The First Cemetery Bought by a Former Slave, Staten Island, NY (1811)

THE FIRST CEMETERY BOUGHT BY A FORMER STATEN ISLAND

The first African American Staten Island resident to own a cemetery was a former slave named Joseph Ryerss.  When Ryerss became a free man, he worked for a wealthy judge living on the island.  In 1811, he was able to purchase a parcel of land on Richmond Terrace at Taylor Street in West Brighton for $1,215.  Originally an Indian burial ground, the land came into the ownership of the Dongan family in 1686.  Ryerss, who was the parcels fifth owner, lived on the land until 1847.  He buried his family there.  When Ryerss sold the land, it became the Staten Island Cemetery, which it remains today.