#TombstoneTuesday: Colonel Charles Pemberton now has a gravestone that is legible! Our sincere appreciation goes to Paul Ferguson of the Sussex County Monument Company for this very generous donation! This American Revolutionary War Veteran will now be remembered for many years to come.
Charles Pemberton served during the Revolutionary War as a Private in the Sussex County Militia. He received depreciation of Continental pay for his service. After the war, he achieved the rank of Colonel, a title he used throughout the rest of his life.
A native of England, Charles settled in the Newton area about the time of the American Revolution. At first he taught school and afterwards established a store, becoming associated with John Holmes and Daniel Stuart. He was twice Sherriff of Sussex County, from 1797-1800 and again from 1803-1806. In 1798 Charles, along with William A. Ryerson, was appointed to superintend repairs on the courthouse and jail. Also, Charles was the Newton Postmaster in 1811 and was active in the Presbyterian Church.
Charles was born about 1760. He married Sarah Rorbach, daughter of George and Mary Fisher Rorbach. Charles died in Newton on December 18, 1817 at the age of 57. He is buried in the Old Newton Burial Ground next to Sarah, who died on June 5, 1850 at the age of 80. He left no descendants.
During the Spring of 2019 John O’Brien had put Pemberton’s monument back together, but the front piece was very difficult to read. Attached are pictures of this process as well as the new stone. Check back next week for another #TombstoneTuesday

#MuseumMonday
The Historical Society has recently updated the book store on our website. Consider a holiday gift book about Sussex County history for your family and friends. We are currently offering a Sussex County Sampler. This is a group of four publications. First is High Point of the Blue Mountains by Ronald J. Dupont Jr. and Kevin Wright, the definitive history of High Point from prehistory through the Kusar family to the development of the park. Next we have a reprint of the classic That Ancient Trail by Amelia Stickney Decker about the Old Mine Road. For the cemetery fans we have Behold and See, As You Pass By, a selection of epitaphs from the Old Cemetery of the First Presbyterian Church of Sparta 1787-1924 written by Mary Elinor Eppler. And last we have a pamphlet Sussex County Place Names by Myra Snook. It lists some of the early place names in the county with a brief history. Price is $29 for the sampler plus shipping. To order go to our website http://www.sussexhistory.org/ and click on the “shop” tab and make your selection. PayPal is accepted.

Open to the public...please join us to honor our Veterans.