Matinecoc Burial, ca. 1930s.

The late 1920s as the City prepared to widen Northern Boulevard in Little Neck, Queens, questions were raised about the future of the small burial ground at the north edge of the road between Jessie Court and Cornelia Lane. Referred to as the 'Indian Cemetery' in numerous sources, it was the burial place of the Waters family of Little Neck, who were of Matinecock, Shinnecock, and Montauk ancestry. Though the Native community, including its leader, James Waters (Chief Wild Pigeon), opposed the removal, the city eventually prevailed. At the time, the remains of about 30 individuals were disinterred and removed to a plot in Zion Episcopal Church Cemetery of Douglaston. The new burial is viewed here, with a tree growing in-between a split rock with the words “Here rest the last of the Matinecoc" inscribed thereon.