TIMOTHY BARNARD

Main Cemetery -- Area C
Lot 47 -- Eastside

Timothy Barnard was born in 1756 and when he died, in 1847, was buried in a cemetery in Pittsford that no longer exists. That resting place was in a spot near where the Mendon Center, Calkins and Tobey roads intersect.

The burial ground was close to a number of farms and served as a cemetery for very early residents of the community, then known as Northfield. The land was discovered to be rich in a gravelly substance needed for roads and was not good for much else. The town made arrangements with the families of those early burials to purchase that space, relocate the deceased, and use the materials to improve the roadways needed for the town to grow.

All of the previously buried bodies were removed and re-interred in other cemeteries chosen by the families of the deceased. Timothy was among those who were disinterred.

Timothy enlisted in the army and rose to the rank of captain. He served as bodyguard for General George Washington from 1776 – 1812. He was at Valley Forge with the General in 1777. Barnard was also paymaster for the army and one of his duties was to carry the money to pay the soldiers. While doing this, he was accompanied by the general’s slaves. Capt. Barnard served until his term of duty ended at which time he was discharged, married his longtime sweetheart, Phoebe (nee Dewey) and together had one son, Timothy, Jr. The couple lived very long lives – Timothy until the age of 91 and Phoebe lived to be 96.