Common Burying Ground and Island Cemetery
Encyclopedia
Common Burying Ground and Island Cemetery are a pair of separate cemeteries
on Farewell and Warner Street in Newport
, Rhode Island
. Together they contain over 5,000 graves, including a colonial era slave cemetery and Jewish graves. The pair of cemeteries was added to the National Register of Historic Places
as a single listing in 1974.
The Common Burial Ground dates to the 17th century. It features an unparalleled collection of colonial era headstone
s including the largest number of colonial African American
headstones in the country.
The Island Cemetery is a private cemetery started in the middle 19th century. Many members of Newport's most prominent families have been buried there over the years.
Cemetery
A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
on Farewell and Warner Street in Newport
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
. Together they contain over 5,000 graves, including a colonial era slave cemetery and Jewish graves. The pair of cemeteries was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
as a single listing in 1974.
The Common Burial Ground dates to the 17th century. It features an unparalleled collection of colonial era headstone
Headstone
A headstone, tombstone, or gravestone is a marker, usually stone, that is placed over a grave. In most cases they have the deceased's name, date of birth, and date of death inscribed on them, along with a personal message, or prayer.- Use :...
s including the largest number of colonial African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
headstones in the country.
The Island Cemetery is a private cemetery started in the middle 19th century. Many members of Newport's most prominent families have been buried there over the years.
Prominent people buried in the Common Burial Ground
- Christopher G. ChamplinChristopher G. ChamplinChristopher Grant Champlin was a United States Representative and Senator from Rhode Island. Born in Newport, he completed preparatory studies, was graduated from Harvard College in 1786, and continued his studies at the College of St. Omer in France.Champlin was elected as a Federalist to the...
, United States Representative 1797-1801, United States Senator 1809 - 1811 - Henry Y. CranstonHenry Y. CranstonHenry Young Cranston was a U.S. Representative from Rhode Island, brother of Robert B. Cranston.Born in Newport, Rhode Island, Cranston attended the public schools....
, Representative from Rhode Island - John Cranston, Colonial Governor of Rhode Island
- Robert B. CranstonRobert B. CranstonRobert Bennie Cranston was a U.S. Representative from Rhode Island, brother of Henry Young Cranston.Born in Newport, Rhode Island, Cranston attended the public schools....
, politician - Samuel CranstonSamuel CranstonSamuel Cranston was a governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations during the first quarter of the 18th century. He held office from 1698 to 1727, being elected to office 30 times , and served as governor longer than any other individual in the history of both the colony and...
, Colonial Governor of Rhode Island - William Ellery, signer of the Declaration of IndependenceDeclaration of independenceA declaration of independence is an assertion of the independence of an aspiring state or states. Such places are usually declared from part or all of the territory of another nation or failed nation, or are breakaway territories from within the larger state...
and colonial Deputy Governor - Ida Lewis (lighthouse keeper)Ida Lewis (lighthouse keeper)Idawalley Zorada Lewis was an American lighthouse keeper noted for her heroism.-Biography:...
, heroine of the 19th Century - Henry MarchantHenry MarchantHenry Marchant was American lawyer from Newport, Rhode Island and United States federal judge. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1777 to 1779, and was a signer of the Articles of Confederation for Rhode Island.-Life of service:Born in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, Marchant...
, Delegate to the Continental Congress - Asher RobbinsAsher RobbinsAsher Robbins was a United States Senator from Rhode Island. Born in Wethersfield, Connecticut, he graduated from Yale College in 1782, was a tutor in Rhode Island College from 1782 to 1790, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1792 and began practice in Providence, Rhode Island...
, Senator 1825-1839 - Moses Seixas, Founder of FreemasonryFreemasonryFreemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
in Rhode Island and Colonial era Jewish leader. - William Greene TurnerWilliam Greene Turner-Life:Turner was born at Newport, Rhode Island, the son of James Varnum Turner and Catharine Turner .During his adult life Turner was a dentist before enlisting at the outbreak of the American Civil War...
, sculptor, perhaps best known for his memorial to Oliver Hazard PerryOliver Hazard PerryUnited States Navy Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry was born in South Kingstown, Rhode Island , the son of USN Captain Christopher Raymond Perry and Sarah Wallace Alexander, a direct descendant of William Wallace... - William VernonWilliam VernonWilliam Vernon , of Newport, Rhode Island, was a New England trader who played a leading role in the Continental Congress' maritime activities during the American Revolution...
, Colonial era merchant - Richard WardRichard Ward (governor)Richard Ward was a governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, serving for one complete term from 1741 to 1742. He was the son of Thomas Ward and Amey Billings of Newport, and grandson of John Ward who had come from Gloucester, England...
, colonial governor of Rhode Island - Samuel Ward, Delegate to Continental Congress, colonial governor of Rhode Island
Prominent people buried in the Island Cemetery
- Hugh D. AuchinclossHugh D. AuchinclossHugh Dudley Auchincloss, Jr. was an American stockbroker and lawyer who became the second husband of Janet Lee Bouvier, the mother of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.-Biography:...
, Stepfather of Jacqueline Kennedy OnassisJacqueline Kennedy OnassisJacqueline Lee Bouvier "Jackie" Kennedy Onassis was the wife of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, and served as First Lady of the United States during his presidency from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. Five years later she married Greek shipping magnate Aristotle... - August Belmont, Jr.August Belmont, Jr.August Belmont, Jr. was an American financier, the builder of New York's Belmont Park racetrack, and a major owner/breeder of thoroughbred racehorses.-Early life:...
, Developer of the IRT Subway in New York City and the Cape Cod CanalCape Cod CanalThe Cape Cod Canal is an artificial waterway traversing the narrow neck of land that joins Cape Cod to mainland Massachusetts.Part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the canal is roughly 17.4 miles long and connects Cape Cod Bay in the north to Buzzards Bay in the south... - August BelmontAugust BelmontAugust Belmont, Sr. was an American politician.-Early life:August Belmont was born in Alzey, Hesse, on December 8, 1813--some sources say 1816--to Simon and Frederika Elsass Schönberg, a Jewish family. After his mother's death, when he was seven, he lived with his uncle and grandmother in Frankfurt...
, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee 1860, founder of the Belmont StakesBelmont StakesThe Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds... - Perry BelmontPerry BelmontPerry Belmont was an American politician and diplomat.-Biography:He was born on December 28, 1851 in New York City to August Belmont. His brothers were Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont and August Belmont, Jr....
, United States Congressman and Army Officer - Sara Swan Whiting Belmont Rives, 1st wife of Oliver H.P. Belmont 2nd wife George L. Rives
- Henry BrewertonHenry BrewertonHenry Brewerton was a career engineering officer in the United States Army, serving as the Superintendent of the United States Military Academy and then as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War....
, Superintendent of West Point Military Academy - Melville BullMelville BullMelville Bull was a U.S. Representative from Rhode Island.Born in Newport, Rhode Island, Bull attended Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire, and graduated from Harvard University in 1877...
, United States Representative 1895 - 1903 - William Channing Gibbs, Governor of Rhode Island 1821 - 1824
- Richard Morris HuntRichard Morris HuntRichard Morris Hunt was an American architect of the nineteenth century and a preeminent figure in the history of American architecture...
, architect of Gilded Age - Lewis Cass LedyardLewis Cass LedyardLewis Cass Ledyard was a New York City lawyer, a name partner at the firm Carter Ledyard & Milburn, personal counsel to J.P. Morgan, and a president of the New York City Bar Association.-Early life:...
Lawyer, socialite and Commodore of the New York Yacht ClubNew York Yacht ClubThe New York Yacht Club is a private social club and yacht club based in New York City and Newport, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1844 by nine prominent sportsmen. The members have contributed to the sport of yachting and yacht design. The organization has over 3,000 members as of 2011. ... - Janet Lee Bouvier Auchincloss Morris, Mother of Jacqueline Kennedy OnassisJacqueline Kennedy OnassisJacqueline Lee Bouvier "Jackie" Kennedy Onassis was the wife of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, and served as First Lady of the United States during his presidency from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. Five years later she married Greek shipping magnate Aristotle...
- Matthew C. Perry, Navy Commodore and commander of Japanese expedition in 1853
- Oliver Hazard PerryOliver Hazard PerryUnited States Navy Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry was born in South Kingstown, Rhode Island , the son of USN Captain Christopher Raymond Perry and Sarah Wallace Alexander, a direct descendant of William Wallace...
, Navy Commodore and hero of the Battle of Lake ErieBattle of Lake ErieThe Battle of Lake Erie, sometimes called the Battle of Put-in-Bay, was fought on 10 September 1813, in Lake Erie off the coast of Ohio during the War of 1812. Nine vessels of the United States Navy defeated and captured six vessels of Great Britain's Royal Navy...
in War of 1812War of 1812The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant... - John Hare Powel, Civil War Lieutenant Colonel and Mayor of Newport, Rhode Island
- George L. RivesGeorge L. RivesGeorge Lockhart Rives served as United States Assistant Secretary of State 1887 to 1889. He also wrote the two volume book The United States and Mexico, 1821-1848: A History of the Relations between the Two Countries from the Independence of Mexico to the Close of the War with the United States...
, Assistant Secretary of State, USA - William Paine Sheffield, Sr., United States Senator 1884 - 1885
- Thomas W. ShermanThomas W. ShermanThomas West Sherman was a United States Army officer with service during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War....
, Civil War Major General - William Watts ShermanWilliam Watts ShermanWilliam Watts Sherman was a New York City businessman and the treasurer of the Newport Casino. In 1875-1876 he had the William Watts Sherman House constructed in Newport, Rhode Island.-Biography:...
(1842-1912), treasurer of the Newport Casino - Hazard StevensHazard StevensHazard Stevens was an American military officer, mountaineer, politician and writer. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the Union army during the American Civil War at the Battle of Fort Huger. Stevens and P. B...
, Medal of Honor Recipient and son of Isaac Stevens. - Isaac Ingalls Stevens, Civil War Major General who was killed in action at Chantilly, Virginia.
- Charles C. Van ZandtCharles C. Van ZandtCharles Collins Van Zandt was the 34th Governor of Rhode Island.-Early life:He was born in Newport, Rhode Island. He graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, then studied law and was admitted to the Bar in 1853...
, Governor of Rhode Island 1877 - 1880 - Gouverneur K. WarrenGouverneur K. WarrenGouverneur Kemble Warren was a civil engineer and prominent general in the Union Army during the American Civil War...
, Civil War Major General, Commander of the 5th Corps at the Battle of GettysburgBattle of GettysburgThe Battle of Gettysburg , was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War, it is often described as the war's turning point. Union Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac... - George Peabody Wetmore, Governor of Rhode Island and United States Senator
- Katherine Prescott WormeleyKatherine Prescott WormeleyKatherine Prescott Wormeley was an American nurse in the Civil War, author, editor, and translator of French language literary works. Her first name is frequently spelled as "Katharine"....
, Literary translator, founder of the United States Sanitary CommissionUnited States Sanitary CommissionThe United States Sanitary Commission was a private relief agency created by federal legislation on June 18, 1861, to support sick and wounded soldiers of the U.S. Army during the American Civil War. It operated across the North, raised its own funds, and enlisted thousands of volunteers...
during the Civil War
See also
- Touro CemeteryTouro CemeteryTouro Synagogue Cemetery , dedicated in 1677, is located in the colonial historic district of Newport, Rhode Island, not far from the Touro Synagogue. Other Jewish graves are found nearby as part of the Common Burying Ground and Island Cemetery on Farewell Street.-History:The cemetery was founded...
, the old Jewish cemetery at Newport - Coddington CemeteryCoddington CemeteryThe Coddington Cemetery is an early colonial cemetery located in Newport, Rhode Island. It is sometimes called the Friends' Burial Ground, and has more colonial governors buried in it than any other cemetery in the state.- Description :...
, where six colonial Rhode Island governors are buried - Clifton Burying GroundClifton Burying GroundThe Clifton Burying Ground is an early colonial cemetery located in Newport, Rhode Island. It is a Quaker cemetery, and has the graves of four Rhode Island colonial governors.- Description :...
, where four colonial Rhode Island governors are buried