Joslin Cemetery
Long Pond Rd. (off of Sand Dam Rd) 0.3 acres GPS Lat 42.01420 Long -71.82860
A family cemetery for several generations of the Joslin Family living in this northeast section of Thompson. Prior to 1785 this area was a part of Killingly so one may find early references to births, marriages, deaths, residences as being in Killingly.
The oldest grave, dated 1822, of Edward Joslin age 75 years. He and his brother, Benjamin (d. 1n 1846), also buried here, served in the American Revolution. There are nine surnames as of about 1930 on Hale’s List. There have been more burials since then. Doing a genealogy search one would find them all related in some way, brothers, sisters and their descendants; each with large families in each generation. The earliest Joslins in the area (and ancestors of these Joslins)were Israel Joslin and his wife, Sarah (Bailey) Joslin. They are buried in Old East Thompson Cemetery.
A descendant of this Joslin family is Dr. Elliott P. Joslin (1869-1962). He was the first US doctor to specialize in the treatment of diabetes and founder of the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston for the treatment and research of diabetes. He was raised in Oxford, MA, but may have visited his grandparents in Thompson. He has ancestors in both the Joslin and Bates families in Thompson.
Benjamin Alton only 35 years old died in 1835. His widow was the former Salome Joslin so he was buried in her family’s cemetery. They had three small children and owing to their ages she was compelled to “bind them out” (place them in homes to be supported), the 7 yr old boy and the 5 yr old girl. The 4 yr old girl she kept with her. Salome did re-marry, having 3 more children, and living to 1882. She is buried in the Tourtellotte Cemetery with her second husband, Winthrop H. Ballard. From the Ballard History.
Another family story is of Sophia (Carroll) Joslin (1782-1860), wife of John Joslin. It is said she was known for her herbal remedies. She would be working in her kitchen, turn around and there would be a Native American with an ill baby or child. They had entered her kitchen so quietly she had not heard them. They lived in this northeast area of Thompson. In the 1980s I was told that near the old cellar hole of her home was a Balm Of Gilead Tree still standing. Balm of Gilead has been used medicinally for centuries especially for skin conditions.
John Joslin served in the War of 1812. A member of the Thompson Militia, they marched to the defense of New London.
Civil War—-Silas Joslin, Horace Mathewson and James Mathewson
(Written by Mary Tomeo)