Finn's Point National Cemetery

Fort Mott and Finns Point National Cemetery District
Nearest city: Salem, New Jersey
Area: 115 acres (47 ha)
Built: 1863
Architectural style: Greek Revival
Governing body: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NRHP Reference#: 78001793[1]
Added to NRHP: August 31, 1978

Finn's Point National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located in Pennsville, New Jersey in Salem County, New Jersey. It encompasses 4.6 acres (1.9 ha), and as of February 2009, had 3,033 interments. It is administered by the Beverly National Cemetery.

Contents

History

Originally purchased by the federal government to build a battery to protect the port of Philadelphia, the land became a cemetery by 1863 for Confederate prisoners of war who died while in captivity at Fort Delaware. One hundred and thirty five Union soldiers who died while serving as guards at the prison camp are also buried here. The death toll among prisoners of war and the guards was high, especially in the latter part of 1863 and throughout 1864. By July 1863, there were 12,595 prisoners on the island at nearby Fort Delaware which was only about 75 acres (30 ha) in size. Disease was rampant and nearly 2,700 prisoners died from malnutrition or neglect. Confederate prisoner interred at the cemetery totaled 2,436 and all are in general unmarked graves.

Officially made a National Cemetery on October 3, 1875 by request of Virginia Governor James L. Kemper, who criticized the poor maintenance of the Confederate grave site.

Finn's Point National Cemetery is south of Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge near Fort Mott State Park, in Pennsville. The cemetery was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Andrew Cunanan committed one of his murders at the cemetery on May 9, 1997, killing cemetery caretaker William Reese and stealing his truck.

Notable monuments

See also

References

External links