Jamaica in Queens in Queens County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Prospect Cemetery
Designated as a New York City Landmark in 1976, Prospect Cemetery, the original Old Burial Ground of the Village of Jamaica is one of the few remaining Colonial cemeteries in Queens. The earliest written record of the cemetery dates back to 1668. Prospect Cemetery is a valuable reminder of the Village of Jamaica's history and the important part its families played in shaping the early course of the United States.
Prospect Cemetery is the resting place of important figures in early New York City history. One example is Egbert Benson, a friend to Alexander Hamilton who acted as his secretary at the Constitutional Convention. Benson was a judge, State Attorney General and Congressman. Many Revolutionary War veterans, a great deal of whom served with Skidmore's Minutemen, are also buried here. Many descendants of those families fought in the Civil War, and were buried here as well.
Grave markers range in style from the simple hand-carved fieldstone of Thomas Wiggins, dated 1728, to professionally carved brownstones with depictions of winged skulls and angels, to the striking marble and granite obelisks made fashionable in the 1800s.
In 1857 Nicholas Ludlum, a wealthy New York merchant born in Jamaica added land purchased from the Long Island Railroad to the eastern side of the cemetery and commissioned the construction of The Chapel of the Sisters. The Chapel was Ludlum's grieving tribute to his three daughters, all of whom died young. The Chapel's builder, Thomas Clary, is also buried here.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1976.
Location. 40° 42.12′ N, 73° 47.929′ W. Marker is in Queens, New York, in Queens County. It is in Jamaica. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jamaica NY 11433, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Prospect Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Monica's Catholic Church (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Stone Church (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Grace Church (about 800 feet away); Grace Episcopal Church and Graveyard (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jamaica Center Sidewalk Clock (approx. 0.2 miles away); La Casina Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Justice Marshall 1908 - 1993 (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Queens.
Also see . . . Prospect Cemetery and Chapel of the Sisters. New York Landmarks Conservancy website entry (Submitted on September 24, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2018, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 242 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 11, 2018, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.