Middletown Township Community Affairs Council

The Township of Middletown is well known for its historical significance as it relates to Monmouth County and the State of New Jersey. Recently, the Middletown Community Affairs Council undertook a project to restore several cemeteries that have been neglected and subject to overgrown vegetation, fallen trees and dislodged tombstones. Spearheading the efforts were MCAC members Mitch Gotesky and John Giordano.

"We reached out to Sheriff Shaun Golden of Monmouth County and he willingly provided us a small workforce to clear the debris," stated Gotesky. "Steve Hallgring, the Supervisor of Public Works for Middletown was of tremendous assistance and despite some drizzly weather, all worked out well."   

"We chose to start with the cemeteries located on Kings Highway in the Historic section of Middletown Village," pointed out Giordano. 

"Some of these graveyards date back as far as the late 1600s. This is a great way to honor those early settlers for helping to make Middletown the wonderful town it is today!"  

The first two cemeteries worked on were the Old Presbyterian Cemetery and the Daniel Hendrickson Family Burial Ground. The Presbyterian cemetery has been identified as being established in 1684. It features a large, ornate brownstone marker for John Bowne, an original patentee when plots of land were parceled out on what is now Kings Highway in December of 1664.

The Hendrickson families were also early pioneers of Middletown and their descendants are numerous today. The stones are in remarkably good condition and the names and dates of the deceased are still readable. There are a number of smaller stones for infant children.   

Gotesky and Giordano were quick to point out that this cleanup was truly a community effort as several local businesses donated their services. Toscanella's Village Cafe provided lunch, while Dunkin Donuts on Highway 35 and 7-11 of Campbell's Junction provided coffee, donuts, snacks and drinks. Mario Schito, the owner of M & S Waste Services offered the group one of their containers for the disposal of the debris.

When the old sign for the Presbyterian Cemetery rotted and fell down during Hurricane Sandy, Ray Veth, the owner of Beacon Awards & Signs donated a new sign so the cemetery is properly marked. Veth is also a member of the Middletown Historic Landmarks Commission.  

In the near future, the Middletown Community Affairs Council will be restoring the burial grounds at Crystal Stream Cemetery, an historically African American cemetery located in Navesink. They will then clean up the Old First (Baptist) Church and the Reformed Church on Kings Highway. Many of Middletown's most historical figures can be found buried in these cemeteries.     

"We are always looking for additional cemeteries to clean up in town and support from our residents and businesses is always appreciated," noted Gotesky. "If you know of any other cemeteries that need a facelift, please let us know."    

The MCAC may be reached by calling the Mayor's Office at 732-615-2240. Other members of the council include Chairperson Andy Zapcic, Larry Caminitti, Lori Anne Oliwa, Craig Finnegan and Michael Vitkansas Recording Secretary.