New Utrecht Cemetery
Revolutionary War Heritage Trail
This is the site of the original New Utrecht Reformed Church, built in 1700 on the main street of New Utrecht village.
On August 22, 1776, General Howe’s troops occupied the old Church before moving to attack the Americans at Brooklyn Heights. After the Battle of Brooklyn, August 27, 1776, the Church was used as a field hospital and prison and, later, a riding school.
The most notable prisoner, General Nathaniel Woodhull, President of the New York Convention, was moved to the neighboring DeSille house where he died of wounds suffered during his capture.
In 1827, the old Church was taken down and its stones re-used in the present Church at 18th Avenue and 84th Street.
The Cemetery contains monuments to many descendants of the old Brooklyn Dutch settlers, including several, such as Lieutenant Colonel, later Judge, Nicholas Cowenhoven, William Van Brunt and Isaac Corteyou, who played active roles in the Revolutionary cause.
Today the cemetery is still owned and used by the New Utrecht Reformed Church.
Marker is at the intersection of 84th Street and 16th Avenue, on the right when traveling east on 84th Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
