Van Cortlandtville, NY
Dedicated in April 2008, the monument is located in the Old Van Cortlandtville Cemetery in Cortlandt Manor, NY, near the Van Cortlandtville Historical Society.
This monument is dedicated to Major General Seth Pomeroy, who was commissioned the first Brigadier General of the United States by General George Washington. The Van Cortlandtville Anvil Monument is located at the Old Van Cortlandtville Cemetery, on Locust Ave, Cortlandt Manor, NY.
Front InscriptionPOMEROY
In 1660 Medad Pomeroy accepted an offer of tools, an anvil shaped like this replica,and land in exchange for opening a blacksmith shop in Northampton, MA.That anvil was passed through many generations of Pomeroyblacksmiths and gunsmiths, becoming a symbol of the family.
Seth Pomeroy, grandson of Medad, was born May 20, 1706.A skilled blacksmith and gunsmith, he was one of the ownersof the original anvil. Well known for his honesty, integrity,strong religious convictions and patriotism, his lettersshow that he was also a devoted husband and father.
Seth saw public service much of his life, including:
| 1745 | Capt. at Siege of Louisbourg |
| 1748 | Commander of Fort Massachusetts |
| 1755 | Lt. Col. at Battle of Lake George |
| 1774 | Member of First MA Provincial Congress |
| 1775 | Maj. General in command of MA forces |
| 1775 | Volunteer at Battle of Bunker Hill |
| 1776 | Brig. General of the Continental Army |
| 1777 | Commander of MA forces at Peekskill |
Seth died of pleurisy at the home of Miss Johnson in Peekskill, February 19, 1777. He was buried in this cemetery, formerly known as the Baptist Church Cemetery. The exact site is unknown.
When the American Revolution ended, the great pioneer migration to the West began. The Pomeroy Anvil Trail commemorates the westward migration of the American people through the movement of the Pomeroy family.
Back InscriptionPOMEROY
| Eltweed | ca 1585 - 1673 |
| Emigrated from England ca 1630, founded first American branch of Pomeroy family. | |
| Deacon Medad | 1638 - 1716 |
| Third son of Eltweed, original owner of the Pomeroy anvil. | |
| Hon. Major Ebenezer | 1669 - 1754 |
| Third son of Medad, King’s Attorney and High Sheriff of Hampshire. | |
| Major General Seth | 1706-1777 |
| Fifth son of Ebenezer, gunsmith, blacksmith and patriot. | |
| Lieut. Daniel | 1709 – 1755 |
| Brother of Seth, killed at Battle of Lake George. | |
| Sons of Seth who served in the Revolution | |
| Quartus | 1735 - 1803 |
| Capt. Lemuel | 1738 - 1819 |
| Lieut. Asahel | 1749 - 1833 |
| Sons of Daniel who served in the Revolution | |
| Pliny | 1734 - 1804 |
| Maj. Daneil | 1737 - 1808 |
| Timothy | 1742 - 1802 |
At least 55 Pomeroy sons served in the American Revolution.
In 1898 the Sons of the American Revolution erected a monument to Seth Pomeroy in the adjoining Hillside Cemetery.
“...at King’s Bridge... there was about 300 of ye Enemy yt Came to Drive our forces of from ye ground... ye Enemy took that advantage of our men & Drove them at first but it Soon turn’d against them with ye loss of about 40 of their men killed, one killed on our Side 4 or 5 wounded our men Drove them Into ye Forest.”
Erected in 2007 by William Guilford Pomeroy, Jr.
4th Great Grandson of Pliny Pomeroy.
