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!
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!
| 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.
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-76: At times, we have
come across markers with
interesting detail on the cross arm
ends. This is a nice example of what
we call "club ends." There was once
a plaque, likely covered by glass.
come across markers with
interesting detail on the cross arm
ends. This is a nice example of what
we call "club ends." There was once
a plaque, likely covered by glass.
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.
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.
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.
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.
MX-SJWB-123: Unfortunately, this fine example of a
Celtic cross has broken in half. The brick used inside,
rather than metal rebar, likely contributed to it breaking.
The middle image shows how brick was even used in
the top and had settled to the bottom of the mold where
it now peaks through the surface.
Celtic cross has broken in half. The brick used inside,
rather than metal rebar, likely contributed to it breaking.
The middle image shows how brick was even used in
the top and had settled to the bottom of the mold where
it now peaks through the surface.
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.
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.
MX-SJWB-171: Every so often, we have
come across crosses made of metal pipe.
This is a particularly interesting example
because of the wire around the center,
suggesting of a crown of thorns.
come across crosses made of metal pipe.
This is a particularly interesting example
because of the wire around the center,
suggesting of a crown of thorns.
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!
marker was a corner of concrete under a tree. A half an 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 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. We hope to use
this to identify this veteran.
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 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. We hope to use
this to identify this veteran.
| 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.
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.
| 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!
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!
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.
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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