Death And Twizzlers: Livingston Cemetery With Unique History To Host Veterans Day Tours

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The Livingston Historical Society will host public tours of Ely Cemetery — a private burial ground with a link to Twizzlers candy and some incidents that were less than sweet —this Thursday for Veterans Day.

The cemetery was established in 1777 by Captain William Ely, a veteran of the French and Indian War, on a rood (quarter acre) of his land. He built is after daughter Elizabeth Ely Jones, her husband Frederick Jones, and their young son Benonni all died within two weeks of each other. (The group is not sure of the exact cause of deaths, but believes they were from a disease such as small pox.)

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After that, the cemetery became the private burial ground for many other Ely relatives. It also included members of of prominent families who married into the Ely family, such as the Vanderpoel, Dow, Goddard and Halsey families.

Among those buried are socialite Julia Smylie Dow, widow of Major Charles A. Smylie of New York. Smylie, a veteran of the Spanish American War, was also president of the Young and Smylie (Y&S) Company, manufacturer of Twizzlers licorice candy.

The society will provide public tours of the site from 2-4 p.m., weather permitting. It's located near the corner of Hillside venue and Hillside Terrace.

More History

The plot was enlarged to its present size in 1864 by Ambrose Ely, the historical society said. The stone wall that surrounds the cemetery is made of rocks quarried from Riker Hill on the Ely Family’s property, the historical society said.

"Notable internments include the monuments of Smith Ely, Jr. who served as mayor of New York City in 1877-1878, as well as two terms as a U.S. Congressman," says the society, "and Edwin A. Ely, author of Personal Memoirs of Edwin E. Ely and benefactor of the Livingston Library."

The cemetery also contains examples of antique sandstone slabs, granite headstones, and marble tablets, some with New England cherub carvings.

The last burial at the ceremony was Janet Halsey Olstead in 1978. She was an eighth generation descendant of Captain Ely.

According to the society, the cemetery was abandoned for many years until 1983, when trusteeship was granted to the group by order of the New Jersey Superior Court.

Volunteers cleared the brush and repaired plots. The Livingston Department of Public Works also
helped to maintain the lawn and fallen trees along the cemetery wall.

The upcoming tours are free, but a donation of $5 per person is suggested to help with upkeep. COVID-19 protocols will be observed on the tour.

For more information see: Fhttps://livingstonnjhistorical...

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