In the heart of Mystic, Connecticut, lies the tiny Whitehall Cemetery, a place steeped in history since its establishment in 1644. Among its solemn grounds rests Dr. Dudley Woodbridge, a man whose life story weaves through the fabric of time.
Descended from a line of ministers, Dr. Woodbridge chose a different journey. Despite starting on the path of ministry, he diverted, opting instead to heal as a physician. Without formal schooling, he mastered the art of medicine, becoming renowned in the area for his skill.
In the bustling 1750s, Dr. Woodbridge erected a tavern doubling as his medical practice. His reputation flourished, and he served in the General Assembly, representing Groton, Connecticut with honor.
By 1764, he sought new horizons, purchasing land in Mystic from the Gallup family. Here, he erected the majestic Whitehall Mansion. Sometime after the end of the American Civil War legends began to swirl around the mansion, whispers of secret passages under the floor leading to the Mystic River and clandestine ties to the Underground Railroad. Yet, upon scrutiny, no evidence surfaces, dispelling myths and leaving only the legacy of a remarkable man.
Upon Dr. Woodbridge's passing in 1790, his fortune spoke of his success, though the absence of a will cast uncertainty. His son inherited the mansion, passing it on to his grand-nephews upon his own demise, preserving Dr. Woodbridge's legacy for generations to come.
The home still stands today, though in a different location. In 1962, a highway expansion project threatened the mansion. To prevent demolition, the mansion was moved, restored and given to the Stonington Historical Society by Florence Grace Bentley Keach. Through the work of the Stonington Historical Society, a donation of $15,000 and five acres of land from Mrs. Keach, the building was saved and moved to its present location. The Inn was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 12, 1979.
The mansion remained in the care of the Stonington Historical Society until 1996 at which time it was purchased privately and is now a charming and cozy bed and breakfast called the Whitehall Mansion Inn. https://www.whitehallmansion.com/
Dr. Woodbridge rests beneath a headstone made of sandstone. His wife Sarah, and 3 of their 9 children William, Benjamin and Lucy are all buried in nearby graves. The top of Dr. Woodbridge's stone is ornamented by a soul effigy with kind eyes, a gentle smile and beautiful wings. The inscription carved beneath reads,
"Docr Dudley Woodbridge
died 4th Oct. 1790
in his 86th Year,
Son the Rev. Ephm
Woodbridge of Groton.
"A tender Parent & a kind
Friend."
