The Schuyler Flatts Burial Ground

On June 5th, 2005 construction work in the Town of Colonie, NY (Route 32 near Menands/Watervliet) revealed an unmarked burial ground. Archaeologists discovered 13 sets of remains plus another set of remains was found in 1998. A total of 14 individuals were discovered.

In 2010, bioarchaeological analysis was completed by the NYS Museum. The analyses determined that the remains are about 200 years old and represent 6 women, 1 man, 2 children, and five infants. DNA analysis concluded that four of the individuals are of African descent. (West/East and Central Africa) Two sets of remains are descendants of women from Madagascar (off the coast of Southeast Africa). One individual, who may have been of mixed ancestry, was descendant from a Native American woman (possibly Micmac Tribe: Eastern Canada and the Northeastern corner of the United States). The burial ground was dated between the 1700s and early 1800s. Historical research indicates that the burial ground was part of a large estate owned by the colonial Schuyler family who owned a number of slaves in the 18th and 19th centuries.

   In order for these people to be buried with dignity and respect the Schuyler Flatts Burial Ground Project Committee is in the process of planning and implementing a ceremonial celebration at St Agnes Cemetery located in Menands, NY on Sat, June 18th 2016. (The time of the re-burial will be announced in the near future)  
   The Schuyler Flatts Burial Ground Project Committee has incorporated the symbol of the Sankofa sign. The concept of Sankofa is derived from King Adinkera of the Akan people of West Africa. The symbolic meaning is “it is not taboo to go back and fetch what you forgot”
  For more information concerning the Schuyler Flatts Burial Ground Project, please contact:
Evelyn (Kamili) King (Peace Out Productions)evelynking57@yahoo.com
Paul Stewart (The Underground Railroad History Project) pstewart@localnet.com