Washington Cemetery (Brooklyn)

Washington Cemetery

Washington Cemetery.

Washington Cemetery is an old, historical, predominantly Jewish burial ground in Mapleton, Brooklyn, New York, United States.

Washington Cemetery’s use as a Jewish burial-ground dates as early as 1857. Brooklyn cemeteries came into existence due to the Rural Cemetery Act of 1847, which allowed for the construction of commercial cemeteries outside the city limits. This part of Kings County was not yet incorporated into the City of Brooklyn, the legislation transformed large parcels of farm lands into cemeteries.^[1]

Cemetery configuration

Washington Cemetery is made up of five "gated cemeteries" that are separated by streets and avenues. Cemetery #1 is the original cemetery and the oldest. It is bordered by Ocean Parkway, Bay Parkway and McDonald Avenue.

The founder of Washington Cemetery, James Arlington Bennet, is buried there (as are his wife and son). Born in New York, James Arlington Bennet was proprietor and principal of the Arlington House, an educational institution on Long Island. He usually is remembered as Joseph Smith's first choice as Vice-Presidential running mate in the United States presidential election, 1844. His headstone reads: "Author of Bennett's Book Keeping & Other Works. Founder of Washington Cemetery."^[2]

Cemetery # 1

Cemetery # 1 is bounded on three sides by major avenues: on the north side by Bay Parkway, on the east side Ocean Parkway and on its west side by MacDonald Avenue. Cemetery # 1 has entrances and exits on all three side. The main entrance which is where the office is located is on the Bay Parkway side just a few feet off the corner of McDonald Avenue. The interior of Cemetery #1 is crisscrossed by name avenues, paths, lanes. The internal name avenues are: Rose Avenue; Hyacinth Avenue; Jasmine Avenue; Aster Avenue; Lotus Avenue and Evergreen Avenue. It has numerical posts from number one to number one hundred and forty-nine "A" (1–149A), sections marked "ranges". It has "society" sections and is still actively burying. It houses the majority of the mausoleums and larger monuments. It is also the cemetery that in December 2010 sustained the majority of damage to its headstone because of vandals. Headstones were overturned and broken.^[3] Approximately 200 headstones were overturned and/or damaged and are still not upright. Although there are cemented walkways, the headstone are very closely positioned and one is sometimes forced to walk on grass.

Cemetery # 2

Cemetery #2 is situated directly across from Cemetery #1 and convenient to the office. It is bounded on two sides by major avenues. On its east side by MacDonald Avenue and on its north side by Bay Parkway. It is triangular in shape and has four exits and entrances. Post are numbered one hundred and fifty through two hundred and thirty-seven (150–237). It also is criss-crossed by internal avenues, lanes, pathways and houses society sections. Its internal named avenues are: Cedar Avenue; Maple Avenue; and Cypress Avenue.

Cemetery # 3

Cemetery #3 is located across Bay Parkway directly across from Cemetery #2. It is bounded on two sides by major avenues. Its south side by Bay Parkway and its north side by 21st Avenue. It has five (5) entrance/exits. Its numbered posts run from two hundred and thirty-one through three hundred and thirty-three (231–333). Its internal named avenues are: Orange Avenue; Sycamore Avenue; Spruce Avenue; Aspen Avenue; and Balsam Avenue.

Cemetery # 4

Cemetery #4 is directly across from Cemetery #3 and is bounded on its south side by 21st Avenue and its north side by 20th Avenue. Its numbered post from three hundred and thirty-four through four hundred and sixty-two (334–462). It has five (5) entrance/exits. Internally it has named Avenues: Walnut Avenue; Ash Avenue; Tulip Avenue; Iris Avenue; and Pine Avenue.

Cemetery # 5

Cemetery #5 is situated directly across Cemetery #4 and is bounded on is south side by 20th Avenue. Its numbered posts run from 464 through 519. Internal named avenues are Oak Avenue; Magnolia Avenue; Arcadia Avenue and Birch Avenue. It has four number sections on its west side.

List of Societies in Washington Cemeteries

• Adler's Young Men Independent Association = Cemetery #1, Post 60
• Agudas Achim Anshe Wilner (also Congregation Machsika Torah Ansha Seinier) – established in 1874
• Agudas Achim Anshe Wilner (also Congregation Machsike Torah Anshe Wilno) – established in 1899
• Agudas Achim Anshe Wilner
• Beth Israel Cong. – Cemetery #1; Post 62
• Bnei Isaac Anshei Lechowitz (Lyakhovichi)
• Bnai Mosche Anshe Ullanover & Umgagend
• Chevra Adas Wolkowisk – Cemetery #2, Post 158 and Cem #4, Post 371
• Chevra Anshe Chesed B'nai Kowna – Cemetery #1, Post 81
• Chevra Bikur Cholem Anshei Zuromin, Cemetery #4, Post 363
• Chevra Machzikei Hadas Anshei Sfard, Cemetery #3, Post 295
• Chevra Rodfei Zedek Anshe Ritava – Cemetery #1, Post 14
• Chevra Shaare Benah – Cemetery #1, Post 83
• Congregation Agudath Achim M'Krakauer, Organized in 1867 – Cemetery #1, Post 104
• Congregation Bnei Israel Anshe Keidan – Cemetery #1, Post 144; Cem #3, Post 287
• Congregation Tifferith Israel of Brooklyn – Cemetery #5, Post 517<telephone call><to cemetery office, August 8, 2014>
• Dobromiler Sick & Benevolent Society, Cemetery #2
• Erster Dobromiler Kranken Unt. Verein – Cemetery #2, Post 194
• First Brodier B'nai B'rith Congregation – Cemetery #2, Post 190
• First Rumanian-American Brotherhood Lodge #13 (AOAS)
• Palestine Lodge, Cenetery #1, Post 71, I.O.S.B.
• Rumanian-American Benevolent Society
• United Wilner Benevolent Association – established on December 24, 1888
• Willner Brother Benevolent Association (also Miskan Bezslel Anshe Wilner)
• Romenar Benevolent Association

Notable burials

• Joseph Edelstein (1858–1940) – Yiddish Theater theatrical manager and theater owner and director
• Pauline Edelstein (1866–1942) – Yiddish theatre actress and wife of Joseph Edelstein
• Abraham Goldfaden (1840–1908) – Yiddish playwright, poet, composer, stage director, actor and producer
• David Kessler (1860–1920) – actor
• Sigmund Mogulesko (1858 –1914) – Yiddish actor, comedian, singer, director and composer
• Jerry Sterner (1938–2001) – playwright
• Lilyan Tashman (1899–1934) – actress
• "Big" Jack Zelig (1888–1912), was a Jewish American New York City gangster and one of the last leaders of the Monk Eastman Gang.

References

External links

• Washington Cemetery at Find a Grave

Coordinates: 40°37′12″N 73°58′35″W / 40.62000°N 73.97639°W / 40.62000; -73.97639