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.

**From the 02.26.09 COAST STAR

Borough historian hopes to solve graveyard mystery

Brielle Borough Historian John Belding recently pointed out where the missing piece of the headstone belonging to William H.B. Osborn should be. William, who died at the age of 5, is one of more than 20 relatives buried in the Osborn Family Graveyard, located on Holly Hill Drive. Photo by JOSEPH J. DELCONZO, STAR NEWS GROUP

By Caren Caterina

The Brielle borough historian is turning to the public for help in trying to locate what could be a final missing piece to a graveyard puzzle.

The historic Osborn Family Graveyard, located on Holly Hill Drive, in Brielle, had been deteriorating for a number of years. According to the Union Landing Historical Society’s Web site, located at www.briellehistory.org, the graves include the remains of Revolutionary War soldier Lt. Abraham Osborn, as well as his wife, Elizabeth, and many other Osborn descendants, dating back to the 1800s.

Brielle Borough Historian John Belding explained that the Osborn family had “farmed here” in Brielle.

After the area had become abandoned, and the graveyard became overgrown over time, the Union Landing Historical Society, several years ago, helped restore the graveyard by putting broken headstones back together, cleaning up the graveyard, and putting a fence around the property. A graveyard rededication ceremony was held in 2001.

Mr. Belding also explained that an inventory of the graveyard was conducted in the 1930s.

“We have a copy [of the inventory] and it is very helpful to us,” said Mr. Belding, adding that the Osborn Family Graveyard saw 28 burials located there.

The historical society has been able to piece together the headstones and footstones of all buried at the family graveyard, with the exception of one child.

“We found all except for one,” said Mr. Belding. “The one that is still missing is for a little boy named William H. B. Osborn.”

“We never found that one,” said Mr. Belding. “Here is where the mystery comes.”

Mr. Belding stated that one day, a man showed up at Mr. Belding’s home in Brielle.

Though the man did not reveal his name to Mr. Belding, he came with an unusual item in his hand, said Mr. Belding.

“He was standing there with a piece of stone in his hand,” explained Mr. Belding. “He came in and showed me the stone.”

Mr. Belding stated that the stone had four initials in it —— W.H.B.O. —— and he recognized immediately what it was.

Mr. Belding stated that the piece of stone that the man had found was a footstone for the boy whose grave markers were missing — William Henry Bailey Osborn.

William was the son of Col. James and Hannah Osborn, he said.

“In old-fashioned graveyards, there are headstones and footstones,” said Mr. Belding.

The headstones, which are much larger, provide all the details of the deceased including the name, date of birth and when they died. The footstones, located at the foot of the grave, maybe only come out of the grave approximately 12 inches, said Mr. Belding.

Mr. Belding had asked the man where he found the missing footstone, and the man said he “found it in a garden in a backyard in Manasquan.”

“I didn’t ask him if it was his own backyard,” added Mr. Belding.

Mr. Belding stated that he took the piece of footstone to the graveyard and dug around.

“And sure enough, the broken half was in the ground and the two sections fit perfectly,” said Mr. Belding, adding that a special glue for stone was used to cement the pieces together.

Mr. Belding stated that the footstone had been turned down into the ground, therefore, perfectly preserving the boy’s initials from weather throughout the years.

Mr. Belding was thrilled with the return of William’s footstone, however, the boy’s headstone is still missing.

“My mystery is, where could that stone have disappeared to,” said Mr. Belding. “We are seeking help, for everyone to look in their backyard.”

Anyone with a marble stone, said Mr. Belding, approximately 3 feet in height by 20 inches, and approximately 2 inches thick, if “they don’t know where it came from,” should take a second look.

The missing headstone should read, “William H. B. Osborn, born Aug. 27, 1846, died Aug. 11, 1852, age 5 years, 11 months, 14 days,” said Mr. Belding.

Mr. Belding stated that he suspects that it is probably in someone’s yard, and they do not realize they have a headstone.

“You would be surprised how many times, in old houses, stone steps are gravestones,” he said.

The missing headstone may be in someone’s yard, unknowingly, as part of a walkway or used as a stepping stone.

“Maybe someone has seen it,” said Mr. Belding. “The historical society would love to hear about it.”

If anyone has any information, they are asked to please contact Mr. Belding at 732-528-6600, ext. 117. He said they are more than welcome to remain anonymous, should they so choose.

“We’d be delighted if someone discovered something in their yard,” added Mr. Belding.

**From the 03.19.09 COAST STAR

Headstone vandalized at Osborn family cemetery

Brielle Police are searching for some vandals after someone had broke a headstone at the historic Osborn family cemetery and took a piece of the marker.

According to Brielle Police Special Officer Nicholas Norcia who is investigating the incident, it was reported to police that between midnight on Feb. 12 and 2 p.m. on Feb. 19, unknown person [s] entered the graveyard, located on Holly Hill Drive, in Brielle, and damaged one of the headstones.

The headstone is engraved with the name Josephene Osborn, who was born on Jan. 8, 1845, and died on Oct. 8, 1845.

The person reporting the crime advised Special Officer Norcia that someone had broken the headstone from the base and took the top remaining half.

According to police, no other headstones were damaged, and no evidence was found at the cemetery to identify who broke and took the piece of the headstone.

The graveyard is surrounded by a fence and locked at all times.

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

04/19/2009