Archaeology Dig at the Crawford House
Dr. Richard Veit, a professor at Monmouth University, will be conducting some archaeological digs at the Crawford House in the upcoming weeks. He will be working to try and identify burials that may remain from a 17th century cemetery that was associated with the Tinton Manor Iron Works. The burials would be those of slaves that worked at the iron works.
The Historic Preservation Commission has long been aware of references to this old burial ground, but given the various activities on the Crawford House property in the intervening 300+ years, could not be sure if burials still remained. Recent ground-penetrating radar studies revealed several underground anomalies that could be burials, and Dr. Veit will be concentrating on those areas in trying to identify what they contain.
The Historic Commission is also working with a local Eagle Scout candidate, Andrew Lantz - Troop 49, to delineate the boundaries of the cemetery, clear it of vegetation, and mark it appropriately. Stay tuned for further developments!