MILLER CEMETERY PHOTO TOUR

Miller Cemetery is the largest of Bass River Township's six cemeteries. It was started and maintained as a private Cramer Family Cemetery until the early 1860's when it was purchased by the New Gretna Presbyterian Church. It is presently owned and operated by the New Gretna Old Home Society.

For more information on Miller Cemetery and the New Gretna Old Home Society, go to page 7 on the following link . . . BASS RIVER GAZETTE, ISSUE #6. Use your browser's BACK ARROW to return to this page.

Miller Cemetery Location Map

Miller Cemetery is nestled a short distance from the intersection of Rt 9 and North Maple Avenue in the center of New Gretna. The Rt 9 entrance is usually kept closed, so it is recommended that visitors use the North Maple Avenue entrance at the end of the gravel road. The cemetery is divided into three sections: the Hill Section (the oldest), the West Section, and the Crate Section (the most recent). The GPS coordinates for Miller Cemetery are: 39.594479,-74.448938.

Route 9 Entrance

The gate at the Route 9 entrance is usually closed. Visitors should use the North Maple Avenue entrance.

North Maple Ave Entrance

The North Maple Avenue entrance is at the end of the gravel road across the street from the Bass River Elementary School.

West Section

The West Section is immediately to your right as you pass through the North Maple Avenue entrance. It derivated it's name as it was west of the original Hill Section of the cemetery.

Hill Section

The Hill Section can be seen to the rear of the flag pole. It is the oldest section of the cemetery.

Top of the Hill Section

Often, it is said, that the biggest tombstones at the top of a cemetery's hill belong to the richest family in town. Such is the case in Miller Cemetery where large French family tombstones dominate the top of the Hill Section. French merchants and family sea captains, who sailed around the world in the mid to late 1800's, brought riches to their families. The photo above shows the tombstone of Capt. Burrows M. French who died of injuries sustained in a two ship collision off the coast of Delaware. His son, Winfield, was lost at sea during the incident and has a memorial marker nearby Burrows stone. You can read about the tradegy on page 8 of issue #4 of the "Bass River Gazette" by clicking here . . . READ ABOUT THE BURROWS FRENCH TRADEGY. Use your Browsers BACK ARROW to return to this page.

E.M. Woodward, in his book "History of Burlington County, New Jersey", pages 227-228, presents the Bass River French Family geneology. It apprears he has taken it from Leah Blackman's "History of Little Egg Harbor Township". CLICK HERE TO VIEW WOODWARD'S FRENCH FAMILY GENEAOLGY. Use your Browser's BACK BUTTON to return to this page.

Crate Section

The Crate Section, named after Mary D. Crate who donated the land, is the newest section of the cemetery. It is divided by a series of gravel roads and is the only section of the cemetery where grave plots are currently being sold.

Civil War Veterans Tombstones

There are 4 known Civil War Veterans buried in MIller Cemetery. All are buried in the Hill Section. Looking for the American Flags on medallions next to all veterans' tombstones will narrow your search and help you locate them more quickly. Happy hunting!

The first, on your left as you walk up the hill from the flag pole, is William Darby.

The next belongs to Charles H. Adare, on your left as you proceed up the hill.

The third belong to Caleb J. Mathis, just a little further up the hill, to your right.

The fourth, and last Civil War tombstone, belongs to James Carroll, and can be found all the way on the far side of the hill.

My Favorite Tombstone

My (Pete Stemmer) favorite tombstone at Miller Cemetery is on the Hill Section and belongs to Franklin Adams who was the proprietor at the old Bass River Hotel. I call it the "bathtub tombstone" because of its interesting shape. It's elaborateness is an indication that he came from a family of means.

You can see Franklin standing in front of his hotel by going to the first photo in our "Historic Photo Album". Just click here . . . GO SEE FRANKLIN ADAMS. He is the daper looking gentleman standing out front of the hotel in white pants and a white vest.

More Miller Cemetery Tombstones . . .

The rest of this photo tour will depend on you, the viewer. If there is a tombstone in Miller Cemetery that you would like posted here on the "Miller Cemetery Photo Tour", just send us an email request by clicking here . . . PLEASE POST THIS TOMBSTONE.

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