Around 1840 the first settlers built a church, which was small, simple, and humble, built of rough boards, with its roof covered with shaved shingles. It was located on the Boulier Hill, one and one-half miles from Fort Fairfield on the Caribou Road. This was the first Catholic Church in the vicinity, attended by the pioneers, most of whom came from Ireland and settled along the Aroostook River years before Township designations.
As the population grew, the little church became too small for all the worshippers and it became necessary to move the church closer to the center of the settlement it was moved up river two miles and within one-quarter mile of the town line between what is now Fort Fairfield and Caribou, adjoining the cemetery. The church was repaired, a steeple added, new windows and doors, rough board seats, a desk, and a cross beside the statue of Blessed Virgin Mary. All of this was made possible through the efforts of Dennis Hale and William Haley who traveled up and down the Aroostook River soliciting help to rebuild the church on land donated by Mr. Haley and Mr. Patrick Findlen. The pioneers, with little or no money, donated their labor, boards, shingles and nails. David Parks did the carpenter work and Betsy Somers Shea held a quilt sale to help furnish the interior of the little church.
Many Protestants along the river, the Waltons, the Whitnecks,
the Thompsons, the Keanes, the Wings,
Wark and the Kelleys, contributed material and labor
in rebuilding the church. Jonas Whitnect, a Protestant, built the
desk, chair, and the altar. Mr. Mitchell wrote that it was a fine piece of workmanship.
The Protestants worshipped at this church and were baptized there, as there was
no other church near them. Many of the pioneers who settled in this area, endured
the strife and hardships of the wilderness, now rest in peace in the cemetery
next to the church that they attended. After many years, the Knights of Columbus
of St. Denis Church, Fort Fairfield, took it upon their organization to erect
a beautiful sign, repair broken tombstones, and maintain this peaceful cemetery
for our loved ones.
George Parker Died: 4/1/1905 at 72 years
Anna Parker (wife) Died: 9/22/1895 at 65 years
Son (note: no name) Died: 5/25/1902 at 4 yrs. 11 mos.
Margaret B. daughter of Died: 12/11/1902 at 5 mos.
John and Jane Malloy “Baby we miss thee”
Robert Cunningham Died: 11/30/1895 @ 84 yrs.
Mary A. (wife) Died: 5/15/1908 at 89 yrs.
Children of M.N. & Thressa Nichols
Martin Lee Died: 4/18/1891 at 8 mos and 5 days
John R. Died: 9/4/1895 at 4 mos.
Gertrude M. Died: 1/13/1889 at 11 days
William Upton Died: 5/12/1864 at 64 years
Native of Sheffield, NB “Let all who have Gods goodness proofd
Still in his truth confide
Whose mercy neer forsook the man
That on his truth relied.”
William Haley Born: 4/22/1826 Died: 4/11/1891
Native Enniscorthy, Wexford Co. Ireland “May he rest in peace”
Rosanna, his wife Born: 3/29/1826 Died: 9/20/1905
John S. McKenney Died: 3/18/1903 at 36 yrs. 1 mo.
Theresa, daughter of No dates
Martha Nichols
Bridget, wife of Died: 2/26/1901 at 82 yrs
James McNamee
Daughter of
John & Phobe McNamee Died: 5/16/1900 at 16 yrs.
James Kelley Died: 5/3/1896 at 72 years
A native of Donegal, Ireland
William Kelley (son) Died: 3/29/1892 at 18 yrs. 5 mos.
Patrick McShea Died: 4/23/1889 at 70 yrs. 1 mo.
Sarah (wife) Died: 7/12/1896 at 75 yrs.
Ellen (daughter Died: 1/16/1858 at 13 yrs.
Owen (son) Died: 1/17/1858 at 9 yrs.
Owen Died: 2/28/1883 at 75 yrs.
James Mulloy Died: 10/20/1898 at 84 yrs. 4 mos.
“Requiescat in pace”
Catherine (wife) Died: 2/1/1894 at 72 yrs. 6 mos.
John (son) Died: 1/28/1882 at 28 yrs.
Thomas Malloy Died: 12/27/1834 at 78 yrs.
Native of Wexford Ireland “Requiescat at pace”
Edward (son) Died: 8/26/1862 at 9 yrs.
Mark (son) Died: 8/29/1892 at 4 yrs.
Mary (daughter) Died: 11/7/1862 at 3 yrs.
Mary wife of Died: 10/30/1903 at 22 yrs.
John Levesque “Rest in peace”
Michael McKenney Died: 4/10/1888 at 74 yrs.
Co. E 15th ME Inf.
Mary (wife) Died: 9/23/1898 at 80 yrs.
Children of William and Lucy McKenney:
John W. (son) Died: 11/21/1901 at 14 yrs. 6 mos.
Archie (son) Died: 1/29/1888 at 5 weeks
Dewey (son) Died: 11/16/1899 at 14 mos.
Rosanna A. wife of Died: 7/22/1891 at 36 yrs. 11 days 4 mos.
Michael Findlen
Jane E. wife of Died: 9/22/1895 at 29 yrs.
Elephalet Watson
Katie A. wife of Died: 11/14/1897 at 40 yrs 17 days 1 mo.
Michael McLaughlin
Ellen Lundy wife of Died: 9/15/1895 @ 42 yrs. 8 mos. 25 days
John Lundy
William E. Lundy Born: 4/25/1872 Died: 7/25/1903
Ella M. Fraser daughter of Died: 7/6/1901 at 27 yrs.
John & Ellen Lundy
Thomas A. Lundy Died: 1/29/1895 at 36 yrs
“Rest in Peace”
Also infant son
“In memory of Ann, wife of Patrick Findlen who died 5/13/1886 at 70 yrs.
May her soul rest in peace”
“In memory of Patrick Findlen who died 7/13/1860 age 48 yrs.
May his soul rest in Peace”
Mary J. wife of Died: 10/25/1880 at 22 yrs. 6 mos. 16 days
Joseph Findlen
Mother, Ann wife of Born: 1/19/1849 Died: 5/16/1914
Thomas Daley “Rest in Peace”
In Memory of Michael Russell native of Tipperary Co Ireland Died: 12/20/1866 at 85 yrs
“Rest in peace”
In Memory Patrick, son of John & Sarah Russell Died: 8/18/1865 at 18 yrs. 6 mos.
Children of Michael & Maggie McCarty
Charlie Died: 2/13/1881 at 11 mo
Helen Died: 8/10/1883 at 9 mos.
Charles McCarron Died: 12/26/1892 at 70 yrs.
Jane McCarron Died: 10/22/1901 at 75 yrs.
Children of Charles & Jane McCarron
Lizzie Died: 2/16/1885 at 20 yrs
Ada Died: 6/11/1881 at 10 yrs
Catharine daughter of Died: 9/15/1885 at 28 yrs.
Charles & Jane McCarron
In memory of John Dorsey born 1790 in Ireland died 1845 in Fort Fairfield, 3rd settler in 1820
Edward Dorsey Died: 3/9/1876 at 51 yrs 11 mo 27 days
“Farewell my wife and children all,
From you a father Christ doth call
Mourn not for me it is in vein
To call me to your sight again.”
“May he rest in peace”
Hannah Doyle, his wife Died: 2/20/1917 at 87 yrs. 8 mos
George W. Died: 1/4/1916 at 50 years 2 mos
Jeremiah Died: 8/20/1864 at 8 weeks
Annie M. Died: 10/2/1884 at 16 yrs. 1 mo 7 da
Eva E. daughter of Died: 1/28/1898 at 3 yrs 2 mos. 1 day
Miles F. & Mary A Dorsey “Weep not father and mother for me
For I am waiting in glory for thee”
Hannah M. wife of Died: 2/3/1890 at 36 yrs. 2 mos. 21 da
S.L. Colbath
Children of Hannah M. & S.L. Colbath
Annie M. Died: 5/18/1886 at 3 mos. 2 da
Eddie D. Died: 7/15/1887 at 4 mos. 5 da.
Mary E. Died: 7/6/1883 at 1 yr. 1 mo. 6 da
Peter Bishop, Jr. Died: 12/30/1878 at 12 yrs.
Mary, daughter of Died: 4/18/1877 at 6 yr. 6 mo
Octave & Matilda Sirois
Nellie M. wife of Died: 3/1/1888 at 19 yrs 10 mos.
Augustine McConville
Myrtle J. daughter of Died: 7/3/1887 at 11 yr 11 mo 15 da.
Arden & Mary Hale
Dennis Hale Died: 9/17/1881 at 93 yrs.
Moria, his wife Died: 5/20/1871 at 78 yrs.
James Shea Died: 5/28/1880 at 69 yr.
Elizabeth, wife of James Shea Died: 4/21/1905 at 80 yrs
Paric McCaron Died: 6/28/1902 at 42 yrs
William Lundy Died: 11/28/1872 at 56 yrs
Co. G 15th ME Inf..
Sarah, his wife Died: 9/29/1889 at 59 yr.
William Lundy, Jr. Died: 6/5/1873 at 24 yrs.
Dennis Sughrue Died: 2/10/1874 at 84 yrs.
G. Frederic, his son Died: 5/2/1856 at 10 yrs.
In Memory of John Doyle Died: 10/14/1866 at 29 yrs 11 mo
James Doyle Died: 10/10/1893 at 64 yrs 3 mo 24 da
Edward Doyle Died: 10/7/1885 at 53 yrs 9 mo
Margaret, wife of Died: 8/30/1880 at 8/30/1880 at 80 yrs 2 mo
Edward Doyle, Sr.
Phoebe wife of Died: 1/18/1894 at 52 yrs.
Michael Goodine
Isicier Levasseur Died: 1/6/1894 at 63 yrs.
Annie wife of Died: 8/20/1894 at 20 yrs.
John Levesque
Daniel Nichols Born: 1821 Died: 1907
Elizabeth, his wife Born: 1837 Died: 1889
Their sons:
John Born: 1856 Died: 1875
Alexander Born: 1861 Died: 1877
Robert Born: 1868 Died: 1871
James Donevan Died: 1/18/1859 at 70 yrs.
Thomas McDonald Died: 4/10/1879 at 78 yrs 11 mo
Alice, his wife Died: 11/20/1862 at 48 yrs.
“Also twin infants”
Mary Agnes, daughter of Died: 10/26/1894 at 19 yrs 6 mo
James & Mary Murphy
James Murphy Died: 5/11/1881 at 57 yrs
Edward Murphy Died: 10/17/1855 at 74 yrs
George T. son of Died: 6/4/1874 at 4 wks
James & Mary Murphy
Mary, wife of Died: 1/9/1905 at 77 yrs. 3 mos
James Murphy
Deno, wife of Died: 6/12/1862 at 27 yrs 2 mos 24 da
E F Jones
John, son of Died: 6/7/1884 at 11 yr 7 da
Thomas & Torsey Boulier
Felix, son of Died: 10/8/1853 at 19 yr 9 mo
Thomas & Mary Boulier
William Gahagan Died: 6/11/1853 at 1 yr 3 mo.
Catharine Gahagan Died: 1/9/1869 at 6 yr.
Patrick Gahagan Died: 10/20/1869 at 5 mos.
Margaret Gahagan Died: 12/10/1874 at 11 yrs.
Rose Ann Gahagan Died: 12/18/1874 at 2 yrs. 6 mos.
Owen Gahagan Died: 9/15/1860 at 66 yrs
John Gahagan Died: 1/15/1853 at 21 yrs.
Bridget Gahagan Died: 4/18/1857 at 22 yrs.
Patrick Meagher Born: 1820 Died: 1894
Mary, his wife Born: 1830 Died: 1903
Ella J. their daughter Born: 1866 Died: 1887
Edward McNamara Died: 2/14/1867 at 60 yrs
Catharine, his wife Died: 11/21/1881 at 63 yrs
Edward, their son Died: 5/21/1908 at 50 yrs.
Patrick, son of Died: 7/16/1879 at 2 yrs 5 mos
Charles & Annie Russell
Anthany, son of Died: 9/15/1872 19 yrs
Francis & Harriet Boulier
Mary, daughter of Died: 2/12/1879 at 5 yrs 2 mos
Emma Nedau
In memory of Marshall Levesque Died: 10/20/1906
In memory of Elizabeth Levesque Died: 2/10/1896
Children of James & Edith White
Frank Died: 10/10/1898 at 4 yrs 4 mos 19 da
Bert Died: 11/18/1898 at 3 mo 18 da
Frank Dewey Died: 2/20/1900 4 days
John Morrow Died: 8/11/1903 at 70 yr 3 mo 18 da
Mandest, his wife Died: 11/11/1889 at 46 yr 3 mo 8 da
Emmonds Woodard Died: 9/19/1883 at 2 mo 27 da
Wallace Woodard Died: 10/4/1885 at 11 mo 10 da
Alex Morrow Died: 12/10/1881 at 12 yr 11 mo 10 da
Isabel Morrow Died: 11/28/1881 at 3 yr 2 mo 16 da
Martha Jane Morrow Died: 12/24/1881 at 7 yr 11 mo 9 da
Victoria Holt Died: 9/18/1896 at 20 yr 3 mo 18 da
Patrick Gormley Died: 1/9/1893 at 81 yr 8 mos
Michael Somers Died: 10/10/1853 at 65 yrs
Nancy, his wife Note: tombstone broken/repaired - dates missing
James Somers Died: 3/15/1860
Nicholas Somers Died: 11/14/1864 at 35 yrs died in Salisbury Prison, NC (Civil War)
“Requiescat in pace”
FIRST ST. DENIS CEMETERY Submitted by
. Thanks Natalie!
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