Williamsburg Cemetery
Encyclopedia
Williamsburg Cemetery is a historic cemetery
located at Hampton Corners
in Livingston County, New York
. It was established in 1792 and is one of the earliest European American settlement period cemeteries in Western New York
and is the last surviving above ground remnant of the now vanished village of Williamsburg. Williamsburg was established by Captain Charles Williamson acting in his capacity as agent for British investors in The Pulteney Association
in the late 18th century. Notable burials include U.S. Representative Charles H. Carroll
(1794–1865) and William Fitzhugh, an early investor in what is now Livingston County, and business partner of Colonel Nathaniel Rochester
, founder of that city. It is also the final resting place of Henry Fitzhugh
(1801–1866) and James G. Birney
(1792–1857), son in law of William Fitzhugh and candidate for President of the United States
by the Liberty Party
in the 1840
and 1844
presidential elections on an abolitionist
platform. Stones bear dates that range from about 1814 to about 1910 and it is an important reminder of the early settlement of the Genesee Valley
.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 2002.
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...
located at Hampton Corners
Groveland, New York
Groveland is a town in Livingston County, New York, United States. The population was 3,853 at the 2000 census.The Town of Groveland is centrally located in the county, south of Geneseo.- History :...
in Livingston County, New York
Livingston County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 64,328 people, 22,150 households, and 15,349 families residing in the county. The population density was 102 people per square mile . There were 24,023 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
. It was established in 1792 and is one of the earliest European American settlement period cemeteries in Western New York
Western New York
Western New York is the westernmost region of the state of New York. It includes the cities of Buffalo, Rochester, Niagara Falls, the surrounding suburbs, as well as the outlying rural areas of the Great Lakes lowlands, the Genesee Valley, and the Southern Tier. Some historians, scholars and others...
and is the last surviving above ground remnant of the now vanished village of Williamsburg. Williamsburg was established by Captain Charles Williamson acting in his capacity as agent for British investors in The Pulteney Association
The Pulteney Association
The Pulteney Association was a purchaser in 1792 of a large portion of the Western New York land tract known as the Phelps and Gorham Purchase. The Pulteney Associates were British investors: nine-twelfths was owned by Sir William Pulteney, 5th Baronet , a Scottish lawyer; two-twelfths by William...
in the late 18th century. Notable burials include U.S. Representative Charles H. Carroll
Charles H. Carroll
*For other men named Charles Carroll, see Charles Carroll.Charles Holker Carroll was an American planter, jurist and statesman from Groveland, New York...
(1794–1865) and William Fitzhugh, an early investor in what is now Livingston County, and business partner of Colonel Nathaniel Rochester
Nathaniel Rochester
Nathaniel Rochester was an American Revolutionary War soldier and land speculator, most noted for founding the settlement which would become Rochester, New York.-Early years:...
, founder of that city. It is also the final resting place of Henry Fitzhugh
Henry Fitzhugh
Henry Fitzhugh was an American merchant, businessman and politician from New York.-Life:...
(1801–1866) and James G. Birney
James G. Birney
James Gillespie Birney was an abolitionist, politician and jurist born in Danville, Kentucky. From 1816 to 1818, he served in the Kentucky House of Representatives...
(1792–1857), son in law of William Fitzhugh and candidate for President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
by the Liberty Party
Liberty Party (1840s)
The Liberty Party was a minor political party in the United States in the 1840s . The party was an early advocate of the abolitionist cause...
in the 1840
United States presidential election, 1840
The United States presidential election of 1840 saw President Martin Van Buren fight for re-election against an economic depression and a Whig Party unified for the first time behind war hero William Henry Harrison and his "log cabin campaign"...
and 1844
United States presidential election, 1844
In the United States presidential election of 1844, Democrat James K. Polk defeated Whig Henry Clay in a close contest that turned on foreign policy, with Polk favoring the annexation of Texas and Clay opposed....
presidential elections on an abolitionist
Abolitionism
Abolitionism is a movement to end slavery.In western Europe and the Americas abolitionism was a movement to end the slave trade and set slaves free. At the behest of Dominican priest Bartolomé de las Casas who was shocked at the treatment of natives in the New World, Spain enacted the first...
platform. Stones bear dates that range from about 1814 to about 1910 and it is an important reminder of the early settlement of the Genesee Valley
Genesee River
The Genesee River is a North American river flowing northward through the Twin Tiers of Pennsylvania and New York. The river provided the original power for the Rochester area's 19th century mills and still provides hydroelectric power for downtown Rochester....
.
It was listed on 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...
in 2002.