On this page are some of the more unusual, unique, artistic or just plain odd folk grave markers we've encountered thus
far. Click on the thumbnails for an enlarged version and use the "back" button on your browser to return to this page. We
will be adding new ones over the course of the project, so please return!
far. Click on the thumbnails for an enlarged version and use the "back" button on your browser to return to this page. We
will be adding new ones over the course of the project, so please return!
| St. James Cemetery, Woodbridge, NJ |
MX-SJWB-156: This beautiful marker
was created by Joseph LaPenta for his
daughters, Nancy and Louise, who died
in 1903 and 1909, respectively. Their
brother, Frank LaPenta is a member of
the Historical Association of
Woodbridge Township and has told us
how he remembered seeing the forms
his father had used to create the
marker in their basement.
was created by Joseph LaPenta for his
daughters, Nancy and Louise, who died
in 1903 and 1909, respectively. Their
brother, Frank LaPenta is a member of
the Historical Association of
Woodbridge Township and has told us
how he remembered seeing the forms
his father had used to create the
marker in their basement.
MX-SJWB-119: Looking like an oven, this
curious design lacks and inscription we can
use to learn more about it. The inside of the
"oven" was empty, though perhaps it had
been used for candles, statues or other
"offerings" when it was made.
curious design lacks and inscription we can
use to learn more about it. The inside of the
"oven" was empty, though perhaps it had
been used for candles, statues or other
"offerings" when it was made.
MX-SJWB-176: This was a particularly interesting
marker. In addition to "seeding" the surface of the
concrete with colored glass, there is evidence that a
pocket watch and possibly a picture had been
embedded! Only the back of the watch remains,
some of it's oxidized gears still visible.
marker. In addition to "seeding" the surface of the
concrete with colored glass, there is evidence that a
pocket watch and possibly a picture had been
embedded! Only the back of the watch remains,
some of it's oxidized gears still visible.
Left: MX-SJWB-237: Just by dumb luck, we learned
the story behind this solid wooden cross. While we
were surveying, Joseph Stankowicz happen to stop by
to pay his respects. This marker was for his sister,
Mary, who had died in 1919. It was made by his father,
Thomas, a carpenter from Poland.
the story behind this solid wooden cross. While we
were surveying, Joseph Stankowicz happen to stop by
to pay his respects. This marker was for his sister,
Mary, who had died in 1919. It was made by his father,
Thomas, a carpenter from Poland.
Right: MX-SJWB-251: Obvious time and care was
taken in the selection and placement of the rocks that
create the surface of this marker. It is among the strong
examples of the folk art quality we have seen in many
folk grave markers.
taken in the selection and placement of the rocks that
create the surface of this marker. It is among the strong
examples of the folk art quality we have seen in many
folk grave markers.
We don't know his (or her) name, but
while surveying one late afternoon,
we were shadowed by a friend!
while surveying one late afternoon,
we were shadowed by a friend!
MX-SJWB-175: In this case, all that could be seen of the marker was a corner of concrete under a tree. A half an
hour worth of digging, however, revealed a large, complete cross marker!
hour worth of digging, however, revealed a large, complete cross marker!
MX-SJWB-153: This was one of the more striking cases where a marker had been
almost completely buried. As can be seen, almost all of the concrete cross but for the
top and part of an arm could be seen above the surface. Digging showed that it had
begun to break up (we left it buried) and there was no sign of an inscription. Evidently,
someone knows who rests below this marker. The American flag was probably placed
by a local V.F.W. group, along with the medallion that shows he served in World War I.
almost completely buried. As can be seen, almost all of the concrete cross but for the
top and part of an arm could be seen above the surface. Digging showed that it had
begun to break up (we left it buried) and there was no sign of an inscription. Evidently,
someone knows who rests below this marker. The American flag was probably placed
by a local V.F.W. group, along with the medallion that shows he served in World War I.
| St. Michael's Parish Cemetery, Fords, NJ |
MX-SMF-14: It is always a bad thing to find folk markers that are beginning to fall
apart. But, sometimes this does offer a glimpse at the way in which a marker had
been made. We have seen various metal pieces used as rebar in concrete
markers, but this on at St. Michael's Parish Cemetery in Fords, NJ was one of the
more curious. They evidently used bicycle chain!
As these images show, while the concrete was splitting where the rebar was and it
was very much corroded, a close look shows that the chain was lopped around in
the concrete before it dried. It was certainly a clever idea, but ultimately didn't
prevent damage over time.
apart. But, sometimes this does offer a glimpse at the way in which a marker had
been made. We have seen various metal pieces used as rebar in concrete
markers, but this on at St. Michael's Parish Cemetery in Fords, NJ was one of the
more curious. They evidently used bicycle chain!
As these images show, while the concrete was splitting where the rebar was and it
was very much corroded, a close look shows that the chain was lopped around in
the concrete before it dried. It was certainly a clever idea, but ultimately didn't
prevent damage over time.
| Our Lady of Hungary Cemetery, Fords, NJ |
MX-OLHF-10: There are many folk markers along the fence-lines at Our
Lady of Hungary Cemetery in Fords, NJ. Many in this particular section were
laid down flat. Grass and dirt often encroaches over the edges and we have
to pull it back with a trowel. In this case, however, we noted that the base
tablet seemed off-center from the cross. It soon became apparent that we
were dealing with a "double" marker! The whole other half was totally buried!
Lady of Hungary Cemetery in Fords, NJ. Many in this particular section were
laid down flat. Grass and dirt often encroaches over the edges and we have
to pull it back with a trowel. In this case, however, we noted that the base
tablet seemed off-center from the cross. It soon became apparent that we
were dealing with a "double" marker! The whole other half was totally buried!
Using the trowel, brushes and standard archeology techniques (Stephanie
is seen above taking a turn digging), we slowly unearthed the second half.
It is possible that this was the first sunlight to shine on it in many years.
Once free from the muddy soil, we carefully turned it over in the hopes of
finding an inscription, but there was none. In the vast majority of cases,
when we do any digging, we are careful to put things back to cause as
little disturbance as possible. In this case, however, it seemed reburying
the other half would have been more disrespectful. So we raised the
marker back to its uprighted position.
We have seen similar "double" markers among 18th c. brownstones,
usually associated with multiple deaths of children, mother and child
during childbirth, etc. Without an inscription, of course, we can't say with
certainty, but we suspect this unique marker reflects a similarly sad story.
is seen above taking a turn digging), we slowly unearthed the second half.
It is possible that this was the first sunlight to shine on it in many years.
Once free from the muddy soil, we carefully turned it over in the hopes of
finding an inscription, but there was none. In the vast majority of cases,
when we do any digging, we are careful to put things back to cause as
little disturbance as possible. In this case, however, it seemed reburying
the other half would have been more disrespectful. So we raised the
marker back to its uprighted position.
We have seen similar "double" markers among 18th c. brownstones,
usually associated with multiple deaths of children, mother and child
during childbirth, etc. Without an inscription, of course, we can't say with
certainty, but we suspect this unique marker reflects a similarly sad story.
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