Townsend Cemetery facts for kids
The Townsend Cemetery is a special old graveyard located on a beautiful hill in Oyster Bay, New York. Many members of the important Townsend family are buried here. Some of these family members once lived in the famous Raynham Hall. This spot is also interesting because an old fort stood here even before the American Revolution!
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A Look Back in Time
This cemetery has a long and interesting history. The street that leads to it, Simcoe Street, is named after a British commander, Lt. Colonel John Graves Simcoe. During the Revolutionary War, he ordered his soldiers to cut down a large apple orchard that grew here. He also had them rebuild an old fort that was on this very hill.
The Story of the Fort
Today, you won't find any parts of the old fort. But the hill remains very important to the Townsend family. It was one of their first family burial grounds. Now, the town owns the cemetery. It's the final resting place for members of the Townsend family, as well as the Weeks, Butler, Haviland, and Stoddard families.
Who is Buried Here?
It's believed that John Townsend was the first person buried here way back in 1668. His headstone is very old and worn, but a bronze marker now tells us about him. It explains that he came from England and originally owned this land. John and his two brothers, Richard and Henry, settled in Oyster Bay in the 1660s. Their family members have been important leaders in the community for hundreds of years.
Samuel and Sarah Townsend, who were the first owners of Raynham Hall, are also buried here. Six of their eight children rest here too: Solomon, Robert, Sally, Phebe, David, and William.
Secret Spies of the Revolution!
A special marker at the cemetery remembers Robert and Sally. It mentions their part in the Culper Spy Ring. This secret group of spies gave very important information to General George Washington during the Revolutionary War. Their brave actions helped the American colonists fight for their freedom!
More Historic Spots in Oyster Bay
Oyster Bay has many old graveyards from the 1600s and 1700s. Some are almost hidden! You can find one on Orchard Street, named after the old apple orchard. Another is on Lexington Avenue, and a third is on Cove Road. There's even one near the Mill Pond on Lake Avenue. The names on these old stones remind us of the first families who lived here and the town's long, fascinating history.
You'll also see these family names on many of the streets in Oyster Bay. For example, there's Weeks Avenue, White Street, Burtis Avenue, Audrey Avenue (named after Audrey Townsend), Feeks Lane, McCoun's Lane, Sugar Tom's Lane, Anstice Street, Underhill Place, Larrabee Avenue, and Simcoe Street.
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