The Secaucus Potter's Field Cemetery

Finding the Graves

Identifying the locations of the grave shafts in a cemetery in which the grave markers have been burned or gone missing, and nearly six feet of landfill has been deposited over the original soil surface, has been difficult. During the initial studies for the Secaucus Interchange Project, Hudson County officials discovered ledgers that documented the Register of Burials as well as several maps showing the layout of the graveshafts. Using these documents, Turnpike officials surmised that approximately 1,200 grave shafts were likely located within the proposed Secaucus Interchange Project area. The Register of Burials included interments dated between December 31, 1880 and April 12, 1962; those within the project area likely occurred between 1920 and 1962.

The historic maps of the Potter's Field Cemetery illustrated twelve sections with monuments set at the corners of each section. Although the individual grave markers are gone (some burned, some have been encountered within the landfill above the burials), Berger has re-discovered the original monuments marking the section corners, which has allowed matching the historic map to the ground and thence the identification of grave shafts.

Close Work with a Backhoe

Archaeological investigations have been undertaken using heavy machinery, remote sensing, and hand excavation of individual grave shafts. To facilitate recordation of each of the burials (the shafts have contained up to three separate interments each), Berger devised an innovative on-the-fly system using a digital camera and laptop computer mounted on a quad-pod.

• The Secaucus Potter's Field Project
• History of the Secaucus Potter's Field
• Innovative Excavation Techniques
• Results of the Investigations

• A Question of Respect
• Artifacts
• Excavation Photos
• Coping with the Elements