I visited the Millburn Library and went through the city directories. The more recent directories sometimes list gems such as a date of death or a new husband. Such was the case with John Drake. The Price & Lee Millburn city directory for 1946 gives a listing for John Drake- his death on 2 November 1945. With this date, I then went to the microfilm rolls for the local paper, The Item. I located his obituary, which provided me with his place of burial, Saint Stephen's Cemetery, also in Millburn. I visited the church office and was provided with a listing of the other burials in this plot: John's wife, Mary; and their two children and their spouses. Sometimes, when you can't trace one family member, turn to a parent or sibling. They might be buried together, providing you with dates of death for many people.
The Millburn & Short Hills Item 8 November 1845 page 12 |
In the meantime, The Millburn and Short Hills Item has been published online for certain years. You may view the issues through the library's website.
After visiting the church, I headed to the cemetery for pictures of the gravestones. On a confusing note, Edith Drake married John Wesley Bryant. John Wesley Drake married Edith Knoller. The use of the same first and middle names could indicate a further relation that must be further investigated.
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