An enduring cemetery in western Monmouth County could soon be owned by the municipality that it has long been situated within.
Allentown’s municipal government is currently planning to seek title to the historic Lakeview Cemetery from the Monmouth County Superior Court.
“The last known owner of the Lakeview Cemetery is deceased, and despite diligent efforts, the current owner is unknown and cannot be found,” the Borough of Allentown announced in a November public notice.
Located off of Lakeview Drive near Conines Millpond and Allentown’s downtown, the graveyard dates back more than two centuries.
“The Borough is seeking ownership of the cemetery because it had become abandoned and in disrepair until recently when a group of volunteers and Boy Scouts worked on improving the property with fencing and signage,” Allentown Municipal Clerk Laurie Roth told Jersey Digs. “The Borough plans to maintain the property properly.”
In a statement to Jersey Digs, Allentown Borough Attorney Greg Cannon said that the tract’s report of title includes just two deeds. The first deed is from 1786 while the second dates back to 1888.
“In essence, burials at the cemetery ceased long ago and the religious organizations originally maintaining the burial ground have likewise ceased to exist over the last couple hundred years,” said Cannon.
Cannon explained that those currently seeking government approval to open a cemetery “must show acceptable sureties and a sufficient endowment to maintain the grounds in perpetuity.”
“That was not the case in the 1700s and 1800s,” he added. “Thus, these types of ancient or historical burial grounds often become abandoned.”
Should the cemetery end up under the municipal government’s ownership, bodies buried there could not be exhumed and no additional burials could occur, according to Cannon.
Public comment regarding the proposal is currently being accepted by the Borough of Allentown.
