Quiet Neighbors — Nancy Remkus

I have found cemeteries can be lonely places. Amid a grove of majestic oak trees in Sag Harbor, New York, stands Oakland Cemetery, 26 acres of memories. I live nearby and often walk about this silent stretch of earth. It has been a source of both sadness and intrigue. There are a few gravesites that get visited daily, some regularly and others never. Entire lineages gone forever. Perhaps genetic immortality was once hoped for but now with so many people on the planet it doesn’t seem to matter as much.

There are some very amazing people buried in Oakland Cemetery, more than I could ever mention- and my hope is that their spirits live on in the soul and the soil of Sag Harbor. We recognize and honor our historic buildings and landmarks, inanimate pieces of our foundation and yet I wonder if it is not more important, to remember and honor the souls whose insights, inspiration, and determination came to create and fortify this village. Oakland is hallowed ground filled with the remnants of those dreams.

Each gravesite tells a story- each rich with history, ambitions and tearstained grief. Sometimes I feel the heartache of families who gathered there to say farewell. I hear echoes of the stories told at the repast, I sense the empty space left in the hearts of families and friends. You see local history does not only belong in our museums and archives - it belongs to each of us -it is part of each of us and it is a foundational piece of who we are and from whence we came.

Among the many, several of our village ancestors that I have come to admire include some of Sag Harbor’s most notable residents.

(read on below between the photographs)

There is Fannie Tunison born in Sag Harbor in 1867, was paralyzed from the neck down shortly after birth, but became the breadwinner of her family by painting, threading a needle, doing needlework and even playing a metallophone with her teeth.

There’s Prentice Mulford who was born in Sag Harbor in 1834, was a pivotal force in the creation of New Thought Philosophy. After returning from a trip abroad, Prentice Mulford lived for the next 17 years as a hermit in the swamps of Passaic, New Jersey- and died on his ship while making his return trip to Sag Harbor. He has a long and very amazing story to tell.

Revolutionary war hero Captain David Hand born 1756 and his five wives’ remains were moved from the Old Burying Ground on Madison and Union Streets and are now located in Oakland Cemetery. Four of his wives are said to have died within 10 years of each other before the age of 30.

Ephraim Niles Byram, was born in Sag Harbor 1809-scientist, astronomer, clockmaker, book binder, inventor, genius -his gravestone is donned with a sphere on top and sits in Oakland Cemetery next to his former home. He created an orrey which is a mechanical model of the solar system that illustrates the relative motions of the planets and his tower clocks can still be found locally as well as in WestPoint and New York City Hall.

Out of the 4,000 souls said to be buried there, are people we grew up beside, along with heroes and patriots, whaleboat captains, whalers, ballet masters, ballerinas, authors, musicians, editors, playwrights, poets, journalists, actors, princes, orators and many, many more souls of the folks who helped to make this village and this world what is it today. It is a holy and fascinating place rich with the dreams of those who came before us.

As we approach All Soul’s Day it might be a good time to get to know your neighbors – there are pages of history written and resting right within the gates of Oakland Cemetery.