For over a hundred years, the Old Honesdale Cemetery, also known as the Old Methodist Cemetery, has remained untouched by new burials. Nestled within a residential block, the cemetery’s surroundings have evolved, yet it stands as a quiet neighbor among the homes.
In 2017, Jim Gershey acquired one of these homes, drawn to the tranquility that comes with living next to such historical grounds. “It’s sort of a really cool thing to be next to a cemetery,” Gershey remarked, reflecting on his decision to purchase the property.
Upon settling in, Gershey’s curiosity led him to uncover the rich history of the cemetery and the stories of those interred within its bounds.
Unearthing the Past
While renovating his patio, Gershey stumbled upon flat stones, which he later realized were headstones placed face down. “It turns out they were headstones face down as part of the patio,” he explained. This discovery was just the beginning, as two years later, another headstone surfaced in his basement.
“I don’t go back there very often because it’s sort of creepy … and I noticed this super flat stone,” Gershey recounted. “And I thought, ‘Don’t tell me it’s another tombstone.'”
In response, Gershey moved the headstones to the cemetery property, which is merely a foot away from his home.
In ordinary circumstances, the National Park Service advises against touching gravestones, but this situation was anything but typical. “I’m not superstitious,” Gershey noted.
The Cemetery’s Origins
Honesdale saw its first Methodist settlers in the early 19th century, as chronicled in “Honesdale: The Early Years,” a book by the late historian Vernon Leslie. The Methodist meetinghouse, erected in 1834, still stands as an apartment building adjacent to the cemetery, on the far side of Gershey’s residence.
The Old Methodist Burying Ground, as it was originally called, was a gift from Honesdale’s founder, Jason Torrey, to the borough. This plot served as a burial ground until a new cemetery, Glen Dyberry, was established in 1859, leading many families to relocate their loved ones’ remains there.
The Wayne County Historical Society aided Gershey in piecing together these historical puzzles, revealing that roughly 200 bodies were initially interred at the Old Honesdale Cemetery. The exact count of remaining graves is unclear, as many headstones have become illegible over time.
Echoes of the Past
The Old Honesdale Cemetery, though largely overlooked today, still harbors tales of notable figures. Among the few headstones that remain upright are those of two Revolutionary War veterans, Jabez Rockwell and Henry Holdren, marked by American flags.
Jabez Rockwell, with roots in Connecticut and Pennsylvania, served as a private and was a father to 14 children. He passed away in 1847. Henry Holdren, who lived to the age of 101, was honored with a well-attended funeral despite the stormy weather, as reported in an 1854 article.
Many in the borough remain unaware of the cemetery’s existence, yet Gershey finds value in the history it holds. His discoveries have led him to collaborate with the Wayne County Historical Society on further projects. As for the headstones on his property, Gershey speculates they might have been replaced when the bodies were moved, though the true fate of those buried remains uncertain. “I’m sort of being charitable there,” he mused. “Just my theory.”
