"Quiet Stones – Jacob Lent and Tomahawk Chapel Cemetery"
Somers, New York – June 2026
In the northern reaches of suburban Westchester, just minutes from home, lies one of the most intimate Revolutionary War sites I’ve encountered. Tomahawk Chapel Cemetery doesn’t shout for attention. No grand monuments or battle reenactments here. Just weathered headstones, filtered morning light through old trees, and the quiet final resting place of men who actually answered the call in 1775–1783.
This small burial ground (also known as West Somers Methodist Episcopal Church and Cemetery) was established in the early 1830s and served local farm families for over a century. The modest Greek Revival chapel, once described by circus pioneer Hachaliah Bailey as “no bigger than a tiger’s cage,” stood on land donated by the Putney family. Though the building is long gone, the cemetery remains — now stewarded by the Town of Somers and the Somers Historical Society.
What makes this place especially meaningful is its direct link to the citizen-soldiers who fought for independence. Private Jacob Lent (1747–1829) of the Westchester County Militia 3rd Regiment lies here. Born on the Manor of Cortlandt, Lent was a local farmer who enlisted and served in the militia during the Revolutionary War.
The 3rd Westchester Militia (commanded at various times by Colonel Pierre Van Cortlandt and Colonel Samuel Drake) was one of four main regiments raised in the county. These units were essential to the Patriot effort in one of the war’s most dangerous theaters. Westchester County became known as the “Neutral Ground” — a volatile no-man’s-land between British-held New York City and American lines to the north. Plagued by constant raids, skirmishes, foraging parties, and depredations by both armies as well as irregular bands known as Cowboys (Patriot-aligned) and Skinners (Loyalist-aligned), the area saw little true neutrality. Militiamen like Lent turned out for alarms, guarded roads and key points, protected local families and farms, conducted scouting missions, and supported Continental operations when called. It was grueling, often thankless service marked by shifting loyalties and the constant threat of ambush or plunder.
These weren’t distant historical figures. They were our neighbors — ordinary men who left their fields when needed.
Photographing here was a powerful reminder of the human scale of the Revolution: the same hills Jacob Lent walked are still here. The same ideals he defended continue to shape our lives today.
Access note: The cemetery is easily accessed off of Route 118 adjacent to Koegel Park (Route 118 / Tomahawk Street). This local visit was a meaningful way to connect with Westchester’s Revolutionary stories. More sites and events to come.
— Tom Musante Somers, NY | https://www.tmusantephotography.com/rev250 Follow the journey: Instagram @tmusantephotography
Sources:
Somers Historical Society and Town of Somers records (Tomahawk Chapel Cemetery history)
Find a Grave Memorial for Jacob Lent (ID 23084013), Tomahawk Chapel Cemetery
Westchester County Veteran Records and Digital Collections
New York in the Revolution (militia rosters confirming service in 3rd Westchester Regiment)
Historical family compilations on the Lent (van Lent) family and Westchester County Militia service records
Westchester County Militia – Third Regiment documentation (Colonels Van Cortlandt and Drake)
