The Townsend Cemetery is the burying ground for 33 of the early English Quaker settlers to the Roslyn community including five families; Townsend, Willis, Horsfield, Jackson and Boerem. The cemetery was active for almost 104 years. The earliest internment was November 24, 1790 and the last burial was November 1994. Throughout this period, it was known as the Willis Farm Cemetery, Greenvale Cemetery and now the Townsend Cemetery.
Considered an abandoned cemetery, the Townsend Cemetery and its Northern Boulevard right-of-way is managed by the Town of North Hempstead.
Coordinated by newly appointed Town Historian Ross Lumpkin, on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, the Department of Highways of the Town Hempstead cleared and cleaned the right-of-way and the burying ground. Kudos for an outstanding job!
In a joint effort, the Roslyn Landmark Society and the Town of North Hempstead will be applying for a grant this summer to restore this historic cemetery.
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In Oyster Bay hamlet there is Raynham Hall home to the Townsend family since the 1600s. A family member during the Revolutionary War was part of Washington's Culper spy ring. Any relation to the Townsend's in the Townsend Cemetery?
I remember “discovering” this cemetery while working in the area in the early 1990’s. Wasn’t looking as spiffy as it is now, great job!