Early Physicians and the Mentally Ill

Cony Cemetery

Augusta, Maine

 

With cemeteries sometimes it is not always about what you see, but also what you don't see. Fortunately at Coney Cemetery in Augusts, Maine you can have some of both. Here in this relatively small cemetery you can see many wonderful examples of older stones and their art, receive a little history lesson, and use your imagination about who might be buried there that you can't see.

 

 

Cony Cemetery is named after the Cony family, a prominent early Augusta family, many of who are buried here. As you walk through Cony Cemetery you will note the re-occurring Cony name as well as other family names. Many of these stones date from the 1700's and sport interesting death heads and cherubs. Hardly any two of these artistic creations are the same. it is certainly worth your time to wander through and view these different artistic examples. 

 

 

One resident of Cony Cemetery that is of particular interest is Daniel Cony. A newer large stone lists his name along with other members of his family. Daniel Cony was born in Massachusetts, but later moved to Augusta as an adult. He could be described as nothing but professional and a true renaissance man. He studied medicine and was a respected physician of his day. When the Revolutionary War broke out Cony served as an adjutant of an infantry regiment and participated in the American victory at the battle of Saratoga. After the war, Cony became a prominent figure in government. He served as Judge Probate, was a member of the electoral college that elected George Washington fro his second term, and when Maine became a state was a member of the Maine Constitutional Convention. Perhaps more interesting is his example as a leader of education. Cony had five daughters and no sons. Worried about their education he founded the Augusta School for girls. Having lived to the ripe old age of 90, he passed away and is now buried in the cemetery that bears his name.

So what can you not see in Cony Cemetery? As you stare across the street you will see what is now know as Riverview Psychiatric. This is a facility that treats those dealing with mental illness, but what some people may not known is that a similar facility has existed on the grounds since about 1840. Known as the Augusta Mental Health Institute, the hospital is said to have been built just across the river from the Capital building so it would never be forgotten. Most people are aware that care for mental illness has changed significantly. Some of the procedures and conditions of these facilities in the past was down right scary.  Many of these facilities became the home of those who society would rather forget. So what happens when the forgotten die. Well, they are buried with little ceremony or remembrance. Such was the case for the Augusta Mental Health Institute as well. In fact there is some question about where these patients may have been buried. We know that at least a handful are buried in Cony Cemetery likely in graves once simply marked with wooden markers or none at all. It is worth mentioning here that many people believe a small cemetery exited on the property of the hospital, but this has never been proven or confirmed. How many forgotten dead rest here in Cony Cemetery we can only speculate.

As I made a quick stop to see this cemetery I was fascinated that such a small place could have such an interesting story. If you are interested in discovering this cemetery for yourself you will find it on Hospital Street in Augusta.