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Historic headstone of 19th century abolitionist will be reviewed by conservationist at Evergreens Cemetery

June 12, 2014
Historic headstone of 19th century abolitionist will be reviewed by conservationist at Evergreens Cemetery
Evergreens Cemetery Historian Donato Daddario (left) and cemetery burial site researcher Andy Pekarsi move the tombstone of well know abolitionist Wilson Rantus, which was dumped over a fence in Queens College Professor Allan Ludman's yard, to a truck before transporting it to Evergreens Cemetery in Brooklyn on Thursday morning. (Christie M Farriella/for New York Daily News)
 

Officials from Evergreens Cemetery carefully returned the displaced tombstone of famed abolitionist Wilson Rantus to the 19th century landlord's proper burial site Thursday.

"This is in really good condition," said Evergreens historian Donato Daddario, as he set his eyes on the tombstone, which mysteriously turned up last month in the backyard of Queens College professor Allan Ludman's home.

The geology professor and his wife discovered the artifact last month when they returned from a trip to Peru, he said.

Queens College Professor Allan Ludman shows Evergreens Cemetery Trustee Helen Thurston  the tombstone of  abolitionist Wilson Rantus before moving the stone, which was dumped over a fence in his yard, to Evergreens Cemetery in Brooklyn. Rantus died in 1861.
Queens College Professor Allan Ludman shows Evergreens Cemetery Trustee Helen Thurston  the tombstone of  abolitionist Wilson Rantus before moving the stone, which was dumped over a fence in his yard, to Evergreens Cemetery in Brooklyn. Rantus died in 1861. (Christie M Farriella/for New York Daily News)

"It's going into good hands and it's going to be put into a place of honor in the cemetery," said Ludman.

 

Vidaris Consulting Conservator Joan Berkowitz said she will inspect the headstone next week to determine its condition.

The tombstone of abolitionist Wilson Rantus was discovered in the backyard of a Queens College professor's home. The stone, which likely dates back to 1861, was taken to Evergreens Cemetery where Rantus is buried.
The tombstone of abolitionist Wilson Rantus was discovered in the backyard of a Queens College professor's home. The stone, which likely dates back to 1861, was taken to Evergreens Cemetery where Rantus is buried. (Christie M Farriella/for New York Daily News)

"I'll see how deteriorated it is and if it can handle a gentle cleaning," said Berkowitz. "We might consider a 3-D laser scan to help document the inscription."

Born in Jamaica, Queens, Rantus was an educated farmer who owned vast amounts of landholdings in Jamaica and Flushing. He fought to ensure rights for African-Americans and helped finance "The Anglo-American" magazine in 1858.

He was buried in a family plot near Queens College in 1861 and remained there until 1952, when his remains were moved to Evergreens after descendants sold the property.

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