Connolly Refuses to Permit Burial of Ancient Bones as Paupers

New York Times November 19, 1923 • Maurice E. Connolly, Borough President of Queens, refused yesterday to permit the burial in Potter’s Field of the bones of ten Indians and two whites found Saturday in a beach alongside Powell’s Cove on the Malba estate, Whitestone. He directed their re-interment in the historic old Town of Newtown burying ground, Toledo Avenue and Justis Street, Elmhurst, probably today, in a manner more befitting their significance. They are supposed to date back to 1780 at the latest.

“Those are not paupers’ bones,” said President Connolly, “and they have every right to rest beside the other old settlers.”

The Town of Newtown burying ground was laid out before 1660, according to historical records, and contains the graves of some of the earliest pioneers. The cemetery became part of the City of New York in the gradual extension of the city limits and has since been maintained.