Gilead Cemetery, cemetery in Carmel, New York
Gilead Cemetery is a burial ground in Carmel with roughly 310 graves arranged in rows running east to west across gently sloping land. The headstones made of red sandstone, marble, and granite span different periods and display varied carving styles reflecting changes in taste through the centuries.
The cemetery was established in the 1750s with its first burial in 1766. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988, recognizing its importance to the region's early history.
The stones here reflect how the community's beliefs about death changed over time. Early markers show skulls and symbols of mortality, while later stones feature angels and trees representing hope for the afterlife.
The cemetery is surrounded by stone walls and accessed through wrought iron gates over a century old. Wear comfortable shoes to navigate the gently sloping grounds, and give yourself time to walk among the rows at a leisurely pace.
The cemetery holds the grave of Enoch Crosby, a Revolutionary War soldier and spy whose story inspired author James Fenimore Cooper to write a novel about his adventures. A monument featuring crossed sword and musket honors his legacy as a patriot and intelligence operative.
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