Stuff by Cher: Mary, you're a fine girl

Back when hubby and I were first dating he was living in New Jersey. The Garden State has its fair share of weirdness, from the New Jersey Devil which is said to haunt the Pine Barrens of the southern part of the state to the Gates of Hell which are supposedly located in Clifton.

One such strange place is near the Raritan River in New Brunswick. Located in the parking lot of a strip mall. . . imagine that, a strip mall in New Jersey! Anyhoo, located in the middle of this parking lot is a small family graveyard. The cemetery is about 6 feet above ground and is shored up by a retaining wall. The weirdness continues when you consider that if the bodies are buried six feet down they would still be above ground.

Most people are familiar with the 1972 hit "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" by Looking Glass. The lyrics tell the story of a barmaid in a port town. She is courted by many sailors, but her heart belongs to only one man. Her true love is a sailor and his first love is the sea. She waits for him wearing a braided silver chain with a locket that bears his name. It has been suggested that the song was inspired by the real life story of Mary Ellis, whose grave resides in that very same cemetery. It’s a distinct possibility considering that Looking Glass is from New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Mary Ellis came to New Brunswick in the 1790's to stay with her younger sister. There she met and fell in love with a man who was a sea captain, and former Revolutionary War officer. The Captain sailed down the Raritan and out to sea one day, vowing that when he returned he and Mary would be wed. He even left her his beloved horse to look after in his absence.

Every day thereafter, Mary would ride his horse from her sister's house to the banks of the river to eagerly await a glimpse of her lover's returning ship.

Over nearly 15 years after her beloved had sailed off into the sunset, Mary purchased a parcel of farmland overlooking the river from which she would maintain her daily vigil. Mary died there fourteen years later in 1827, still faithfully anticipating her captain's return. She was buried on the property, along with her sister, some other family members, and according to local lore, the captain's horse.

The property eventually fell into ruin but the little cemetery was maintained by her descendents from time to time but it was often so overgrown that one could park right next to the grave without even realizing that there were graves nearby.

Eventually, the site was redeveloped and the retaining wall was built.

Hubby took me to see the graveyard and it is surely something odd to see. But cool in a bizarre kind of way.