Oak Hill Cemetery

11/28/2025

It’s that time of year again. The signs are up, and the cemetery is now closed to the public for the winter. Anyone entering the cemetery is now doing so at their own risk, and will be held solely responsible for any injuries or property damage.

We would like to thank all visitors and patrons for their continued support which attributed to another successful year. It is an honor to be able to provide such an important service to members of our community and we look forward to continuing to do so for many years to come.

11/28/2025

Seldon Horatio Huyck, a 72-year-old resident of Dorf Street in Herkimer, passed away on July 4, 1929. Born on November 5, 1856, in Mohawk, he was the son of Amos and Margaret King Huyck. Mr. Huyck married Catherine Michels on December 2, 1879, and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary shortly before his passing. On March 11, 1893, while working at the paper mill, Mr. Huyck suffered a workplace accident involving machinery, which resulted in the loss of a finger. He was also employed on the Erie Canal. At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife and a daughter, Mrs. Fred (Lula) Small. The graves of Mr. Huyck and his wife remain unmarked. Interestingly, his obituary, published in the Evening Telegram on July 5, 1929, mentioned that he was the former 'turkey' of the Herkimer County Jail during the administration of Sheriff Eaton. The question remains: was the term 'turkey' used correctly in this context, or was it a typographical error?

11/27/2025

11/26/2025

Today marks the 242nd anniversary of Evacuation Day, commemorating the withdrawal of British forces from New York City following the Treaty of Paris, which concluded the American Revolutionary War. As the British departed, General George Washington and the Continental Army entered the city, home to some 60,000 Loyalists, and raised the American Flag. In a final act of defiance, some British Loyalists affixed a British Flag to a flagpole at Fort George, applying grease to the flagpole to hinder its removal. Continental Army personnel fashioned wooden cleats, nailed them to the pole, and enabled Army veteran John Van Arsdale to ascend the pole using a ladder, remove the British flag, and replace it with the Stars and Stripes before the British fleet vanished from sight.
This holiday was last observed on November 25, 1916, as the British were Allies during World War I, and Thanksgiving was gaining popularity as a national holiday.

11/11/2025

Happy Veteran’s Day from Oak Hill Cemetery.

08/17/2025

The below article was In the Herkimer Democrat on May 25, 1870.

08/05/2025

This Thursday, August 7th, is Purple Heart Day. This is a time to remember and honor the brave men and women who were injured in combat or paid the ultimate sacrifice. It commemorates the creation of the Purple Heart Medal in 1782 by George Washington. According to the U.S. Army, this is the oldest award still given to U. S. Military members.

07/26/2025

07/24/2025

***** Meet Ofc Catherine Holt *****

Ofc Catherine Holt joined the HPD Family in December of 2023, returning to her hometown...! Catherine graduated from Herkimer Central School District in 2011, received her Associate's degree from Herkimer Herkimer College in 2015 and her Bachelor's degree in Public Justice from SUNY Oswego in 2019. Catherine completed the Phase 1 Academy at Mohawk Valley Community College in 2016, and Phase 2 at the City of Little Falls Police Department, NY in 2019.

Catherine is a certified Child Victim Forensic Interviewer, Field Training Officer, Evidence Room Custodian, Crime Scene & Evidence Specialist, Sexual Assault Trauma-informed Officer, Wellness Coordinator and Robot Operator.

If you are considering a career in law enforcement, please see the attached link to the upcoming Herkimer County Civil Service Police Officer exam (due by August 1):
https://www.herkimercountyny.gov/employment/personnel-civil-service/current-examinations/

If you are already a certified Police Officer and are considering a lateral transfer, please contact Chief Mike Jory: mjj@village.herkimer.ny.us

07/20/2025

Mrs. John Pempelsk and her 2 children drowned in the Erie Canal on June 19, 1885.
John Pempelsk came to this country from Posen Germany about 4 years prior, and 2 years later he sent for his wife and little boy, Leopold. They were related to Valentine Kneut and they lived on S. Washington St., in Herkimer. John was employed as a trackman on the Central railroad.
Several rumors were going around that Mr. Pempelsk was mistreating his wife. Yet there was another rumor going around that Mrs. Pempelsk had been unwell and had shown signs of insanity since the birth of their daughter, Carrie.
Around 4pm on Wednesday, June 19th, Mrs. Pempelsk was seen with the 2 children near the canal bridge on the road to Fort Herkimer and a few hours later the woman’s shawl was found on the canal bank.
The first report of the drowning was reported to the lock men at Fort Herkimer by a boatman who had seen the woman jump, holding onto each child, one in each arm. She did not rise, after she jumped, therefore the boatman did not make any attempt to save her.
The next day people started dragging the canal to find the bodies and by 3 pm. W. H. Folts found the body of Mary Pempelsk. On Friday, the body of Leopold was found and on Saturday the remains of Baby Carrie were found just below the Fort Herkimer lock.
Mary Pempelsk was 27 years old, Leopold was 3 and Carrie was 9 days old.

07/15/2025

Please be aware that Calvary Cemetery is not a “section” of Oak Hill Cemetery. Calvary is a separate cemetery and any questions or concerns should be directed to Saints Anthony and Joseph parish office.

07/09/2025

Melchert Thumb died on April 23rd, 1804. He is buried in the old burial grounds now known as Myers Park. Born in Wurtenburg, Germany in 1745 to Adam and Christina Meyer Thumb, he immigrated to America with his father and brother Nicholas in 1754. Melchert, along with his father and brother Nicholas, were naturalized together on March 8, 1773. By 1770, Melchert married Elisabeth, the daughter of George Hilts and Elisabeth Folts. They had seven children: Nicholas, who married Margaret Helmer; Margaret, who married John Schell in 1792; Barbara, who married Rudolph Dievendorf in 1793; Elisabeth, who married George Helmer in 1796; Maria, who passed away at a young age; Catherine, who married Frederick Petry in 1803; and Maria, who was born after her sister passed away and married Peter Scherer. I can confirm Melchert was a member of the militia starting in 1769, but I am unable to find more information after that year. In March 1789, Melchert was elected Town Assessor along with Melchert Folts and George Smith. It is believed Melchert Thumb was the first person buried in the old burial ground in the southeastern corner.