Brief History

Thomas Welwood, one of the founders of the “city of Breslau” now Lindenhurst, deeded lots to the residents of Breslau on January 11, 1874.  This large plot of ground is in the far northeastern section of the village and was formally dedicated as a cemetery. The volunteers who offered to lay out a road from Wellwood Avenue to the cemetery, nearly a mile, were given a cemetery plot for their efforts.   A public meeting was held for the selection of family plots and an official board was chosen to administer to the affairs of the cemetery and maintain its grounds.  A group was organized, headed by Martin Bollinger and on May 30th 1875 the first cemetery minutes were recorded.  The final organization was established on June 14th, 1875 and the following officers were elected: President; Adam Griebel, Vice President; A. Noll, Secretary; Anton Langsdorf and Treasurer; Herman Hartmann.  And on September 8th, 1875 the Breslau Cemetery Association was officially incorporated. 

After the incorporation, the Catholic Church bought a section in the cemetery for $1. The deed is in the name of the Bishop of the Brooklyn Diocese.  And although the Catholic Section is shown on the 1875 Map, it was not used until 1895. Shortly after that, the Breslau people of the Jewish Faith petitioned for a portion of the grounds for their sole use. And in October 1876 the Association sold the northeast section to the Jewish community for $135.

For some unknown reason, the original charter of the Breslau Cemetery Association was allowed to lapse, so a meeting was held by all cemetery lot owners.  It was decided to reorganize, adopt a new Constitution and request a new charter from the state.  And in May, 1887 the Board of Trustees was established.  The board consisted of 9 trustees: Francis Weymann, Frederick Mohr, Victor Jaeggy, Charles Bohne, William Wolter, John Heuer, Ferdinand Gentz, Anton Langsdorf and Martin Bollinger.  John Sert was elected as grave digger for 1 year.

The Breslau Cemetery Association raised funds by sponsoring picnics & summer night festivals for the construction of the Chapel. And in January 1888 bids were received for the build.  John Walter submitted a bid of $265 and Edward Parthe a bid of $215 and the latter was awarded.  The construction was done that same year, and the building was ready for dedication.  The Dedication Day Ceremonies began with a parade that left Fire Headquarters on John Street, proceeded south on School Street to Hoffman Avenue to Wellwood Avenue, north to Cemetery Road and east to the cemetery. The parade was led by Grand Marshal, Frederick Torns who was the Senior Fire Department Chief. The marchers included the Cemetery Trustees, members of the Fire Department, The Odd Fellows Lodge, Knights of Pith-ee-us, The Harmonic Society, Breslau Citizens Society and the St John’s Choir.  Almost a decade later, in January 1897, a bell was installed in the chapel which was always tolled at the approach of a funeral procession.  This custom was later discontinued, but in 1956, the bell-tolling custom was revived for a short period before it was once again discarded. The bell tolled again in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Breslau Cemetery Association at the1975 Memorial Day Services. And in December of 2020 in Honor of our beloved Charlie Tanner, who passed away while he was standing President of the Cemetery Association and had 60 years of service with us, the bell tolled at his funeral procession……  The old chapel was renovated in 1966 and has since been used as a meeting hall for our bi-monthly meetings.

During the past 150 years, many changes have been made at the cemetery.  The stately cedar trees that once lined the main cemetery entrance are gone, along with most of the low metal fences that marked off many family plots.  The dirt footpaths gradually disappeared and have turned into well-manicured lawns. The roads have been blacktopped, running water has replaced the old hand pump and a tree & shrubbery program had been instituted.

The oldest grave in our cemetery:

February 20th 1874 Mueller  (there is an interesting note in the registration book regarding this burial) Andrus Mueller was a well-known brewer who worked for Feller. He was murdered in Heil’s Hotel by August Kellerman, who was drunk.

*** There are 33 American Civil War Veterans laid to rest in the Breslau Cemetery.

Purchasing a Plot

If you are interested in purchasing a plot at Breslau Cemetery it is by appointment only. We can be reached at 631-884-2323

Office Hours are Monday-Friday 8am-2:30 pm

CEMETERY CLOSES AT DUSK

***Suffolk County & Nassau County Residents Only***