Revolutionary War Cemetery

[innit Geezer]

There's many old cemeteries around here that include the industrial people that built up the Hudson Valley during the last century. I have an interest in the areas history so I'm aware of who and what many of these people did. I'm particularly interested in the big land owners and the manufacturing of building supplies that were shipped down river to NYC.

This cemetery however, has people that fought in the American Revolution and the War of 1812. The grounds were neglected for decades until recently when volunteers cleaned it up.

Considering it's remote location, I'm amazed and glad it's never been vandalized in anyway.




This person Jacob Waldron, was a Revolutionary War Private from the Second Regiment.

[innit Geezer]

This gentleman has both his wives buried along side him. I imagine that these were young ages even for back then (1830's). First wife lived till age 21 and the second wife till age 24.



He lived till he was 34 and died in 1835.

[innit Geezer]

Another Private from the Second Regiment. Living till age 78 that seems long for the time (1828).

[innit Geezer]

The cemetery is on a hillside near a marshy inlet to the Hudson and most likely had a direct view of the river when it was started.

The West Shore Railroad was put in place in the 1860's transporting people up and down New York State until 1965. Now it just hauls freight. (and we need people transportation more than ever)

[innit Geezer]

A particularly poor stitching of 2 photos but anyway....

[Ardbeg... innit]

Gary, your photos reminded me of a stop we made on our trip to Scotland 3+ years ago. At the base of Stirling Castle there is a cemetary that dates back about 500 years. I didnt take any photos of those ancient stones because they simply would not turn out well without proper low angle lighting (the carvings in the stone having been obliterated by erosion of time). But I did take some pictures of the more contemporary stones/tombs and the setting in which they stand.

[innit Geezer]

We have scattered cemeteries throughout the region. Many were lost to suburban subdivisions (as ugly as that sounds, it's true) A friend of mine has an old family plot behind the house she grew up in and the local high school has headstones in in the middle of ball-fields and tennis courts.

Is it me or do other lands have a greater respect for the deceased? In the name of progress we have a railway and burial site together. I wonder if that would happen in other countries or locals around the U.S.

At least these folks don't have a vinyl sided high-ranch or split on their chest.

[Irish Stu]

Fascinating Gary. It never would have occurred to me that you would have war cemeteries for those who fell during the American Revolution. In the UK I think we have a collective image of you getting fed up with British rule, your taxes paid to our King etc, and you kind of chasing us out of the country. And, of course, being the losers in all this we quickly moved on and put it behind us. So it's easy to forget that from the other side of the fence those that died made the ultimate sacrifice for the way of life you enjoy now.

Thanks for posting such an interesting insight into this part of our shared history.

Simon

[innit Geezer]

I know an older lady who is a registered "Daughters of the Revolution". She's very proud and involved in many local area historical societies.

www.nydar.org/id20.htm