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KINSLEY-DUNCAN Family Burial
   West Point Cemetery                      

In MEMORIAL to my dear friend TOM MARTIN.  It is with the most profound sadness that I heard of the passing of my dear friend Tom Martin last Spring 2003. From time to time, I would delight in finding a surprise envelope in my mailbox packed full of new stuff that Tom had found and was thoughtful enough to send on to me - no charge. He sent me hundreds of e-mails with information, census records, cemetery records, inscriptions, wills, and all manner of records and old, old maps. (He loved maps) I cannot tell you all that he found and shared so freely with me. I admired him so much. Through his wry sense of humour, he made me laugh, and often at myself. Through his research, I was able to obtain so much more information and history about my Kinsley, Duncan (Duncanson) & Gird families, et al, in the Hudson Valley area of New York, that I am certain I would never have discovered on my own without his diligence and hard work. What a sweetheart! I will miss him so terribly much. Many thanks and much love to Tom for the passionate research he made for me and many others in finding the family history of my DUNCAN-KINSLEY and GIRD families, et al, of The Hudson Highlands & River Valley. He is greatly missed by a good many people.  Every now and then, I stumble onto an e-mail note or a letter from Tom, and it hits me all over again.  My heartfelt love and sympathy to his wife and family and all concerned.  And so, I wanted to set this little memorial on this website and dedicate it to Tom as a token of my love and appreciation for him. To Tom with love & admiration, from your friend & distant cousin, Annie.

I will remember you.
 

  FORWARD: Family rumor has it that my KINSLEY - GIRD family once owned land that became part of West Point Military Academy.

Zebina KINSLEY and wife Anne "Annie" DUNCAN, and some of their children,
including their son, Zebina James Duncan (Z.J.D.) Kinsley, his wife, Eliza VON SCHOONHOVEN, her parents, and some of their children  were interred here, including their son, Edward V. Kinsley.

Regarding the whereabouts of the KINSLEY children who intermarried with the GIRD, FAUROT, VON SCHOONHOVEN, TWINING, & PRATT,  &etc.  many other related families,  apparently they lived on or nearby the property with their mother and grandmother, Anne Duncan Kinsley, the surviving wife of Zebina KINSLEY.

  Col James Duncan, "The Hero Duncan"  (born 29 Sept., 1811 -  died 3 July, 1849), son of Robert DUNCAN(SON) (who was the brother of my GGGG-Grandmother, Annie Duncan-Kinsley), is also buried here, or at least a Marker stone was placed here for him. The DUNCAN(SON) Family burials were all removed from Family Lands in 1888 and relocated at Vale's Gate Woodlawn Cemetery, near Cornwall-on-the -Hudson, north of West Point. All other sources give the original Funeral & burial of Col. Duncan (1849) on the family property on the East facing slope overlooking the Hudson River,  not far from the DUNCAN family house on Duncan Ave. in Cornwall-on-Hudson. We do not know when the marker for Col. James Duncan was placed in the West Point Cemetery, but because it is a more modern type of stone, it would seem to indicate a more recent placement than 1890s. Apparently Edward Kinsley had an agreement with the Government or the "HEIRS" were approached very soon after his burial, regarding the Re-interment of the KINSLEY & DUNCAN(SON) families,  as we see removals from the family burial ground begin in June 1888, two months after his death.
In 1890 - Anna Maria GIRD-Walker &  Eliza Kinsley GIRD_ HARRIS were some of the "Heirs".

Letter of Proceeds pertaining to the sell of KINSLEY LANDS to West Point
 From the family records of Stephen H. Burt

August 5th, 1890
 RECEIPT signed by Kinsley TWINING, a grandson of Zebina KINSLEY & Annie DUNCAN-KINSLEY, for money from Eliza Kinsley GIRD-HARRIS for her contribution to cover the expenses for the
KINSLEY MONUMENT at West Point Military Cemetery.

 

* See Rev. Kinsley Twining Notations below

Kinsley Family Monument
West Point Military Cemetery
 Originally buried on Kinsley family lands, just south of West Point, NY., now South Gate area. Reburied at USMA West Point Cemetery in June, 1890.
~ The Bronze plaque on the East Face ~
 ( bluish looking area on the stone in photo above )

Reads:
"On incorporation of the Kinsley Estate into the domain of the US Military
Academy the remains of the persons whose names are on this stone were removed
from the family burial ground and reinterred beneath this monument by their
surviving relatives in June 1890."


 Facing east toward the river.
-top of stone -
   In memory of Zebina Kinsley
   born - 1768
   died - Sept 3, 1804  - aged 36 years
   Annie Duncan-Kinsley his wife
   born - Sept 5, 1777
   died - March 5, 1848

 North face of KINSLEY Monument (written above the bluish looking brass plaque)
   In Memory of Zebina James Duncan KINSLEY
   died - August 24, 1849   Aged 47yrs 6 mo 13 days
    Eliza Von Schoonhoven his wife
   died - November17, 1852  Aged 48 yrs 8 days

 South face of KINSLEY Monument -
   Gerardus Von Schoonhoven
   born - Decemeber14, 1769
   died - May10, 1810
   wife
    Sarah
   born - February 2, 1773
   died - May16, 1848

  West face of KINSLEY Monument.
   Harriet Twining Kinsley
   died - Feb 28?, 1852 - age  21 10 mo 20 days

   Eliza Kinsley
   died - July 28, 1852  - age 13 yrs 9 mon 23 days
NOTE: Above two dates (1852) may be for the two daughters who were drowned after a steamboat explosion accident on the Hudson river. 

    Annie Duncan Kinsley
   died - October 14, 1850 - age 4 yrs 4 mon 4 days
  dau. of Zebina J. D. Kinsley & wife Eliza
To the North of the Kinsley Monument is a small stone badly eroded but
apparently:
    Mary or Maria - no dates on stone
     [ Note: Mary, KINSLEY, age 9, eldest dau. of Lieut. Kinsley, died Apr.10, 1836 at West Point
      (scarlet fever)-"...she the third of five children victims of this disease
      within a fortnight") published Albany Daily Albany Argus, Apr. 16, 1836. ]

Two or three more small stones marked
"Unknown"
        [Note:  Julia and Joseph KINSLEY, ages 8 & 7, children of Lieut. Z. J. D. Kinsley died
      (date not given) at West Point (scarlet fever) - published Albany Daily Albany, Argus 16 April,1836. ]
     

I believe these 2 Newspaper announcements are of these three children buried in the West Point Cemetery.

Then a large stone in the shape of a Church that reads:
    *** Edward V. Kinsley ***
   Died - Easter Sunday, April 1, 1888.

I do not know where Edward's wife, Elizabeth HALE-KINSLEY is buried.


Col. James DUNCAN - "the Hero"

"History of Orange County, New York", "Town of Cornwall";
Russel Headley, 1908, p. 171

 Colonel Duncan

 "Another name very dear to Cornwall, but one almost forgotten by the present generation, was that of Colonel James Duncan. He was born at Cold Springs, but his parents moved here when he was a small boy, and settled on a farm a little out of the village. He graduated from West Point in 1835, and was appointed Lieutenant of the Fourth Cavalry. In 1838 he perfected an arm of the service called "The flying artillery," and this first brought him into notice. During the Mexican War he rose from the rank of Lieutenant to that of Colonel. He received the appointment of Inspector General of the United States Army, and during one of his visitations at Mobile he contracted the yellow fever and died there in 1849. His body was brought on and buried near his home, but some years later it was removed to the cemetery at West Point." (see map below)

Click on Thumbnail of Map Below to view the West Point Military Cemetery.
The KINSLEY MONUMENT is located on the East side of the cemetery (upper right corner), near Number (11) - at " X "on the map. This spot is overlooking the Hudson river. 
Col. James DUNCAN's stone is on  ROW A, next to & under the (9) which is the marker for Frederick Dent Grant.
 

<-Click on map image to enlarge


 In the Official large map  of the W. P. M. Cemetery, the KINSLEY Monument is not shown. I added the graphics from the descriptions given to me by my cousin, Steve Burt, who went there and took the photos on this page.

a Few notable SOURCES not cited in text:

 


* Note:  Harriet Kinsley married Alexander Catlin Twining
and had a son, Kinsley Twining.  Kinsley Twining signed the above receipt for monument
erected at West Point in 1890.
Aunt Anna Maria GIRD and George WALKER named their last son George Alexander Twining
Walker.

 

 

MAP 1850 /1851 - Click on image to enlarge

Locating the KINSLEY - DUNCAN  Family Lands

Zebina James Duncan KINSLEY
A graduate of the Military Academy and for a long time an instructor in the
Institution. After continuing in the service for 17 years, he resigned his
commission in the army and retiring to private life soon after established
an Academy on his own responsibility. The Institution is known as the
"Classical and Mathematical School" ( Principal 1838-49) and occupies one of
the finest locations amid the highlands. (cit. W. Eager's "History of Orange County" )
and (cit. "Graduates of the U. S. Military Academy". 1819)
The students wore uniforms, spoke multiple languages and had much
orderliness- 1840-1870 time period (Kathy Allen - Orange Co. History Book)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

History of Orange County, by Samuel W. Eager,
"Towns of Bloominggrove, Cornwall and Monroe.", 1847
 ==========================================================================
 "Contiguous to the Public Lands, south of the Ceded Territory, lies the property of  Z.J.D. KINSLEY, Esq., a graduate of the Military Academy, and for a long time an instructor in the Institution. After continuing in the service 17 years, he resigned his commission in the army, and retiring to private life, soon after established an Academy on his own responsibility. The Institution is known as the 'Classical and Mathematical School,' and occupies one of the finest locations amid the highlands. It has no connection with the Military Academy, being entirely independent and separate from it. Standing as it does more than 250 feet above the water, on the brow of one of those wood-crowned heights, mid-way between the river and the mountain beyond, it possesses a beautiful southern exposure, and a most commanding prospect. The spacious buildings occupy the very site of a Revolutionary fortification (ref'd. to as Block House Point), being one of a chain of redoubts extending from Fort Putnam to the river. Thus has its warlike glory passed away, its ramparts have been leveled, and Mars has yielded to Flora, the goddess of flowers and blossoms. In the rear, Fort Wyllys frowns upon it from an overhanging height, and now but a wreck of its former grandeur opposes itself as a barrier to the fury of the north west blasts which dash against its time-worn bastions. (this is clearly the house on the 1850/51 map that shows E. Kinsley living in a house on the south slope of hill just below 'Ft. Wyllys') From this site the Hudson assumes the aspect of a natural lake, entirely barricaded from egress at any point by the surrounding hills, which to all appearance form a perfect basin. The powerful steamboat darts from behind a wooded crag; parts the smooth waters with hurried strokes, and in a few moments is lost again to view as if by magic. The snow white sail issues from the green hills, dashes on in mad career before the favoring breeze, and anon seems disappearing into the caverns of Aeolus, the sovereign of the winds. The highlands of the Hudson! What beauty, what variety of picturesque scenery do they present! Such being the favorable location of the school, it is found to be remarkable healthy during every period of the year. The discipline combines the strictness and accuracy of Military Police with Parental care and discrimination. The course of instruction is comprehensive, including all the usual preparatory braches of a thorough English and Classical education. In Latin and Greek a pupil may be fitted to enter at an advanced standing in any of our Colleges or Universities, or if he prefers it may read the whole course as far as it is pursued in such institutions. The most approved course of Mathematics has been adopted in the school, and is pursued with great care and accuracy, as being one of the best means of enlarging and strengthening the mental capacity of youth. The French language is very generally studied by the pupils, in the rudiments of which they are thoroughly drilled. An opportunity is also afforded of acquiring a knowledge of the German and Spanish languages; and to such as desire it, instruction is given in Instrumental and vocal Music. One of the most important and peculiar features of the Institution is the Military Exercise to which its pupils are subjected. They are regularly organized as a Company, and, though it is not the design of the School to provide a Military Education, are required to perform such military duties and exercises as contribute to discipline, to health, and to an easy and graceful carriage. The daily drill quite familiarizes them with the practical duties of the soldier, and is found admirably to answer every purpose for which it was introduced. Frequent roll-calls, and class-parades, and marching to and from recitations and meals infuse into them a spirit of subordination highly conducive to their general improvement. In short, military precision pervades the whole system, imparting to it that life and energy which could by no other means be attainable. - The uniform consists of a blue cloth roundabout, standing collar, with a single row of ten gilt figured buttons in front, and four at each wrist - the button being a miniature representation of the school, including the Hudson and the Mountains in the rear. Blue cloth pantaloons with a stripe of black velvet on the outer seams from the waist to the ankle, complete the winter attire: whilst in summer, pantaloons of white drilling are substituted. When on dress parade in full uniform, with all their accoutrements and muskets, they present quite and imposing appearance. The Academic year is divided into two terms of five months each. The winter term commences on the 1st of November and closes on the 31st of March; the summer term on the 1st of May and closes on the 20th of September; thus leaving the months of April and October for vacations. At the close of every month a Report exhibiting the scholarship and behavior of each pupil is sent to his parents or guardian. There is an examination at the close of each term. The exercises on these occations (sic) are public, and indeed at all times the school is open to visitors. A carefully selected Library of upwards of 1000 volumes is provided for pupils to read in their leisure moments; it consists of the works of such authors as may be read with safety and profit by youth. Mr. Kinsley is assisted in the duties of the school by several graduates of Yale and Union Colleges, and can, as occasion requires, obtain the services of accomplished instructors connected with the Military Academy. A better and more advantageous location form such an Institution could not be desired. Shut out from the din of the busy world, quiet and secluded, it affords every inducement to study, and seems intended by nature for just such a seat of learning."
 "History of Orange County, New York", Cornwall, E.M. Ruttenber and L.H. Clark, page 764
 

Note: Zebina James Duncan KINSLEY was the brother of my GGG-grandmother, Sarah Ann "Sally" KINSLEY-GIRD, who married Henry Hatton GIRD III, also a graduate of West Point and afterward an instructor there. Sally & Henry GIRD were married there & lived on or near the W. P. Academy campus., probably at the home of ANNIE DUNCAN-KINSLEY, her widowed mother. (See 1851 MAP). The Widow KINSLEY's home and lands were where it indicates  "MRS. KINSLEY".
 

KINSLEY HILL ROAD: The road that originally led up the hill to the Kinsley academy, was named  Kinsley Hill Road, either by the West Point Academy as a memorial to the Kinsley family and the school that was once located there, or  it was called Kinsley Hill Road originally. Nonetheless it is still called Kinsley Hill Road today.

The area South, just below the red push-pin, and from the Redoubts (mountains on the left) West of the Wilson Rd. area, then heading East to the Hudson river, was part of the Kinsley lands, and where Zebina & Annie (Duncan) Kinsley's home was located. Block House point is located just east of Mrs. Kinsley's home (Refer to 1851 map, above).

The gray area is now all West Point land. The Z.J.D. Kinsley school was located where the red push-pin is marking the map for Kinsley Hill Rd.  The West Point Military Cemetery where the family burials were re-interred,  is located just north of the Kinsley Hill Rd area.

Highland Falls was in earlier times known as "Buttermilk Falls". The shoreline from Buttermilk Falls north to West Point was extremely rocky and the land rose straight up from the river, making it an ideal place for a fort or even a castle fortress. It must have reminded the early Scot settlers of their homeland in the Highlands and hence the name. There was a small boat dock at Buttermilk Falls in the early days. If you wanted to go to the east side of the river, the only way there was by boat. Much of my GIRD KINSLEY DUNCAN family history took place in these areas. There is some talk of changing the name Highland Falls back to this original name of Buttermilk Falls. I like it better, too.  I hope they do CHANGE it BACK!

Pedigree charts & family group records of my GIRD-KINSLEY Families, and many others can be seen at Annie's Webs, my SEARCHABLE SURNAME INDEX posted with RootsWeb's WorldConnect.
Files are DOWNLOADABLE.

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