LEVERICH FAMILY BURIAL GROUND
QUEENS COUNTY, NEW YORK

Compiled and submitted by Tom Leverich
West Windsor, NJ 08550
September 2, 2002

    The LeverichFamily Burial Ground was situated on Trains Meadow Road, in the Trains Meadow section of Newtown, in the 17th-19th centuries, across the road from the family homestead, which burned down in 1909 (contemporary location 35th Road at LeverichStreet).This historic site is now over 300 years old.

    The contemporary location of the burial ground is a rectangular plot located immediately behind the rear yards of several private residences that face on Leverich Street, and on the other side immediately behind a parking lot behind several apartment buildings that face on 35th Avenue at the intersection of 71st Street.There is no public access.This location is on the western edge of what is now known as the community of Jackson Heights, and just east of the community now known as Woodside.It lies within the western boundary of the Jackson Heights Garden City Historic Register District which is listed on both the Federal and New York State Registers of Historic Places.Earlier in history it was known as the Trains Meadow section of Newtown, and was located north of the Trains Meadow Road,just northeast of the family homestead which was located south of the Trains Meadow Road.
    Unfortunately, the site is in very poor condition.The area is completely overgrown with vegetation, and strewn with discarded debris.There are no signs of any grave markers, and one would never know from its appearance that it was an old cemetery.The Queens Historical Society and several Jackson Heights community groups are interested in beginning the process of restoring and preserving the site.The property is currently described as block 1271, Lot 67 and has the following dimensions: 59.29' on the north, 132.32' on the east , 55.37' on the south, and 138.53' on the west.The lot abuts Lots Numbers 61-66 on its west side,the backyards of private homes fronting on LeverichStreet.
    Research regarding the ownership of the plot discloses that the owner, according to New York City property records, is "LeverichBurial Ground".No individual is identified.On June 14, 2001 the City of New York sold a tax lien on hundreds of properties, including the burial ground, to Capitol Assets and J.E. Roberts.The computer file records the assessed value of the lot as $41,052 and the property taxes due as $2,074.00.This of course is an error, since the burial ground by its nature, regardless of ownership, is a nonprofit entity and not subject to property taxes.The Queens Historical Society has successfully contacted the City Government to get this error corrected.A letter dated November 28, 2001 to the Historical Society from the City of New York Department of Finance states:
    This parcel has been removed from the Tax Lien Sale for the following year(s): June 1, 2001.The exemption for this property was removed erroneously.We have taken the necessary steps to restore the exemption on this property.At this time we have also removed the tax lien from this property due to the restoration of the exemption.
    The next step will be to determine how to vest property title for the burial ground in the historical society and/or other nonprofit community groups interested in restoring and preserving the property, which includes several groups in Jackson Heights.Thereafter, arrangements would need to be made for public access, since the property is "land locked" by other private properties.It would also appear that some neighboring properties may have inadvertently encroached on the burial ground property, and addressing those matters will be a sensitive undertaking.The compiler met with representatives of the Historical Society and Jackson Heights Community groups on January 11, 2002.A preliminary plan of action was agreed upon, and the Jackson Heights groups will take the lead.A second meeting was held on July 11, 2002 which include representatives of Community Board Number 3, The Queens Historical Society, the Jackson Heights Garden City Society, the Office of Congressman Joseph Crowley, and the compiler.It was agreed that pro-bono legal assistance would be sought to resolve property title and liability issues.
    It would appear likely that the family homestead, built by 2-Caleb Leverichabout 1670, but not the burial ground, passed through the first born sons of generations two through five (see chart below).Caleb's grandson, 4-John Leverich, added an addition to the homestead in 1732.
    Both 4-John Leverich and his son 5-John Leverichdied in 1780.In a deed dated 1 March 1781 (recorded 10 June 1796) 5-William Leverich, 5-Elnathan Leverich (sons of 4-John Leverich), and 6-Samuel Leverich (son of 5-Samuel Leverichand grandson of 4-John Leverich) sold the property to their nephew and first cousin, respectively, 6-Sackett Leverich(son of 5-John Leverich).The sale of the homestead and farm specifically excluded the burial ground:

"And is bounded as follows (viz) first the homestead above the road that leads around Trains Meadow northerly by the said road & the land of John Moore SenrEastwardly bythe land of John Alburtisslate dec southerly ??????by the road from said to Halletts Cove Westerly and Southerly again by the land of Jacob Palmer & westerly again by the aforementioned road around Trains Meadowsecondly a piece or parcel of meadow below the aforementioned road southerly by the said road southwesterly by the swamp and meadow of Richard Moore Northwesterly by the ?????? or meadow of Nathaniel Moore Sr & northeasterly by the meadow of John Moore & thirdly a piece of salt meadow northerly by the meadow of Charles Booram & William Betts late deceasterly by the meadow of John Moore Sr???southerly by the meadow of Nicholas Wickoff & Johannes Debevoise and westerly by the meadow of Abraham Brinkerhoff late dec one quarter of an acrer within the said bounderies excepted for a family burial place forever bounded southeasterly by the s Read round."

    In another land transaction dated 2 May 1785, 6-Samuel Leverichsells land to his first cousin 6-Richard Leverich, which borders, but does not include, the burial ground.

    As a result, it would appear that the burial ground has remained throughout the passage of time as a separate parcel of land, with no specific ownership, other than the perceived generic ownership of the LeverichFamily which now includes thousands of descendants dispersed throughout the USA and the rest of the planet.Legal advice will be needed to determine how to proceed in getting title vested in the appropriate non profit groups interested in restoring and preserving the property.
    In the sixth generation, the farm and homestead property, but not the burial ground, appears to have passed from 6-Sackett Leverich, who was unmarried, to his younger brother 6-Deacon Richard Leverich.SackettLeverichdied unmarried 14 May 1811, and Richard Leverichtook out letters of administration on Sackett'sestate on 1 June 1811.

    There is no record of an estate for Richard Leverich, who died 21 May 1836.Richard's widow Nancy Leverich and her daughters Amy Leverich(Cannon) and Susan M. Leverich, appear to be the last family members to occupy the family farm and homestead.James Riker's 1852 map of Newtown records Nancy at the Trains Meadow Road location, and Nancy and her daughters are recorded in the 1850 census of Queens County. By the time of the 1860 census, Nancy and her daughters are living in Manhattan in the household of her son-in-law Charles Cannon.An 1873 map of Newtown marks an unnamed cemetery at the pertinent location on Trains Meadow Road, but does not include any reference to a Leverichliving in the immediate vicinity.Amy Cannon, a widow, and her unmarried sister Susan, are living in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1902.The homestead survived until 1909 when it was destroyed by fire.At that time the homestead property was owned by the Terminal Heights Realty Company
    Nancy, Amy, and Susan Leverich are recorded as selling property in Newtown 24 December 1853 and 30 March 1857.However, the property descriptions in these deeds do not appear to pertain to the family homestead and farm, but to other property located south of Newtown Village.There are no references to the Family Burial Ground.It is not yet known when the family homestead and farm left the family.More research is needed.It may be that Nancy leased out the house and land when they moved to Manhattan, and that the property was sold at some point thereafter by her daughters Amy Elizabeth Cannon and Susan M. Leverich, after Nancy Leverichpassed away in 1884.Richard and Nancy Leverich were both buried at the Newtown Presbyterian Church grave yard, not the family burial ground.
    Further research is needed to determine any pertinent land transactions by Amy Elizabeth Leverich Cannon.There is also an estate record for Amy on file at Bridgeport, Connecticut that needs to be reviewed.There does not appear to be any subsequent land transactions in Queens County in the name of Susan M. Leverich, nor is there a record of an estate for Susan in Bridgeport.
 
 

LEVERICH FAMILY LINE OF DESCENT
6-DEACON RICHARD LEVERICH


gen
name
id no.
dates
children
1
Rev. William Leverich
1
1603-1677
Caleb [2]

Eleazer[3]

2
Caleb Leverich

married Martha Cornish

2
1638-1717
John [4]

Mary [5], Eleanor [6]

3
John Leverich

married

Hannah (?)

4
- 1705
John [7]

William [8]

Benjamin [9]

Hannah [10], Martha [11]

4
John Leverich

married

Amy Moore

Susannah Field

Sarah Titus

7
1696-1780
John [12]

William [13]

Samuel [14]

Benjamin [15]

Elnathan[16]

John Leverich

married

Elizabeth Sackett

12
1721-1780
Amy [26]

Sackett[27]

Richard [28]

6
Richard Leverich

Amy Titus

Nancy Lane

28
1757-1836
Amy Cannon [61]

Susan M. Leverich [62]

LEVERICH FAMILY BURYING GROUND
stones standing about 1842, asRECORDED BY JAMES RIKER, JR.
JAMES RIKER PAPERS
NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY humanities and social sciences library, manuscript and archives division
([id #] from "14 Generation outline of the leverich family, 1603 to the early 21st century")
(first row)
Elizabeth Leverich,wife of James Hedenberg, died August 31, 1819, age 54y 5m 3d  6-Elizabeth LeverichHedenberg(1765-1819)[37]5-William [13], 4-John [7], 3-John [4], 2-Caleb [2], 

1-Rev. William [1]

Jane Palmer Hedenberg,died September 14, 1805, age 9m 11d Daughter of 6-Elizabeth LeverichHedenberg[37]
William LeverichHedenberg,died August 15, 1817 at Augusta, Georgia age 23y 14d Son of 6-Elizabeth LeverichHedenberg[37]
(second row)
James Leverich, son of William and Dorothy Leverich diedJanuary 24, 1811 age 45y 7m 10d 6-James Leverich(1767-1811)[38]; 5-William [13], 4-John [7], 3-John [4], 2-Caleb [2], 1-Rev. William [1]; married Hannah Mott
Hannah wife of James Leverich,died November 24, 1810 age 34y 9m 21d Wife of 6-James Leverich[38], 1776-1810
William Leverich,son of James and Hannah Leverich, died August 25, 1809 age 4m 17d Son of 6-James Leverich[38]
Jane Leverich,daughter of James and Hannah Leverich, died August 29, 1807 age 1m 25d Daughter of 6-James Leverich[38]
Elizabeth Leverich,daughter of James and Hannah Leverich, died August 18, 1804 age 1m Daughter of 6-James Leverich[38]
Richard Leverich,son of James and Hannah Leverich, died September 20, 1803 age 10m 23d Son of 6-James Leverich[38]
Richard Mott Leverich,son of James and Hannah Leverich, died January 13, 1802 age 1y 5m 23d Son of 6-James Leverich[38]
Patience Leverich,wife of Henry Stanton of New York and daughter of William and Deborah Leverichof Trains Meadow on Long Island died August 10, 1785 age 27 years 6-Patience Leverich(1757-1785)[34], 5-William [13], 4-John [7], 3-John [4], 2-Caleb [2], 1-Rev. William [1]
(a space in the row)
William Leverich, son of John and Amy Leverich died June 13, 1787 age 63y 8m 8d 5-William Leverich(1723-1787) [13], 4-John [7], 3-John [4], 2-Caleb [2], 1-Rev. William [1]
Dorothy Leverich,wife of William Leverich,died April 17, 1814 age 86y 2m 23d Widow of 5-William Leverich[13]; 1717-1814; daughter of Ephraim and Kezia Morse
(Back of these last overlooked before)
Hannah Leverich, wife of James McDonough, died February 10, 1815, age 62 6-Hannah Leverich(1754-1815)[32]; 5-William [13], 4-John [7], 3-John [4], 2-Caleb [2], 1-Rev. William [1]; married James McDonough who died March 1824
(third row)
ElnathanLeverich,son of John and Susannah Leverich, born October 18, 1741 died April 25, 1784 5-Elnathan Leverich(1741-1784)[16], 4-John [7], 3-John [4], 2-Caleb [2], 1-Rev. William [1]; married Mary Coe
(Five feet space in row)
SackettLeverich,died May 14, 1811 age 60y 11m 10d 6-Sackett Leverich(1751-1811)[27]; 5-John Leverich[12], 4-John [7], 3-John [4], 2-Caleb [2], 1-Rev. William [1]; not married
Anne Leverich,died September 27, 1812 age 27y 5m 17d 6-Amy Leverich(1744-1812)[26]; 5-John Leverich[12], 4-John [7], 3-John [4], 2-Caleb [2], 1-Rev. William [1]; not married
John Leverich,died September 18, 1780 age 59y 20d 5-John Leverich(1721-1780) [12], 4-John [7],3-John [4], 2-Caleb [2], 1-Rev. William [1]; married Elizabeth Sackett
Elizabeth Leverich,died September 6, 1809 age 89 y Widow of 5-John Leverich[7]; 1720-1809; daughter of John Sackettand Susannah Field (who m-24-John Leverich[7];Elizabeth was the step-sister of her husband
John Leverich,died 1780 age 84; Stone reads: "I.L.AG 84. 1780"  4-John Leverich(1696-1780) [7], 3-John [4], 2-Caleb [2], 1-Rev. William [1]; married Amy Moore, Susannah Field (widow John Sackett), Sarah Titus
(fourth row)
Gabriel Leverich,died September 3, 1828 age 75y 3m 12d 6-Gabriel Leverich(1753-1828) [43], 5-Samuel [14], 4-John [7], 3-John [4], 2-Caleb [2], 1-Rev. William [1]; married Hannah Thorpe
Hannah Leverich,wife of Gabriel Leverichdied October 9, 1827 age 72y 4m 26d Wife of 6-Gabrel Leverich[43];daughter of Samuel Thorpe of Bridgeport, Connecticut
Susan Leverich,died November 19, 1820 age 39y 4m 19d 7-Susan Leverich(1781-1820) [92], daughter of 6-Gabriel Leverich[43] and Hannah Mott; unmarried
Deborah Leverich,daughter of Gabriel and Hannah Leverich,died January 19, 1831 age 50y 1m 19d 7-Deborah Leverich(1780-1831) [91], daughter of 6-Gabriel Leverich[43] and Hannah Mott; unmarried
Benjamin Leverich,son of Gabriel and Hannah Leverich, died January 16, 1832 age 37y & 4m 7-Benjamin Leverich(1794-1832) [98], son of 6-Gabriel Leverich[43] and Hannah Mott
Gabriel Leverich,son of Gabriel and Hannah Leverich, died February 20, 1839 age 39y 2m 2d 7-Gabriel Leverich(1799-1839) [100], son of 6-Gabriel Leverich[43] and Hannah Mott; unmarried
SacketLeverich,son of Gabriel and Hannah Leverich, died 1839 in 44th year 7-Sackett Leverich(1795-1839) [99], son of 6-Gabriel Leverich[43] and Hannah Mott; unmarried
(fifth row)
Samuel Leverich, son of Richard B. and AllettaLeverichdied October 8, 1831 age 24y 9m 27d 8-Samuel Leverich(1806-1831)[210], 7-Richard Berrien Leverich[89], 6-Samuel [42], 5-Samuel [14], 4-John [7], 3-John [4], 2-Caleb [2], 1-Rev. William [1];not married
Paul VandervoortLeverich,son of Richard B. and AllettaLeverich, died April 2, 1826 age 23y 10m 1d 8-Paul VandevoortLeverich(1802-1826)[208]7-Richard Berrien Leverich[89], 6-Samuel [42], 

5-Samuel [14], 4-John [7], 3-John [4], 2-Caleb [2], 1-Rev. William [1];not married

AllettaVandevoortLeverich,wife of Richard B. Leverich,died November 16, 1837 age 64y 16d Widow of 7-Richard B. Leverich [89], 1773-1837, daughter of Paul Vandervoort
Richard B. Leverich,died May 23, 1820 [1826?] age 49y 3m 6d 7-Richard Berrien Leverich(1777-1826) [89],6-Samuel [42], 5-Samuel [14], 4-John [7], 3-John [4], 2-Caleb [2], 1-Rev. William [1]
Samuel Leverich,died January 24, 1816 age 65y 1m 14d 6-Samuel Leverich(1751-1816) [42]; 5-Samuel [14], 4-John [7], 3-John [4], 2-Caleb [2], 1-Rev. William [1];married Sarah Berrien
Sarah Berrian,wife of Samuel Leverich,died June 25, 1834, age 80y 2m 25d Widow of 6-Samuel Leverich[42]; 1754-1834;daughter of Richard Berrien and Grace Riker
Earliest Stone: 1780Latest Stone: 1839

Number of Burials: 33

Time Span: 59 Years - Minimum

LEVERICH FAMILY CEMETERY
stones standing about 1907, as per arthur white notes, wpa collection, queens borough public library
([id #] from "14 Generation outline of the leverich family, 1603 to the early 21st century")
John Leverich, b. 1696 d. 1780 4-John Leverich(1696-1780) [7], 3-John [4], 2-Caleb [2], 1-Rev. William [1]; married Amy Moore, Susannah Field (widow John Sackett), Sarah Titus
John Leverich, died September 18, 1780, aged 59 years 5-John Leverich(1721-1780) [12], 4-John [7],3-John [4], 2-Caleb [2], 1-Rev. William [1]; married Elizabeth Sackett
Elizabeth, wife of John Leverich, died September 6, 1809, aged 89 years Widow of 5-John Leverich[7]; 1720-1809; daughter of John Sackettand Susannah Field (who m-24-John Leverich[7];Elizabeth was the step-sister of her husband
William Leverich, son of John and Susannah Leverich, b Oct 1723, d June 13 1787 5-William Leverich(1723-1787) [13], 4-John [7], 3-John [4], 2-Caleb [2], 1-Rev. William [1]; married 

Hannah Way, Dorothy Morse

Dorothy, wife of William Leverich, died April 17, 1814, age 86 years Widow of 5-William Leverich[13]; 1717-1814; daughter of Ephraim and Kezia Morse
Samuel Leverich, died January 1816, aged 65 years 6-Samuel Leverich(1751-1816) [42]; 5-Samuel [14], 4-John [7], 3-John [4], 2-Caleb [2], 1-Rev. William [1];married Sarah Berrien
Sarah, wife of Samuel Widow of 6-Samuel Leverich[42]; 1754-1834;daughter of Richard Berrien and Grace Riker
Samuel Leverich, b Dec 11, 1806, died October 8, 1831 8-Samuel Leverich(1806-1831)[210], 7-Richard Berrien Leverich[89], 6-Samuel [42], 5-Samuel [14], 4-John [7], 3-John [4], 2-Caleb [2], 1-Rev. William [1];not married
SackettLeverich, died May 14, 1811, aged 60 years 6-Sackett Leverich(1751-1811)[27]; 5-John Leverich[12], 4-John [7], 3-John [4], 2-Caleb [2], 1-Rev. William [1]; not married
Amy Leverich, died September 22, 1812, aged 72 years 6-Amy Leverich(1744-1812)[26]; 5-John Leverich[12], 4-John [7], 3-John [4], 2-Caleb [2], 1-Rev. William [1]; not married
James Leverich, b June 13, 1767, d January 24, 1811 6-James Leverich(1767-1811)[38]; 5-William [13], 4-John [7], 3-John [4], 2-Caleb [2], 1-Rev. William [1]; married Hannah Mott
Hannah, wife of James Leverich, died 1810 Wife of 6-James Leverich[38]; (1776-1810);
Hannah, b Feb 11, 1754, d February 10, 1815, wife of James McDonough 6-Hannah Leverich(1754-1815)[32]; 5-William [13], 4-John [7], 3-John [4], 2-Caleb [2], 1-Rev. William [1]; married James McDonough who died March 1824
Earliest Stone: 1780Latest Stone: 1834

Number of Burials: 13

Time Span: 54 Years - Minimum

It may well be that there were other interments during the period that were not reflected by stones standing about 1842.These may include:

2-Caleb Leverich(1638-1717)[2], son of 1-Rev William Leverich, and his wife, Martha Cornish

2-Eleazer Leverich[3], son of 1-Rev. William Leverich

3-John Leverich(?- 1705)[4], son of 2-Caleb, grandson of 1-Rev William, and his wife Hannah

4-William Leverich[8], (?-1754), son of 3-John Leverich [4], and his wife Martha Way

4-Benjamin Leverich[9], (?-1732), son of 3-John Leverich [4]

5-Samuel Leverich[14], (?1754), son of 4-John Leverich [7], and his wife Deborah Wright

Each of these Leverich's reportedly died at Newtown and are not recorded as being interred at the Newtown Presbyterian Church cemetery.It is speculated that the progenitor of the family, 1-Rev William Leverich(1603-1677) was buried at the old Newtowntown cemetery, now a playground on Justice and Toledo Streets in Elmhurst, as that was the only burial place in the town at the time of his death in 1677.

LAND TRANSACTION RECORDS

A lien on the cemetery property appears to have been sold by New York City on 14 June 2001 to Capital Assets and J.E. Roberts (1-888-783-8230).

GRANTOR GRANTEE DATE
LIBER
PAGE
Leverich, William, Elnathan, Samuel, seqof John Leverich, deceased SackettLeverich 1 March 1781
G
52
Leverich, Samuel Richard Leverich 2 May 1785
G
56
Leverich, Edward Richard Leverich 19 April 1796
G
48
Leverich, Richard Peter Lane 20 Feb 1829
Y
439
Leverich, Richard Tompkins 30 March 1831
AA
392
Leverich, Nancy Myrtle Avenue and Jamaica Plank Road Company 24 Dec 1853
114
117
Leverich, Nancy Joseph Tompkins 30 March 1857
150
205

MAPS

"Property Ownership in 1800", from Queens Topographical Bureau map compiled in 1935, shows a 71 acre plot labeled "Heirs of John Leverichto SackettLeverich"; the cemetery is not specifically referenced.The farm is bordered on the north and partially on the west by Trains Meadow Road.The farm is bordered on the south by Hurls Gate Ferry Road (Catherine Gregory, History of Woodside).

JamesRiker's1852 map of Newtown shows Nancy Leverich'sresidence on the south side of Trains Meadow Road, western branch (Analsof Newtown).

An 1873 map of Newtown shows the cemetery on the north side of Trains Meadow Road, western branch (Queens Borough Public Library Collections).

A 1909 Map from Bromley's Atlas of New York City, designated Part of the Borough of Queens, Newtown, Ward 2, does not specifically identify the Leverichhomestead or the cemetery.Trains Meadow Road still exists, and the location of the homestead is then owned by John F. Ries.Leverichstreet clearly exists at this point, running approximately northwest from Trains Meadow Road,with lots identified on both sides of Leverich Street, and a vacant plot (no identification) clearly at the location of the cemetery, behind lots on the north side of the street(Catherine Gregory, History of Woodside). 

A 1987 map from the New York City Department of City Planing clearly indicates "Leverich Cemetery" located immediately behind the north side of Leverich Street (Catherine Gregory, History of Woodside).

A 2001 Tax Assessors Map of the vicinity of LeverichStreet.

CONTRIBUTORS

Cogan, Stanley; The Borough Historian of Queens; President, Queens Historical Society; 35-37 211th Street, Bayside, New York11361

Conboy, Patricia; Leverich House, 35-15 LeverichStreet, Jackson Heights, New York 11372

Gregory, Catherine; 33-27 60th Street, Woodside, New York, 11377

Saunders, Jeffrey; 7217 34th Avenue, Jackson Heights, New York11372

Scurrachia, Carol; Leverich House, 35-15 LeverichStreet, Jackson Heights, New York 11372

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Annals of Newtown, Riker, James Jr., New York, D. Fanshaw, 1852.

Evolution of an American Town: Newtown, New York, 1642-1775;Jessica Kross, Philadelphia, Temple University Press, 1983

Jackson Heights: Its History and Growth; Orton, Helen Fuller;read before the NewtownHistorical Society, January 17, 1950; collections of the QueensboroPublic Library, Long Island Division, Jamaica, New York.

"JamesRikerPapers", New York Public Library, Humanities and Social Science Library, Manuscript and Archives Division: Box 9, Notebook 2, pages 87-91; for genealogical and historical use only: reproduced with permission of the New York Public Library, Humanities and Social Science Library, Manuscript and Archives Division.

New York, Queens County, "Town Records of Newtown, Long Island", The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record:63 (1932) 361-365; 64 (1933) 28-32.

New York, Queens County: "The Newtown Register"; 8 April 8, 1909

New York, Queens County: "Leverich Cemetery, Woodside", by Arthur White; Historical Collections of Queens County - Work Progress Administration (WPA) Notes; Queensboro Public Library-Long Island Division, Jamaica, Long Island, NY.
 

New York, Queens County, Newtown: 1852 and 1873 maps, collections of the Queensboro Public Library, Long Island Division, Jamaica, New York.

New York, Queens County, Land Records.

New York, Queens County, Surrogate Records.

Woodside, Queens County, New York: A Historical Perspective 1652-1994; Gregory, Catherine; New York, Woodside on the Move, 1994.For book purchase information, please contact Catherine Gregory at ctgrego@attglobal.net.