The White Plains Historical Society

Please Help Restore the Jonathan Purdy Cemetery

Before the Revolutionary War, Jonathan Purdy (c.1694-1772) and his family set aside a one-quarter acre family cemetery on the southern end of White Plains, along the "Road to Rye Neck" as a burial place for himself and his descendants. Between the first burial (Christopher Purdy in 1760) and the last burial (Maria Purdy in 1864), approximately 66 members and friends of the Purdy Family were buried there and remain interred there today. The surrounding farmland was sold by the descendants of Jonathan Purdy in the 1830's but a protective covenant runs with the burial ground that still ensures use and access by the Purdy Family today. In the latter half of the 20th Century, the owner of the surrounding property prevented entry to the site to those seeking to visit the cemetery. This together with a lack of endowment caused the cemetery to fall into disrepair and decrepitude. In 2006, the land surrounding the cemetery was offered for sale and this threatened the destruction of the cemetery and the disinterment of those buried there. In an effort to preserve the cemetery for future generations, the White Plains Historical Society and the City of White Plains stepped up their efforts to re-establish the Purdy Family's right to maintain and access the cemetery. The White Plains Historical Society has now received the permission of over 40 descendants of Jonathan Purdy (and this number keeps climbing) and the support of the City of White Plains to restore and replace damaged headstones, regularly clear brush, and seek out a permanent plan of action for future site maintenance.

The White Plains Historical Society is committed to seeking financial grants to help restore the Jonathan Purdy family cemetery, but we need additional financial support from people like you in order to make any serious progress on the repair and maintenance of the site. Your donation to this cause is tax deductible and will be matched with additional funding committed by the White Plains Historical Society. Together with your help, we will preserve the colonial and early national heritage of White Plains and assure the existence of the Jonathan Purdy Family Cemetery well into the future.

Please help us by donating online. For more information contact us: info@whiteplainshistory.org or call (914) 328-1776.



TBD

Rob Hoch and Bob Carpenter will make an assessment of the cemetery and choose the next stone to be restored.

Click on image to enlarge.
Estimated Restoration Cost $1200.00
White Plains Historical Society Contribution $600.00
Generous Donor Contributions $525.00
Fund Raising Goal (Remaining) $75.00
 




Alexander Gordon Lee

c. 1816-August 14, 1839
First husband of Sarah Matilda Guion

Click on image to enlarge.
Restored! Thank you for your support.
Cost $1075.


Elijah Guion (1791-1853) and Mary Purdy Guion (1793-1850)

Large, thick white marble grave marker. Marble base needs to be reset and a stone piece carved to fit into the groove area and glued. Stone then to be lifted onto base.

Click on image to enlarge.
Restored! Thank you for your support.
Cost $1350.


Elijah Purdy (1729-1816)

Large sandstone grave marker has snapped off of its base section. Ground section to be dug out and reset to the proper position. Two parts then to be reattached.

Click on image to enlarge.
Restored! Thank you for your support.
Cost $1250.


Broken headstone, most pieces recovered
Restored! Thank you for your support.

Elijah Purdy (January 19, 1756-March 2, 1826)

Son of Elijah Purdy and Levinia Haight Purdy. Husband of Sarah Hart Purdy.



Abigail Maria Purdy Lounsberry (1801-1825)

Headstone reset and sealed by Robert Neal Carpenter. Funded by a Community Development Block Grant from the City of White Plains.



Isaac Purdy (1732-1816)

Hollow headstone filled and cracks sealed by Robert Neal Carpenter. Funded by a Community Development Block Grant from the City of White Plains.



Elizabeth Addington Wessels (1754-1838) an Hercules Wessels (1757-1833)

New headstones provided by the Veterans Administration, funded by a descendant of Hercules and Elizabeth Wessels and the White Plains Historical Society. Set by Michael S. Bennett and the Boy Scouts of Troop 73, White Plains.



Isaac Sniffen (1743-1826)

Hollow headstone filled and cracks sealed by Robert Neal Carpenter. Funded by a Community Development Block Grant from the City of White Plains.