ROCKLAND POST DESK
WEST NYACK — Tucked quietly beside the Palisades Center Mall, Mount Moor Cemetery may be small—just 0.27 acres—but its history is profound. Established in 1849, it became a sanctuary for African Americans at a time when segregation denied them dignified burial in most Rockland County cemeteries.
The land was deeded by James and Jane Benson to William H. Moore, Stephen Samuels, and Isaac Williams “for colored people,” creating a sacred space where dignity could be preserved even in death. Over the years, approximately 300 men, women, and children have been laid to rest here, including 32 veterans who served in conflicts from the Civil War through the Korean War.
Among them is Solomon E. Miller, born in 1843 in Amsterdam, NY. Miller served as a Civil War substitute, hired to fight in place of another man, and was present at the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865. He returned home after the war and later passed away in Nyack in 1918.
The cemetery is also the resting place of Buffalo Soldiers, including Lafayette Logan of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, as well as Hezekiah Easter Jr., Rockland County’s first African American legislator. Easter played a central role in saving the cemetery from destruction during the construction of the Palisades Center Mall in the 1990s. He passed in 2007 and was laid to rest beside his father and brother, standing as a lasting guardian over the grounds he fought to preserve.
Historical Significance: Mount Moor’s story is a reminder of both resilience and injustice. It reflects the struggles African Americans faced in life and death, yet also the determination of a community to preserve its history. Though hidden amid modern shopping centers and parking lots, the cemetery stands as a living testament to courage, service, and heritage.
Visiting and Preservation: The Friends of Mount Moor Cemetery continue to maintain the grounds, share its history, and welcome visitors who wish to learn about the lives and sacrifices of those buried there. Schools, civic groups, and local residents are encouraged to explore this piece of Rockland County’s history and honor the stories preserved at Mount Moor.
Contact Information: friendsofmountmoorcemetery@gmail.com