North Tonawanda History Museum © Sweeney Cemetery

The Colonel John Sweeney Rural Cemetery , originally the Sweeney family burial ground, was owned by James Sweeney and located on his farm. The burying ground was probably established shortly after the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825. The first burials were said to occur about 1837. The cemetery was established in 1857 when it was drawn on a map by civil engineer Tobias Witmer.

Many of the citizens who purchased lots in the cemetery were Henry J. Smith, John Simpson, Franklin Warren, Benjamin Felton, Lewis S. Payne (however, no Payne's are buried there), Garwood Judd, James Carney (for whom Tonawanda Island was originally named), Asa Ransom, Fredrick Sommer, James G. Primer. Silversmith Asa Ransom was the first to agree to the Holland Land Company's offer to build and operate a tavern in the Clarence hollow in 1799. Asa Ransom House was later constructed on the site of his log tavern in 1853. One of Goundry Street 's lumber barons, Alexander G. Kent was married to a Ransom. It is assumed that is why two Asa Ransoms, believed to be the the son and grandson of of the Clarence Asa Ransom, are buried in Sweeney Cemetery.

In 1919 a deed to the cemetery was presented to the association by Sweeney descendent J. S. Bryant of Lakewood , New Jersey , and an attempt was made to incorporate the cemetery again. Between 1919 and 1921 the papers were mislaid and the cemetery was reincorporated in 1921 as the Col. John Sweeney Rural Cemetery, Inc. The listed officers were: B. L. Rand – President, Frank McCoy – Secretary, John Calkins – Member. Someone began a burial book listing names and dates of birth and death, etc., which continued until 1951. Negotiations began in 1947 for the city to assume ownership and care of the cemetery. In 1977, North Tonawanda accepted ownership for the sum of $1.

To view a brief gallery of Sweeney Cemetery from the official City of North Tonawanda web site, please click HERE.