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Born in Vermont in 1819, educated at the University of Vermont and the Andover Theological Seminary, Rev. Moses McLellan Colburn was installed as pastor of the South Church of Dedham (today’s First Congregational Church) in October, 1852. In December of that same year, Rev. Colburn married Maria A. Read, also from Vermont. The couple had three children, two of whom – both boys – died in infancy.
In November of 1861, Maria Colburn died of consumption at 36. Both she and one son, John David Colburn, who died in 1858, are buried in Old Parish Cemetery, lot 78.
In 1863, Rev. Colburn was remarried to Miss Harriet E. Read, a sister of his first wife. They had three children, one of whom died in infancy. Colburn remained in South Dedham until 1866, serving his congregation throughout the Civil War. Colburn died in 1876 in St. Joseph, Michigan, where he was pastor from 1870 until his death. He was remembered as “a plain, unostentatious man, but a kind and true friend to all.” He was interred in Michigan.