Van Cortlandtville, NY Pomeroy Anvil Monument

Dedicated:
Saturday, April 12, 2008

Directions to the cemetery:
Google or GPS the following address: 297 Locust Ave, Peekskill, NY. This is the address of the Van Cortlandtville Historical Society which is right next to the cemetery. There is no street address for this part of the cemetery.

This monument is dedicated to Major General Seth Pomeroy, who was commissioned the first Brigadier General of the United States by General George Washington. The Van Cortlandtville Anvil Monument is located at the Old Van Cortlandtville Cemetery, on Locust Ave, Cortlandt Manor, NY.

The monument is constructed of black granite, is 5' 8" high, and weighs over 6.5 tons.

Front Inscription

In 1660 Medad Pomeroy accepted an offer of tools, an anvil shaped like this replica,
and land in exchange for opening a blacksmith shop in Northampton, MA.
That anvil was passed through many generations of Pomeroy
blacksmiths and gunsmiths, becoming a symbol of the family.

Seth Pomeroy, grandson of Medad, was born May 20, 1706.
A skilled blacksmith and gunsmith, he was one of the owners
of the original anvil. Well known for his honesty, integrity,
strong religious convictions and patriotism, his letters
show that he was also a devoted husband and father.

Seth saw public service much of his life, including:

                                                                         1745     Capt. at Siege of Louisbourg
                                                                         1748     Commander of Fort Massachusetts
                                                                         1755     Lt. Col. at Battle of Lake George
                                                                         1774     Member of First MA Provincial Congress
                                                                         1775     Maj. General in command of MA forces
                                                                         1775     Volunteer at Battle of Bunker Hill
                                                                         1776     Brig. General of the Continental Army
                                                                         1777     Commander of MA forces at Peekskill

Seth died of pleurisy at the home of Miss Johnson
in Peekskill, February 19, 1777. He was buried in this cemetery,
formerly known as the Baptist Church Cemetery.
The exact site is unknown.

When the American Revolution ended, the great pioneer migration to the West began.
The Pomeroy Anvil Trail commemorates the westward migration
of the American people through the movement of the Pomeroy family.

Back Inscription

Eltweed ca 1585 – 1673
Emigrated from England ca 1630, founded first American branch of Pomeroy family.
Deacon Medad 1638 – 1716
Third son of Eltweed, original owner of the Pomeroy anvil.
Hon. Major Ebenezer 1669 – 1754
Third son of Medad, King’s Attorney and High Sheriff of Hampshire.
Major General Seth 1706 – 1777
Fifth son of Ebenezer, gunsmith, blacksmith and patriot.
Lieut. Daniel 1709 – 1755
Brother of Seth, killed at Battle of Lake George.

Sons of Seth who served in the Revolution

Quartus                  1735 – 1803
Capt. Lemuel           1738 – 1819
Lieut. Asahel           1749 – 1833

Sons of Daniel who served in the Revolution:

 Pliny                      1734 – 1804
 Maj. Daniel             1737 – 1808
 Timothy                  1742 – 1802

At least 55 Pomeroy sons served in the American Revolution.

In 1898 the Sons of the American Revolution erected a monument to
Seth Pomeroy in the adjoining Hillside Cemetery.

“...att King’s Bridge... there was about 300 of ye Enemy yt Came to Drive our forces of from ye ground... ye
Enemy took that advantage of our men & Drove them at first but it Soon turn’d against them with ye loss
of about 40 of their men killed, one killed on our Side 4 or 5 wounded our men Drove them Into ye Forest.”

- Seth Pomeroy to son Asahel, January 25, 1777, Peekskill, NY

Erected in 2007 by William Guilford Pomeroy, Jr.
4th Great Grandson of Pliny Pomeroy.