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From:
Subject: BETHLEHEM BAPTIST
Date: Sun, 17 Oct 2004 11:47:42 EDT


Rita, Just looked in my photos from my research trip in 2003, and found this
sign in the photo I took of the entrance of the church. "Bethlehem Baptist
Church. Congregation was formed in 1837, Church was built same year on the
Brunswick-Easton Turnpike (now Rt. 78). The church was abandoned in 1906." A
second sign reads: "Bethlehem Graveyard Established 1837. Bethlehem Graveyard
Society incorporated 1909."

The cemetery is missing a large quantity of headstones, the grounds however
are maintained. I do know that one of the prominent families buried there are
the Van Syckles. I also recall seeing Garrison and Prall. Other than that, I
can't be sure. I do know that there are more legible headstones.

I also recall (having been born and raised in the area), that there was a
major problem with the cemetery when they put I-78 through to the north side of
the graveyard. They started pulling up caskets, remains, etc. when they started
grading for the highway. I was quite young at the time, but if you contacted
the Hunt. Hist. Soc., I sure you could get info. I also know that one of the
Van Syckle descendants, Doug Martin, is a Trustee of the society. Perhaps they
have the internment list there. Goog Luck, Wendy

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