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 This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.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, 74° 6.121′ W. Marker was
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Regionally, this marker and memorial was in New York City. It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in North America and the Western World. Historically, it found 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 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 distance of this marker); William Main Doerflinger (within shouting distance of this marker); Noble Maritime Collection (within shouting distance of this marker); New Earth - Apocalypse Knowledge Advancement Unit (NEAKA), 2014 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Noble Maritime Collection (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Staten Island.
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 . . .
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 354 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 11, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
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