Colonel William Sterling Cogswell as portrayed by a student from the Immaculate Conception School of Jamaica Estates, NY.
Good afternoon and welcome to Maple Grove Cemetery. I am Colonel William Sterling Cogswell and I was the first President of this cemetery from 1875-1935. That was for 60 years! I was born in 1840 and lived in Jamaica on 164th Street. I joined the Civil War in 1861. I was credited with devising a system during the war of using flags as a way of communicating between detachments. I took part in General Sherman's "March to the Sea" and the capture of Savannah. I was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and got to meet President Abraham Lincoln two times.
In my private life, I was a practicing lawyer for 23 years and was President of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Jamaica. We were responsible for it being erected. I was also involved with many Civil War Veterans' groups, fighting for the rights of the soldiers when they returned home from duty. My son George Cogswell became the President of Maple Grove after I passed on.
The Cogswells orginally came from England over 300 years ago. Some of the Cogswells came to America and some stayed in Merry Ole England. One of my descendants from the Cogswell's who stayed in England became quite famous. You might have heard of her. Her Royal Highness Diana, Princess of Wales.
Please enjoy your journey through Maple Grove as you learn about the fascinating people who have come before us!
Presented May 22, 2004 by The Richmond Hill Historical Society, Maple Grove Cemetery, and The Immaculate Conception School of Jamaica Estates, NY (Dr. Charlene Jaffie, principal).
Copyright © 2004 Carl Ballenas & Nancy Cataldi.
No claim to Old Kew Gardens [.com] color photograph.
No claim to Old Kew Gardens [.com] color photograph.
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