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Above the Fray: The Historic Jersey City & Harsimus Cemetery

Tucked away in the shadow of the elevated New Jersey Turnpike and surrounded by the bustling apartment blocks of Jersey City is a six-acre emerald oasis.

The Jersey City & Harsimus Cemetery is more than just a burial ground; it is a sacred hilltop that has witnessed 350 years of American history. From Dutch patents and Revolutionary skirmishes to the birth of modern cemetery reform, this hallowed ground offers a quiet panoramic view of the Manhattan skyline and a deep look into New Jersey’s past.

A Hilltop of Conflict: 1630–1812

Long before the first headstone was placed, this high ridge was a strategic prize.

• The Dutch Era: In 1630, the land was part of “Pavonia,” a patroonship granted to Michael Reyniersz Pauw. It eventually passed to the Van Vorst family, whose name still graces Jersey City’s streets. The name “Harsimus” likely comes from a Lenape word for “Crow’s Marsh.”
• The Revolution: In October 1780, at the request of George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette led 4,000 French troops to this very ridge to challenge British forces. Its elevation made it a vital lookout post during the Battle of Paulus Hook.
• War of 1812: The heights were fortified once again during the War of 1812, when an active ammunition bunker was established to defend New York Harbor from a British naval attack.

A Revolutionary Idea: The Cemetery Company

In 1829, Jersey City witnessed a social revolution. After an unidentified man was found on the Hudson River shore, local residents found that burial fees at the established church graveyards were prohibitively expensive.

In a move that challenged the status quo, local citizens met at the Farmers’ Hotel to form a non-denominational cemetery company.

• The First of Its Kind: Officially incorporated in 1831, it was the first cemetery in New Jersey not controlled by a church.
• Democratic Burial: Subscribers paid $20.00 for a plot and, in a radical shift for the time, received a vote in electing the board of trustees.
• The Colgate Connection: The 1812 ammunition bunkers were repurposed into family vaults for early subscribers, including William Colgate, the founder of the soap empire that became Colgate-Palmolive.

The Rural Cemetery Movement

By the mid-19th century, the site embraced the Rural Cemetery Movement. Rather than a somber “boneyard,” the grounds were transformed into a park-like setting with Victorian greenhouses, iron gates, and rare botanical specimens. It became a place for the living—families would spend their Sundays here, strolling the manicured paths and picnicking among the monuments of their ancestors.

Civil War Secrets and World War Training

The cemetery’s history is steeped in local legend.

• The Underground Railroad: Many believe the cemetery’s stone crypts served as a station for the Underground Railroad. Oral tradition suggests that secret tunnels once connected the cemetery grounds to the site of present-day Dickinson High School, providing a hiding place for those seeking freedom.
• World War Training: During World Wars I and II, the rugged terrain and stone structures were used as training grounds for soldiers preparing for the front lines.

A Remarkable Revival

By 2008, the cemetery had fallen into a state of “death by neglect.” The board had dwindled, the grounds were overgrown with invasive vines, and the historic caretaker’s cottage had become a ruin.

However, a new generation of volunteers refused to let the history be swallowed by the weeds. Since 2008, a volunteer board of trustees has worked tirelessly to:

• Restore the Grounds: Removing decades of debris and litter.
• Save the Stones: Resetting heavy Victorian monuments that had sunk into the earth.
• Host Community Events: Turning the cemetery back into a cultural hub with tours, fundraisers, and “Goat Grazing” events to manage the vegetation naturally.

If You Visit

The Jersey City & Harsimus Cemetery is a “living” landmark that welcomes visitors, historians, and nature lovers alike.

• Location: 435 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07302.
• The View: Head to the highest point of the ridge for a spectacular, framed view of the New York City skyline between the historic monuments.
• The Gatehouse: Look for the historic caretaker’s house, which serves as the nerve center for the ongoing restoration efforts.

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For More Information

Jersey City & Harsimus Cemetery (www.jerseycitycemetery.org)