Marker placed in historic cemetery on Riverhead’s Main Street

Riverhead officials unveiled a new historic marker today commemorating one of the town’s oldest cemeteries, the final resting place of members of Riverhead’s founding families and soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War.

The burial ground, also known as the Riverhead Village Cemetery, is located on the grounds of the Riverhead United Methodist Church on East Main Street. It is the site where members of 37 early founding families, including the Albertson, Griffing, Howell, Jagger and Vail families, are buried. There are 41 recorded burials in the cemetery. The earliest occurred in 1749, and the most recent in 1884.

“By dedicating this historic marker for all to know, we honor those who have come before us and were here before and during the founding of our country,” Riverhead Town Historian Georgette Case said.

During the ceremony, church members read aloud the names of those buried in the cemetery. Among them are three Revolutionary War soldiers: Peter Vail (1749-1796), John Griffing Jr. (1737-1822) and Samuel Griffing (unknown-1811). Another notable figure is Robert Hinchman (1750-1806), an innkeeper celebrated as a patriot for a confrontation he had with British soldiers during the war.

The new marker also serves as an early tribute to next year’s 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence from Great Britain.

“Riverhead has always been proud of its heritage and history,” Supervisor Tim Hubbard said. “This marker will forever commemorate 37 early founding families of the great town of Riverhead, including three Revolutionary War soldiers. As supervisor, I’m proud to be part of preserving the history of our town.” 

Rev. Phillip Hardt of the Riverhead United Methodist Church offered a prayer, hoping the marker would “continually remind us of their courage, heroism, and perseverance — and inspire us today to do our very best, not only for this great Town of Riverhead, but also for our beloved country.”

Hubbard expressed thanks to Case and the town’s Buildings and Grounds crew for organizing the ceremony, and to the Community Development Department for helping to fund the marker. The marker was purchased using money from the federal Community Development Block Grant program.

An honored guest at the ceremony was Rev. Richard Hanse, superintendent of the United Methodist Church’s Long Island East District. 

“We have the grace to be able to do this because of who these people are. They’re not ‘were,’ right? Well, they were in this world; they are a part of the communion of saints,” Hanse said. “So they continue to make us who we are, which is a gift and a blessing. So may we honor who they are and what they lived for and died for by living lives of grace and integrity and kindness and joy.”