Sweeney Cemetery

Sweeney Cemetery

PHOTO: Dennis Reed Jr. The future Colonel John Sweeney Rural Cemetery appears (a tad north of the current grounds) on an 1837 map under the name "Tonawanda Cemetery." Neal writes that it is originally a Sweeney family burial ground. In the 1840s and 1850s bodies from the south side Tonawanda burying grounds are moved to Sweeney Cemetery (the Tonawanda burying grounds was "a short distance" below Tonawanda Creek near the Niagara River, and erosion was indifferently disinterring the bodies).

The cemetery is incorporated in 1868 as "Colonel John Sweeney Rural Cemetery." Its namesake is an early land investor and War of 1812 veteran. From History of Niagara County 1821-1878 (1878):

The village has a cemetery, which was organized under the statute, in the year 1868. The incorporators were: Benjamin F. Felton, Garwood L. Judd, Franklin Warren, Hiram Hewell, Selden G. Johnson and John Simpson. Mr. Hewell was the first president, and Mr. Felton the first secretary of the board of organization. At the first meeting of the board of trustees, Mr. Felton presented the corporation with a splendid book for the keeping of the records. Much credit is due to Messrs. Felton, Warren and Judd for the labor and interest they took in organizing the enterprise. Mr. Judd drew up the articles of association; and being an attorney, obtained the requisite order from court, sanctioning the articles of incorporation, which were duly recorded in the office of the county clerk.

By 1887, the rural cemetery is filling up, and looking to expand:

The Sweeney Cemetery association is making preparations to secure more burial space, the original plot of ground having been all taken. At a recent meeting a committee consisting of B. H. Neff, B. F. Fenton and H. Berger was appointed to investigate the advisability of purchasing additions to the cemetery - Suspension Bridge Journal, April 9, 1887.

Around 1920 about 100 graves that stretched across Thompson Street are moved within the cemetery's present limits, including 18 adults and 8 children from a Potter's Field, or removed to other cemeteries. In 1977 the City of North Tonawanda assumes ownership for $1.

My photos of the cemetry on Flickr.