First Shearith Israel Graveyard facts for kids
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First Shearith Israel Graveyard
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| Location | 55-57 Saint James Place, Manhattan, New York City, New York |
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| Area | Less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1682 |
| NRHP reference No. | 80002689 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 17, 1980 |
The First Shearith Israel Graveyard, also called Chatham Square Cemetery, is a small Jewish cemetery. It is located at 55-57 St. James Place in the Two Bridges area of Lower Manhattan, New York City.
This graveyard is the oldest of three cemeteries in Manhattan. They are all cared for by Congregation Shearith Israel. This group is the oldest Jewish community in North America. It was started in 1654 by Jewish immigrants from Spain and Portugal.
Today, the cemetery is much smaller than it used to be. You can still see about a hundred headstones and tombs above the ground. This old burial ground is a bit higher than the street. It is also the only building or structure from the 1600s that is still standing in Manhattan.
History of the Graveyard
The "First Shearith Israel Graveyard" is near Chatham Square in Lower Manhattan. People used it from 1683 to 1833. There was an even older cemetery called "Beth Haim" from 1656. That one was located near Madison and Oliver Streets.
The land for the First Shearith Israel Graveyard was bought in 1682 by Joseph Bueno de Mesquita. It was on a hill overlooking the East River. This area was open land outside the British-Dutch colonial settlement. The first person buried there was Benjamin Bueno de Mesquita in 1683.
In the 1700s, the cemetery grew bigger. At one point, it stretched from Chatham Square over what is now Oliver Street down to Madison Street.
Changes Over Time
In 1776, an officer working for General George Washington suggested putting cannons near the "Jews' burying ground." This was to help protect Long Island Sound during the war. American prisoners of war were also buried in trenches beyond the graveyard.
In 1823, New York City made a rule that no more burials could happen south of Canal Street. This meant the congregation had to use its second cemetery. This second graveyard was started in 1805 on West 11th Street in Greenwich Village. Even with the new rule, a few more burials happened at Chatham Square until 1833.
In 1829, Shearith Israel opened its third cemetery. This one was on 21st Street, west of 6th Avenue. This helped with the need for more burial space.
Shrinking the Cemetery
Over the years, the city grew, and the land around the cemetery changed. This meant the congregation had to make the Chatham Square Cemetery smaller several times. They also had to move bodies to their other three graveyards.
In 1851, city health officials said no more burials could happen south of 86th Street. So, the congregation worked with other synagogues. They bought a large piece of land in Ridgewood, Queens for a fourth cemetery.
A big change happened in 1855. A large part of the cemetery was taken by the city for public use. This was to make the Bowery bigger and to create St. James Place. About 256 graves were moved during this time.
Today, you can only visit the cemetery by making an appointment.
Notable Burials
From 1656 until 1825, all Jewish people living in New York City who practiced their faith belonged to the Shearith Israel congregation. They were buried here. This included 22 people who fought in the Revolutionary War.
Some important people buried here (though some bodies were later moved) include:
- Reverend Gershom Mendes Seixas (1745–1816), who was the first Jewish spiritual leader born in America.
- Dr. Walter Jonas Judah, the second Jewish person known to attend an American medical school. He was the first Jewish person born in America to do so. He died at age 20 from yellow fever.
See also
In Spanish: First Shearith Israel Graveyard para niños
