North Fork in Orient in Suffolk County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Slaves Burying Ground

Photographed by Alexander Erwin, June 14, 2021

1. Slaves Burying Ground Marker

Inscription. This site has long been known as the Slaves Burying Ground. The headstones indicate that Dr. Seth Tuthill (1784-1850) and his first wife, Maria Tuthill (1789-1840), are also buried here. In 1951, under the leadership of George R. Latham, it was acquired by the Oysterponds Historical Society from the Douglass family. During the 1950s, the sign to the right was erected on the site. OHS is currently doing research to try and determine the number of people buried here, and to obtain as much historical information and context as possible. Following our research, a new sign will be erected with updated information that reflects what we have been able to discover about this site and the reality of slavery during the early history of our community. The old sign will remain part of the OHS collection. If you have questions or information that may help the project, please contact [email protected].

Erected by Oysterponds Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Anthropology & Archaeology • Cemeteries & Burial Sites.

Location. 41° 7.923′ N, 72° 17.652′ W. Marker is in Orient, New York, in Suffolk County. It is in North Fork. It is on

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Narrow River Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Orient NY 11957, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the New York City Metropolitan Area

and on Long Island.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Orient WWI Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Orient Point Schoolhouse (approx. 0.6 miles away); Orient WWII Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Webb House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Poquatuck Park (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Methodist Church (approx. 0.7 miles away); Trumans Beach (approx. 1.4 miles away); Peaken's Tavern (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Orient.

More about this marker. This marker and the site it represents is still being researched, and it is very likely a new marker will be erected here given time.

Also see . . . A reckoning for Orient Slave Graveyard. East End Beacon website entry (Submitted on September 7, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Slaves Burying Ground from outside the entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alexander Erwin, June 14, 2021

2. Slaves Burying Ground from outside the entrance

The Burying Ground is down a small trail past the marker.

Slaves Burying Ground image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alexander Erwin, June 14, 2021

3. Slaves Burying Ground

The stones on the ground represent grave sites of the un-named slaves.

Seth & Maria Tuthill's gravestones image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alexander Erwin, June 14, 2021

4. Seth & Maria Tuthill's gravestones

Seth Tuthill's gravestone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alexander Erwin, June 14, 2021

5. Seth Tuthill's gravestone

Maria Tuthill's gravestone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alexander Erwin, June 14, 2021

6. Maria Tuthill's gravestone

Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2021, by Alexander Erwin of East Patchogue, New York. This page has been viewed 1,135 times since then and 90 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 17, 2021, by Alexander Erwin of East Patchogue, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.