Oak Grove Cemetery is Hammonton’s oldest active cemetery, and one of the oldest active private cemeteries in Atlantic County. The Oak Grove Cemetery Association was founded on February 15, 1860 and incorporated on February 22 with the following trustees: Wm. Elvins, A.J. Cruikshank, H.L. Ferris, A.M. Montgomery, George Henery, and Charles P.M. Putnam. On June 4 of that year, the association bought a 10-acre parcel of land from Michael and Mary Landis—whose son, Charles, helped develop Hammonton before founding Vineland and Sea Isle City—for the sum of $1. Two months later, Oak Grove Cemetery welcomed its first resident: 1-year-old Frederick Cathcart, who died on August 11, 1860—and whose stone is believed to be the oldest in Hammonton.
Since its inception, Oak Grove Cemetery has welcomed and cared for more than 4,000 residents of all faiths, ethnicities and identities. Among its residents are early settlers from England and abroad, town officials, notable locals and more, including: celebrated painter George Washington Nicholson; Emanuel Persico, one of the founders of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Festival—the longest-running Italian festival in the nation; James Capen Adams, whose brother John used his identity and became famous the world over as Grizzly Adams; Mary Conkey Peebles, whose husband, Dr. James M. Peebles, was an author, physician and diplomat of note; United States District Attorney Charles M. Phillips; Willis Beach, convicted in the murder of Dr. A. William Lilliendahl, a trial that gripped the nation in 1927; and more.
Oak Grove Cemetery has witnessed its share of local history, including the incorporation of Hammonton on March 5, 1866; the construction of the White Horse Pike along its northeastern border in 1927; and the building of Hammonton High School—located across Old Forks Road—in 2002. In recent years, the cemetery saw the completion of its Veterans Memorial—funded completely through donor contributions—and was selected as the permanent home of Hammonton’s Salem Oak seedling, due in no small part to its collection of oak trees as well as the fact that the original Salem Oak was located in a cemetery, ensuring not only thematic continuity but also that the land will, by law, remain a cemetery in perpetuity, allowing the seedling to grow and thrive in the coming centuries.
The current board of trustees of the Oak Grove Cemetery Association remains committed to preserving the history and legacy associated with its grounds, its residents and its duties, and work diligently to ensure that the cemetery will continue to care for those in its charge and welcome new residents with peace, dignity and beauty for generations to come.
Since its inception, Oak Grove Cemetery has welcomed and cared for more than 4,000 residents of all faiths, ethnicities and identities. Among its residents are early settlers from England and abroad, town officials, notable locals and more, including: celebrated painter George Washington Nicholson; Emanuel Persico, one of the founders of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Festival—the longest-running Italian festival in the nation; James Capen Adams, whose brother John used his identity and became famous the world over as Grizzly Adams; Mary Conkey Peebles, whose husband, Dr. James M. Peebles, was an author, physician and diplomat of note; United States District Attorney Charles M. Phillips; Willis Beach, convicted in the murder of Dr. A. William Lilliendahl, a trial that gripped the nation in 1927; and more.
Oak Grove Cemetery has witnessed its share of local history, including the incorporation of Hammonton on March 5, 1866; the construction of the White Horse Pike along its northeastern border in 1927; and the building of Hammonton High School—located across Old Forks Road—in 2002. In recent years, the cemetery saw the completion of its Veterans Memorial—funded completely through donor contributions—and was selected as the permanent home of Hammonton’s Salem Oak seedling, due in no small part to its collection of oak trees as well as the fact that the original Salem Oak was located in a cemetery, ensuring not only thematic continuity but also that the land will, by law, remain a cemetery in perpetuity, allowing the seedling to grow and thrive in the coming centuries.
The current board of trustees of the Oak Grove Cemetery Association remains committed to preserving the history and legacy associated with its grounds, its residents and its duties, and work diligently to ensure that the cemetery will continue to care for those in its charge and welcome new residents with peace, dignity and beauty for generations to come.
February 15, 1860
Oak Grove Cemetery Association founded at a meeting of newly appointed trustees.
The meeting was held at the Elvins Hotel. Trustees were: Wm. Elvins, A.J. Cruikshank, H.L. Ferris, A.M. Montgomery, George Henery, and Charles P.M. Putnam.
1 year service term: Charles P.M. Putnam and George Henery
2 years service term: Wm. Elvins and A. M. Montgomery
3 years service term: H.L. Ferris and A.J. Cruikshank
Annual Meeting shall be held the first Wednesday of the month in March 1861.
Submitted to the Atlantic County Clerk on February 17, 1860 by Robert Putnam and Merril Parkherst [sic]. Document received and recorded on February 22, 1860.
Oak Grove Cemetery Association founded at a meeting of newly appointed trustees.
The meeting was held at the Elvins Hotel. Trustees were: Wm. Elvins, A.J. Cruikshank, H.L. Ferris, A.M. Montgomery, George Henery, and Charles P.M. Putnam.
1 year service term: Charles P.M. Putnam and George Henery
2 years service term: Wm. Elvins and A. M. Montgomery
3 years service term: H.L. Ferris and A.J. Cruikshank
Annual Meeting shall be held the first Wednesday of the month in March 1861.
Submitted to the Atlantic County Clerk on February 17, 1860 by Robert Putnam and Merril Parkherst [sic]. Document received and recorded on February 22, 1860.
March 9, 1860
Conditions and By Laws of Oak Grove Cemetery Association, Constitution
Conditions and By Laws of Oak Grove Cemetery Association, Constitution
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June 4, 1860
Land purchased from Michael G. Landis and his wife, Mary L. Landis (nee Quinn) for one dollar. The deed was not recorded with the State until February 28, 1868. |
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