AN ACCOUNT OF SOME OF OUR ANCESTORS WHO WERE BURIED THERE.

An article in the "Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey" by E.A. Baldwin and R.W. Cook entitled "Essex County Gravestones" gives an account of the earliest burying ground in Newark, New Jersey which was located where the present Branford Place runs from Broad Street to Halsey Street and adjacent area. Burials took place from the late 1600's until 1818. After 1790 most burials were made in the graveyard behind the New Presbyterian Church across Broad Street. The old cemetery gradually deteriorated, becoming a dumping ground for refuse, and interfering with the orderly progress of the city. Over a period of many years, through legislative actions and court cases, the city strove to eliminate the burial ground and turn the property to other uses. In 1887 the city began removal of the remains, but it was not until about 1900 that arrangements to dismantle the cemetery were completed.

To receive the remains, a crypt was prepared in Fairmount Cemetery, Newark, under a monument dedicated to the first settlers of the city. The gravestones from the old burial ground were mounted along the walls of the crypt (which was an underground passageway, about six feet wide and possibly eight feet high) around the foundation of the monument. Unearthing of the old cemetery was completed in 1888 and the ones which had been dug up were placed in wooden boxes. These boxes were deposited in the crypt, November 26, 1889, being stacked in three parts of the passageway to a height of perhaps five feet. Services of recommittal and dedication of the monument took place on December 19, 1889.

In 1890, before the crypt was closed, Mr. James Swinnerton, at the request of the city authorities, spent several days with a candle, making pen-and-ink sketches of the devices and inscriptions of the tombstones which lined the walls of the crypt.

In 1925 the New Jersey Historical Society published abstracts of the inscriptions in its Proceedings (New Series, Vol. X, pp. 193, 321, 424). This article relied on Dr. John S. Condit's 1847 copy of the inscriptions (owned by the Historical Society), checked against Mr. Swinnerton's sketches. Over the years, doubt has been expressed about the accuracy of some of the inscriptions given in this article. and it was believed that a check of the stones in the crypt might clear up some of the questions. Accordingly the Genealogical Society of New Jersey made arrangements with officials of the Fairmount Cemetery and the proper authorities of the city of Newark, for permission to enter the crypt and copy the inscriptions found there. This work was done during several visits made in the fall of 1955.

The actual copying and checking of inscriptions proceeded under great difficulty. The wooden boxes containing the bones had completely disintegrated over the years and it was not always possible to push the loose bones aside in order to examine gravestones set in the wall. Because of this, some of the inscriptions could not positively be checked; and if there were any gravestones set in the floor, under the bones, they too could not be reached. Most of the inscriptions, in any case, were found and copied. Afterward, the copy thus obtained from the original stones was checked against the Swinnerton sketches, now in possession of the Newark Public Library. Below, as a consequence, is a complete abstract of the inscriptions from the tombstone in the Fairmount Cemetery crypt, largely taken from the stones themselves and doubtless the best obtainable.

Please see the "Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey" article for more complete information.

B____, Mr. John - died 11 Aug 176_ (63 yrs 4 mos)
BABCOCK, Sarah - died 20 Dec 1784 in 87th year
BALDWIN, Aaron - wife Darcas, son Timothy (died 2 Apr 1743 aged 5 mos)
BALDWIN, Insign Jonathan. - died 9 Aug 1726 in 35th year
BALDWIN, Samuel - wife Elizabeth, dau. Elizabeth (died 15 Jan 1739 aged 3 yrs 6 mos)
BALL, Jonathan - died 5 Nov 1755 (41 yrs)
BALL, Jonathan - wife Jemina, daughter Catharine (died 25 Oct 1758 aged 8 yrs 2 mos)
BALL, Moses - died 20 Apr 1747 (62 yrs), wife Mary (died 7 Dec 1747 aged 63 yrs)
BALL, Thomas - died 18 Oct 1744 in 57th year
BALLDWIN, Jabez - wife Phebe, daughter Mary (died 10 Jan 1764 aged 2 yrs and 2 mos), dau. Mary (died 14 Aug 1770) , son Caleb
BANKS, David - wife Martha, daughter Mary (died 4 Sep 1768 aged 3 yrs 9 mos)
BEACH, Zophar - died 27 May 1786 in 75th year.
BLOODGOOD, Thomas - wife Margret, son Uzziah (died 30 Oct 1816 aged 17 yrs 2 mos 16 days)
BREWEN, Daniel - died 13 Aug 1770 in 35th year
BREWIN, Obadiah - wife Dorcas (died 1 Oct 1741 in 31st year)
BROWN, David - died 2 Aug 1807 aged 82 yrs
BROWN, Joseph - died 30 Jan 1733/4 aged 58 yrs
BROWN, Samuel - wife Hannah, son William F. (died 1 Oct 1800 aged 9 weeks)
BRUEN, Joseph - died 1 Feb 1753 in 76th year
BRUEN, Timothy - died 5 Aug 1778 in 68th year
BURNET, David I. - died 24 Oct 1765 aged 1 year 9 mos 17 days)
BURNET, Dr. William - wife Mary, son Nathaniel (born 21 Oct 1757, died 1 Sep 1768)
CAMFIELD, Benjamin - died 15 Oct 1738 in 28th year
CAMFIELD, Ephraim - wife Sarah, daughter Lydia (died 12 Dec 1770 in 18th year)
CAMFIELD, Deacon Joseph - died 14 Dec 1733 in 52nd year
CAMP, Caleb - wife Sarah (died 1 Oct 1762 in 26th year)
CAMP, Joseph - wife Joannah (died 10 Jan 1779 in 61st year)
CAMP, Nathaniel - wife Elizabeth, son Joseph (died 19 Jan 1747/8 aged 4 mos 1 day)
CAMP, Mr. Nathanael - wife Mrs. Elizabeth (died 12 Mar 1785 in 79th year)
CAMP, Samuel - wife Mary (died 27 Nov 1720 aged 43 yrs)
CAMP, Samuel - died 11 Apr 1777 in 72nd year), wife Hannah (died 28 Sep 1749 aged 41 yrs 3 mos)
CAMP, Samuel - wife Hannah, daugher Jemima (died 10 Jul 1742 aged about 5 yrs)
CLIZBE, Samuel - died 20 Aug 1816 aged 61 yrs 9 mos 15 days
CLIZBE, Samuel - wife Jan(e), daughter Unas (died 15 May 1764 in 4th year)
COOPER, Lt. Samuel - wife Mrs. Mary (died 20 Nov 1732 aged 55 yrs 8 mos)
COOPER, Lt. Samuel - wife Experene (died 1 Jun 1757)
CRANE, Daniel - wife Phebe, son Thomas (died 10 Nov 1736 in 23rd year)
CRANE, (Dani)el - died 27 Mar 1785 in 77th year
CRANE, Daniel Jr. - died 15 Jan 1748/9 aged 28 yrs 8 mos 7 days (on stone w/Joshua Crane)
CRANE, Israel - wife Sarah (died 14 Aug 1785 in 68th year)
CRANE, John - wife Abigail (died 25 Jun 1744 in 44th year)
CRANE, John - wife Rebecca (died 28 Jun 1787 in 82nd year)
CRANE, Jonathan - wife Rachel (died 3 Nov 1777 in 25th year)
CRANE, Joshua - died 14 Jan 1748/9 aged 23 yrs 7 mos 2 days (on stone w/Daniel Crane Jr.)
CRANE, Nehemiah - wife Lydia, son David (died 15 Jul 1773 in 23rd year)
CRANE, Nehemiah - wife Lydia, son Joseph (died 23 Jan 1747 aged 13 mos and 22 days), 2nd son Joseph (died 3 Mar 174_ aged 3 mos 9 days)
CRANE, Nehemiah - died 11 Aug 1751 in 32nd year
CRANE, Obadiah - wife Phebe, daughter Joanna (died 18 Sep 1705 aged 11 mos), son Joel Conger (died 24 Aug 1714 aged 4 yrs)
CRANE, Obediah - died 28 Sep 1784 in 43rd year, wife Phebe (died 12 Feb 1770 aged 27 yrs 27 days)
CRANE, Obadiah - wife Jemima (died 30 Jun 1787 aged 33 yrs)
CRANE, Phineas - died 13 Nov 1759 in 29th year
CRANE, Samuel - wife Kezia (died 24 Sep 1779 in 56th year)
CURRY, Samuel - died 29 Mar 1788 in 44th year
CURRY, Samuel - widow Hannah (died 27 Jan 1812 in 70th year)
DWIGHT, Stephen - formerly of New York, died 3 Oct 1785 aged 49 yrs
FARRAND, Daniel - died 7 mar 1764 in 38th year
FARRAND, Nathaniel - wife Mary, son William (died 11 Feb 1758 aged 11 mos 5 days), daughter Phebe (died Jan 17_9 aged 5 days)
FARRAND, Samuel Esq. - wife Hannah (died 18 Oct 1748 in 63rd year)
FOSTER, Nathan - died 18 Nov 173(7) in 54th year
GRIFFITH(s), Thomas - died 30 Jan 1788 aged 70 yrs
HA(LL), Zechariah - wife Hannah (died 12 Jan 1744 in 42nd year)
HARRISON, Daniel - wife Abigail (died 11 Nov 1789 in 81st year)
HARRISON, Jabez - died 15 Mar 1768 in 40th year
HARRISON, Moses - died 18 Feb 1765 in 57th year
HAYES, Thomas - died 16 Sep 1749 aged 56 yrs
HAYS, Robert - wife (name not given, died 1 Jul 1761 aged 83 yrs)
HEURTIN, William - died Oct 1765 aged 62 yrs and 4 mos
HUNTINGTON, Samuel - wife Elizabeth (died 4 Jun 1775 in 70th year)
JINKINS, Mary - died 27 Jun 1786 aged 45 yrs 8 mos 10 days
JOHNSON, David - died 27 Aug 1770 in 36th or 86th year
JOHNSON, Capt. Eliphelet - wife Abigail, son Eliphelet (died 14 Feb 1774 in 21st year)
JOHNSON, Jedediah - wife Jane (died 11 Oct 1767 aged 28 yrs)
JOHNSON, John - wife Lillis (died 19 Oct 1772 aged 21 yrs 1 mo 20 days)
JOHNSON, Mr. John - died 9 Mar 1752 aged 52 yrs
JOHNSON, Nathaniel - wife Sarah, daughter Sarah (died 15 Apr 1737 aged 5 yrs 3 mos 13 days)
JOHNSON, Robert - wife Elizabeth, daughter Margret (died 25 Aug 1775 aged 2 yrs 11 days)
KING, Dublin - died 2 Feb 1806 aged 62 yrs
LUPTON, William - wife Elizabeth, son Robert (died 3 Aug 1784 aged 11 yrs 6 mos 11 days)
LYON, Mr. Henery - died 23 Mar 1707 aged 84 yrs
MEADLIS, Samuel - died 27 Jun 1765 in 54th year
MONTGOMERY, Cato - wife Lettis, son Thomas (died 14 Nov 1789 aged 4 mos 21 days, a slave?)
MORRES, Capt. John - died 22 Oct 1749 in 83rd year, wife Sarah (of Capt. John "Morris", died 3 Sep 1739 aged about 74 yrs)
MORRIS, John - died 21 Nov 1778 in 45th year, wife Eunice (died 12 Jun 1813 in 73rd year)
NESBET, Samuel - son of John and Ellenor, died 17 Sep 1788 in 28th year
NESBITT, Samuel - died 12 Mar 1732/3 aged 36 yrs
OGDEN, David, Esq. - died 28 Jan 1750 in 40th year
PEIRSON, Josiah - wife Mary (died 12 Jan 1772 in 38th year)
PIERSON, Capt. Josiah - died 10 Apr 1785 aged 54 yrs and 3 mos.
PENNINGTON, Judah - died in 36th year. This is probably the Judah Pennington whose will was dated 18 Apr 1785 and proved 13 Jun 1785
PIERSON, Daniel Esq. - died 10 Oct 1777 in 74th year, wife Jemimah (died 25 Nov 1776 in 67th year)
PIERSON, Theophilus - wife Katurah, died 9 Aug 1798 aged 59 yrs)
PLUME, John - wife Joanna (died 9 Mar 1760 aged 52 yrs)
PLUME, Samuel - wife Mary (died 17 Feb 1754 in 59th(?) year)
ROBERTS - wife Abigail, son David (died 6 Sep 1738 aged 1 yr 8 mos 15 days)
ROBERTS, Hugh - died 8 Dec 1738 aged 71 yrs
ROGERS, John - wife Catharine, daughter Sally Ann (died 20 Jul 1805 aged 1 yr 11 mos 21 days)
SARGENT, Joseph - died 26 Jan 1797 in 61st year
SARGANT, Th(o_) - wife Joanna, son John (died 17 May 1746 aged 3 yrs 9 mos 23 days)
SCHELLENX, Mr. Isaac - wife Hannah (died 29 Dec 1736)
SIDMAN, Thomas - wife Sarah; daughter Martha (died 1 Mar 1788 age 5 yrs 3 mos 23 days)
SMITH, Aaron - wife --, son? Timothy (died Nov 1792)
STYLES, John - died 14 Feb 1754 in 65th year
TICHENOR, Daniel - wife Abigail (died 15 Oct 1733 aged 25 yrs)
TICHENOR, Jedidiah - wife Anna, son Caleb (died 8 Sep 1771 aged 12 yrs 9 mos 5 days), son Henry (died 2 Oct 1771 aged 4 yrs 9 days)
TURNER, Doctor William - wife Mary (died 3 Mar 1737/8 aged 25 yrs)
WARD, Abner - wife Sarah, daughter Phoebe (died 9 Sep 1779 aged 11 yrs and 4 mos), daughter Lydia (died 11 Apr 1793 aged 18 yrs 5 mos)
WARD, Abner - died 25 May ---. Will of Abner Ward of Newark was dated 14 May 1777 and proved 26 Mar 1778
WARD, Caleb - died 9 Feb 1735/6 aged 66 yrs
WARD, Daniel - died 4 Oct 1748 aged 24 yrs and 11 months
WARD, Ebenezer - wife Abigail; son Uzal (died 6 Jun 1788 aged 17 months)
WARD, Lawrence - wife Elenor (died 24 Aug 1783 aged 78 yrs and 3 mos)
WARD, Moses - wife Elizabeth, son David (died 12 Sep 1776 aged 4 yrs
WARD, Nathanael - died 9 Apr 1783 in 92nd year
WARD, Major Uzal - died 15 Jul 1793 in 67th year
WAUTERS, Thomas - wife Mary, daughter Fanna (died 29 Dec 1793 aged 4 mos 11 days)
WE-L----, John - died 10 Dec 1769 in 54th year
WHEETN, Samuel - wife Sarah; son Samuel (died 31 Jul 1733 aged 1 yr and 5 mos)
WHELER, Dea. James - wife Mary (died 1 Jan 1763 aged 84 yrs)
WILCOX, Thomas - died 19 Dec 1783 aged 42 yrs and 6 mos
WILMOT, John Reed - died 17 Oct 1787 aged 32 yrs and 10 mos
no surname given, Jack - wife Ann; son Asher (died 5 Aug 1763 aged 19 yrs and 5 mos) a slave?
no surname given, Sharpe - wife Sary; daughter Fillis (died 14 Aug 1784 aged 1 yr 6 mos 14 days) a slave?

In the Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society, New Series, Vol. II (1926), pp. 199-204, are listed early inscriptions from gravestones in the burial ground of the First Presbyterian Church in Newark. A few gravestones, originally from the old burying ground, were removed from the First Presbyterian churchyard or directly from the old burying ground to the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, 375 Broadway, Newark.

BALDWIN, Phineas - died 6 Mar 1803 in 77th year
BALLDWIN, Joseph - died 20 Sep 1776 aged 92 yrs
CANFIELD, Nathanael - wife Jemime (died 31 Jan 1793 in 42nd year)
COE, Benjamin - died 21 Dec 1788 in 86th year; wife Abigail ("Coo") (died 4 Dec 1761 in 59th year)
COO, Benjamin - wife Rachel (died 12 Aug 1779 in 70th year)
COO, Benjamin - wife Bethiah, son Seare (died 4 Sep 1768 aged 2 yrs 1 mo 26 days)
JOHNSON, Coll. Eliphelet - died 13 Nov 1760 in 64th year
JOHNSON, Joseph - son of Thomas and Eleonor (died 11 Mar 1733/4 in 83rd year)
JOHNSON, Mr. Thomas - died 5 Nov 1694 aged 64 yrs; wife Ms. Ellena (died 2 Nov 1694 aged 61 yrs)
RICHARDS, Thomas - died 14 Apr 1788 in 47th year
WARD, Abner - died 20 Oct 1817 aged 77 yrs 9 mos 20 days; wife Sarah; son David (died 27 Mar 1772 aged 3 mos 22 days) son Isaac Woodruff (died 28 Aug 1778 aged 6 --)