Foote Family Cemetery, Arbor Hill, Delhi, New York

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300px|Plan of the Foote Cemetery, rendering in pen and ink on vellum, dates from

Description of the cemetery

It stands on a tiny bluff—or is it a mound?—in any event, there is a remarkably picturesque cemetery above the West Branch of the Delaware river, in the Catskill Mountains. It is the cemetery for the home "Arbor Hill," Federal style house of the Federalist politician, Revolutionary War soldier, and judge Ebenezer Foote. It stands technically in the village of Fraser, New York, however, Fraser is technically a hamlet with only a few houses, and, at one time, a church. Now it has an industrial dairy products plant. This is the Foote Cemetery. Standing just feet from the banks of the river, the view is pristine—still bucolic, especially in the Fall.

Privately owned, by the caring and erudite history buffs who now live in Ebenezer's house, the cemetery was planned by Ebenezer as a resting place for his wife, son and other family members, many of whom pre-deceased him. Thus Ebenezer, "The Founder" was the founder of a troubled and unusually unlucky family of well-connected professionals who followed military and religious careers. Whatever cohesion they may have had—upended by tuberculosis, alcoholism, and the ambitions of their own capricious and overly controlling patriarch.

As it looked in the Fall of 2014, when the current owners graciously gave me a tour.
Don't know if they appreciate it or not, but my ancestors have a very nice view, from their cemetery.
An Obelisk at some unknown location found in the papers of Ebenezer, "The Founder." photo: Princeton University, Rare Books and Mss.

Interments

Burials in the Foote Family Cemetery are listed Alphabetically, by family name, or descriptive, given on the actual stone. The monumentally helpful website findagrave.org has nine entries for this cemetery. Many thanks are due to Diane Galusha, for her work in recording the burials here. These were scanned by Ray LaFever for the Delaware County Historical Society. Their 12 entries have been compiled alongside the photographic records of the author for a total of 15 known burials in this tiny, careworn, but still lovely retreat.

  1. Henry J, son of Henry and Sally Edgerton Died – 23 Jun 1839, Æ 5 yrs, 5 Mons, & 13 d's. [97738544, and dcnyhistory.org/Foote]
  2. Charles Augustus Foote 15 Apr 1785 – 1 Aug 1828. This stone has, as of 2014, disintegrated and pieces are stacked on top of the marker for Charlotte Wells Foote. [16962833, and dcnyhistory.org/Foote]
  3. Sacred to the memory of Mrs. Charlotte, Consort of Col. Frederick P. Foote, who departed this life, June 30, 1820, Æ. 32 In her were exhibited the domestic virtues, in admirable perfection she lived respected, and beloved, and died universally regretted. [97738531, and dcnyhistory.org]]
  4. In memory of Ebenezer Foote, who died Dec. 28 Dec, 1829: in his 75, year. He was a man of spotless integrity, unwearied diligence, and perseverance, and by his own intellectual powers and moral worth, he arose to an enviable distinction in society and has left many memorials of honourable fame as a legacy to his posterity. Cherish the memory of the Wise, the Great, and the Good!" [97738482, and dcnyhistory.org/Foote]
  5. Frederick Parsons Foote, 15 Mar 1783 – 3 Feb 1827 [97738627, not seen by me –dff] It should be noted that in the typescript, there are only three obelisks while now (after 2014) there are four. Repairs to most of the four appear fairly recent. It may be that Frederick's original obelisk, had degraded to the point of illegibility, and was repaired or replaced with the one now standing, which does not appear to be marble nor have any inscription.
  6. Harriet Elizabeth Foote, 4 Nov 1808 – 3 Dec 1825 [114661306]
  7. Jerusha Purdy Foote 15 Dec 1755 – 23 Nov 1818 Sacred to the memory of Jerusha, Wife of Ebenezer Foot, Esq... Died aged 62 yrs., 11 Months & [7?] days. She was an affectionate wife a tender mother & in whom the poor & needy found a constant & sympathizing friend. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." [97738488, and dcnyhistory.org/Foote]
  8. In Memory of Justin Foote, Only son of Gen. Frederick P. Foote, Who died Feb. 1st 1826; aged 14 yrs., 3 Mo. Stranger step cautiously here it is the abode of death Look on this narrow grave and learn how short the passing to the Tomb ...[97738515, and dcnyhistory]
  9. Maria (De Hart) Selima Baldwin Foote, Died – 29 Aug 1824 "Sacred to the Memory of Maria wife of Charles A. Foote this Monument is erected by her bereaved husband She was born on the 20th day of March, 1783; and died the 29th th of Aug. 1824 The Stranger will ask no more And those who knew her and loved her can feel what they have Lost." [decaying marble stone when Diane Galusha made her index, without text, scanned by Ray LaFever, 7 Dec., 2021, as well as 2014, –dff, 97738489, and dcnyhistory.org/Foote]
  10. Ebenezer Foote Maxwell, Died – 10 Jun 1878, æ. 63 yrs [97738388, and dcnyhistory.org/Foote]
  11. Rev Ebenezer K Maxwell, Died – 2 Jul 1840 To the Memory of Ebenezer K. Maxwell, A.M. who for 27 years preached the Gospel of Christ in the town of Delhi with fidelity enforced by purity of moral character in the hope of a glorious immortality. He rested from his labors July 2, 1840; aged 56 years, 6 month & 2 days. [97738449, and dcnyhistory.org/Foote]
  12. Frances H Edgerton Maxwell Died – 5 Nov 1860, æ. 33 years [97738398, and dcnyhistory.org/Foote]
  13. Margaret F Foote Maxwell, 9 Mar 1790 – 16 Apr 1845, æ. 55 yrs, 1 Mo. & 7 d. Consort of Rev. E.K. Maxwell & daughter of Ebenezer Foote. In several relations of daughter, sister, wife and mother few could compare with her. [97738412, and dcnyhistory.org/Foote]
  14. Rose L Maxwell Died – 20 Apr 1888, wife of Gurden E. Maxwell... Died aged 31 years. [97738369, and dcnyhistory.org/Foote]
  15. "Our Lamb," Infant burial. Unknown Birth and death dates unknown. [97738497, and dcnyhistory.org/Foote]
Ebenezer's brother Eli died and is buried in North Carolina. His cenotaph is in Connecticut at the Foote-Ward Cemetery, Colchester. Dating from the mid-1790s, Ebenezer may have used this stone as the model for his own memorial.

Sources

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