The Hartshorne Burying Ground is located at 55-57 Kings Highway, Middletown, NJ, and is open to the public daily between dawn and dusk. Created by Richard Hartshorne I in his 1722 Will, the Hartshorne Burying Ground serves as final resting place to both Richard Hartshorne and his wife, Margaret Carr, as well as family members from each successive generation of his descendants, with the most recent
internment taking place in 2016. Richard Hartshorne (1641-1722) and Margaret Carr (1654-1721) were Quakers, and for this reason, their graves in the Southeast corner of the Burying Ground are not marked. Early Quakers believed that all men are equal in the eyes of God, and considered grave markers to be another way that the wealthy lorded their privilege over the poor. This stance was not reversed by the Friends until the 1870s, likely in deference to late-Victorian sensibilities regarding funerary custom. Present-day Friends opt for simple, small markers bearing no more than the names and dates of birth and death. However, out of respect for the religious convictions and practices of the time, the family has opted to leave these graves without markers. The earliest markers present in the Burying Ground are that of William Hartshorne (1678-1749), son of Richard Hartshorne I, his wife Elizabeth Lawrence Hartshorne (1690-1750) (monument beside him, in pieces). Though there are several other excellent examples of early Quaker monuments that remain in the Burying Ground, the monument to William Hartshorne is exceptional in that it predates the change in Quaker doctrine by over a century, remains standing, and is in exceptional condition. Many similar monuments in Meetinghouse burying grounds were destroyed by Friends, and it is a rare treat for history fans to see one that has survived so long. The earliest monuments are made of red sandstone quarried along the Shrewsbury River in Monmouth County– the reason “Red Bank” is known as such. The majority of the monuments, however, are made from white marble. Today, there is significant biological growth covering them, causing them to appear much darker. Hartshorne descendants are eligible for interment at the Burying Ground. A listing of current interments can be found here. Please don’t hesitate to contact us prior to your visit if you would like a guided tour of the property!
