Sunset Park in Brooklyn in Kings County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Van Ness-Parsons Family Tomb
Photographed by Larry Gertner, October 15, 2011
1. Van Ness-Parsons Family Tomb Marker
This family wanted to make sure to cover all their bases. So they went with it all: (form left to right) the Old Testament, personified by baby Moses and his mother; The New Testament, represented by Jesus and Mary; Osiris, the Egyptian god responsible for safeguarding tombs, above the doorway; a sphinx; and the image of Ra, the Egyptian sun god. (Ra was originally a bronze plaque – you can see the pins that held it in place; ironically, the sun has burnt the image of Ra into the wall.) The pyramid itself is in Egyptian Revival architectural style and was meant to convey the message that this family was part of a 5,000-year flow of culture and history.
Erected by The Green-Wood Historic Fund.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites.
Location. 40° 39.451′ N, 73° 59.475′ W. Marker is in Brooklyn, New York, in Kings County. It is in Sunset Park. It is on 23rd Street. The marker is within Green-Wood Cemetery on Battle Ave at Bay View Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brooklyn NY 11215, United
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Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, the Western Hemisphere, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Anderson Family Tomb (within shouting distance of this marker); McDonald (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Battle of Brooklyn (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named The Battle of Brooklyn (about 400 feet away); Civil War Soldiers Monument (about 500 feet away); Huntingtons Regiment (about 500 feet away); Triumph on Battle Hill (about 500 feet away); Battle Hill (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brooklyn.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, October 15, 2011
2. The Van Ness-Parsons Family Tomb
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 2,413 times since then and 119 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 23, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide area photo of the marker showing its location in context. • Can you help?
