Here lies a hidden story a tale etched in stone and whispered by the wind at Moore-Jackson Cemetery. This is not just a cemetery. It is a landmark that whispers secrets of old New York.
Moore-Jackson Cemetery is a historic burial ground in Queens. It dates back to 1733. This tranquil spot offers a glimpse into the lives of early New Yorkers.
The Moore family bought this land in 1684. They were one of Queens’ oldest families. The cemetery became their final resting place. Among them were John, Nathaniel, and Mary Moore. They were three of Samuel and Charity Moore’s ten children.
The oldest legible tombstone belongs to Augustine Moore. He died in 1769 at just 17 years old. Many other 18th-century tombstones have faded with time. Their inscriptions are now lost to the elements at Moore-Jackson Cemetery.
After 1827, the estate was sold several times. Burials still continued until 1869. John C. Jackson, who married into the Moore family, bought land nearby in 1867. This is how the cemetery became known as Moore-Jackson Cemetery.
The Moore and Jackson families cared for the cemetery until about 1910. Then it fell into disrepair. By 1919, only 42 gravestones remained visible.
In 1935, the Works Progress Administration stepped in. Workers relocated the remaining tombstones. They also raised the land. The city government seized the cemetery in 1954. A fence was erected two years later.
Despite these efforts, the cemetery deteriorated again. Local resident Cecile Pontecorvo began maintaining it in 1974. She saw the importance of preserving this sacred space at Moore-Jackson Cemetery.
The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated it a landmark in 1997. The Queens Historical Society bought the cemetery in 1999. They restored it to its former glory. In 2018, a community garden was added.
Today, Moore-Jackson Cemetery sits between 51st and 54th Streets. It lies between 31st and 32nd Avenues. The cemetery’s location is on the northern shore of Long Island. Once a river flowed nearby. To the east was a marshland called Trains Meadow.
The cemetery tells a tale of family legacy. Clement Clarke Moore, a relative, wrote “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” The Queens Moores have their own story.
Reverend John Moore purchased Newtown from the Mespeatches tribe. This transaction is viewed with scrutiny today. The Moore family built a house in 1661. It stood until 1930.
Nathaniel Moore sheltered British troops during the Revolutionary War. Despite being Loyalists, the Moores did not lose their land. The Moore-Jackson Cemetery stands as a testament to their enduring presence.
The last burial occurred in 1868. At its peak, Moore-Jackson Cemetery had 46 tombstones with inscriptions. Today, the Moore-Jackson Cemetery is a peaceful reminder. It connects us to the past. It honors those who came before us. It is a place of reflection in the heart of Queens. It is a hidden gem and a testament to the passage of time.