Fairview Cemetery (Amsterdam, New York)
Encyclopedia
Fairview Cemetery in Amsterdam, New York
, holds the remains of many members of Amsterdam's old wealthy carpet
manufacturing families as well as middle Americans.
Dr. David Shepard
, a surgeon
in the Revolutionary War
, purchased a farm near Amsterdam, New York
and Fort Johnson, New York
in 1802. In the late 19th century a group of people decided to make a resort
of this farm. When many of the financial backers of this plan turned against it, they decided to make the farmland into a cemetery
.
The first burial in the cemetery occurred in 1899. Many people's remains were moved to Fairview from other cemeteries after it opened. The fourth burial in the cemetery was of John Kilts, who died in 1890.
Fairview is still in operation today. In 1985, there were more than 6000 burials in the cemetery.
Amsterdam (city), New York
Amsterdam is a city located in Montgomery County, New York, USA. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 18,620. The name is derived from the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands....
, holds the remains of many members of Amsterdam's old wealthy carpet
Carpet
A carpet is a textile floor covering consisting of an upper layer of "pile" attached to a backing. The pile is generally either made from wool or a manmade fibre such as polypropylene,nylon or polyester and usually consists of twisted tufts which are often heat-treated to maintain their...
manufacturing families as well as middle Americans.
Dr. David Shepard
David Shepard (surgeon)
Dr. David Shepard was an American doctor and soldier. He was an early proponent of inoculation to prevent small pox.-Life and career:...
, a surgeon
Surgeon
In medicine, a surgeon is a specialist in surgery. Surgery is a broad category of invasive medical treatment that involves the cutting of a body, whether human or animal, for a specific reason such as the removal of diseased tissue or to repair a tear or breakage...
in the Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, purchased a farm near Amsterdam, New York
Amsterdam (city), New York
Amsterdam is a city located in Montgomery County, New York, USA. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 18,620. The name is derived from the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands....
and Fort Johnson, New York
Fort Johnson, New York
Fort Johnson, formerly known as Akin, is a village in Montgomery County, New York, United States. The population was 491 at the 2000 census.The Village of Fort Johnson is in the south part of the town of Amsterdam, west of the city of Amsterdam....
in 1802. In the late 19th century a group of people decided to make a resort
Resort
A resort is a place used for relaxation or recreation, attracting visitors for holidays or vacations. Resorts are places, towns or sometimes commercial establishment operated by a single company....
of this farm. When many of the financial backers of this plan turned against it, they decided to make the farmland into a cemetery
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...
.
The first burial in the cemetery occurred in 1899. Many people's remains were moved to Fairview from other cemeteries after it opened. The fourth burial in the cemetery was of John Kilts, who died in 1890.
Fairview is still in operation today. In 1985, there were more than 6000 burials in the cemetery.