Let Their Voices Be Heard…

Alice Hermione Pelham Banister McNeill (1787-1823): Daughter of Thomas Banister (Rhode Island Banisters) and Rachel Martin of Rock Hall in Lawrence. Alice married William McNeill in 1806, who later served as the Town of Hempstead Justice of the Peace for twelve years. Together they had seven children. She was an accomplished artist, and musician who attended a private school for young ladies in Newport, and later the Columbian Academy of Painting in New York. In a sad twist of fate, Reverend Seth Hart presided over her baptism, marriage and later her burial when she died at only 36 from breast cancer. She was the last Martin descendant to live at Rock Hall, in Lawrence, circa 1767. It is her grave that was the catalyst for this entire project! Location: B-78

Josiah (1699-1778) and Mary Martin (d.1805) Josiah Martin was born into one of the leading English planter families on the island of Antigua.  Martin left his plantation in the care of a manager and brought his family to live in North America.  In 1767, he built "a good gentleman's house," Rock Hall in present day Lawrence, aa a visible symbol to the community of the status he had achieved in the world. It is believed the same architect created both Rock Hall and the rectory of St. George’s Church.  With the onset of the American Revolution, the house was occupied by rebel forces in 1776.  Josiah Martin's eldest son, Dr. Samuel Martin, was imprisoned briefly during this time in Philadelphia for his association with other loyalists, but was allowed to post bond and was set free.  After Josiah's death in 1778, at the age of 79, Rock Hall was inherited by Samuel. Josiah Martin served as a vestry man at St. George for many years and was buried under the altar of the Church. His entire family was later buried at the graveyard as well, including his son, Samuel, daughters Alice Martin (d. 1815) and Rachel Martin Banister (1750-18170). Unfortunately, no tombstones remain except for that of his granddaughter Alice Banister McNeill. Location: No headstone, ubried under original church altar.

Samuel Seabury (1706-1764) - Attended first Yale, then Harvard, to earn the degree of Doctor of Divinity. After being ordained in to the ministry by the Bishop of London, Seabury ultimately became rector of St. George Church from 1743-64. He supplemented the small church stipend by providing a classical school for local boys. Their son, Samuel would become the first US Episcopal Bishop. Location: B-83

Scottish-born American shipbuilder, naval architect, industrial engineer, and entrepreneur who worked for the United States Navy and the navy of the Ottoman Empire in the early 19th century. In 1799, he married Marion Bedell (1776-1840) and they had nine children. Eckford began his shipbuilding career for the US Navy in 1806. After joining the Society of Mechanics and Tradesman of the city of New York, he met prominent businessmen like John Jacob Astor, the first multi-millionaire in the US. In 1805, he built the Beaver, a sprig for Astor and then the Slyph. He made many other ships for Astor as well but it was the Fox in 1809 that garnered him fame. The ship was noted for its great speed thanks to the streamlined hull form Eckford designed, making the trip from Calcutta, India, to New York City in only 90 days – a record that would stand for 40 years. After building a national reputation in the United States through his shipbuilding successes during the War of 1812, he became a prominent business and political figure in New York City in the 1810s to early 1830s. Leaving his New York shipyard, he relocated to Lake Ontario to better supply the navy with ships during the War of 1812. There he turned Sackets Harbor, once a quiet hamlet, into one of the US Navy's main bases during the war and eventually expanding his ship building to Lake Erie. After the war he returned to New York City to continue his work at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. During this time he began to become involved in local politics, which led him to become part of the leadership of Tammany Hall. In 1826, he and other Tammany Hall leaders were indicted for committing acts of fraud against banks, insurance companies, and private citizens, resulting in the losses of millions of dollars. After the case resulted in a hung jury, Henry was freed but left in debt. Eckford sought an apology and public statement of his innocence from District Attorney Hugh Maxwell, but succeeded only in having Maxwell make a statement that Eckford had been duped by others into illegal acts. Eckford challenged Maxwell to a duel in December 1827, but Maxwell ignored him. Thanks to Eckford's political connections, some financial relief was offered to his heirs following the scandal. Hoping to rebuild his fortune and reputation, Henry went to Turkey to build ships for the Ottoman Empire. Eckford died in Constantinople in 1832, most likely the result of cholera. According to folklore his body was transported back to Hempstead for burial, preserved in a pickle jar. Location: D-87

Edward Greswold (1766-1836): Lawyer who began his career as a student in the law office of judge and future New York Governor Joseph Christopher Yates. Upon passing the law examinations, he was admitted to the bar before he had reached the legal age of twenty-one years. Edward made the acquaintance of M. McKissock, a clerk of the court, who kindly permitted him to have a desk in his office. This gave Edward an excellent opportunity to become acquainted with many of the leading lawyers of the city and state, including Alexander Hamilton, Brockholst and Edward Livingston, James Kent and Aaron Burr. He represented Aaron Burr during many of his business dealings though not during the famous criminal case over Alexander Hamilton’s death. Burr once described him as, “the only man he ever saw who loved the black letter lore of the common law for its own sake,” but he was “diffuse in speech and undisciplined in the bedroom.” This last part of the quote is most likely in response to his marriage to a prostitute. His monument is surrounded tightly by a black iron fence. The myth was that the fence was installed to prevent his evil spirit from escaping. The more likely reason for the fence is to protect his grave from desecration in response to his close connection with Aaron Burr. Location: A-24

William Laing (1831-1864): Sergeant of Company F, 158th New York Infantry of the Union Army. Posthumously presented the Medal of Honor for military valor during the U.S. Civil War. He was among the first to scale the parapet during the Battle of Chaffin's Farm in Virginia where he died in battle on September 29, 1864. Location: D-10

George Coleman DeKay (1804-1849): A skilled navigator, he spend most of his life working with the esteemed shipbuilder, Henry Eckford. He volunteered for the navy of the Argentine Republic during their war with Brazil and was given command of a brig in June 1827. He captured the brig “Cacique” commanded by Capt. Manson even though it was twice the size of De Kay's and much more heavily armed. When returning to Buenos Aires in June 1828, a Brazilian squadron ran his brig, the “Brandtzen,” inshore. He sank the ship to prevent her capture, swam ashore with his crew, and as a result was awarded rank of Commodore. In 1847, he received permission through an act of congress to take the U.S. frigate, “Macedonian,” a government ship, to Ireland, filled with supplies to help those suffering from famine. De Kay married Janet, the only child of famous poet Joseph Rodman Drake. Together they had seven children. Location: D-108

Born in Portugal in 1792, James Ellsworth De Kay was a physician, naturalist, and American zoologist. He published the multi-volume Zoology of New York who from 1842 to 1844. This work was illustrated by the British born American painter John William Hill and was significant in that they represented the first-time hand-colored lithographs were used to illustrate a state bird book. Historical species named after him included: Dipleura dekayi, Eurypterus dekayi, Eutephoceras dekayi, Mosasaurus dekayi and Trimerus dekayi. Location: D-101

Lewis Washington Angevine (1807-1884): Farmer and Butcher, who later became Democratic Town Treasurer for nine years. During his term, large sums of money were raised by Queens County in the prosecution of the Civil War. Married Phebe Mott and had two children. Location: E-53

Joseph Cheesman (1744-1800): Served as Lieutenant in Col. Malcolm’s NY Line Battalion during the Revolutionary War. Received the appointment of Captain of the Masons in the Artificers Department at West Point. His family/heirs petitioned for lands for his military service. Location: A-11

Sarah Eckford Drake (1800-1828): Wife of early American poet Joseph Rodman Drake, most famous for his poem “The American Flag.” Sarah was widowed when Joseph died of consumption in 1820, and fell ill herself in the autumn of 1827. On January 23, 1828, while caring for Sarah, her 19-year-old daughter Henrietta was badly burned when a fireplace set her dress on fire. Her 22-year-old brother John also suffered severe burns while beating out the flames with his hands. Within a few days, both Henrietta and John died of their injuries. Sarah Eckford never recovered and succumbed to her illness on November 29, 1828, at only age 28. Location: D-87

Joseph Rodman Drake DeKay (1836-1886) : Served during the Civil War on the staffs of General Mansfield, Pope, and Hooker and won the brevet of Lieutenant Colonel for gallantry in several battles. Location: D-109

Dr. Samuel Martin (1740-1806) A pupil of Reverend Seabury at St. George’s Church. At eleven he attended the Academy in Philadelphia, (later to become the College of Philadelphia, and then University of PA). By fourteen, he attended King’s College (today Columbia) and by 1765 had earned a medical degree from the Royal College of Physicians at Edinburgh. He soon returned to Rock Hall where he “doctored the countryside.” He served as a vestryman of the church for decades and often represented St. George at church conventions. During the American Revolution, he was part of a committee that protested the use of the church as a granary and storage house for weapons. His British sympathies led to his arrest in December, 1775. He was taken to the Provincial Congress in Philadelphia but was released on a bond and a promise of nonintervention. He returned to his home at Rock Hall where he spent the remainder of his life. Location: No headstone, buried under original church altar

Came to America with his parents in 1808 and graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1825. Practicing in Hempstead for over fifty years, he later was one of the founders of the Queens County Medical Society, for which he served as president for four terms. Location: D-171 a

Nehemiah Sammis (1796-1823): One of the proprietors of Sammis Tavern. The Hempstead landmark existed from the 1680’s to 1920’s and was home to seven generations of the Sammis family. Originally located on Fulton Ave and Main St, when closed it was the oldest inn in the United States. During the Revolutionary War., British officers used the inn as quarters and held lavish parties. His father, Benjamin (1763-1826) was employed by the British and known to drive a “spike “horse,” responsible for transporting supplies from Flushing to Hempstead. Old sources state when Congress met in New York, President George Washington spent a night at the inn stating “ye inn was a hospitable place and filled with good cheer.” He stopped there again for lunch during his travels from Hempstead to Huntington in 1790. This however has been disputed since. Location: B-75

Married Mary Townsend (1734-1819) and together had eleven children. Served as a captain during the French and Indian War. As a Tory, he received weapons from British war ships off the coast of Long Island to deliver to British soldiers. Served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the DeLancey’s Loyalist Brigade during the Revolutionary War, and most notable for leading British Forces during the Battle of Setauket. Alerted by spies to a planned assault, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hewlett strongly fortified the local Presbyterian Church. Hewlett rejecting a demand to surrender and was able to repel a force of Continental Army troops from Connecticut under the command of General Samuel Parsons. Hewlett planned an almost successful coup through the capture of George Washington. For these reasons, he was considered the most wanted Loyalist and topped the list of Tories to stand trial before the Constitutional Congress, though he evaded capture. After the British defeat in the war, Hewlett fled to Nova Scotia where he received land from the crown along with many loyalists. He was buried in Queenstown, New Brunswick, but a monument is erected here. Location: C-144

The Wood Brothers (Samuel, Epenetus, Abraham, and David): Largest monument in the cemetery. The four brothers owned a successful liquor distribution business in Brooklyn. The brothers made a pact to remain unmarried and leave their estates to the last surviving brother, thus keeping the wealth within the family. Samuel, the surviving heir, purchased most of the farmland in Brower’s Point after the Civil War with the intention of building a fashionable resort. He opened the Woodsburgh Pavilion, a grand three-story hotel on Broadway and Woodsburgh Boulevard as well as a sister hotel, The Neptune. When Samuel died, he left his estate to his sister’s son, Abraham Hewlett and funding for a proposed Samuel Wood Musical College. Woodmere derives its name from this esteemed family. Location: C-172

Thomas Hewlett (1793-1841): Thomas Hewlett acquired Rock Hall and the surrounded 125 acres in 1824.  Hewlett was able to develop sources of revenue directly from Rock Hall itself including rental of farm land and sale of firewood. As wreckmaster, Hewlett made significant income from the salvage of wrecks which became stranded along the shore. Hewlett took notice of the rising popularity of summer tourism in the Rockaway area during the 19th century and opened the home to paying guests as early as 1828. He was one of the founding fathers of Trinity Chapel in Rockaway now Trinity-St. Johns Church in Hewlett, necessary because of the difficult two hour journey by horse and carriage to Hempstead. Location: D-187 b

Louise (1860-1947) & Roswell Eldridge (1856-1927): The couple met at Roswell’s first job as an office boy working for the Udall company, which Louise’s father owned. The two married on December 1st, 1894. Roswell soon took on management of the property and steamship division of the Udall Company and made a fortune in the reorganization of the Hoboken, Union and Astoria ferries. In 1906, he founded the Great Neck Bank. In 1910, the two built a huge sprawling columned mansion on Long Island, Udallia, landscaped by the famous female landscape gardener/architect, Beatrix Farrand. Roswell provided the town of Great Neck with its first public library as well as its bathing beach and many parks. Roswell was a famous breeder of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Along with his wife, Louise & Roswell Eldridge founded the Village of Saddle Rock in January of 1911. The Eldridge estate, in its entirety, made up the new village of Saddle Rock. At the time, the new village had 77 residents. Roswell was the first mayor of Saddle Rock, and Louise succeeded him when he died in 1927. By taking his seat, Louise became the first female mayor in the State of New York. At the time of Roswell’s death, his wife inherited over $4,000,000. She bequeathed to many charities, including $100,000 to St. George Church. The remainder of the estate went to Roswell’s brother who built the mansion, Redcote, designed by the famous architectural firm, Delano and Aldrich, which sat on a hill overlooking Long Island Sound, not far from the Saddle Rock Grist Mill. Location: E-51 & E-52

Descendant of town founder Rev. Richard Denton, for whom the standing church rectory was built. Augustus served as Town Supervisor for North Hempstead. His residence was the famous Denton House of New Hyde Park. Originally built as a farm house in 1795 for the family of Joseph Denton, it was converted in the 1860s to a Georgian-style mansion. The mansion, now dubbed the McMansion, houses what many call “the world’s most beautiful McDonalds.” Location: D-53

Samuel Carman (1749-1817): Son of Benjamin Carman and Mary Bedell. He married Mary DeMott and together they had fifteen children. He was a veteran of the Revolutionary War, serving in the Continental Army from 1775-1783. Location: C-43