CLIFTON PARK CEMETERY RECORDS
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A BIT OF HISTORY
by John L. Scherer
Exploring Clifton Park's Cemeteries
Cemeteries are a great source of historical and genealogical
information, and their grave stones and monuments are true
works of art. Tombstone inscriptions can be charming and
poetic. Clifton Park is fortunate to have several
interesting cemeteries.
Church cemeteries lie at the rear or along side the church.
In some cases the cemetery has long outlasted the church
building, as is the case of the small cemetery on Clifton
Park Center Road, near the rear entrance to Clifton Country
Mall. One of the nicest church cemeteries is the one at the
rear of the Clifton Park Center Baptist Church. Here a
variety of interesting grave stones can be seen. The
earliest stone appears to be made of sandstone and bears the
date of 1809. One mid-nineteenth century stone made of
limestone has the image of a lamb carved on it, indicating
the grave of a child. Another has a carved hand pointing
heaven ward. Abijah Peck and his wife are buried near the
church he founded in 1794.
The cemetery on the hill in back of the Amity Reformed
Church is perhaps the best known area cemetery. It contains
a variety of interesting nineteenth century monuments, many
carved with the traditional weeping willow trees, and some
with clever verses. One of the earliest dated tombstones is
for Agnes Vanden Berg, consort of Garret. She died March
22, 1807 at age 86. Many of the mid-nineteenth century
tombstones were carved by Isaac F. Fletcher of Cohoes. A
receipt signed by Fletcher and dated 1858 remains, stating
that a tombstone was purchased for an Adam J. Van Vranken
for $16. That tombstone is in the Amity cemetery.
Another tombstone signed by Isaac Fletcher was found in the
rear of George and Betty Coonrod's house in Vischer Ferry.
Its inscription states, "one we loved has left our number
for the dark and silent tomb - closed his eyes in deathless
slumber - faded in his early bloom." Isaac F. Fletcher is
listed in the 1855 census records for Cohoes as a marble
dealer; his son Isaac V. Fletcher is listed as a stone
cutter.
Up Vischer Ferry Road near the entrance to the town landfill
lies another fairly good sized cemetery. A fine early
church building stood adjacent to this cemetery until it was
destroyed by fire in February 1975. The Grooms
Methodist Episcopal Church had its beginning in 1788 and
many residents of Vischer Ferry and Grooms Corners were
members. Familiar names like Hicks, Peters, Hegeman,
Keeler, Shepherd and Adsit appear on the tombstones. One
large monument commemorates the death of Seymour and
Catharine Maria Birch. "They were lost on board the ill-
fated steamer Atlantic on Lake Erie, August 20, 1852 on
their passage from Buffalo to Detroit. Buried at sea."
Nearby lie tavern keeper Silvenus Birch and his wife. The
Birch tavern, location of many early town board meetings,
still stands at the intersection of Vischer Ferry Road and
Grooms Road. Alexander Macintosh and his family are also
found in this cemetery. His tombstone, dated 1807, is one
of the earliest, and many people still call the cemetery the
"Macintosh Cemetery." It was Alexander's son, John, who
went to Canada and discovered the Macintosh apple.
Some family cemeteries are located off the beaten path and
are rather difficult to find. But sometimes a challenge
makes the sport of cemetery hunting even more fun. The
Shepherd cemetery is located in the orchard in back of
Bowman's on Sugar Hill Road. Here are buried William
Shepherd and his family. William, who built the farm house
where the Bowman's now live, died in 1814 at age 53. James
Nessle, killed in an accident at the Vischer Mill in 1841 is
also buried here. It was his continual trips to the
Vischer Ferry General Store to purchase sugar for his wife's
canning needs that gave Sugar Hill Road its name. The
Nessle home is now a foundation hole near the intersection
of Riverview and Sugar Hill Roads. The Shepherd cemetery
has a fine cast iron fence surrounding it.
Even more difficult to find is the Nanning Vischer cemetery
on the banks of the Stony Creek Reservoir, near the site of
Nanning's fine eighteenth century home. This home was moved
to Loudonville in the early 1950's when the reservoir was
completed. Nanning, son of the first settler, Nicholas, was
a captain in the American Revolution. Rumor has it that
when he was buried here in 1813, his silver tankard was
interred with him. In fact, some years ago kids
unsuccessfully tried to locate the tankard. According to
Nanning`s will, however, his silver tankard was given
to his son Francis, who is also buried in the small family
cemetery. To find the cemetery, you need to get specific
directions and permission from the owners of the property.
Right on busy route 146, near Nott Road in Rexford, is the
Garnsey Family cemetery. Although not visible from the road
because of brush, it is only a stones throw. Surrounded by
an ornate iron fence, this cemetery has some lovely
classically inspired tombstones. These include the
tombstones for Nathan Garnsey, who built the brick house
just east of the cemetery, on route 146, in 1791, and Natha
n Garnsey, Jr., who served as our Town's second supervisor
in 1829.
On the south side of Riverview Road east of Vischer Ferry
and opposite the home of Paul and Connie Kowalchyk was
located the old Van Vranken family cemetery. Unfortunately,
all that remains are a few tombstones that now form a path
to the Kowalchyks' back door. Early settler Maus Van
Vranken and his wife are represented a mong these stones.
Near the home where my family lives is the Best family vault
where Abraham Best, the eccentric builder of our Federal
home, now resides. The entrance to the vault which stood
near Vischer Ferry Road was filled in about thirty five
years ago or more, making it inaccessible, but some old
timers remember having been inside.
The Jonesville Cemetery is an example of the rural cemetery
movement, popular during the mid nineteenth century. Park
like settings were created by landscape architects, where
people could enjoy the views, fresh air, plants and
monuments. Rolling hills, cast iron benches, ponds, and
exotic trees added to the effect. Cemeteries were like
pleasure gardens where Victorians strolled and picnicked.
The roads and paths in the Jonesville Cemetery wind through
valleys and up hills. The large family monuments stand
layered along the hillsides, with the ones at the top among
the most elaborate. Here lies buried Roscius R. Kennedy,
the founder of the Jonesville Academy, a private boarding
school established in 1836, now the home of the Temple
family.
Exploring cemeteries is great fun. Many of the monuments
and tombstones are true art forms. In fact, you may even
want to record some tombstones in the form of rubbings. If
you are lucky, you might come across an ancestor or two.
And, by the way, cemeteries are wonderful spots for a picnic
- so quiet and restful - except, of course, on Halloween!
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