2024 Sheldon Annual Meeting/Reunion - Providence, RI
Sheldons from around the country gathered in Providence, RI, in August for the 2024 Sheldon Family Reunion. Here attendees pose after cleaning Sheldon gravestones in Warwick Historical Cemetery #003 in Pawtuxet, RI. First Row: William Johnson, Carol Sheldon, Wende Warren, Nancy Sheldon, Bob Sheldon, Karen Berrie, Sandy Giani, Carol Horton-Owen, Sherrie Johnson, Polly Evans, Ken Evans. Second Row: Peggy Johnson, Bob Sheldon, Michael Sheldon, Michael Sheldon, Meghan Sheldon-Brungard, Jim Berrie, Christina Sheldon, Bryan Sheldon, Walt Cooper, Peter Lamoria, John Sheldon, Jan Barrett. Third Row: Libby Wilson, Kevin Sheldon, Bob Sheldon, Ross Sheldon, Stephen Sheldon. Several people not pictured.
On Thursday, Aug 8, dozens of Sheldons from all over the country gathered at the Radisson Hotel in Warwick, RI, for the Sheldon Family Association’s 85th Annual Meeting and Reunion.
Our first gathering was at Tavolo, Italian Wine Bar and Tuscan Grille, a wonderful restaurant located next to our hotel. We had a nice room where we met and talked for several hours over delicious food.
On Friday morning we boarded buses and headed out to explore Rhode Island and to find Sheldon-related places. Our first stop was at Prospect Terrace, a small park overlooking the city of Providence and the Rhode Island State House. Also in the park is a very large statue of Roger Williams, founder of Providence.
We then went down the hill to Sheldon Street, where we walked along the quiet tree-lined street admiring the well-tended homes built between the late 1700s and early 1800s. Deacon Joseph Sheldon owned the land that became Sheldon Street. Our next stop was just a few blocks away, at the Sheldon-Mauran Warehouse, built in 1784, owned by Deacon Joseph Sheldon and his son Christopher. The building now houses a real estate office and has been renovated to show the exposed stonework and timber framing.
Next on our itinerary was the Roger Williams National Memorial, a National Park site. Here we learned more about Rev. Williams and his views regarding the native people, religious freedom, and how that made Rhode Island different from the surrounding colonies.
Then it was time for a lunch break in the cute village of Pawtuxet.
Our final stop was at Warwick Historical Cemetery #003, also known as the Greene Cemetery, in Pawtuxet, where we used D/2 cleaner on more than 30 Sheldon family headstones and plaques. We look forward to seeing how the cleaning process improves the look of the stones in a few months! We enjoyed meeting members attending their first reunion and reconnecting with some we hadn’t seen for a while too! We’re looking forward to seeing you next year!
If you would like to help plan our 2025 Reunion and Annual Meeting, please contact me at (636) 734-6272 or lrwilson802@gmail.com.
Special thanks to Libby Wilson for all her hard work in putting this event together and all those who attended.
