12/23/2018
The Reeves Cemetery in West Deptford, New Jersey - a short story.
This following 2 paragraphs were written many years ago, when the cemetery was still active, and the surrounding area was farm fields and woods:
“The most attractive of these private burying-grounds in Gloucester County is the Reeves burying-ground, located on the old Reeves plantation about a mile south of Woodbury, between the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad and Mantua Pike. The farm is now owned by Clement R. Budd.
This cemetery was established by Joseph Reeves who was born in 1700 and died in 1780. (note by J. Gellenthin 12-22-2018: This is questionable, as there is a stone for Thomas Reeves in the center of the lot, born 1700 and died 1780) The stone marking his grave is in excellent condition. The plot is enclosed by a stone wall with two pairs of heavy iron gates and is surrounded by a number of noble trees. It is a very attractive spot, and the manner in which it is cared for reflects credit upon the descendants of its founder, some of whom are members of the New Jersey Society of Pennsylvania. It is still used for burying purposes, the most recent interment being that of the wife of Reverend Herbert Burk. Her grave is marked by an Irish cross, which is one of the most beautiful mortuary emblems in the county. The stones in the yard represent the Reeves, Moffett, Snow, Saunders and other allied families.”
In its beginning and for as many as 100 years on, the Reeves family burial ground remained the same; set at the highest location on the farm, safe from the daily doings of the family and their livelihood. Today, the cemetery is in good condition, considering all that has happened around it over the past 228 years. During those years, the property has changed hands, and its uses changed too.
In 1946, the Woodbury Airport was established across the farm, and very near to the cemetery walls (see image of 1951 quadrangle).
In 1952, construction of the New Jersey Turnpike began, passing through the southerly portion of the farm
In 1955, the farm was sold for residential development. This was the beginning of “Greenfields Farm”. During the creation of the individual home lots within the development, a separate lot was established for the cemetery (see image of 1999 quadrangle, the diagonal red line is the New Jersey Turnpike).
Today, the cemetery is fronted by Meadow Lane in Greenfields and adjoins the Greenfields Elementary School (see images of filed plans).
