Young Richard Bernham of Hartford, Connecticut had the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The British Parliament repealed the hated Stamp Act in May 1766. Later that month there was to be a celebration. Gunpowder and fireworks were stored in the brick schoolhouse. There was an explosion and Richard Bernham along with five other men were no more. Bernham is buried at the Ancient Burying Ground in Hartford.
Doctor Nathaniel Ledyard was among those killed. His tombstone, which I didn't notice, has this poetic epitah:
Excerpt from The Magazine of American History (Vol. 7, 1881) found via Google Books.
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