Southampton to preserve 2,000 gravestones
Those who believe dead men tell no tales have never read the markings on gravestones.
The Town of Southampton, which considers itself the oldest English settlement in New York, has some of the oldest grave markers, too -- some dating to the mid-17th century.
Recognizing that its burial grounds contain important historic artifacts -- the gravestones -- the town formed a committee to preserve the markers.
All 2,000 grave markers at the 10 town-owned and maintained burial sites have been inventoried. The data includes location, inscriptions, physical condition and photographs of each stone. The information is now available on Southampton's town website.
Town historian and committee chairman Zachary Studenroth said he believes Southampton is the only town on Long Island, and one of the few anywhere, that has documented grave markers in such a comprehensive way.
The often-tedious work began in 2004 but picked up in the summer of 2006, Studenroth said, when the town contracted with the University of Pennsylvania's Division of Architectural Preservation for help from student volunteers.
Some of the oldest graves are from Southampton Village's Old South Burying Ground on Little Plains Road, just south of Town Hall. The earliest death date is 1655 for Edward Howell, but the stone is a replica. However, the original stone exists for James Robinson who died in 1686 and is buried at North Sea Cemetery on Millstone Brook Road. Many stones around town are from the 1700s, even more from the 1800s.
Some tell stories of tragedy, like the stone for Ally R. at the North End Burying Ground in Southampton. The 2-year-old daughter of James R. and Theadosia Bishop died in 1859, and her stone bears the inscription: "God hath our treasure."
Now the task is to preserve the stones as much as possible, which Studenroth said is expensive. About one-third of the stones are in need of some repair, and costs can go as high as $1,500 for one stone.
"I would say every stone in the ground more than 100 years indicates some condition issue," Studenroth said.
Restoration work has begun with significant help from a small group of volunteers.
Under an agreement between the town and Southampton Historical Museum, John Griffin, a member of the historic burying ground committee and the museum advisory council, brought together the volunteers who were trained to properly clean the headstones at the North Sea Burial Ground.
Tom Mendenhall, a member of the East Quogue Historical Society, is starting a similar group to care for East Quogue Cemetery behind the Methodist Church on Montauk Highway.
"For most people, I feel, that aren't a president or senator or war hero, this is their legacy," Mendenhall said of the gravestones.
Studenroth hopes to encourage more public-private partnerships, he said. The more volunteer labor, the easier it is to keep costs down, he said.
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