Reserved for the brethren of Flushing. That’s the story of the Johnson Burial Ground. This small hill in Bayside, Queens holds a poignant history. It’s a 19th-century African American burial ground. Few know its story.
Let’s step back to 1870. A notice in the Flushing Journal speaks of Dutch Jake. Dutch Jake was also known as Jacob Johnson. He was an elderly Black resident of the Alley. He was buried in the colored burying ground near Rocky Hill. Jacob Johnson had reserved this ground. It was for his brethren when he disposed of property nearby.
An 1873 map shows a “Mrs. Johnson” in the area. The Johnson Burial Ground itself is not marked. Later, apartments were built after World War II. These apartments specifically excluded the burial ground. It was described as a quarter-acre plot. It sat 14.39 feet south of the Long Island Motor Parkway Trail. The plot was 149 feet deep with a 72-foot frontage.
Today, the city owns the Johnson Burial Ground. It is unmarked and contains no headstones. Debris and vegetation cover the site.
Jacob Johnson appears in Flushing records as early as 1830. He is described as a free Black man. The 1860 Census lists Jacob, age 70, with his wife Jane. Jane was 53. They had four children: Jacob, David, William, and Samuel.
In 1855, Jacob Johnson and his wife transferred a deed. This deed reserved the Johnson Burial Ground. The transfer was to James Valentine Jr.
The surrounding community is often unaware. They don’t know the site’s history as a burial ground. For years, local youths have used it as a “hang-out.”
The Bayside Historical Society seeks to protect this space. Community Board 11 and the local NYC Parks administrator are involved. They support annexing the burial ground to Alley Pond Park. This would formally recognize the Johnson Burial Ground.
Imagine Jacob Johnson, a man ensuring dignity in death. He reserved this space for his community. Now, efforts are underway to honor his vision. The Johnson Burial Ground may soon receive the recognition it deserves. It is a final resting place and a testament to a community’s resilience.