St. Joseph’s Cemetery & Mortuary Chapel

Cemetery

The location of the original cemetery has its own story. During the summer of 1809, Mother Seton and her companions took a walk through the dense woods on their property in order to select a site for a cemetery. The attention of Harriet (Mother Seton's sister-in-law) rested on a large, old oak tree which she designated for her repose, declaring "This is my spot!" as she playfully threw an apple core against its trunk. Within four months, Harriet died and was buried beneath the large oak. Harriet's grave became the first of many graves of Sisters and Daughters of Charity to be buried in the original cemetery.

Before seven years had passed, three more Setons were buried in this plot: Mother Seton's daughters Anna Maria and Rebecca and her sister-in-law, Cecilia Seton. When Mother Seton died on January 4, 1821, she was buried near her relatives under the large oak tree.

Cemetery & Chapel

• Stations of the Cross
• The Chapel
• Other Burials