St. James Church - Edison, New Jersey

On September 11, 2004, a plaque dedicating the burial ground surrounding the St. James Church in Piscatawaytown was unveiled. Emigrants from the area of Portsmouth, New Hampshire settled the area in 1664. The keynote address was presented by Dr. Ray Raymond of the British Consul Office in New York. He presented the British Perspective on the American Revolution inside the church. Those attending then proceeded outside for the dedication of the memorial and “Mourn Arms” ceremony. The dedication was presided over by Reverand William J. Gerhart, B.A., M Div., with the unveiling performed by Mayor George A. Spadoro.

The church is located at 2136 Woodbridge Ave., Edison, NJ 08818. You can write to PO Box 1286 in Edison. The burial ground that surrounds the church is not owned by the church, but is actually owned by the city of Edison. It holds the remains of many of the early settlers of the area, as well as troops that fought and died during the revolutionary war. Grave markers date back as far as 1693.

The text of the plaque reads as follows:

St. James Church, Piscatawaytown Burial Ground

St. James Episcopal Church was established in 1704. The original structure was built in 1724. In 1835 the church was destroyed by a tornado. It was rebuilt using as much of the original wood and fixtures as possible. The rear section was built in 1913. There was considerable military activity in the Piscatawaytown area in 1776/1777. Woodbridge Ave. was a main land artery for British communications and movement of supplies and troops. The British army used St. James Church as a barracks and a hospital from December 1776 to June 1777. Battles were fought at or very near to the church. To the east of this monument is the common grave of British soldiers who died in the Revolutionary War. They were buried in the British breastworks (defensive trench) emplaced along the Post Road (now Woodbridge Ave.). At the request of the opposing American forces, the British also buried a number of American soldiers but their resting place is not known. The Piscatawaytown burial ground is one of the earliest in Middlesex County. The oldest readable monument is dated 1693. There are many American soldiers buried from several wars. The highest-ranking veteran buried in Brevet Major General Thomas Swords. He was a veteran of both the Mexican war and Civil war. May all be remembered and their sacrifices not be lost in history.

Dedicated September 11, 2004

Edison Historic Preservation Commission

George A. Spadoro, Mayor

The pictures below will give you a unique perspective of the events of that morning, as well as views of the church and surrounding grounds. The picture of the actual plaque is 1200 x 800 pixels and will take time to load. Please be patient. I have made it this size to allow you to be able to read the actual text of the monument.

Click on the link for the Battle of Piscataqua for more information on the battle that was fought here on May 10,1777, and the re-enactment that took place on September 11, 2004, immediately following the dedication ceremonies.