College and Cemetery Remember Early Staff Member

In a patch of grass at Zion Hill Cemetery just beyond the north end of campus, a new granite memorial marks the grave site of Trinity College staff member Benjamin Franklin Anderson, a gift of both the College and cemetery.

Trinity named Benjamin Franklin Anderson head custodian following the death of James Williams, whose prominence in the life of the college was renowned.  When Williams died in 1878, Anderson became head janitor, a role he held for the next four years. Upon his retirement, Anderson  remained a “faithful member of the college community and true friend of the institution,” according to the Friends of the Zion Cemetery.

When the weatherworn marker at Anderson’s grave (Section D Lot 577) tumbled over and was destroyed by fallen trees and lawnmowers, the College and cemetery purchased a 4’ granite bench with the inscription of the original marker at Anderson’s grave site.

Originally from the South, Anderson was a member of the growing middle-class Black community in 19th century Hartford. He attended Chapel services and studied Latin. Trinity College President George Williamson Smith was with Anderson when he died at the age of 49 on December 21, 1887, according to The Tablet, Trinity College’s student publication.

The Zion Hill Cemetery is one of five historic cemeteries owned and maintained by the City of Hartford. The cemetery includes Mt. Pleasant one of the highest points in Hartford with spectacular views of the downtown skyline and Connecticut River Valley.