Historic Series: The Jerusalem Friends Cemetery

18 Monday Jun 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Historic Places

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historic, history, jerusalem ave, jerusalem friends cemetery, long island, new york, quakers, religion, society of friends, wantagh

Located off Wantagh Avenue on what used to be Jerusalem Road is a historical religious landmark that represents new faith and a unique view towards the world.

Now owned by the Baptist Church, the Jerusalem Friends Cemetery & Meeting House in Wantagh was the home of a brave number of people who stood for what they believed in. The meeting house and cemetery is now left behind to tell their story.

The Society of Friends was an organization that formed in England around the 1600s and quickly spread to America. This religious group consisted of Quakers that were considered to have unorthodox views with their talk about the “Inward Light” as well as refusing to bow to authority figures. This behavior resulted in many persecutions.

Meetings were held every five weeks on the first day in various towns and member’s homes. In 1827, the Jerusalem meeting house was built on farmland owned by Ardon Seaman, who was a preacher until he died in 1875. From 1908 till 1949 meetings were joined with the Jericho sector and the meeting house was only used for annual gatherings.

The one and a half-story building was built from oak with a stone foundation. The timbers were pinned together by use of the mortis and tenon method. It had two brick chimneys and the exterior was covered in shingles.

The cemetery on the land originally had 42 plots with 21 on each side. The price for a full plot was $8 while a half was $4. When the Baptist Church purchased the property in 1952, although the cemetery wasn’t included, it was understood it would be kept up and taken care of.

While there is much history with the Quakers, all we have now is their stories and the land, which they were created. Members and residents like the Seaman, Verity and Southard family laid their heads to rest one last time and we all have the privilege to be in their company. They all will be remembered as brave, independent souls who wanted change and freedom.

Historic Series: The Jones-Dengler Farm House

23 Wednesday May 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Historic Places

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farm, fred dengler, garden, historic, Jones-Dengler Farm House, long island, new york, vintage, wantagh, wantagh ave

Finally landmarked on June 8, 2011, the Jones-Dengler Farm House in Wantagh can be recognized for its historic beauty.

The house sits at 1051 Wantagh Avenue to the south of the Southern State Parkway and across from the early Jerusalem settlement. It adds a nostalgic and calm feel to the busy area of the the community.

The house was built in the 1700s and was the home of the Jones family during the 1800s. Later, the Dengler family purchased the residence. The original section was expanded in 1875 to the structure it is today. When brothers Fred and Peter married, it was converted into a two family house where both couples entered through individual side doors.

It is also said in 1941, comedian Lenny Bruce, 16 at the time, ran away from home and stayed with the Dengler family for two years while working on the farm.

The original elements of the home are hand-made iron hardware featured on the doors, exposed beams and pressed tin ceilings as well as a chimney built by hand. One should appreciate the true craftsmenship the farm house reflects.

You will also find two-button light switches throughout the home along with some gas pipes that extend from the walls. The gas light fixtures were updated to electric in one section but having those antique details remain add extreme value and appeal the historic property.

I happen to love the wrap around porch and the garden to the left of the house. What a peaceful place it must have been to sit and a read a book or simple relax and feel the breeze. Representing true Colonial design and plantation style, the home is simplistic in its color scheme as well. White clapboard on the exterior along with dark green for shutters and molding on the windows.

In 1973, Fred Dengler passed away and his wife married Harold Sparke 10 years later. She then died in 2007 and Harold in 2009. In spring of 2011 Harold’s son Bob sold the property to the current owner who plans to renovate the home. Bob had inherited the house after his fathers death.

Thanks to the Wantagh Preservation Society, we have learned the history of the home which is now an historic landmark. It surely is a sight to see and one I adore along my drives through Wantagh. Knowing the stories it holds and the people who called it home really adds a meaningful touch as well as remind us that history doesn’t fade.

Historic Series: Benjamin Birdsall Homestead

04 Friday May 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Historic Places

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Benjamin Birdsall, Benjamin Birdsall Homestead, historic, new york, old mill road, wantagh

At 1682 Old Mill Road, sits a house that has called Wantagh, New York home before it was even given its name. Born in 1736, owner Benjamin Birdsall bought the home in 1679 and was a successful farmer. He also owned the grist mill across the street with his brother, Joseph, one of 11 siblings.

The Birdsall family originally came from England and had much success in the Long Island area. Most were Quakers who were farmers and merchants and many served time in the military during the French, Indian, Revolutionary and Civil Wars receiving high ranks and status.

Birdsall married Freelove Jones in 1763 and had eight children. He was a lieutenant in the Continental Army and fought in the Revolutionary War as well as a Member of Assembly from 1777 to 1783. During his time in the war he was caught by the British and spent a few months in prison. It was at this time he was given the rank of colonel.

There is much to be said about Birdsall’s farm and property while he was away. Him and Joseph had previous disagreements about their parents estate and he felt it was partly Joseph’s fault for finding his farm in ruins. Freelove and the children were moved to Dutchess County until the war was over.

Instead of giving up, Birdsall worked hard to revive his farm and rebuild his business. At 47, he continued to live a quiet life with his family until he died in 1798, his wife passing 23 years later. The children carried on his name and married into other notable families in the area.

The two story home remains, telling the story of a brave man and his journey for success, perseverance and redemption. Built with timber bracing and beautifully designed of late Georgian architecture, the home exemplifies a classic federal style popular throughout the colonial period.

This my friends is history at its best.

Historic Series: St. John of Jerusalem Cemetery

18 Wednesday Apr 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Historic Places

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cemetery, church, history, long island, new york, St. John of Jerusalem Cemetery, wantagh

There are numerous historic sites in Wantagh, New York with unforgettable stories and history. That’s the case with the St. John of Jerusalem Cemetery on Wantagh Avenue. The building is very aged, but stands with great pride. The rock foundation and large windows of the cathedral really invites you in, even though it’s borded up.

In the mid-1800’s, German immigrants came to Jerusalem (before it was called Wantagh) from New York City. They were led by Johann D. Bulling and were all members of the German Methodist Church of America. Once they settled in the area, the need for a German preacher was granted and Rev. George Able was assigned in 1854.

Up until 1856, services were held in people’s homes. Once the community gave them one acre of land, a church and cemetery was built. The church itself took years to build because of insufficient finances and the Civil War, but by 1862, the cemetery had 40 lots of eight graves, each sold for $5. The first person to be buried was 48-year old Frederick Doscher on September of that year. By 1872, the prices of plots doubled.

Throughout the years they added different features to the religious ceremonies. For example, they offered to ring the church bell during a burial for an additional 25 cents. Members of the church also agreed that people who were not members needed to show a birth certificate signed by a doctor in order to be buried.

The newer generations of the church did not want German to be the main language of its services and records. Because of this the mission grew smaller. Its last record was on Aug. 1, 1912 and until 1926 it sat vacant. Soon after, the Lutherans used the building for their services with Pastor Miller of Freeport leading the way. The mission church held its first service on Thanksgiving Day that year.

For 14 years services were held in the church. In 1940, they moved to another location on Hyland Road. Not until 1949 was the church used again, this time by the United Christian Group, who held services there for 20 years.

Today the church sits quiet next to the cemetery, which was fenced in during the late 1930’s. Most of the men who are buried there were soldiers from World War I, World War II, the Civil War and Vietnam War.

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Tag Archives: wantagh

Historic Series: The Jerusalem Friends Cemetery

Historic Series: The Jones-Dengler Farm House

Historic Series: Benjamin Birdsall Homestead

Historic Series: St. John of Jerusalem Cemetery