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MANY of these places of burial were regarded as family yards, and nearly every large land-owner had his own, yet members of other families were interred there. These were no doubt in many instances beside the places already selected by the Indians, and had been so used for many years before the emigrants settled here. These the aborigines always held sacred, and made visits to them long after they had abandoned the territory and left the soil. Many, unfortunately, are at this time lost sight of and forgotten, while others are neglected and without any inclosure about them. Monuments were seldom placed to the graves, save, perhaps, a rough native stone, with the initials of the interred person’s name rudely cut thereon and without date.
The oldest burial-place in the county is the old Newton yard, situated in Haddon township, about midway between Haddonfield and Camden. It was established by the first persons who transported themselves into this part of the territory, in 1681. Here, for many years, were all the deceased persons interred, the funerals often coming in boats to the yard. The site was badly chosen, for the ground is low, and often filled with water nearly to the surface.
If it had been consistent with the rules of the Society of Friends that small, unpretending monuments had been allowed from the beginning, how much of history and information might be gathered there from at the present time. Yet a visit there is without results, and no one can discover where his or her ancestors lie. This is a universal regret, for so much is lost that might in this simple way have come down to this generation.
Next in order of time is the Henry Wood grave-yard, on the farm now or lately owned by Lemuel Horner, and near the site of the Camden City Water-Works. The few families settled about the mouth of Coopers Creek and on the river-shore used this place. The Woods, the Spicers, the Nicholsons, the Willards and Days, and, later, a few of the Cowperthwaites, Folwells and other families, were buried there. It was abandoned for that purpose many years since, and is now scarcely known.
Gloucester was laid out in lots in 1686, but had been occupied before that date by a few settlers, and a place of burial selected. Thomas Bull, in his will (1722), makes mention of a grave-yard at that place, but nothing is now known of its locality or who lie interred there. It may be in one of the most traveled thoroughfares, or covered by some dwelling or factory so numerous there. In it probably rest the remains of parts of the Reading, the Harrison, the Hugg and Bull families - some of the pioneers who first adventured into this region of country.
The Watson grave-yard dates back for many years. It is situated in Winslow township, near the road going from Blue Anchor to May’s landing, about one mile south of Winslow. As early as the year 1710 Daniel Coxe made a survey of one hundred acres at that place, and tradition had it that a house was built and a tavern kept there. Although in the depths of the forest, it was a comparatively public place, for here crossed the two Indian trails - the one going from Egg Harbor to the Delaware River, and the other from Burlington County towards Cape May. The first of these was the road traveled by the Indians in their excursions to procure fish and clams for their winter use, and the other by the Atsionk and Tuckahoe Indians in their friendly visits to each other. On these same paths the settlers made their first roads, and gradually the importance of the old hostelry increased. This may account for and fix the date of the beginning of this burial-place, and may have been where the Indians buried their dead who died on these long journeys. It took its name from Benjamin Watson, who, after the tavern-keeper and his family, was the first white person settled there. He purchased a large tract of land, cleared several acres about his house, and reaped some benefit from the soil. Himself and wife and some of his family are buried there, and also Oliver Beebe and wife and family, some of John Camel’s family, and a few others of that region. Years ago there stood several marked stones, and a few graves could be seen, but since then all have been removed, and nothing remains to show the spot.
What was known as the Graysbury graveyard was a short distance west of the White Horse and Camden turnpike road, on a farm formerly the Graysburys, but later owned by Joseph Fewsmith, and now by William Bettle, Jr. Simeon Breach, Joseph Low and Caleb Sprague, who were the first settlers in that section, and their families are buried there, and later the Graysburys and Hinchmans, and some other families. This yard is entirely lost sight of, and the Philadelphia and Atlantic City Railroad passes through it.
The grave-yard at Blue Anchor was one of some pretensions and among the oldest in the county. In 1740 the tavern was established there and a few dwellings sprang up around it, and this place of burial may date from that time. About 1850 a new yard was opened near by and no more interments were made in the old one. In former days it had many lettered "head-stones" at the graves, but the inclosing fence was removed and cattle allowed to trespass thereon and destroy the monuments. Here were buried the families of John Hider, John Bryant, Robert Mattox, Thomas Fry, the oldest settlers there; later, the Albertsons, the Beebes, the Sicklers and others were brought there and laid away. Now it is "farmed over," and the spot is scarcely to be recognized. It was on the high ground a short distance west of the hotel and frequently visited by relatives and friends of persons lying there.
Woos’ burial-place, about one mile south of Waterford and near where Shane’s Castle formerly stood, dates back to the middle of the last century. It is where the Indian trail crosses Clark’s Branch, and is possibly where the aborigines of that section buried their dead.
Zabastian Woos and his brothers settled there, followed by their descendants, who kept a fence about it and placed several tombstones in the inclosure. But few are interred there now.
There is a small yard at Bates’ Mill, about one mile south of Waterford, in Winslow township. It was first opened when Thomas Cole built the saw-mill, about the middle of the last century. Some of the Cole family, the Bates family, the Kellum family and others are buried there. Care is taken of this spot, the fence kept up and the few stones are cared for. Benjamin Bates, who was an officer in the New Jersey Line during the Revolutionary War, and did much active service, lies there in a neglected grave. He was especially useful in watching the refugees, to prevent their stealing horses and cattle from the people along the coast. These marauders were the terror of the inhabitants, generally going at night on their expeditions; but when they found that Captain Bates was on their track, took to the timber and would be seen no more for some time.
The Hopewell grave-yard was probably founded by Friends, as a meeting-house owned by that denomination formerly stood there. It is on the old Egg Harbor road, about two miles southwest from Tansboro’, in Winslow township. The fence about it is still kept in repair and care taken of the graves and stones. The house was erected about the middle of the last century, and the beginning of the burials may date from that time. Here were interred the heads of the meeting - John Shinn, Uriah Norcross, Joseph Peacock, Joseph Boulton and many others - but their children removing from that region found other places of sepulture.
The cemetery at Berlin (Long-a-Coming) has been in use for many years, and may be dated back to near 1714, when the place was named Long-a-Coming, with a tavern and a few dwellings. In 1765 Samuel Scull kept an "inn" at that place, where the Presbyterians erected a small meeting-house on the ground now used for burial lots, and attached to the cemetery. Although the meeting-house fell into decay and was taken down, yet the interest in the yard was kept up and sufficient fence always kept around it to prevent cattle trespassing to the injury of the graves and grave-stones. As the neighborhood improved and became more thickly settled and no other burial-place established, the grounds were enlarged from time to time and laid out with avenues and lots. Some few stones may be seen in the old parts, where lie buried the Scull, the Budd, the Bodine, the Zigler, the Rogers and other old families. Under the present management there is no danger of neglect, much to the credit of those interested.
Burden’s grave-yard was on the brow of a hill near where the turnpike road from Berlin falls into the Clementon and White Horse road, in Gloucester township, and is now entirely overgrown with timber. It was probably founded by Thomas Webster, who owned the land in 1742, and who, with part of his family, were buried there. He had two sons, Lawrence and Samuel, but they removed to other parts. Richard Burden became owner of the soil in 1789, hence the name as known in modern times. David Hurley’s and Joab Hillman’s families may be there, as they owned land and lived near by. Andrew Newman owned the land in 1712 where the "Clementon" Mills stand and built the first mill there, about one mile from the yard in question, and it may be that he and his family rest there, and his brother John and family and Benjamin Richards and Henry Lake as well, with their families; and later, Moses Branson and Richard Burden and their families.
If this be so, then this forgotten spot was once an important place and commanded the care, the respect and the protection of those about them, where now no vestige of a stone or grave can be seen.
But a single grave and gave-stone is left to show where the people about Clementon buried their dead. It is on a hill not far from the railroad station, in Gloucester township, and will in a few years be lost sight of. It was established when the glass-works were built there, which brought together many workmen and their families.
On the farm of Alexander Cooper, Esq., in Delaware township, near Glendale, is a small inclosed spot in one of the fields known as Matlack’s grave-yard. It contains but few bodies, yet they are the ancestors of the present owner in the maternal line. The fence is carefully maintained and it is contemplated to erect there a marble tablet to commemorate the place and secure it from encroachments or neglect.
Tomlinson’s grave-yard, near Laurel Mills, in Gloucester township, is strictly a family yard. Many of the ancestors of the family lie buried there and interments occasionally take place. It is well cared for, but, belonging to a Friend’s family, but few monuments can be seen. Its origin runs back many years, for Joseph Tomlinson settled in that section as early as 1690, he being the first emigrant of that name.
What is generally known as the Zane’s grave-yard is in Gloucester township, near Clements Bridge, and was established by the first George Marple, who settled there about 1740, amid it was one of the largest in this section of country. Many of the neighboring families buried there and many stones with names and dates stood there. No interments have been made there for many years. The Marples, the Zanes, the Troths, the Chews, the Hillmans and others lived in that region. The estate having passed into the hands of strangers, it has been much neglected of late years. It has no inclosure about it and many of the graves are leveled with the ground and the stones defaced or removed. The remains of Colonel Isaiah Marple are interred at this spot, the grave being shown by a plain marble slab. He was an officer in the New Jersey Line during the Revolutionary War and rendered much service in that memorable struggle. The remains of a few Hessian soldiers may rest here, as the troops crossed Great Timber Creek at this point on their going to and returning from the battle of Red Bank. In the retreat there was much trouble in transporting their wounded, not having means to that end, and some were left by the way to die or to be cared for by the inhabitants. The army was completely demoralized, its commanding officer being in the hands of the enemy and others lying dead upon the field. In the hasty retreat tradition says two brass field-pieces were thrown into the creek and there remain to the present.
Sloan’s burial-place is a neglected spot on the south side of Irish Hill, in Union township, and a short distance east from the Blackwoodtown and Camden turnpike road. There is no fence about it and it is entirely covered with timber and underbrush. Joseph Sloan intended it for his family alone, but others are buried there. It is possible that John Stafford was buried there, he being connected with the family by marriage. He was a soldier in Washington’s body-guard and was wounded at the battle of Germantown while serving in the artillery, after which he retired from the service. John Ware, John Batt, Jacob Bendler and others lived near this place, and themselves or part of their families may lie there.
The few graves that formerly appeared by the road leading through Guineatown from Snow Hill to Gloucester, in Centre township, is the resting-place of many of the slaves of the Huggs, the Glovers, the Harrisons and others, who, after they were free, built houses and settled them at this place. No vestige of the graves or stones is left.
The law required that they should not become a county charge; hence this means was taken to keep them from want when too old to work. There is a like place, known as Hurley’s grounds, on the farm now owned by Benjamin and Joseph Lippincott, a short distance east from the Mount Ephraim road. This was the burial-place of the Hinchman slaves and their descendants, and was used until within a few years.
John Mapes’ grave-yard joins the house where he lived, and is where himself and his family lie buried. It fronts the turnpike road leading from Camden to Kirkwood, in Centre township, amid contains but few graves. John Mapes was a soldier in the partisan corps of Colonel Henry Lee, and did the enemy "much hurt and mischief" in that memorable conflict. He had great admiration for his commander, "Light Horse Harry," and loved to recount their many adventures in watching the movements of the British army. Nothing but a plain marble slab marks the place of his burial.
On the south side of and near the road from Mount Ephraim to Woodbury, in Centre township, formerly stood a large brick farm-house, which was taken down by Jesse W. Starr, Esq., while he owned the farm. Near the house, and in part of the garden, were a few graves, with head and foot-stones indicating that a branch of the Harrison family was buried there. Samuel W. Harrison at one time was the owner of the estate, and a prominent and representative man in Gloucester County affairs during his active life. He was descended from the Harrisons, who settled at Gloucester in the beginning, and whose names may he found among the leading men of the county and State for several generations. Samuel W. Harrison, his family and some of his ancestors lie in this spot, but no man can now find the place of their sepulchre. A branch of the Ellis family had a small burial-place on part of the estate near where Samuel Heulings resides, a short distance east of the Haddonfield and Moorestown road, in Delaware township. No care has been taken of it for many years and the graves are scarcely noticeable.
On the farm now owned by Joshua Peacock, in Delaware township, and on the east side of the Haddonfield and Berlin road, and close beside the old Egg Harbor road, is said to have been an Indian burial-place. There is no doubt that a large settlement of aborigines was near by, which gives color to the tradition. The Kays, the Bateses and the Matlacks owned the lands adjacent, and there may have been some of these interred there. No trace of the graves can now be seen.
Within the bounds of Camden City were two or three grave-yards, now entirely lost sight of. The progress of improvement crowded them out several years since, and but few of this generation can point out their locality. Some bodies were removed, but many, whose friends had left the neighborhood, still remain. Streets and buildings now cover these burial-places, and but few years will pass away when not a tradition will be remembered by the oldest inhabitant of their locality, or who was there buried. The aggressive and uneasy spirit of the American people allows nothing to hinder its advancement, not even those associations and memories that may surround the graves of our ancestors.
On a farm in Delaware township, and near the county line between Camden and Burlington, are a few graves with monuments, known as the Inskeep grave-yard. The estate was formerly owned in part by Abraham Inskeep, one of that family, and where some of them and others of the neighborhood were buried. It is inclosed and is well cared for.
In early times the Inskeeps, the Hootens, the Wills, the Eves and the Evanses inhabited that region, and their dead may have been buried there. Under the regulation in the Society of Friends regarding grave-stones, graves and even "family rows" were eventually lost sight of.
Owing to some neighborhood difficulty about burials in the old yard not necessary to be recounted here, James Sloan founded a burial-yard in 1790 adjoining the old Newton grave-yard. It has many graves and grave-stones within the walls, but much neglected, and the gates being broken, is open to cattle and other marauders. Portions of the Shivers, the Hinchman, the Eastlack, the Heritage, the Collings, the Cooper and other families lie buried there.
About the year 1793 John Rudderow established a burial -place on his own land and near his house in Stockton (then Waterford) township, and where the Church road comes into the Camden and Moorestown turnpike, at Merchantville. The interments were confined strictly to his own family, but after his death no more burials were made there. Within a few years all the graves were opened and the bodies removed to the old Rudderow lot at Colestown. Since then the land has been used for agricultural purposes, and, in the extension of the thrifty town of Merchantville, will soon be built upon and lost sight of.
SOURCE: Page(s) 395-400, History of Camden County, New Jersey, by George R. Prowell, L.J. Richards & Co. 1886
Published 2010 by the Camden County Genealogy Project