I haven’t been writing much lately, and that’s because I’ve spent the better part of June conducting some much-needed research in New York, investigating our Hendrickson family origins. One of my favorite things to do when I am there is to visit old cemeteries and look for the graves of my ancestors. In most cases, however, my ancestors’ gravestones and even their small family cemeteries are lost to time.
Recently, while at the Huntington Historical Society, the archivist referred me to the Lockwood Marble Works Books, which are available to view online. The books contain gravestone inscriptions, sketches, and accounts of goods and services purchased by families of the deceased. There are four books, each of which is unique. The books are arranged chronologically, but they are not indexed or searchable, so you have to browse through them page by page. Each entry includes a date, but remember that families often purchase gravestones years after a person dies
John F. Lockwood, a stone-cutter and undertaker, ran a marble-cutting and undertaking business with his sons in Huntington, New York, throughout much of the 1800s, servicing Suffolk and Queens counties. 1 These are his books.
The Books
Book I, dated April 1837–December 1853, is a log of inscriptions, a general location of burial, along with costs and payments. At the end of the book, there are sketches of gravestones with inscriptions.
Book II, dated January 1854–June 1864, contains more detailed sketches of the gravestones’ inscriptions, measurements, costs, and payments.
Book III, dated July 1864–December 1865, is similar to Book II.
Book IV is a book of accounts from the undertaking part of the business from April 1865–December 1875. It lists each customer along with their purchases, such as coffins, shrouds, and clothing. It also records services, including transportation and preparation of the body. Occasionally, the name of the deceased and date of death are also provided, but not always. When more than one name appears, it’s not always clear who the deceased is unless it’s specified, so you will need to double-check the dates.
Findings
I wasn’t sure what I would find since my ancestors’ gravesites are unknown. To my surprise, I found a few interesting details. So, if you have ancestors on Long Island, this is a resource worth taking a look at.
On June 28, 1867, one day after the death of my ggggg-grandfather, Valentine Hendrickson, his daughter Angeline Stillwell purchased a walnut coffin and case, and a black merino shroud on behalf of Mr. Helms, costing $27.50. 2 Stephen Helms was the husband of Valentine’s daughter, Phebe Ann. Valentine’s exact place of burial is unknown. I assume he rests in one of the small family burial grounds in Woodbury, New York, some of which no longer exist.
The town of Woodbury shown in the image is most likely the place of burial, although it could also indicate the customer’s residence. The three X’s over the top of the text most likely signify that the account was paid. The other books provide no evidence that anyone purchased a gravestone for Valentine.
Valentine’s sister, Elizabeth (Hendrickson) Bennet, died on 29 April 1848 and lies at the Old Huntington Cemetery in Huntington Village. 3 Although the gravestone still exists, it is old and hard to read, but thanks to book #1, we know what the full inscription says.
We are related to the Van Sise family through my ggggg-grandmother, Ann (Van Sise) Hendrickson. Ann was the wife of Valentine Hendrickson. Her brother Jeremiah Van Sise died on 23 February 1864. 4 An entry in book #2 displays a diagram of the gravestone along with an inscription, measurements, and cost. A calculated date of birth for Jeremiah based on his age at the time of death is 6 April 1791. Jeremiah was buried in the Van Sise family cemetery in Woodbury. 5 Developers bulldozed the cemetery in 1986 to make room for condominiums. 5 The Lockwood Books retain these details despite the loss of Jeremiah’s gravestone and the cemetery where he is buried.
These are just a few examples of what I found in the books. There are plenty of other Hendricksons, Van Sises, Bennets, and Valentines — some more closely related than others. No matter which Long Island surnames you’re searching for, you’ll most likely find a relative or ancestor in this collection. I wanted to highlight the ones that hit closest to home.
If you have ancestors on Long Island or Queens, be sure to explore this rare and valuable resource, particularly if you can’t find their gravesite or read the inscription on their gravestone. The Lockwood Marble Works Books offer a rare glimpse into our ancestors’ legacies, preserving names, dates, and inscriptions that may have otherwise been lost to history. Many thanks to the Huntington Historical Society for preserving these books and posting them online.