On September 11, members of our community gathered at Fox Cemetery for a special grave marking ceremony honoring Elijah Briggs, a Berkley resident and American Patriot who served during the Revolutionary War.
Born in 1730, Briggs served as a Private during the Revolutionary War, including service in Rhode Island and at North River. He died in 1795 and was laid to rest here in Berkley. More than two centuries later, our community had the privilege of gathering to recognize his service and ensure that his contribution to our nation’s history continues to be remembered.
The ceremony was organized in partnership with the Sons of the American Revolution, whose members conducted the formal grave dedication and wreath laying, joined by their historical color guards. Representatives of the American Legion, Berkley Historical Society, our public safety departments, Town officials, our Veterans Agent, members of the Briggs family, local organizations, residents, and students all came together for this special occasion.
One of the most meaningful aspects of the ceremony was the participation of students from our schools. Having young people present for an event like this is an important reminder that civic responsibility is not simply something we teach in a classroom. By giving students opportunities to witness their community honoring those who came before us, we help them understand the importance of service, citizenship, history, and remembrance.
The Town of Berkley extends its sincere appreciation to the Sons of the American Revolution for organizing this beautiful tribute and to our Veterans Agent, American Legion Post 121, Berkley Historical Society, public safety officers, Town officials and boards, the family and descendants of Elijah Briggs, our schools and participating students, and all of the residents who attended and helped make the ceremony so meaningful.
Special thanks also go to our public safety officers for their presence and support during the ceremony and to the Berkley Historical Society and Sons of the American Revolution for their continued work preserving and sharing the history of our community. Events such as this are made possible through the involvement of many people and organizations working together.
We are fortunate to live in a community with such a rich history and even more fortunate to have residents and organizations committed to preserving it for future generations.
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped us honor American Patriot Elijah Briggs. His service took place nearly 250 years ago, but his story remains part of Berkley’s story today.