstone for a young child, who died almost three centuries ago, was missing.

Silas Lee died at age one year and seven days on April 27, 1741.

Silas Lee’s gravestone as found on the beach in Old Saybrook.

His gravestone was recently discovered by walkers looking for shells on a stretch of beach north of the inner lighthouse in Old Saybrook, across the Connecticut River from Griswold Point.

The beach in Old Saybrook where the gravestone was discovered in March 2023.

Erosion had exposed the corner of the brownstone marker protruding from a sandy bank some 18 inches below the surface of an adjoining field. Remarkably, the stone was still intact with its inscription well preserved.

Norman Peck at the Thomas Lee House with Silas Lee’s gravestone on December 22, 2023

After its discovery, the gravestone for Silas Lee, “son of Stephen, Esquire & Abigail,” was brought to the historic Thomas Lee House in East Lyme and given to Norman Peck, a Lee descendant and president of the East Lyme Historical Society. Recognizing that Capt. Stephen Lee’s family had lived in what is now Old Lyme, Peck transferred the gravestone to the Old Lyme Historical Society whose president, Mark Terwilliger, contacted the Old Lyme Cemetery Association (OLCA.)

Silas Lee’s footstone as found in the Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery in Old Lyme.

The OLCA then identified the child’s burial site in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery, where they found the lichen-covered markers of his family and discovered a small slanting footstone with the initials S.L. The Lee family markers likely represent the work of James Stanclift II, who with his father, carved many of the earliest brownstone monuments in Old Lyme’s burying places. 

Now, Silas Lee’s headstone stands once again in its original location and his footstone has been cleaned and straightened. The mystery of how or why the headstone ended up in Old Saybrook remains unsolved.

Old Lyme Cemetery Association volunteers Connor and Patrick Gingras and David Frankel reinstall Silas Lee’s gravestone in September 2024.

The marker was still standing in the Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery in 1934 when it was recorded in the Charles R. Hale Report, an inventory of Old Lyme’s burying places published that year. While some speculate that the gravestone may have been taken as part of a teenage prank, no evidence yet supports that theory. The marker was found intact with no chips, cracks, or breaks to suggest a hasty or clandestine removal.

While the curious journey of Silas Lee’s gravestone has not been explained, the OLCA is grateful to all who helped return it to its rightful resting place in the Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery.

To learn more about the Old Lyme Cemetery Association, including how to get involved with cemetery restoration, visit https://oldlymecemeteries.org/.

‘Deck the Walls’, ‘Bon Appetit’, Sculpture Exhibit, an View at Lyme Art Association Through Dec. 31

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“American Royalty” by Dawn Bisharat in acrylic is one of the featured paintings in the ‘Bon Appetit’ show currently on view at the Lyme Art Association.

OLD LYME—On Sunday, Nov. 10, Lyme Art Association (LAA) will hold an Opening Reception from 2 to 4 p.m. for three new shows, Deck the Walls, Bon Appétit and a guest exhibit from the Society of Connecticut Sculptors. All are welcome and admission is free.

Deck the Walls is the LAA’s most festive exhibition. Visitors will discover a beautiful array of art to lift the spirits in various themes, sizes and mediums in this delightful show juried by Annie Wildey. This show returns each year during the holidays, just in time for gift-giving. 

The LAA member show, Bon Appétit, juried by Shawn Kenney, spans still life masterpieces featuring sumptuous fruit bowls to vivid depictions of bustling farmers’ markets, Bon Appetit promises a feast for both visual and culinary senses.

All three shows are on view through Dec. 31. Additionally, starting Nov. 8 the LAA will showcase the talents of its instructors with an exhibit of their artwork.

Look for music in the galleries select weekend afternoons during the run of the shows, with a special performance by musicians from the Community Art School in Essex.

When you enter, don’t miss the Partner Wall, featuring paintings of dancers by Mike Laiuppa. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these pieces will benefit Eastern Connecticut Ballet just in time for Nutcracker season.

After enjoying all the shows, stroll across to the Old Lyme Inn and/or the Side Door Jazz Club for cocktails, dinner or an evening of entertainment.

Finally, don’t forget to give yourself a creative treat this holiday season. This November and December the Lyme Art Association has weekend workshops for every level of artist, including beginners, taught by favorite instructors Jeanne Carol Potter, Lisa Miceli, Howard Park, Christine Ivers, and Bob Noreika.

Register early for children’s art programs on Sunday, Nov. 24 and Sunday, Dec. 22 from 1 to 3 p.m. featuring stories illustrated by award-winning artists and holiday-themed projects for each young artist to take home.

Founded in 1914 by the American Impressionists, the Lyme Art Association continues the tradition of exhibiting and selling representational artwork by its members and invited artists, as well as offering art instruction, lectures, and other public programs to the community.

The LAA is located at 90 Lyme St. in Old Lyme, CT, in a building designed by Lyme colony artist and architect, Charles Adams Platt, and located within the national historic district. Admission is free with contributions appreciated. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 10 to 5 p.m., or by appointment.

For more information on exhibits, purchase of art, art classes, or becoming a member, visit the LAA website at www.lymeartassociation.org or call (860) 434-7802.

Death Announced of Robert C. Florin Jr., 63, of Old Lyme, Husband of ‘The Day’ Journalist Karen Florin

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Robert C. Florin Jr.

OLD LYME—Robert C. Florin Jr., 63, of Old Lyme, died Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, following a brief illness.

Bob was a one-of-a-kind man, passionate about the people and pastimes he loved, mechanically gifted, generous with his time and a lifelong learner and teacher. As a young man, he enjoyed fishing, skiing, camping and attending concerts. During their 33-year marriage, he enjoyed walking through the woods with his wife Karen (Webber) Florin and their dogs Jericho and Jett, traveling and spending time with family. He was an avid news consumer, expert target shooter and a master crossword puzzle and Sudoku solver.

He was born in Yonkers, N.Y., Jan. 11, 1961, to Robert C. Florin Sr. and Kathleen H. “Dolly” Florin, who predeceased him. He attended Sacred Heart Grade School in Yonkers. The Florins moved to Chester in 1971 and later settled in Old Lyme.

Robert graduated from Xavier High School in Middletown in 1979. After attending Middlesex Community College, he returned to New York, where he became a journeyman electrician with IBEW Local 501, retiring in 2021 as a master electrician.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his three sisters, having been a loving big brother to Kathleen Emerson, Mary Elizabeth Florin, Patricia Florin and her partner Kenneth Emerson of Old Lyme. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law Dean Emerson.

The four Florin siblings grew up in a tightknit group of eight with their cousins, Anne Marie (Horrigan) Menton of Yonkers, Eileen (Horrigan) Drescher of Duanesburg, N.Y. and the late John Horrigan and Barbara (Horrigan) Thiemann, both of Yonkers.

Robert was a loving son-in-law to Mary Webber of Merritt Island, Fla., and was close with his brother-in-law John Webber and his wife, Marcie Webber of Glastonbury, and his sister-in-law Melanie Webber of Merritt Island.

Many people called him “Uncle Bob,” but he was dearest to those who held the official title of niece or nephew, including Cristine Emerson and Joshua D’Lizarraga of Old Lyme, Katherine Machol of East Lyme, Candice Webber and Jenna Webber, both of Middletown, Cara Webber of Waterford, John Webber Jr. of Garner, N.C. and Oliver Gates of Merritt Island.

He will be sadly missed by his relatives in the Roche, Horrigan, Brown, Florin and Crimmins families and the hundreds of friends he had gathered from near and far.

Bob was a proud, longtime member of the Niantic Sportsmen’s Club, the Raven’s social club and the American Legion.

Calling hours will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, at the Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Beckwith Lane in Old Lyme. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at Christ the King Church, 1 McCurdy Road, Old Lyme, followed by interment in the Duck River Cemetery.

Please visit www.fultontherouxoldlyme.com for photos, tributes and directions.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Editor’s Note: This obituary was originally published by ‘The Day’ on Nov. 6, 2024.

Death Announced of Lillian I Spais of Old Lyme, Mother of Rebecca Pote of OL

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OLD LYME—Lillian I. Spais died on September 20, 2024, at the age of ninety-two. A daughter of Canada’s western plains, Lillian grew up learning the hard lessons of the Depression. Among those lessons were the values of family, self-reliance, adaptability, and community. Throughout all the many challenges in her life, these were the basics that sustained her. 

Having trained and worked as a registered nurse throughout Saskatchewan and in Toronto, including service as a Second Lieutenant Nursing Sister in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps, Lillian became the staff nurse at the British American Oil Company in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. She left that post to emigrate to the States with her beloved husband, Thanase. They ultimately settled in Pennington, New Jersey, where Lillian stayed at home to raise their family. There, she served as president of the local library board and the Pennington Woman’s Club. She also volunteered with the Fresh Air Fund and HomeFront. 

After Thanase’s death in 1980, Lillian returned to the workforce to support her family. She earned an Associate Degree with honors from Mercer County Community College, and later served on an advisory committee for the college. She worked as Tax Collector and Assistant Municipal Clerk for Pennington Borough, and finally retired as an administrative assistant with Princeton University’s Department of Economics. 

Following her retirement, she relocated to Old Lyme, Connecticut, to be near family. There she volunteered at the Nearly New Shop, served on the board of the Old Lyme Visiting Nurse Association, kept busy with her circle of friends and activities at the Lymes’ Senior Center, spent many hours at the library, and savored dinners on the beach. 

A skilled seamstress, self-taught painter, enthusiastic gardener, avid camper, and powerful swimmer, Lillian could do almost anything. Almost. She couldn’t resist chocolate, tolerate injustice, pass up a Scrabble game, prevaricate, or type sixty words a minute. Despite these shortcomings, she was an exceptional mom, GMa, mentor and friend. 

Lillian always maintained that her life’s greatest gift was her family, and she loved them all fiercely. Her children, Rebecca (also of Old Lyme), David, George, and Chrysanthe are so grateful for her journey with them even as they mourn her loss. Her grandchildren, Emily, Chelsea, and Lex, her great grandson, Leo, and her extended family, Briella and Avianna, brought her such joy as they grew. She wholeheartedly embraced the spouses and partners of her brood: John, Dee, Cheryl, Dave, Marcelo, and Jesus. Even the collective fur babies were dear to her. She was never happier than when the whole rambunctious crew was gathered together. 

Donations in her memory may be made to Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library of Old Lyme, Connecticut, or to HomeFront in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Interment will be private.

Incumbent State Rep. Carney Thanks Voters For Giving Him a Sixth Term, Commends Opponent Wisialowski on “Strong Race”

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State Rep. Devin Carney (R) has retained his seat in the 23rd District.

LYME/OLD LYME—After winning a sixth term in the Connecticut House 23rd District, which includes both Lyme and Old Lyme, incumbent State Rep. Devin Carney sent us a message regarding his victory. We have printed it in full below:

“I want to thank the voters of Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook for entrusting me with their support for another term. I have worked incredibly hard over the last 10 years and my positive message of economic opportunity, reducing energy costs, and keeping local control carried the day. This was not an easy year as my campaign treasurer and boss, John Bysko [of Old Lyme], passed away unexpectedly in October and I was unable to campaign as much as in the past. I know he would be proud of me – and the race I ran – and that means more than anything.

My opponent ran a strong race, and I give her credit. As the only Republican to win in the district, it could have very easily gone the other direction. But voters were able to recognize my experience, dedication, and integrity and I received many crossover votes. I’ve truly given my all these past 10 years and it has been the honor of a lifetime. I look forward to getting back to work for the amazing people of the 23rd District.”