CEMETERY TOUR
Present concerns
The land deed originally called for a free
cemetery opened to all. This was a literal
meaning. Anyone could bury their loved ones
here by simply claiming a spot. No deeds
were issued. No record exists of anyone
paying for a grave in the cemetery.
Over the years, this produced a cemetery
with no plot design or layout. There are no
roads or walkways. There is no scheme of
internment. As one views the grounds, this
random selection becomes obvious.
No perpetual care fund exists. The care of
the cemetery falls to the local congregation of
Zion United Methodist Church. Through the
years, upkeep has been a burden as well as
an embarrassment. This is due to depending
on volunteer help. In the past, sextons, youth
groups, workdays, and concerned individuals
would do what they could for a time. But the
grass, briars, saplings, vines and poison ivy
kept growing. And the stones would break
and fall.
The Trustees of the church addressed the
problem in 1974 and opened a cemetery fund
with the goal of producing perpetual paid
maintenance. Needed contributions to the
cemetery fund can be made through the
church.
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Some general things you may wish to
note as you tour the cemetery are:
After many years of neglect, Zion’s Free
Cemetery was restored to its current
appearance by George Carmen and Harry
Hammell. These men spent countless hours
returning the cemetery to a place of honor
for all those men, women and children who
were laid to rest in this free cemetery.
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The different stone types
Epitaphs
Veterans
Sea Captains
Many children
The people local towns and
streets are named after
 The iron fence erected in 1857
Zion United Methodist Church
652 Zion Road
Bargaintown
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
(609) 927-5544
zumcbargaintown.org
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Zion Cemetery is located across Zion Road
and is not affiliated with Zion United
Methodist Church.
For information about Zion Cemetery,
please call (609) 457-0094.
Cemetery Tour
Begin at the gate by the big oak tree. The
number on the grave identifies a
personality we can share some anecdote
about. No attempt is being made to say we
are respecters of persons or that one is
greater than or less than the others. We
invite you to appreciate the past.
1. Zephaniah Steelman, 1760-1836
Revolutionary Soldier
2. John Madara
Homemade marker
3. Andrew & Sarah Blackman
Human tragedy – deaths
1 year old Nicholas, 1849
2 month old Hosea, 1850
Andrew – lost at sea, 1857
19 year old Helen, 1874
4. Robert & Alice Best
Robert Best Road
5. Reverend Josiah Flint Canfield
Served Zion, 1851-1852. Exact
location of grave unknown. Memorial
stone erected in 1989.
6. Amos and Ann Lewis
Amos served as sail maker for the US
warships Constitution and
Constellation.
7. John Price
Local Methodist Episcopal Preacher
8. Daniel Tilton
Original Trustee and first Sexton, 1814
9. Japhet Ireland
Original Trustee and served on
sanctuary building committee.
10. Acid Rain has deteriorated this stone.
Compare with the others, they will all
deteriorate.
11. Andrew Frambes, 1759-1790
Revolutionary Soldier; also, oldest
dated stone in the cemetery.
Andrew’s father, John Peter, oldest
stone, 1782.
12. Thomas Garwood
Original Trustee and served on
sanctuary building committee.
Donated land to Zion Church.
13. Joshua & Lydia Garwood
Donor of land to Zion.
14. Nicholas Frambes, 1758-1835
Revolutionary Soldier
15. David Blackman, 1753-1821
Revolutionary Soldier
Mary Blackman, wife
Son of Andrew Blackman who
donated the original acre of land for
the building of the Blackman Meeting
House. David & Mary entertained
Circuit Riders and Bishop Asbury in
their English Creek home. Two of
their sons, Nehemiah and Learner
became Circuit Riders. One daughter,
Sarah, married John Collins, a Circuit
Rider.
the British ship Guerriere was sunk.
Unmarked grave, near the grave of his
son, also named Levi Price.
16. John Jeffers, 1765-1840
Revolutionary Soldier
26. Rebecca Cressy
Stained glass window memorial
17. Joseph Scull (father), 1731-1810
Revolutionary Soldier
27. Ann Eliza Doughty
Stained glass window memorial, side
of pulpit.
18. Able Scull (son), 1760-1809
Revolutionary Soldier
19. John H. Tilton, 1752-1846
Revolutionary Soldier
28. Florence L Doughty
The bell was rung for the first time at
her funeral, January 29, 1911, 2:30
pm. Unmarked grave.
20. John R. Tilton, 1750-1821
Revolutionary Soldier
29. Sunken grave – notice all the sunken,
unmarked graves.
21. Thomson Price, 1766-1853
Revolutionary Soldier
30. Lewis B Lake
Most recent grave and a good spot to
observe the random placement and
variety of headstones.
22. Daniel Edwards
Blacksmith and original Trustee.
Completed the iron work for the
sanctuary.
23. John Baker, 1734-1815
Revolutionary Soldier
24. Daniel Baker
Judge and Commissioner who served
in and named Atlantic County
25. Levi Price,
Revolutionary Soldier and served in
War of 1812. Served on the US
Constitution during the battle in which
31. Japhet & Sarah Garwood
Stained glass window memorial
in the balcony.
32. Thompson & Mary Lake
Trustee and member of Zion. Stained
glass memorial by piano.
33. Price family plot – 5 children
Enoch, 1872
Lizzie, 1875
Izze, 1876
Elvie, 1878
Livezley, 1881