Program

NYS Historic

Subject

Cemetery

Location

Pine Grove Cemetery, Saratoga, NY

Lat/Long

42.925673, -73.958071

Grant Recipient

Pine Grove Cemetery Association Inc.

Pine Grove Cemetery is an early burial ground with gravestones dating back to the 1770s. It is the final resting place of veterans, including those from the Revolutionary War and Civil War. The cemetery was incorporated in 1848 and some stones were relocated from the Presbyterian Church in 1878.

The cemetery association was incorporated on March 29, 1848 according to the provisions of “An Act Authorizing the Incorporation of Rural Cemetery Associations” that was passed by the New York State Legislature in April of the previous year. (Laws of the State of New-York, 1847) Named the Pine Grove Cemetery Association, it had six trustees alongside its first chairman, Henry T. Hawley, and James Richey, the first secretary. (Book of Miscellaneous Records, Saratoga County) They officially bought the property of the cemetery a few days later on April 3, 1848. (Indenture, Saratoga County, 1848)

The Presbyterian Congregation of Charlton had a church yard for its graves in 1877. However, the next year they decided to create a committee to attend the annual meeting of the Pine Grove Cemetery Association in order to arrange for a transfer of graves to a lot in Pine Grove. (Records of the Presbyterian Congregation…1877)

A number of prominent early citizens can be found buried in the Pine Grove Cemetery. John Taylor Esq. (1749 to 1829) was the Charlton Town Supervisor between 1794 and 1798. He was also one of the early settlers of the town and reportedly built the first grist mill in town. (Durkee, 1879)

Caleb Holmes (1761-1819), was the Town Supervisor of Charlton from 1802 to 1805. (Durkee, 1879) He also served in the 13^th Regiment of the Albany County Militia during the War of American Independence. (NYS Comptroller’s Office, 1904)

Many other veterans of U.S. conflicts ranging from the Revolutionary War to the Korean War can be found buried at the cemetery. According to C. Durkee’s report, Joseph Watkins, who died in 1869, fought in the War of 1812 and was later buried at the cemetery after his death.

Patrick Bolin (1839-1865) was called into service on November 23, 1861 at the age of 22, and he served in the 77^th Regiment of New York (Foot) Volunteers under Colonel B. McKean. (Record of Commissioned Officers…) Many other Civil War veterans are buried in the cemetery, including John Cavert (Register of Enlistments…), brothers George C. and William E. Wilder, and others. (Durkee, 1879)

During World War I, John Fiala was enlisted on June 18, 1917 and served in the army until December 21, 1918. He died on July 9, 1973 and is buried in Pine Grove Cemetery. (Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, John Fiala)

Veterans of the Second World War can be found in the cemetery as well. Douglas Heckeler, for example, enlisted in the US Navy on January 14, 1946 and was released on April 22, 1947. He died in 1994 and was buried at Pine Grove. (Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, Douglas Heckeler) Likewise, Korean War veterans such as Wesley Bailiff, who served from August of 1950 to August 1953, are also found at the cemetery. (Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, Wesley Bailiff)

Links

• Pine Grove Cemetery