Extracted from:

                               HISTORY OF
  SUSSEX AND WARREN COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
     OF THE PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS

              Compiled by James P. Snell

             EVERTS & PECK, 1881
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HARDYSTON TOWNSHIP:

There is no information obtainable regarding the earliest burials 
in the cemeteries of the township. The one adjacent to the North 
church, and known as the "North Church Cemetery," is doubtless more 
than a century old, though few of the memorial stones bear that 
early date. It is now in general use among the older families of 
the township, and is by them maintained with much care. Many 
inviting shade-trees ornament the inclosure, which is surrounded 
by a substantial stone wall. The monuments and tablets are of much 
beauty, and not a few of them imposing in their proportions. Among 
the inscriptions are the following: 

"Sacred to the memory of Isaac Cary, Esq., who died January 18th, 
A.D. 1791, aged 48 years and 11 months." 

"Sacred to the memory of Benjamin Northrop, who died September, 1774, 
aged thirty-five years. 

"Also Leonora, wife of the above, who died March, 1811, aged 
seventy-two years. Their son Joseph, from a sentiment of filial 
duty, had this stone erected." 

"In memory of Jonathan Hopkins, who died March 4th, 1849, aged sixty-
eight years and seven months. Funeral sermon by James Campbell, from 
Isaiah 32.2. 

"Whoever reads my sudden call,
Prepare! you may as sudden fall.
I in old age was called away;
died’s summons we must all obey."

"In memory of John Beardslee, who died February 27th, 1828, aged 
twenty-nine years." 

"Sacred to the memory of Abram Johnson, who died November 29th, 1821, 
aged seventy-six years, three months, and four days." 

"Sacred to the memory of Hannah Johnson, who died August 16th, 1822, 
aged eighty-three years and five months." 

"Sacred to the memory of Mary C. Rorick, wife of John C. Rorick, who 
died June 17th, 1857, aged thirty-seven years, three months, and four 
days. 

"She was a kind companion, an affectionate mother, and leaves five 
children." 

"Sacred to the memory of Simon Wade, who died September 21st, 1817, 
in the sixty-eighth year of his age" 

"In memory of Charles Beardslee, who died March 25th, 1803, in the 
sixty-first year of his age." 

"In memory of Charles Beardslee, who died March 25th, 1818, in the 
fifty-seventh year of his age." 

"In memory of Mary Morris, wife of Thomas Lawrence, Esq., of 
Philadelphia, born in 1723, at Morrisania, West Chester County, 
N.Y., died at the residence of her son, Thomas Lawrence, of Hamburg, 
Sussex County, N.J., in 1804." 

"In memory of Thomas Lawrence, Esq., of Morris Vale, in the county of 
Sussex, who departed this life November 18, 1823, aged seventy-nine 
years. 

"In his death a wife was deprived of a, kind and devoted husband, 
children of an affectionate parent, and society of an honest and 
virtuous man." 

"In memory of Dr. Samuel Fowler, born October 30th, 1779, died 
February 26th, 1844." 

BAPTIST CHURCH CEMETERY

The burial-ground attached to the Baptist church at Hamburg, though 
probably not so old as the one already mentioned, has many graves of 
an early date. The memorial tablets which were originally erected 
over them have in many instances been destroyed, while others have 
no inscription to designate their 

location. Among the oldest legends are the following: 

"Sacred to the memory of Martin Ryerson, who died November 3d, 1820, 
aged seventy-two years, two months, and six days." 

"In memory of Rhoda Ryerson, born November 4th, 1757, and died 
September 16th, 1823, aged sixty-five years, nine months, and twenty-
two days." 

"In memory of Jesse Ryerson, son of Martin and Rhoda Ryerson, born 
March 27th, 1780, died October 3d, 1803, aged twenty-three years, 
six months, and seven days." 

"In memory of Anna Ryerson, daughter of Martin and Rhoda Ryerson, 
born April 11th, 1784, died February 13th, 1811, aged twenty-six 
years, ten months, and two days." 

There is also a cemetery connected with the old Baptist church (now 
Reformed Dutch) at Franklin. As this building was erected in 1823, 
many of the burials are coexistent with this date, if not earlier. 

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LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP:

There is but one burial-place located within the limits of the 
township. Many residents have for years buried their dead in a 
cemetery located in Sparta, which, from its location, has proved 
more convenient. It has thus become identified with the old families 
of Lafayette, and is the centre around which many tender memories 
cluster. 

The burial-ground in use in the township is located on a rise of 
ground east of the village, and was used a century since, if 
tradition be correct, as a potter’s field. It was later controlled 
by a society, who placed it under the direction of a board of 
trustees, and interments were made irrespective of sectarian 
preferences. About 1820 the lady who was owner of the land which 
embraced this spot gave a deed of this and additional ground to the 
inhabitants of the township, to be forever used as a burial-place. 
It was much neglected for a term of years, but at a later period 
funds were raised, and under the direction of the trustees a 
substantial stone wall was built around the ground. A tract of land 
was also purchased, which increased its dimensions, and more care 
has since been bestowed upon its adornment. 

Many of the memorial-stones bear the names of the oldest families of 
the township. There are unquestionably graves unadorned with 
headstones whose mute history, if revealed, would recall many events 
of the last century. The oldest inscription is that upon the tablet 
of Mrs. Margaret, wife of David Demorest, who died March 29, 1812, 
aged forty-seven. Among others of earliest date are the following: 

"Sacred to the memory of David Demorest, who died October 28th, 
1825, aged sixty-four years, three months, and twelve days." 

"In memory of Katherine Demorest, daughter of David and Katherine 
Demorest, who died November 30th, 1825, aged thirty-four years, 
three months, and seven days." 

"In memory of Maria, wife of Mahlon B. States, and daughter of Paul 
and Maria Ackerson, who died April 15th, 1831. aged twenty-three 
years, eight months, and six days." 

"In memory of Peter Demorest, who died August 29th, 1825, aged 
thirty-five years and six days." 

"Sacred to the memory of Henry Demorest, who departed this life 
August 31st, 1836, aged thirty-four years, eight days.  

"Farewell, my friends! I must be gone:
I have no home or stay with you.
The Lord doth call, and I must go,
And leave you in the world below."  


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FRANKFORD TOWNSHIP:

The earliest interment that occurred within the limits of the 
township, so far as known, was that of the elder William Beamer, who 
was buried upon the boundaries of his own farm, on land adjacent to 
the present village of Branchville. The date of this interment is 
not known, and can be only a matter of conjecture. It is at least 
one hundred and fifty years, and probably much longer, since William 
Beamer’s labors as the earliest pioneer in Frankford ended. 

The oldest cemetery in the township is that located on Frankford 
Plains, opposite the site of the Methodist Episcopal church. It is 
very advantageously located, and has been neatly inclosed by a 
substantial stone wall. Inviting shade-trees adorn its numerous 
walks, and many beautiful memorial stones evince the tender regard 
of the living for those who have "gone before." The oldest burials 
are said to have no stone to indicate their presence. Among the 
earliest inscriptions are the following: 

"In memory of Esther, wife of John Gustin, who departed this life 
August 25th, 1773, in the twenty-sixth year of her age. 

"Cropt like a flower,
She withered in her bloom,
Though flattering life
Had promised years to come."

"In memory of Samuel Price, who departed this life In the year 1768, 
in the seventy-fifth year of his age." 

"Here lies the body of Philip Snook, who deceased this life February 
25th, 1773, aged fifty-three years." 

"In memory of Abigail, wife of Robert Price, who departed this life 
December 3rd, 1773, in the thirty-fifth year of her age." 

"In memory of John Price, who died on the 30th of October, 1820, 
aged fifty-four years, five months, and five days." 

"Here lies Massey, wife of Levi Lewis, who died March 31st, 1786, in 
the forty-fourth year of her age." 

"In memory of Catharine, wife of John Dewitt, who died on the 20th 
of September, 1805, aged sixty-five years. 

"My husband dear, I am come here
Along with you to rest
Until the trumpet’s glorious sound,
When we shall leave this hallowed ground
To dwell among the blest."

"In memory of Francis Price, Jr., son of Francis and Ester Price, 
who departed this life December 18th, 1785, aged twelve years." 

"In memory of John Dewitt, who departed this life March 10th, 1804, 
aged seventy-two years, five months, and twenty-two days. 

"Our aged friend is gone, we know:
He’s paid the debt we all do owe;
Therefore, whoeer these lines may read,
Prepare to meet your God with speed."
THE AUGUSTA CEMETERY.

This burial-place is situated on an eminence beyond the site of the 
now decayed hamlet of Augusta, and is probably at least one hundred 
years old. At the same point once stood a Baptist church which was 
flourishing at the time it was erected, and for years after, but was 
long since abandoned and the building removed or destroyed. The 
cemetery antedates the history of this church, and is principally 
identified with interments by the Struble and Morris families. It is 
still used to a limited extent, and the residents of the vicinity 
whose dead sleep within its limits have taken means to guard it from 
intrusion. 

THE UNION CHURCH BURIAL-PLACE. 

An uninclosed burial-ground surrounded the old "Union church" at 
Branchville; as nearly as can be determined, it was first used about 
1800. Over the graves originally stood memorial-stones, most of 
which have yielded to the ravages of time or been ruthlessly 
destroyed by sacrilegious hands. It is probable that the individuals 
who gave the site for the church also bestowed the ground for burial 
purposes. The following epitaphs are the only ones that remained 
unimpaired: 

"In memory of Hannah, wife of Job Cosad, who died March 2nd, 1815, 
in the eighty-second year of her age. 

"Look on me, and you may see,
As I am now so you must be."  

"In memory of Hannah, wife of John Elliott, who died September 26th, 
1813, aged thirty-five years, seven months, and sixteen days. A good 
wife, a kind mother, and obedient child." 

"Sacred to the memory of Mr. John Elliott, who departed this life 
November 14th, 1833, aged fifty-seven years, three months, and twenty-
six days." 

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SPARTA TOWNSHIP:

There are in Sparta two public burial-places, both located at the 
village of Sparta. The Methodist churchyard was laid out in 1868. 
The graveyard at the Presbyterian Church contains a tablet to the 
memory of Robert Ogden, who died 1787. Burials were probably made in 
the yard before that year, but no stones now record the fact. The 
Robert Ogden named was the father of Robert and Elias Ogden, Since 
deceased. 

large landowners and settlers in Sparta township about 1766. The 
inscription on the tablet reads:

"In memory of Robert Ogden, Esq., who died January, 1787, aged 
seventy. In public life, both in Church and State, he filled many 
important offices with ability and dignity. In his private business 
he was upright, eminently useful, and diligent. He was temperate and 
humane a friend to the poor, hospitable and generous, a most 
faithful, indulgent and tender husband and parent, and, above all, 
his life and conversation from his youth was becoming. A professor 
of religion and a believer in the name of the blessed Jesus."

Among the oldest inscriptions to be found in the yard are the 
following: 
Mrs. Phoebe Ogden, widow of the late Robert Ogden, died Dec. 22, 
  1796, aged seventy-six
Hannah, daughter to the foregoing, died Nov. 1, 1789
Emanuel Newman, Nov. 4, 1795
Anna, his wife, Oct. 14, 1819, aged seventy-eight
Jepthal Byram, June 9, 1807
Benjamin Chamberlain, Nov 29, 1816
Hannah Platt, daughter of Dr. Zophar Platt, and wife of Robert Ogden, 
  Esq., sergeant-at law, May 7, 1812
Maj. Elias Ogden, born 1763, and died March 31, 1805
Mary, his wife, died May 19 1805
Richard Van Kirk, March 2, 1803
Thomas Van Kirk, Nov. 2, 1802
Richard Dickson, "husband of Sarah Dickson," July 1, 1805
Polly, wife of Wait Munson, Sept. 29, 1813
Cyrus Condict, Oct. 27, 1813 Joseph Hurd, Jr., Sept. 10, 1814
Louisa Elizabeth Hurd, Aug. 6, 1817
Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Van Kirk, Aug. 27, 1818
William Corwin, Sept. 30 1821
Stephen Hurd, Jr., Nov. 29, 1822
John C. Hurd, Nov. 30, 1821
Eunice Hayward, March 14 1825
Dan Hurd, Esq., March 29, 1835
Byram Pitney, Aug. 28, 1827
Robert Ogden, born at Elizabeth town, 1746, died Feb. 14, 1826. 

A broad tablet sets forth that it perpetuates the memory of Oliver 
Green, A.B., "who was the son of Oliver Green, of Ashburnham, 
England, and a licentiate of the South Worcester Association, Mass. 
He graduated at Dartmouth College, Aug. 26, 1807, an died at the 
house of Robert Ogden, in Sparta, May 24, 1810."

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GREEN TOWNSHIP:

The old Dark Moon burying-ground, now a wilderness of brambles, 
bushes, weeds, and broken headstones, lies on the road between 
Johnsonsburg and Greensville, on the line between Green township 
and Warren County, just south of the site of the old Dark Moon 
Tavern, from whose designation it probably took its name. But few 
of the old-time headstone inscriptions are legible. Some of the 
most aged are here, reproduced as follows: 

"Here lies the body of Anne Reeder, the _____ of Benjamin Reeder, 
  who departed this life in the 25th year of her age, June 25, 1769."

"Mary, daughter of John and Anne Wright, aged 17 years. Died July 9, 
  1791. 

"In faith she died, in dust she lies,
But faith foresees that dust shall rise
When Jesus calls, while hope illumes’
And boasts her joy among the tombs."

"Thomas Allen, died 27th January, 1796, aged 65 years." 

"Anna Hunt, wife of Abram Hunt, died Nov. 16, 1796, aged 26 years, 
  9 months, and 20 days. 

Mourn not, dear friends, for me. 
For why? My race is run because it is the will of God. 
So let His will be done." 

"M. Luse, died February 8, 1796. 

"My race is run,
My time is spent:
No mortal soul
Can death prevent."

"John Wright, died 1797." 

"Moses Hazen, died October 11, 1709, aged 23 years." 

"In memory of Isaac Lanning, Sr., elder of Hardwick church, died 
August 30, 1811, in the 64th year of his age."