Friends of Abandoned Cemeteries, Staten Island

As you may know, Staten Island’s unique history includes a major quarantine station – Marine Hospital that operated from 1799-1858. Countless immigrants of all nationalities, entered into New York Harbor during those perilous years only to be found with infectious disease, held in quarantine at the Marine Hospital on Staten Island, died and were buried in mass graves on the compound. During the mid 19th century immigration through New York was considerable. Although no complete listing survives from the Marine Hospital of inmates, Richmond County Mortality Schedule for a 6 month period from 1849-1850 shows that the majority of the 650 individuals listed were the victims of the Great Irish Hunger and Germany other nationalities listed on the 1850's Mortality Schedule include, England, Holland, France, Switzerland, Scotland and of course New York City, America.

The cemetery was largely obliterated in the 1950’s to make the current St. George municipal parking lot. A few years ago during a recent State of New York construction project at the lot, a section of the original cemetery was found intact under the asphalt as well as finding substantial scattered human remains throughout the site. The majority of what was found was removed and is currently held at the archeologist lab in Brooklyn. For many years we have campaigned for a proper disposition, finally we will bring them back to Staten Island where their stories will be told, their memory honored and a dignified burial will be at long last provided. They will be entombment at Moravian Cemetery until their final resting place which will be completed in 2011-2012.

We wish to invite you to join us on Saturday, October 17, 2009. The caskets holding the remains of the immigrants that were exhumed from the St. George municipal parking lot will be brought into St. Peters Catholic Church courtesy of Herb Smith III, Meislohn Silvie Funeral Home and lead by the Staten Island Pipes and Drums & Ancient Order of Hibernian's Honor Guard.

10 AM - Memorial Service, St. Peter's Catholic Church

Eminence Edward Cardinal Egan, Monsignor James Dorney & Reverend Richard Michael officiating.

11:30 AM - 3 PM – Reception, Tappen Park, Stapleton,
A German/Irish Immigrant Celebration

Kilmeyers Old Bavarian Inn & Manhattan Beer Distributors will provide an Oktoberfest Cafe. Refreshments can be purchased. Sponsored by: Ancient Order of Hibernians, City Parks Foundation, Friends of Abandoned Cemeteries and NYC Dept. of Parks and Recreation. FREE ADMISSION

Music donated by:

Andy Cooney and his Band
& The Moonshiners Band

For more information contact SICemetery@aol.com