The following is the text of a proclamation by the Hanover Township Committee, adopted at the May 10, 2018, commemorating the 300th anniversary of the Whippany Burying Yard.
A PROCLAMATION OF THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF HANOVER COMMEMORATING THE 300TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE WHIPPANY BURYING YARD AND CALLING UPON ALL RESIDENTS TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS TERCENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
WHEREAS, during colonial times, “Whippanong” was a vast, unsettled wilderness in a province called West Jersey, before New Jersey was established; and
WHEREAS, Whippanong was first ruled by proprietors in Burlington; later it became a township known as “Whippenney,” ruled by Hunterdon County, and eventually Whippenney Township was renamed “Hannover Township;” and
WHEREAS, in 1718, schoolmaster John Richards donated a tract of land to his “Christian friends and neighbors of Whippanong… in consideration of love, goodwill, and affection… for a meeting house, schoolhouse, burying yard, training field, and such like public uses.” The deed is signed September 2, 1718, in the fifth year of the reign of King George; and
WHEREAS, the “Whippanong Burying Yard” as it is historically known, was established before the United States of America was conceived, before New Jersey was a state, before Morris County was founded, and before Hanover Township existed; and
WHEREAS, the Whippanong Burying Yard is the oldest colonial graveyard in Morris, Sussex, and Warren Counties; and
WHEREAS, the Whippanong Burying Yard hosted the first church and the first school in what is now Morris County; and
WHEREAS, the Whippanong Burying Yard contains the earliest colonial artifact is Morris County— The first carved stone in the Whippany Burying Yard is marked 1718; and
WHEREAS, the “Whippany Burying Yard,” as it came to be called, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; and
WHEREAS, the Township of Hanover is the caretaker of the Whippany Burying Yard since the Whippany Cemetery Association dissolved and transferred its administration and maintenance to Hanover; and
WHEREAS, eleven Revolutionary War soldiers are buried at the Whippany Burying Yard; and
WHEREAS, two of Morris County’s first governing judges (now known as Freeholders) are buried at this historic site; and
WHEREAS, the Whippany Burying Yard contains over 300 marked graves and countless unmarked graves; and
WHEREAS, 2018 marks the 300 year anniversary of the Whippany Burying Yard; and
WHEREAS, the Township Committee, the governing body of the Township of Hanover believes it is fitting and proper to pay tribute to an important historical landmark in the Township of Hanover with the adoption of this Proclamation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Township Committee of the Township of Hanover in the County of Morris and State of New Jersey as follows:
1. In recognition of its tercentennial, the governing body hereby commemorates the 300th year anniversary of the Whippany Burying Yard, an important historical landmark of the Township of Hanover.
2. The governing body calls upon all residents of Hanover Township to recognize and appreciate this important milestone in the history of our Township.
Township Committee
Township of Hanover
County of Morris
State of New Jersey
May 10, 2018