Notes on the Wood Family Burial Ground – In 1682 land in Gloucester County in the proprietary colony West Jersey was deeded by Edward Byllings of Westminster, England, to two Quakers -- Henry Wood and his brother John Wood of Bury, Lancastershire, England – who were to become the first settlers of Woodbury, New Jersey. On that same plat of land existed an ancient Delaware Indian (Lenni Lenape) village and burial ground. John Wood specified in his Will that in any future conveyance of land there “must always be excepted [that] piece of land” conveyed away already for a “graveyard forever.” This lot was about “one acre in extension” and “was set aside by Henry Wood for his own burial place (died Aug 18, 1686 aged 84 years old) and for those of his descendants who wish to be buried there” and it was to be known as the “Wood Family Burying Ground”. This land was situated upon the Woodbury Creek about 2 miles from the mouth, and almost surrounded by marshes, which at high tide are covered by water. The marshes adjoining the grave yard were formerly banked to prevent the invasion of the tides. The early graves of the Wood family, if marked at all, were marked only by field stones and nearly level with the earth. Later graves were identified with tombstones. Beginning in the year 1792 until his death 1829 a Woodbury Quaker, Samuel Mickle, kept a daily diary of the events and happenings in the town. His diary (published in two volumes by the Gloucester County Historical Society) became a phenomenal genealogical treasure with its wealth of births, marriages and deaths. The original diaries are now owned by Glassboro State College, NJ. Where information has been found in Mickle’s diary regarding individuals buried in the original Wood Family Burial Ground, it has been noted in this list. About 1848 a severe high tide destroyed these banks, washed away some of the northern end of the yard, and in doing so, removed some of the bodies. Large rocks were thrown in the cavity to prevent further erosion of the graveyard, but the protecting banks were never rebuilt. In 1900 two ladies, Clare and Marjorie Hemphill from West Chester, PA, came to the Burial Ground and recorded the inscriptions of the stones still left standing. Marjorie Hemphill gave the list to the Gloucester Co. Historical Society in 1976. In 1918 descendants of the Wood family financed a historical marker to be placed at the graveyard in the interest of the Gloucester Co. Historical Society. The marker read: “John Wood desired this as a Burying place for those who should come after him. Remember the days of old, consider the Years of Many Generations. For this Portent, this Stone is erected by the Gloucester County Historical Society AD 1912. On February 2, 1951 the NJ Supreme Court, Chancery Division ordered the disinterrment of the rest of the bodies in order to prevent further desecration of the burial ground by proposed engineering project to straighten some bends in the creek. The work of disinterring began on February 28th through March 6th 1951 by Arthur S. Hough under the supervision of Daniel W. Beckley of Woodbury, Attorney and Trustee of the Wood Burial Ground. Reinterrment was completed at the Woodbury Preparative Meeting of the Society of Friends in Woodbury on March 9, 1951. The original gravestones mark the individual graves which are set in a line extending down a small incline to the rear of the Woodbury Friend’s Graveyard. A substantial stone marker is set at the top of the slope with the history of the original Wood Family Burial Ground, and the reinterrment. Where there was once an original headstone to an individual that was transcribed in 1900, but no longer existed by 1951, this list gives the original inscription as recorded. Name Grave Inscription (**and additional notes) ******************** *Unknowns ** None. This grave is immediately in front of the Historical Society Monument the remains of approximately 14 unknown persons -- most probably the remains of the following persons shown as “Grave 1”who were in the original Wood Burial Ground. ******************** Brown, Ann (Hopkins) ** Per Vol. 1 of Samuel Mickle’s Diary dated --March 25, 1802 –“Mark Brown’s wife, Ann (late Hopkins) deceased this evening of the measles.” –March 27, 1802 -- “In AM with my dear wife, etc. at the house of mourning, Mark Brown’s -- his wife interred this AM at Wood’s Burial Ground.” ******************** Crim, Peter In Memory of Peter Crim who died December 6 1813 aged 74 years ** Per Vol. 2 of Samuel Mickle’s Diary dated: Dec 6, 1813 – “Peter Crim deceased this morning” July 22, 1823 – “Heard Sarah Crim, widow of Peter Crim, deceased yesterday.” ******************** Curts, Sarah In Memory of Sarah Curts who departed this life September 23rd 1823 aged 36 years ******************** Hillman, Edward In Memory of Edward Hillman, son of Rachel W. Hillman ******************** Hillman, Mary B. (Wood) In Memory of Mary wife of Joseph P. Hillman who departed this life November 5th 1822 in the 34th year of her age **Per Vol 2 Samuel Mickle’s Diary dated November 6th , 1822 – “Mary, wife of Joseph Hillman (daughter of John Wood, wheelwright, deceased) was interred this day.” **Joseph Pancoast Hillman. Jr. was the grandson of Lt. Col. Josiah Hillman (NJ State Militia 1774 – 1783) & Elizabeth Pancoast. He died November 5th, 1824 and was said to have been buried next to his wife Mary. ******************** Kinsey, Joseph (Original tombstone lost) In Memory of Joseph Kinsey who departed this life July 26, 1813 aged 42 years, 3 months and 24 days ******************** Low, John **inscription unreadable ******************** Low, Joseph **inscription unreadable. **Per Vol. 1 of Samuel Mickle’s Diary dated: July 2, 1801 – “A sudden death! Rachel Wilkins, wife of Samuel Wilkins (and daughter of Joseph Low, deceased) having been so well as to be in Philadelphia yesterday, died this PM at her home!!” **Per Vol. 2 of Samuel Mickle’s diary dated July 1, 1814 – “Invitation to funeral of Joseph Low who deceased last evening.” ******************** Low, Lydia In Memory of Lydia Low wife of Joseph Low who departed this life the 15th of September in the year of our Lord 1807 aged 40 years ******************** Thompson, Aaron ** Per Vol. 1 of Samuel Mickle’s Diary dated May 28th, 1802 – “Aaron Thompson, a young man, son of Samuel Thompsons, deceased, interred this PM at Wood’s Burial Ground.” ******************** W. I. W. 1783 ******************** Wood, Richard (?) R. W. **(according to family records this is supposedly Richard Wood who came over with the first settlers of Philadelphia in the mid 1680s) ******************** W. C.W. died 1820 aged 31 years ******************** Wilkins, Matilda F. In Memory of Matilda F. daughter of Job and Rachel Wilkins born March 1817 who departed this life September 6, 1845 aged 28 years 5 months. ******************** Wilkins, Caroline W. (Original tombstone lost) In Memory of Caroline W. Wilkins daughter of Job and Rachel Wilkins who departed this life August 8 1836 aged 1 years 1 month and 11 days ******************** Wilkins, Caroline W. In Memory of Caroline W. Wilkins, daughter of Job & Rachel Wilkins who departed this life August 8 1856 aged 1 year 1 month 11 days ******************** Wilkins, Constantine In Memory of Constantine Wilkins born May 11, 1783 departed this life Dec 18, 1847 in the 68th year of his age ******************** Wilkins, Elizabeth In Memory of Elizabeth wife of Constantine Wilkins died November 13, 1852 in the 70th year of her age ******************** Wilkins, James Sacred to the Memory of James Wilkins born September 18, 1800 died August 6 1832 aged 31 years 10 months and 19 days. “Death struck, he fell, no warning given / He now is landed safe in heaven / A voice from Heaven has surely said / What blessed are the happy dead / Adieu, my friends, I take my leave / Farewell my loving wife / Our children dear you guardian be / And bless your Widow’s life” ******************** Wilkins, Jane In Memory of Jane Wilkins, consort of Aaron M. Wilkins, died August 13, 1824 ******************** Wilkins, Jedediah E. (Original tombstone lost) In Memory of Jedediah E. son of Job and Rachel Wilkins who departed this life July 10, 1829 aged 1 year and 9 days. ******************** Wilkins, John In Memory of John Wilkins who departed this life November (?) 1812 aged 72 years 1 month and 6 days “Like you I lived / Like me you die / Life’s utmost length / is but a sigh” ******************** Wilkins, John In memory of John Wilkins son of John and Rachel Wilkins who died Sept 4, 1823 ******************** Wilkins, Rachel In Memory of Rachel Wilkins daughter of William Wilkins who departed this life January 1, 1826 aged 42 years ******************** Wood, John C. (Original tombstone lost) 1797 ** Per Vol. 1 of Samuel Mickle’s Diary dated Sept 4, 1793 – “Jonathan Wood and wife brought by water from Philadelphia this PM and interred in Wood’s burial ground.” Cause of death – yellow fever. ******************** Wood, Mary In Memory of Mary Wood wife of Marmaduke Wood who departed this life October 8, 1825 aged 55 years 8 months and 7 days **Per Vol. 2 of Samuel Mickle’s Diary dated Oct 9, 1825 -- “Mary, wife of Marmaduke Wood, deceased this day”** ******************** Wood, Sarah W. Sarah W. Wood widow of Wm. Wilkins and of James Wood departed this life Sept 10, 1828 aged 71 years ** Per Vol. 2 of Samuel Mickle’s Diary dated Sept 10, 1828 – “Sarah Wood, widow of James Wood, deceased this morning about 9, aged 70:3:6.” ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Florence M. Hillman ====================================================================