OSBORN FAMILY GRAVEYARD | Preserving Brielle New Jersey's History - Union Landing Historical Society, Monmouth County

The Restoration of the Historic Osborn Graveyard
Brielle, New Jersey

IT WAS ONLY YESTERDAY...

Or was it the day before - when a ride up or down Holly Hill Drive would have revealed a small forested and overgrown area at the curve in the road. A sign proclaims this is the location of the Historic Osborn Graveyard although not long ago this graveyard was barely noticeable from the road. The members of The Union Landing Historical Society, many community residents and indeed others in Monmouth County had become increasingly distressed over the continuing deterioration of this ancient graveyard. It was feared this bit of heritage and history would disappear forever if remedial action was not taken. One of the graves, previously marked by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1935, contains the remains of Revolutionary War Soldier Lt. Abraham Osborn. In all there were 21 known burials between 1822 and 1868.
A pre-meeting field trip to the graveyard by the Union Landing Historical Society on April 20, 2000 removed any doubts regarding the seriousness of the existing conditions. At least one other small private family burial ground in Brielle had already been lost to "progress", as indeed have many throughout the county and state. It would have been shameful to not save, protect and secure our last one. Upon reconvening at the Curtis House, a draft copy of a Restoration Proposal was distributed to members which set out the methodology for handling the proposed restoration project. All were instructed to review promptly and suggest any refinements needed. Following this feedback, a final Proposal was prepared and sent to Society members, Borough Administrator Thomas Nolan and Brielle Mayor Thomas Nicol. This was a blueprint for forward movement including methodology for keeping all - the official borough family, the Society and other interested persons - informed of future restoration progress. The Society members formally committed themselves to this formidable task.
The Proposal Mission Statement proclaims our goal to restore and preserve a site of local historic consequence and importance, and to utilize this proposed experience to stimulate public interest in, and help further an understanding and appreciation of, our local heritage. In addition, the project will serve to re-establish respect and restore a sense of quiet dignity for this too long neglected final resting place of departed members of a prominent local family. Our endeavor will assist in portraying the significance of historic graveyards and this one in particular. There is acceptance that the vast majority of burial ground restoration projects nationwide are successfully handled by concerned and educated local citizens relying on advice and counsel of qualified professionals - in person, via publications and through the internet.
We took our authorization to embark on the task from Chapter 294, Laws of 1983, sections C.40:10B-1 through C.40A:4-45, 18. This law, "Historic Cemeteries Act", noted that "many...historic cemeteries...have fallen into disrepair, disorder and decay. The Legislature, therefore, declares that it is altogether fitting and proper, and in the public interest, to enable local governmental units to assist in the restoration, maintenance and preservation of such cemeteries." Upon our request, the official family of the Borough of Brielle promptly and graciously offered "to assist in the restoration...".
Thus supported, our first task was to locate and identify the boundaries of the graveyard. This was graciously handled as a community service by local surveyor Charles O'Malley and staff. The Borough of Brielle extended help from the Department of Public Works in handling tree and underbrush removal. This was accomplished with exemplary cooperation from Tom Nolan, Borough Administrator, Bill Burkhardt, Superintendent of Public Works and Bob MacArthur, Assistant Superintendent. It also proved necessary to remove seven large trees from the site. This task was handled by Falkinburg Tree Experts. All work was performed under the auspices of the designated Project Director, Union Landing Historical Society President John E. Belding.
Once the land was cleared, the complexity of the remainder of the task became apparent. Every gravestone with the exception of the one which marked the grave of Lt. Osborn, was partially or completely broken - some in as many as six fragments. Most were scattered and many pieces were
buried or missing. The challenge was to attempt to match up the broken pieces, then determine where each headstone (and some footstones) were originally located. Virtually all the stones had been broken off at ground level, or just below, and over the years almost all were covered by soil and no longer visible. The Society commissioned the blacksmith at Allaire State Park to manufacture three iron probes, and with these the ground was probed inch by inch searching for the buried pieces of stones. By good fortune we discovered that most of the broken off sub-terra pieces were still upright in the ground. As we located them, we made each plumb, then made a determination as to which grave it represented. Fortunately, an earlier inventory had been reaffirmed in 1945 by Ernest Reed. While he did not use a numbering system or draw a map, he did list the graves pretty much in a certain order and this enabled us to understand with fairly close accuracy where each grave was located, and where we might reasonably find and locate that part of the stone which was broken off and buried. Of course prior to reattaching all broken sections, it had to be determined that the pieces fit together perfectly and comprised a single gravestone and not pieces of two or more stones. All the pieces from the headstones of 18 of the 21 graves were found and cemented together with a special epoxy cement. The final three required more reconstruction work as significant pieces are still missing. The Society has received excellent advice via professional associations of which we are a member, the internet and local professional contacts. Ed Burke, Superintendent of Old Tennent Burial Ground and Ed Convery of H.T. Hall were helpful in matter of gravestone restoration. While probing for buried stones, an old foundation of brick and mortar, not listed in the gravestone inventory, was discovered, measuring 3' x 3' x 2' deep, located in the exact center of the burial ground. It is assumed this may have been the foundation for some type of monument, which apparently had been removed years ago, if indeed it was ever completed. The bricks used are of an antique variety, possibly manufactured locally.
As restoration progressed, the Society made the decision to erect an iron fence around the perimeter of the burial ground. The fence provides site security and makes a visual statement of the existence of this historic graveyard. For aesthetic qualities, black wrought iron of mid-nineteenth century design was deemed appropriate. The burial ground is thus delineated forming a physical frame work of the historic contents. A map board is placed to the right of the gate showing location of all graves, plus headstone inscriptions.
Those buried here include Lt. Abraham Osborn and his wife Elizabeth. Also the three wives of his son, James: Elizabeth, Hannah and Jane, all of whom died at an early age. It is not know for certain in which graveyard James himself is buried. In addition, 13 of his children are buried here, from ages one day through childhood and young adult. There are also three relatives buried here. Elias Burge, age 11 and James and Jane Goble. The Gobles lived on what is now Ramshorn Drive in Wall.
A graveyard rededication ceremony took place on Saturday, May 26, 2001. Following the ceremony there was a guided tour for the attendees. In July of 2002, the Society commissioned U.S. Radar, Inc. to perform a sub-surface survey of the grounds using a form of ground penetrating radar. During this survey seven previously unknown graves were discovered. It is unlikely that the identities of the persons interred in these graves will ever be known, but it is a fair assumption that the grave between Lt. and Mrs. Osborn and James Osborn’s three wives is that of Col. Osborn himself. It has been suggested that the headstones of other members of the Osborn family were relocated to nearby graveyards over the years.
The Union Landing Historical Society will be happy to arrange tours of the graveyard. School children, Scout Troops and adults are encouraged to visit and become supportive. We continue to reach out for community involvement.
If anyone possesses information regarding this graveyard, or of those buried here, or would like to learn more about the family, or would like to contribute to the project, the Union Landing Historical Society would be pleased to hear from you. Many persons have assisted with the physical rehabilitation and your assistance would also be welcome. You may contact John Belding, President of the Union Landing Historical Society and Borough Historian at 732.528.5867 or through the ULHS' website: http://www.briellehistory.org

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March 14th, 2007-Gas Light Installed at the Historic Osborn Family Graveyard, Holly Hill Drive, Brielle, New Jersey. Drive by at night and take a look! Also see it when you join us at our Second Annual Decoration Day Ceremony on May 27th, 2007 at 2pm. Participants needed contact Mr. Belding.

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Join us for our outcoming event at the Burial Ground.

Any questions or submissions, please e-mail to info@briellehistory.org

05/08/2008