This grave, in Laurel Grove Cemetery, is the resting place of čičməhán (Cheech-ma-han, “Chetzemoka,” Duke of York,” 1808-1888). It is also burial site of his first wife, siʔám'itsə (See-hem’itza, “Queen Victoria”), and a grandson.

On June 21, 1888, Chetzemoka’s two sons, the Prince of Wales and Charlie Swan York crossed the bay from Indian Island (where the family lived) to announce their father’s death.

The Port Townsend Freemasons have owned Laurel Grove Cemetery since 1871. In June of 1888 the Lodge approved setting aside a lot in Block 114 as burial site for the “Duke of York.” The town fathers held a fund drive “to give the old fellow a decent white man’s burial.” The Argus also established a fund for “a suitable monument…in recognition of the debt of gratitude which all pioneers and their successors owe to his memory.”

The Seattle Weekly Intelligencer reported that “no Indian in Washington Territory, and very likely none in the United States, ever received so flattering a funeral as did the Duke of York…” His cortege was escorted from the courthouse (at 226 Adams Street - the Fowler Building) to the cemetery by port of entry guards and “22 carriages, filled with our oldest and wealthiest citizens following the hearse.” The service was read by the vicar of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, and before his body was interred, a salute was fired by the guards.

Though not as famous as čičməhán, many other S’Klallam ancestors are buried here, and in most all of the cemeteries across the North Olympic Peninsula.

Children from the nearby Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship visited čičməhán's grave with their religious education teachers.
QUUF photo

čičməhán and siʔám'itsə

Chetzemoka (Duke of York)
June 21, 1888
The white man’s friend;
we honor his name.

Click the markers on the map above to visit the
trail site pages.

Trail Sign Locations:

1. Chetzemoka Park
   _{900 Jackson St. (main entrance)}
    
2. Hudson Beach/Big Heart
   _{103 Hudson St.}
    
3. Point Hudson
   _{103 Hudson St.}
    
4. Northwest Maritime Center
   _{Water St. & Monroe St.}
    
5. Village at Memorial Field
   _{Washington St.}
    
6. Fowler Building
   _{226 Adams St.}
    
7. Union Wharf/Indian Island
   _{Wharf on end of Taylor St.}
    
8. Port Townsend Ferry Overlook
   _{1200 Block of Washington St.}
    
9. Port Townsend Post Office
   _{1322 Washington St.}
    
10. qatáy Lagoon
    
     
11. Laurel Grove Cemetery
    _{24th St. & Discovery Rd.}
     
12. Swan School / Klallam language
    _{2345 Kuhn St.}
     
13. Sentinel Rock
    _{1948 Blaine St. (Golf Course)}
     
14. qatáy Prairie
    _{1948 Blaine St.}
     
15. Four Points
    _{Blaine St. & and VanBuren St.}
     
16. qatáy Valley
    _{Pacific Ave.& Milo St.}
     
17. North Beach
    _{End of Kuhn St.}
     
18. Point Wilson
    _{Fort Worden}
     

 

 

 

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qatáy Lagoon 

 Swan School/Klallam Language