Origins of the Pittston Cemetery

The idea for the Pittston Cemetery originated in two letters to the Pittston Gazette in December 1854. A writer, signing as "X," described a visit to Greenwood Cemetery in New York and emphasized Pittston’s need for a proper burial ground, noting existing sites were overcrowded. He proposed a four-acre non-denominational cemetery, a concept likely supported by the local Odd Fellows.

A public meeting in February 1857 led to the creation of the cemetery on Swallow Street, with land donated by the Pennsylvania Coal Company. Though initially known informally as the Odd Fellows or Protestant Cemetery, it was formally named the Pittston Cemetery at this meeting.

​

Early Development and Expansion

Little is known about the cemetery’s condition in its early decades. By the 1880s, it had become overgrown and poorly managed. In 1885, the Pittston Cemetery Association was formally incorporated to revitalize the grounds. The board—Benjamin Harding, William Reed, Alex Bryden, William Young, and James Armstrong—expanded the cemetery by seven acres and began improvements based on models like Dunmore Cemetery.

Upgrades included fencing, path construction, tree planting, and relocating structures. Many of the trees planted in 1886 still stand today. Burials expanded into new sections throughout the 1890s.

​

Burial Records and Restoration

From 1885 onward, burial records were kept in ledger books. Bob Ayre, caretaker from 2014 to 2023, digitized over 10,000 records and restored the cemetery’s physical and archival condition. He also collaborated with Megan Hastie and art restorer Bob Lizza to preserve original maps.

Despite early gaps in documentation, Ayre identified some of the earliest burials—children from the late 1840s—likely reinterred after 1857.

​

Decline and Renewal

Burial numbers peaked in the early 20th century but declined after World War II, as demographic shifts led newer immigrant groups to use other cemeteries. By the late 1990s, burials averaged under 15 per year. Ayre worked to reconstruct incomplete records from this period.

In 2013, with support from the Greater Pittston Historical Society, the board was reformed and a major cleanup effort began, involving over 100 volunteers. Despite efforts, ongoing maintenance remains challenging due to limited income from lot sales and burials.

​

Memorial Day Traditions

From the 1890s to the 1930s, Memorial Day—then known as Decoration Day—was a major community event. Parades, speeches, and floral tributes drew thousands to the cemetery. In 1917, for example, schoolchildren marched, bands played, and veteran graves were decorated in what was described as a breathtaking display of remembrance.

​

Notable Burials

​

Civil War Veterans
Roughly 115 Civil War veterans are buried here, including John W. Evans, Hugh McDonald, and Edward Miller. Many were honored with military salutes and community tributes.

​

Community Leaders and Pioneers
Several prominent figures rest at Pittston Cemetery:

• William Evans, Welsh lecturer and phrenologist

• Senator William Drury, local grocer and state senator

• Joseph Wintle, mine foreman with broad community affiliations

• Alexander Bryden, mining engineer and civic leader

• Benjamin Harding, second mayor of Pittston

• Charles M. Allen, educator and community organizer

 

Others of Note

• August Rodola (Mickey Doyle), international boxer

• James Post Rosenkrance, mineral collector and Civil War recruiter

• William M. Law, mine superintendent and respected local figure

 

Historical Tragedies and Events

Mining Disasters
The cemetery holds victims of several local mining tragedies, including:

• The 1869 Avondale Disaster

• The 1871 Eagle Shaft Explosion (17 fatalities, 13 buried on the same day)

• The 1906 West Pittston Breaker Fire

 

The 1918 Flu Pandemic
The Spanish flu caused a spike in local burials. At its height, it quadrupled the typical death rate in the region, leading to emergency restrictions and rapid private burials.

 

Child Mortality
The cemetery also reflects the tragic frequency of child deaths in the 19th and early 20th centuries due to infectious diseases like scarlet fever and diphtheria. Though specific stories were noted in original records, these serve as solemn reminders of past public health