Ossining in Westchester County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Receiving Tomb

— Dale Cemetery Heritage Trail —

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 29, 2024

1. The Receiving Tomb Marker

Inscription. Today referred to as the receiving vault, this graceful stone structure was designed by Howard Daniels, architect of Dale Cemetery, in 1851. It is made from “Sing Sing marble,” a coarse dolomitic limestone quarried by inmates at the nearby Sing Sing Prison.

The vault is located among some of the oldest burial plots. Built into a hillside with curving wing walls and adorned with an urn on either end and on top of the gabled roof, the vault was used to temporarily store bodies in winter months when the ground was too frozen to dig permanent graves, or until a decision was made regarding a permanent burial place.

The coffins were placed on a railed dolly, rolled inside and placed on shelves set into the walls of the vault. The plain interior, measuring 12 x 12 x 10 feet, has a heavy metal lockable entrance door to prevent entry by grave robbers. When the cemetery opened, the rental fee was $2 per week.

While modern mortuary practices have made this structure nearly obsolete since 1960, it has been used as recently as 2000.

Erected by Dale Cemetery. (Marker Number 30.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.

Location.

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41° 10.255′ N, 73° 51.351′ W. Marker is in Ossining, New York, in Westchester County. It can be reached from the intersection of Havell Street and Jenkins Court. Marker is in Section O of Dale Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 104 Havell St, Ossining NY 10562, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Hudson Valley

and in the New York City Metropolitan Area.

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 walking distance of this marker: The Moore Family (a few steps from this marker); Capt. Elijah Hunter (1749-1815) (within shouting distance of this marker); John Thompson Hoffman (1828-1888) (within shouting distance of this marker); Munson I. Lockwood (1810-1875) (within shouting distance of this marker); Samuel Youngs (1760-1839) (within shouting distance of this marker); James Trowbridge (1754-1821) (within shouting distance of this marker); The O'Brien Family (within shouting distance of this marker); The Collyer Family (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ossining.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 29, 2024

2. The Receiving Tomb Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 193 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 22, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.