REVOLUTIONARY WAR SITES IN ESTELL MANOR, NEW JERSEY

Head of the River Church Cemetery

Aetna Dr. near Cape May Ave.
Map / Directions to the Head of the River Church Cemetery
Map / Directions to all Estell Manor Revolutionary War Sites

The Head of the River Church was built in 1792, and is the oldest standing church in Atlantic County. This historic church is only opened occasionally now for events such as baptisms, weddings and funerals. It holds regular services twice a year - on the second Sunday in October to commemorate the church's anniversary, and on the first Sunday of December for Christmas service.   [1]

At least two Revolutionary War soldiers are buried here. They were brothers and both held the rank of Captain:  [2]

Captain Jeremiah Smith
July 24, 1752 - February 1, 1831

Captain William Smith
March 10, 1754 - September 7, 1832

Steelman's Creek Burial Ground

Inside Estell Manor Park
Located behind the Atlantic County Veteran's Cemetery
Map / Directions to Steelman's Creek Burial Ground (inside of Atlantic County Park / Estell Manor Park)
Map / Directions to all Estell Manor Revolutionary War Sites

Steelman's Creek Burial Ground is a small cemetery, enclosed in a log fence just behind the Atlantic County Veteran's Park. It contains the remains of the Steelman family, including probably Frederick Steelman, who served in the Gloucester County Militia in the Revolutionary War. The historic sign in the cemetery states that Frederick and his wife Naomi are probably buried here in unmarked graves. A modern marker has been placed here in Frederick's honor. Note that birth and death dates given for Frederick are very different on the sign (which states March 25, 1752 - July 29, 1809) and on the grave marker (which states 1753 - 1778). [3]

Smith Ireland Cemetery

Inside Estell Manor Park
Map / Directions to Steelman's Creek Burial Ground (inside of Atlantic County Park / Estell Manor Park)
Map / Directions to all Estell Manor Revolutionary War Sites

This cemetery contains the remains of members of the Smith and Ireland families. One of the graves is of a Revolutionary War soldier Japhet Ireland, who died February 20, 1810, at age 66. [4]

Source Notes:

1. ^ A sign at the entrance and a stone marker near the church both date the church to 1792.
Information about the church's current activity was drawn from two articles by Lee Procida that appeared in the Press of Atlantic City.
• October 7, 2011 article 18th Century Estell Manor Church all that Remains of Tuckahoe River Village, marking the 219th anniversary of the church, which can be read online here
• October 15, 2012 article Oldest Church in Atlantic County, Open Only Twice a Year, Marks 220th Anniversary, which can be read online here

2. ^ Names, dates, and military rank information are drawn from their grave markers. Each marker identifies them as Revolutionary War soldiers.
Each man's marker states that he was the "Son of Jeremiah and Abigail Somers Smith," so they must have been brothers.

3. ^ The historic sign in Steelman's Burial Ground bears a seal of the United Methodist Church, and states that it was erected by Friends of Old Estellville Church in 1974.

4. ^ Death date and age info from Japhet Ireland's tombstone. A plaque inside the park's nature center contains information about the Smith Ireland Cemetery, which identifies Japhet as a "soldier in the Revolution."