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Cornell Burial Ground
Burial Records

Far Rockaway, Queens County, New York

GPS: 40.60011, -73.74997

Caffrey Ave
Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Last edited: January 23, 2024
Total records: 25

Cornell Burial Ground is located along the north-west side of Caffrey Ave, between New Haven Ave and Davies Rd. It is currently owned by the City of New York, managed by the Department of Parks and Recreation.

History

On August 23, 1687, Richard Cornell (1625-1693), an ironmaster from Flushing, New York, purchased all of the area now known as Rockaway from John Palmer, who had inherited the land two years earlier. In 1690, Cornell settled on the Rockaway penninsula with his wife Elizabeth and their five sons and two daughters. He built a house on Far Rockaway, near what is now Beach 19th Street. This home was likely the first ever built on Rockaway by a European settler.

The first known burial was in 1694, that of Richard Cornell, the land owner.

Cornell Memorial Marker

The following are inscriptions found on a memorial marker in the cemetery...

Richard Cornell, died Aug. 11th, 1694
His wife
Elizabeth Jessup, died Jan 4, 1698
His son
Col. John Cornell, Queens County Militia, Died 1742
His daughter
Gloriana Foster, died April 25, 1797
Her husband
Henry Foster, died June 1768
Thomas Cornell, Son of Richard, died Oct 13, 1722
His wives
Annetje Wiltzie, died circa 1771
Charity Hicks
Thomas Cornell, grandson of Richard, 27 yrs in General Assembly N.Y., died Mar 24 1764
His wife
Sara Doughty
Thomas Cornell, great grandon of Richard, 2 yrs General Assembly N.Y.
His wife
Hellenah Whitehead
John Cornell, grandson of Richard, died 1773
His wife
Abegail Whitehead, died April 20th, 1762
Richard Cornell, great grandson of Richard, died 1778

Tombstone Inscriptions

The following is a transcription of readable tombstones compiled by Susan Walski in 2001...

In Memory of Jane McPherson who died 5th Aug 1816 age 33 years

In Memory of Ebenezer Lockwood who departed this life 5th of July 1813, 40yr 1mo 2dy

Rebeccah H. Lockwood wife of Dr. Ebenezer Lockwood only child of Benjamin & Abigail Cornwell who departed this life Oct 20, 1807 age 27 yr 16 day

In Memory of Benjamin Cornell who died June 8, 1821 aged 71yrs 25 days

Here lyes the body of Abegil Cornell who departed this life April 20 1762 in the 56th year of her life

In memory of Henry Foster and Glorianna his wife. He was born the 8th of July 1718 and died June 1768. She was born Aug the 26th, 1721 and died April 25, 1797

To the Memory of Thomas Cornell, ESQ. His weeping widow erects this monument of her affection & his age. Born the 28th July AD 1703. Died the 24th March 1764. What he was to the poor and to the publik the last of which he served 27 yrs in the General Assembly of New York is ingraven on tables more duralbe than this stone.

H.+ C March 4, 1750

Underground Vault: To the memory of Mr. Thomas Cornwell. His weeping widow Hellenah Cornwell erects this monument of her affection and his age. Born Dec 14 1722 Died Oct 13, 1766