The Craven - Nixon Cemetery - Franklin Township, New Jersey


"View of Craven - Nixon Cemetery from Route 579."


The following description is taken from "HISTORY OF HUNTERDON AND SOMERSET COUNTIES NEW JERSEY" by J. P. Snell; 1881

The next oldest burying-ground [in Franklin Township] is the one opposite J. L. Nixon's, formerly known as Craven's. It was deeded to the Society of Friends by Daniel Doughty, son of Jacob Doughty, by convenyance bearing date September 20, 1764. It is therein described as "the lot known as the graveyard," showing that it had previously been used as a place of burial. It was then bounded north, south and west by lands of Samuel McFerson. The eastern boundary was a line running in the middle of the Trenton road. The Friends, who still hold the deed for it, opened it to the public, making it, of course, free to all. Their object, it is said, was to prevent their own graveyard at Quakertown from being crowded with the remains of those not in sympathy with their society.

The oldest inscription, rudely chiseled on rough stone, reads thus:

  • "Samuel McFerson Sener was born April the 4 1709 and departed this life September the 2d 1772, Aged 63"



    "The Samuel McFerson monument, July 2006, sadly lying atop a heap of miscellaneous old headstones and footstones."


    "Each stone is a small token of a single life lived, inevitably to be forgotten with the passage of time."

    Other inscriptions:

  • "Temperance Sutton departed this life April the 16 day in the year of our Lord 1774"
  • "In memory of Mary Drake, daughter of Imla & Temperance Drake, who departed this life September 21st, 1794, aged 7 years and 5 months"
  • "In memory of Sarah Lair, wife of Wm. Lair, who departed this life January 15th, 1798, in the 42nd year of her age"
  • "In memory of Elizabeth McFerson, consort of David McFerson, died December 4th, 1801, in the 58th year of her age"
  • "In memory of Joseph Stockton who died Dec. 27th, 1800, aged 68 years, 9 months and 2 days"
  • "In memory of Peter Teeple who departed this life November 29th, A.D. 1834, aged 85 years"
  • "In memory of Sarah, wife of Peter Teeple, who died April 14th, 1852, in the 98th year of her age"


    "Another view of Craven - Nixon Cemetery".


    "Many of the burials at Craven - Nixon are marked with crude fieldstones, bearing no inscription".

    Additional information about the Craven - Nixon Cemetery may be found in "FACTS AND FANTASIES OF FRANKLIN" by J. P. Stout; 1995

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