Graves of Revolutionary vets found in Oyster Bay

A recent discovery by a local volunteer has brought to light the graves of five American Revolutionary War veterans in a small, often overlooked cemetery in Oyster Bay.

Matthew Moshen, a volunteer at the Oyster Bay Historical Society and a member of the Long Island Sons of the American Revolution, uncovered the graves at the Baptist Church Cemetery on Orchard Street. The cemetery, located inconspicuously between two houses and enclosed by a fence, had long been an unremarkable piece of land to the casual observer.

Moshen’s discovery was part of a plaque project initiated by the Sons to identify and commemorate Revolutionary War patriots buried in Long Island cemeteries.

“I was doing some research on this cemetery and I found one name,” Moshen said. “Then, as I dug a little deeper, I found five.”

Among the graves, Moshen identified are those of Captain Abraham Van Wyck, Dr. Justus Storrs, John Wright, William Wright, and Ephraim Townsend. Van Wyck had previously been recognized with a plaque, but the others were unknown until Moshen’s research.

The cemetery on Orchard Street spans a modest 50-yard square plot. The unassuming location houses headstones that tell a story of local heroes who once lived, worked, and fought for the nation’s independence.

“If you’re driving up the little hill on Orchard Street, going west, you’d miss it a million times,” Moshen noted.

Using resources such as findagrave.com, Moshen cross-referenced historical records and verified the service of the men in the Revolutionary War.

“All these five actually did serve in the militia,” he explained. “I don’t know how much actual combat they saw, but according to the records, they were in a militia. So, we want to honor their service and their participation in the Revolutionary War.”

Moshen said that he believes the importance of his work lies in making history accessible and tangible to the local community.

“When you make history local or personal, you strengthen these connections and make history come alive,” he said. “These are people who are from your community. They lived here. They were some of the people who founded your community in some ways.”

Denice Sheppard-Evans, the director of the Oyster Bay Historical Society, echoed Moshen’s sentiment on the significance of the discovery.

“I think it’s very important because we played a major part in America’s history, not just nationally but locally,” she said. “Finding these graves reinforces the idea that the people who lived here were actively engaged in the fight for our liberties and justices.”

Sheppard-Evans, who first met Moshen during a walking tour of Oyster Bay, praised his dedication to uncovering the history of local Revolutionary War veterans.

“Matthew has been volunteering here for the past year, and he’s been doing a lot of research on various soldiers that served in the American Revolution and are interred in certain cemeteries,” she said. “I’m just happy to know that he’s able to take this initiative.”

Each of the five veterans Moshen uncovered has a story that contributes to the rich tapestry of American history. Dr. Justus Storrs, for example, was an assistant surgeon who later practiced medicine in Oyster Bay after the war. He is particularly notable for having manumitted or freed one of his slaves, a rare action at the time, although census records show he still owned slaves as late as 1790.

“There’s a lot of interesting history there,” Moshen said. “Many of these patriots were slave owners, and that’s just part of the history of this area. It’s important to recognize both their contributions to our independence and the complexities of their lives.”

The discovery of these graves comes at a poignant time, as the United States prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.

“There’s going to be a lot going on in the country because of the 250th anniversary,” Moshen noted. “This is kind of part of that push to remember and honor those who participated in the Revolutionary War.”

To commemorate the five veterans, Moshen and the Sons are hoping to install a plaque at the cemetery, detailing the names and units of the men. The plaque will serve as a permanent reminder of the local patriots who contributed to the nation’s fight for independence.

“We’ve researched it, verified the five names, and made a plaque,” Moshen said. “We want to provide a little local media to let people know that you have these interesting people literally in their backyard.”