| The town's oldest gravestone belongs, appropriately enough, to one of its first leading citizens. Thomas Hauley was the town's first minister, teacher, and resident town clerk. The Harvard graduate died in 1738. The slate stone stands in the "old cemetery" portion of the Ridgefield Cemetery off Mapleshade Road. There were no doubt older stones, but all have apparently disappeared or are no longer readable. This one is in remarkably excellent condition. |