DR. MATTHIAS LORD

Main Cemetery -- Area E
Lot 303 -- Westside

Matthias Lord was born on April 16, 1839, in Mendon, New York, to Nathaniel and Huldah (nee Simonds) who were wealthy farmers. According to 1840 census, the farm was worth about $6,000 which was considered a lot of money. Matthias attended New York medical college and was trained as a surgeon.

He enlisted in the army and mustered into the Union Army’s 140th N.Y. infantry in Albany, NY. He saw and was involved in some very heavy fighting as Dr. Lord served at Gettysburg, as well as at the Fall of Petersburg, Chancellorsville, and at the Appomattox Court House. He spent considerable time within the Confederate lines caring for their injured. In one of his letters to the Rochester newspaper, he reported that almost all of the rebel soldiers were wounded on the arms, head and chest while most of the union men were wounded in the legs – an interesting observation, but due to what reason?

After his discharge, Dr. Lord became superintendent of the Monroe County Insane Asylum. He served in this position for eighteen years before it became a state institution.

Matthias Lord died in November 1916 and is buried here in Pittsford Cemetery, beside his two wives: Charlotte (nee Rey) Lord & Elizabeth (nee Forsaith). Dr. Lord was highly regarded as a caring, honest man who helped many people with physical problems as well as mental ones no matter what political side they espoused.