Cemetery Tales, October 14, 2023

Entrance Gate Kingston Cemetery
(Kingston Presbyterian Church image)

Kingston Presbyterian Church in celebration of its 300th Anniversary presented “Cemetery Tales” on October 14, 2023

Rev. Dixon introduces speakers

On a rainy afternoon… Rev. Sharyl Dixon welcomed nine persons buried in the Kingston Presbyterian Church cemetery…

Woman with broom at podium, grave marked POTTS in background
Dorothea “Jimmie” Potts (1921-2015) (Carol Luck)

Dorothea “Jimmie” Potts, local business owner and investor talked about the development of US Route 1 and life in Kingston

Man at podium in minister clothing
Rev. David Comfort (1764-1853) (Peyton Dixon)

Pastor David Comfort spoke of ministry in Kingston and beyond

Woman in Japanese style blouse with photo of grave behind
Umeko Hinomura (1900-1994) (Mariko Shumimora)

Umeko Shimomura spoke of her life in Japan and as a farmer in 1920’s California, and then internment during World War II in Arizona.

Man in colonial outfit at podium
William van Tilburgh (1729-1804) (George Luck Jr.)

William Van Tilburgh spoke of his time as Inn Keeper in Kingston

Planter in hat sits before photo of grave "Flemer"
William Flemer, Jr. (1895-1985) (William Flemer IV)

William Flemer Jr. spoke of founding Princeton Nurseries in Kingston, life in the army, and being a nurseryman

Woman in blouse with sweater and photo of grave "Briggs"
Lusu Briggs (1899-1981) (Marie Luck)

Lulu Briggs spoke of her love of Kingston and desire to help all Kingston children to further their education

Civil war soldier at podium with rifle
Peter V. Shann (1842-1926) (Rip Diringer)

Peter V. Shann spoke of life in the Union Army, and farming after the war.

Woman with apron at podium "Woolf" on grave in photo
Blanche Peebles Woolf (1890-1965) (Rebecca Robinson)

Blanche Woolf, born Blanche Peebles, spoke of running Peebles General Store in Kingston

Man in long coat (similar to photos of Abraham Lincoln) at podium
Senator Charles B. Moore (1822-1904) (Nick Robinson)

Senator Charles B. Moore spoke of life in Kingston and in the New Jersey Senate.

Reflections were based on research by George Luck Jr. and Peyton Dixon.

Video of the event….

Although the event was planned for the cemetery itself, the rain that day caused us to move to the lower level of the Presbyterian Church, a location which allowed us to record the event for posterity. The video of the event (1 hour and 21 minutes long) is available HERE.

Volunteer!