New Brighton on Staten Island in Richmond County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Randall Memorial
Sculptor: Robert Launitz (1806-1870)
| | Built: 1834 | |
Without a direct heir to the Randall family fortune, Captain Robert Richard Randall's Will made a bequest that a significant portion of his assets be used to fund a home for "aged, decrepit and worn-out sailors" on his estate in Greenwich Village. Opting for a quieter location, the Trustees of the Sailors' Snug Harbor in the City of New York moved the residence to a 130-acre site on Staten Island. In 1834, his burial site was also moved from its original location in Greenwich Village to Snug Harbor. The obelisk marks the spot.
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Some Staten Island residents claim to have seen the ghost of Randall looking across the water to Manhattan where he was originally buried. It is believed that spirits cannot cross bodies of water, thus, Randall's spirit is marooned on Staten Island.
Erected by Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden.
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 40° 38.689′ N,
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Regionally, this marker and memorial was in New York City. It was also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 walking distance of this location: Snug Harbor: History, Culture, Community (a few steps from this marker); Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art (within shouting distance of this marker); Sailor's Snug Harbor (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Staten Island Museum (within shouting
Other markers no longer nearby. Staten Island Museum, Building A (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Visitor's Center & Galleries, Building C, Main Hall (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . . Sailors' Snug Harbor. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on February 12, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 360 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 11, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
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