Virgil 1st Public Cemetery, Virgil, Cortland County, NY

While driving westward along Route 392 (via exit 9, Interstate 81) towards the town of Cortland in Cortland County, below the Finger Lakes in rural New York State, we came across the small town of Virgil.   The quaint town consists of about 2,000+ residents and is noteworthy for being settled just after the American Revolution. This is due, in part, to the land there being part of the "Central New York Military Tract" which was land set aside to compensate New York's Revolutionary War soldiers for their services during the war.   The US Congress had promised soldiers at least 100 acres for their service but New York found it necessary to offer an addditional 500.

Just off the main roadway, along Church Street, lies the site of 1st Public Cemetery, established in 1806. This cemetery is very small and rather old, consisting of a few long rows of grave markers, some crumbled, several eroded beyond legibility.   The grave of at least two Revolutionary War soldier are found here, one clearly marked by a military marker, probably placed here by a DAR chapter.   The marked grave is that of Thomas Mott, see below.   One tombstone notes that John M. Frank "fought for Independence."

Within easy view from the 1st Public Cemetery, is the much larger and currently active, Virgil Rural Cemetery which likewise contains markers naming Revolutionary soldiers.   We photographed all markers for which we could make out the inscriptions at 1st Public cemetery.   We hope you find this useful and interesting.   If you would like to read more about the town of Virgil, please see the History of Virgil which contains some very interesting stories about early settlement of these lands.

The following are those tombstones we were able to read in part or total.   Click on the appropriate link to view a photograph of the tombstone.