In a simple reburial ceremony in Brentwood, a wooden box containing skeletal remains was returned to its final resting place. University of New Hampshire’s Forensic Anthropology Identification and Recovery Lab worked for two years to investigate the remains, which were discovered over 20 years ago during construction and identified as being from a farm for paupers in the mid-1800s. The team analyzed the remains to determine their age, condition, and the mystery of why they were in an unmarked grave. They were honored to provide valuable information about the individuals’ lives and to witness the reburial, offering closure to all involved.
The remains of the farm workers were mistakenly uncovered in 1999 and were stored at the New Hampshire medical examiner’s office for 23 years until being transferred to UNH in 2022. The F.A.I.R. Lab evaluated the bones, dated them, and explored town records and maps to learn more about the historical significance of the area. Their research indicated signs of hardship, poverty, and health issues among the individuals, who were likely buried in a pauper’s grave on land that was once the Brentwood Poor Farm from 1841 to 1868.
Poor farms were institutions established in rural counties in the 19th and early 20th centuries to provide support to the poor and other dependent residents. They offered room and board in exchange for labor, though the treatment of residents was often exploitive and violent. Poor farms were created to keep marginalized individuals out of sight of the middle and upper classes, including those of different races, ethnicities, and individuals with mental or physical illnesses.
Brentwood town collaborated with landowners to reinter the remains in the original grave location. The paupers at the farm were likely buried in hasty, unmarked graves, which were forgotten over time as the poor farm model for social welfare was dissolved in the 1930s and 1940s. The reburial event was seen as a way for Brentwood to show care and respect for its past residents, with UNH’s work shedding light on the lives of these individuals and advocating for them.
The project was a collaborative effort between Brentwood, the state, homeowners, and UNH, providing answers, closure, and meaningful resolutions for all parties involved. The F.A.I.R. lab typically works on investigations ranging from criminal to cold cases, making it fulfilling to humanize individuals and give them a dignified burial. The burial site remains undisclosed on private property, with plans in place for a future exhibit about the Brentwood Poor Farm by town officials and the historical society.
Overall, the reburial ceremony in Brentwood served as a reminder of the importance of honoring and respecting the lives of individuals, even long after their passing. Through the work of UNH’s F.A.I.R. Lab and the collaboration of various parties, closure was brought to a forgotten chapter in the town’s history. The event highlighted the significance of recognizing and preserving the stories of those who may have been marginalized in society, ultimately contributing to a better understanding of the past and promoting empathy and compassion in the present.
