Lend A Helping Hand To Restore Landmarked Remsen Cemetery

Views: 0

Heroism Bonding The Generations Since Forest Hills’ Colonial Times

By Michael Perlman | mperlman@queensledger.com

For May 10 at 11 AM, the Increase Carpenter Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (ICCNSDAR) is seeking volunteers to tidy up the cemetery and help restore the later addition of four tombstones to their authentic white color. A plan is also underway to clean all signage and the commemorative plaque, as well as plant additional flowers. A presentation will help resurrect its unique history. This free event is sponsored by Juniper Park Civic Association.

Revolutionary War patriots will continue to be honored by ICCNSDAR on May 31 at 11 AM at the landmarked Bowne House in Flushing. This free public event will feature a program on the Remsen family and a reflection of the prior event, and will be followed by a museum tour. DAR members and friends are welcome to participate in a Chapter meeting at 10 AM, with lunch following the program. For additional information, the public can email darqueens@gmail.com.

Remsen Cemetery, August 2019, Photo by Michael Perlman 

The mission of DAR is to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. “I feel proud to be a member, not just because I have an ancestor who fought in the Revolutionary War, but for the past six years, I have seen and read about all the work the DAR is doing, and it is very impressive,” said Forest Hills resident Allison Plitt, a local journalist, as well as an administrative professional employed by Robert Half. Besides conducting restoration work at Remsen Cemetery and planting, she explained, “Although the NYC Parks Department does maintain the cemetery very well, there is still some trash, sticks, and leaves that need to be picked up.”

There are 10 volunteers on board, but a larger team awaits, relying on community residents who wish to sign up. Afterall, teamwork is essential to historic preservation. “Historic preservation is not something that can be accomplished by one individual. You need to raise funds and get other people involved in the various aspects of restoration, in order to complete your project,” explained Plitt.

Remsen Cemetery, 1950, Courtesy of Historian Ron Marzlock

With the four stone memorial tombstones in mind, erected by the Veterans Administration in 1981, she consulted with Atlas Preservation, an organization that coordinates gravestone preservation training workshops with other DAR chapters. “They clean tombstones with D/2 Biological Solution, which is safe to use on many types of stones. I purchased all of our cleaning supplies through them.”

Remsen Cemetery’s original brownstone tombstones span 1790 through 1819. In 1935, the long-neglected property became a memorial park. Flanking a flagpole, two doughboys honor Forest Hills’ service in WWI. This is also where the annual Forest Hills Memorial Day Parade culminates with speeches and a wreath laying ceremony under the auspices of American Legion Continental Post 1424, in partnership with organizations such as the Forest Hills Kiwanis Club.

Wreath laying ceremony at Remsen Memorial Park featuring 2 WWI Doughboys, 2023, Photo by Michael Perlman

The Remsen family immigrated from Northern Germany in the 17^th century. In Colonial times, it was popular for families to have private cemeteries close to home. The Remsen family erected a homestead on their farm adjacent to the cemetery in 1699, which stood until 1925. Jeromus Remsen (1735 – 1790) was Colonel of the Kings and Queens County Militia in the Battle of Long Island, fought in the French and Indian War of 1757, and he commanded the New York Regiment in the American Revolutionary War.

A prime aspect of New York history may actually be a short stroll away. “Remsen Cemetery was mentioned at a DAR meeting, and when I looked up its location, I could not believe it existed right here in Forest Hills. No one ever mentioned it to me,” said Plitt. “In fact, P.S. 144 is named the Col. Jeromus Remsen School, and I never heard anyone call it by that name.”

Remsen Farmhouse, North of Metropolitan Ave & East of Woodhaven Blvd, Courtesy of Michael Perlman

Plitt holds the heroism of our ancestors in her heart, as their spirits are very much alive. “DAR does a lot of work preserving cemeteries and working with veterans. As a member, you come to realize how much people really sacrificed their lives to allow American citizens to live in a truly free country. You appreciate your life so much more when you are constantly learning about people who put their lives at risk, just so you can live in a democratic nation.”

Remsen Cemetery was designated by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1981 after a heroic initiative by residents. When a public hearing was slated for July 8, 1980, Remsen Park Coalition Chairman Michael Albetta told The Leader Observer two weeks prior, “This is a very proud moment for the Remsen Park Coalition. Our hard work has finally paid off.” He continued, “I would like to express my gratitude to Councilman Arthur Katzman for all of his unselfish efforts on our behalf. I would also like to thank Senator Martin Knorr, Assemblyman Alan G. Hevesi, and Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio for their assistance in Albany.”

Later addition of limestone memorials & doughboys, Photo by Michael Perlman

A 1925 survey revealed brownstone grave inscriptions of Jeromus, Anna, Jerome (two), Cornelius, Ann Elizabeth, Bridget, and Major Abraham Remsen. The Veterans Administration erected non-brownstone graves that memorialize Colonel Remsen, Maj. Abraham Remsen, and brothers Aurt and Garrett Remsen, who were also Revolutionary War officers. Some brownstone tombstones vanished and remain a mystery, but one must wonder if they will be replicated and reinstalled in their accurate spot someday.

The Remsen Park Coalition’s 1981 plaque states, “Within this park lies the remains of Revolutionary War Veteran Colonel Jeromus Remsen. Buried in the confines of this site were his cousins Major Abraham Remsen, Captain Luke Remsen, Lieutenant Aurt Remsen and their families. The Remsen family was amongst the first settlers of this area, originally known as White Pot.” It then reads, “This plaque also honors the hard work and determination of the Remsen Park Coalition and those individuals and organizations without whom Remsen Park would never have become reality. May this stand as a symbol of a society that cares to remember its heritage, its tradition, its values, and its lost historic sites.”

Selection of members of Increase Carpenter Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Laurie Hanophy, Leslie Wickham, Kim Kotary placing flags at St. Michael’s Cemetery, East Elmhurst, 2025

As of 1981, the Coalition included Chairman Michael A. Albetta, President Virginia L. Macinnes, Treasurer Frank Barnett, Secretary Marc Wurzel, Felix Cuervo, Joseph E. DeVoy, longtime historian Jeff Gottlieb, and Robert P. Mangieri.

Upon encountering the plaque, Plitt commended the parties behind the cemetery’s 1981 restoration, and said, “To think that local efforts galvanized that type of community of volunteers is very impressive.” Fast-forward to 2025, Albetta extended outreach to DAR, and restoration and beautification will continue to come full circle. “They raised funds to plant 11 Japanese Cherry trees, and the Dutch government donated over 1,000 daffodils for planting,” she continued.

Plitt feels inspired by her chapter’s prior experiences. For example, in 2017, a cleanup was coordinated at Lawrence Cemetery in Astoria. Annually, flags are planted at St. Michael’s Cemetery in East Elmhurst. She explained, “Over the weekend, we planted flags on site in anticipation of Memorial Day. Each year, we also participate in Wreaths Across America, where our chapter lays wreaths at soldiers’ tombstones at Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn. Our chapter is continuously involved in events based on member interest. If another local chapter is working on a cemetery cleanup, we will try to participate.”

Selection of members of Increase Carpenter Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Allison Plitt, Doreen Duff, Shirley DellaVecchia, Francesca Bergenn, Leslie Wickham

As an event coordinator and a history buff, Plitt hopes to research the Remsen family further. So far, she and fellow DAR chapter members uncovered a Remsen Cemetery map from 1925 that pinpoints eight members buried on site. They also visited Jamaica’s Central Library and came upon two beneficial books in their archives – “Colonial Patriots” by Barbara Stuchinski and “The Remsen Family in America” by Alfred Hunt Remsen. Whether in an attic or on a dusty shelf, history is bound to resurface. “For the Remsen brothers, Luke and Aurt, we believe there are only memorials. There was no historical documentation saying they were actually buried there,” said Plitt.

Backtracking, on July 8, 1886, The Newtown Register resurrected the history of Old Newtown by publishing selections from the “Town Scrap Book,” originally drafted by the town clerk. In 1776, Colonel Jeromus Remsen was referenced as the supervisor of Newtown. An excerpt reads, “The Remsens were a powerful family in Newtown at this period. The Van Duyns were also a strong family at the same period. At the decisive moment, they took opposite sides; the Remsens under Colonel Jeromus; their competitors under the indomitable Dow Van Duyn. The spring of the passions animated the two families to obtain supremacy in a contest which they felt must be decisive and to be fought without compromise. The whole Whitepot county from Hempstead Swamp to Flushing Creek chiefly belonged to the two families; and there they dwelt in harmony until their latent spirit was excited into action by a conflict at which all the powers of Europe rested their own conflicts the better to satiate their amazement.”

Remsen Memorial Encampment, Courtesy of Michael Albetta

The publication later reads, “The career of Dow Van Duyn forms the shading in perspective to the Doric column which stands Colonel Jeromus Remsen. The homesteads in which dwelt both these men still stand on Trotting Course Lane, within hailing distance and facing each other. The hollow of the road where took place the last stormy interview between these chieftains is much the same as on that day when Dow Van Duyn had watched the retreating form of Colonel Remsen in Continental uniform marching at the head of his regiment to the Battle of Brooklyn. They never met again.”

On August 31, 1926, The Daily Star published Elmhurst resident Arthur White’s article, “Old Newtown in the American Revolution.” He was considered to be an authority on local history. An excerpt stated, “On August 27 (1776), the Battle of Long Island was fought, which terminated in the victory of the British over the patriots. The scene of the contest was in Brooklyn, where the Americans were routed at what is now the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Third Street. Both Colonel Remsen and his cousin, Major Abraham Remsen were present at the battle, and now both these patriotic men, soldiers of the Revolution, lie near together in the little family cemetery adjoining the site of the homestead on Trotting Course Lane (now Woodhaven Avenue), near Metropolitan Avenue.”

Remaining brownstone tombstones, August 2019, Photo by Michael Perlman

White pinpointed major neglect. It read, “The stone over the major’s grave has been destroyed, and the inscription on the colonel’s monument obliterated, while the graves are hidden under dense underbrush.” Today’s generations of volunteers are increasingly dedicated, and landmarking will ensure Remsen Cemetery’s placement on the map for the next few hundred years. Further discoveries and restorations await.

Share on Facebook

Post on X

Follow us

Save