A Visit to the Old Southeast Church Cemetery in Putnam County, N.Y.

The oldest grave at the Old Southeast Church Cemetery in Brewster, N.Y. dates from 1751. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini — The oldest grave at the Old Southeast Church Cemetery in Brewster, N.Y. dates from 1751.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

How many times have I stopped for ice cream and miniature golf at the Red Rooster in Brewster, N.Y., or headed just a little farther north to Aversano’s, before I notice an old graveyard on Route 22 that is home to Revolutionary War veterans?

The grave of a Revolutionary War soldier at Old Southeast Church Cemetery in Brewster, N.Y. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini — The grave of a Revolutionary War soldier at Old Southeast Church Cemetery in Brewster, N.Y.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

An Historic Cemetery Unnoticed in Brewster, N.Y.

Stones are beginning to be erased by time at the Old Southeast Church Cemetery and traffic breezing by on Route 22 intrudes on its peacefulness, but there are still little snippets of history to be found. Sons of the American Revolution have placed more contemporary markers by some of the stones.

A Sons of the American Revolution marker commemorating the contributions of Samuel Bangs at the Old Southeast Church Cemetery in Brewster, N.Y. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini — A Sons of the American Revolution marker commemorating the contributions of Samuel Bangs at the Old Southest Church Cemetery in Brewster, N.Y.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

P.T. Barnum Family at the Old Southeast Church Cemetery

One still legible marker brushes up against a bit of the circus: Members of the Barnum family, relatives of showman Phineas T. Barnum of Barnum & Bailey circus fame, are buried here.