Just one example of what many of the older stones on the upper level look like, waiting to be repaired. (Submitted photo)

OXFORD — The Riverview Cemetery, in Oxford, New York, has a diverse and a rich history behind it, dating back to the late 1700s. It covers 20 acres and has documented close to 7,000 burials, with the likelihood that number is higher as old records are researched and translated. It encompasses three very old sections that were previously named Sands Cemetery, Pleasant View Cemetery, and the St. Paul’s section that are now under one name, Riverview Cemetery, located on Albany Street.

Riverview Cemetery has been managed and maintained by a board of trustees, so named The Riverview Cemetery Association, which was organized in 1887. The current board of trustees has been restructured in the past year with the hopes of continuing to have a beautiful cemetery and honor those community members from our past, who have been laid to rest in this historic cemetery.

The Association is also responsible for the VanWagenen Cemetery that is surrounded by a stone wall, located on the south side of the NYS Veterans’ Home on County Road 32. This cemetery has burials of the Solomon family that date as far back as 1811 and the Pickett family in 1815.

The maintenance and upkeep of these two locations is a huge financial challenge and is taking its toll. The association is reaching out to the community, asking for your help. Simply put, they are struggling to meet expenses. The only source of income is when grave sites are sold. The average number is about 10 to 15 a year, and that just doesn’t generate enough income to offset increased cost of annual expenses.

Society and family traditions have changed; It used to be that a family would purchase large lots and all were interred together. With these societal changes, and other options for burials, fewer lots are being sold. However, the total grounds still must be maintained.

To make it more difficult, the NYS Division of Cemeteries requires that they invest a percentage of fees collected for each gravesite into a permanent maintenance fund, and can only draw on the interest that it generates. The last couple of years have been especially hard with interest rates and dividends in a decline, thus reducing available funds from interest accrued. But yet, expenses have skyrocketed.

Expenses are many for a cemetery the size of Riverview. The annual mowing and weed eating contract is close to $40,000, and the bids increase every year. There are two large challenges that the association would like to take on, but are unable due to lack of funds. The first is tree removal.

With the cost of cutting and removing old trees being close to $1,000 a tree, at this point, it is almost impossible to undertake. The cemetery has many that are considered unsafe and with each storm, the chances of them falling on monuments increases. Many that were planted decades ago are now encroaching into monuments, and their root system is causing foundation problems within many lots.

The second is restoring monuments. Riverview is a very old cemetery, and has many historical monuments that require foundations to be leveled or repair to stones that have cracked and fallen over. There are hundreds within the cemetery that need repair, but the budget can’t handle that expense at this time. There are other expenses as well: insurance, water bill, shed upkeep, road and pathway maintenance, plowing in winter months when needed, trash removal, and operational expenses such as cell phone, stamps, etc.

Riverview Cemetery is an integral part of this quaint community. It is one of the first things you see as you enter the village from County Road 32 into Albany Street. Many famous and historical people are buried in this beautiful cemetery (including over 500 war veterans with half a dozen being Revolutionary War soldiers). The association wants to be sure to maintain its appearance and preserve its rich history.

Are you familiar with the family names, Mygatt and Tracy? They are two very old family lots that contain historical interest, and in years past, their families contributed greatly to our community. Many members of both families are buried in Riverview Cemetery dating back to early 1800s.

Mygatt Family: Henry Mygatt come to Oxford in 1806 to pursue his interest as a merchant. Later he devoted his attention to building a tannery (circa 1818), which developed into a highly respected business, before his death in 1835. Henry and first wife, Sarah, who died in 1818, had a son, Henry R. Mygatt, (1810-1875). Their family lot is one of the largest in Riverview. Among their prestigious monuments, there is a very unusual stone in the shape of a table, with names engraved on top.

Son, Henry R. Mygatt, was also well known within the community. He prepared for college at Oxford Academy and later graduated from Union College. His professional toils and successes covered a long term of practice in the courts of this state, as well as in the Supreme Court of the United States. He was greatly beloved and respected for his excellence of character, and was highly benevolent. He did not aspire to be in public office, his heart and hand were always open to whatever concerned the welfare of the community. He served as President of Oxford Academy for many years and to St. Paul's Church, he was also a bountiful benefactor.

Tracy Family: Honorable Uri Tracy moved to Oxford in 1791. He was the first principal of Oxford Academy in 1794, and his name is forever remembered in Oxford’s school song. He also held many titles: first Sheriff of Chenango County, Chenango County Clerk, first Postmaster of Oxford, and was elected as a US Congressman. After leaving Congress, he was appointed as the first judge of Chenango County. Honorable Uri Tracy was buried in Riverview in 1838.

Your help is needed! This cemetery is filled with many historical names of families that made this village and town a place to be remembered for generations to come. If you have family or friends that made this their final resting place, please consider making a donation. The association would greatly appreciate your help and thank you in advance as they try to find a way to manage the ever increasing expenses for upkeep and maintaining this peaceful serene landmark that contains so much of Oxford’s history.

The Riverview Cemetery Association can be contacted by mail at Riverview Cemetery Association, PO Box 256, Oxford, NY 13830; via email at oxfordriverviewcemetery@gmail.com; or by phone at 607-206-4363.

For more information on the Riverview Cemetery, visit oxfordriverviewcem.wixsite.com/riverviewcemetery.

-Information provided by the Riverview Cemetery Association