Lafayette Ghost Walk reveals history

LAFAYETTE — As the October Hunter moon positioned over the hills of Lafayette on Oct. 15, streams of visitors ventured into the Lafayette Cemetery on present day Route 15, historically known as Union Turnpike.
The event was sponsored by the Lafayette Preservation Foundation for a second consecutive year. Costumed docents led groups with lanterns through the sloping graveyard spinning tales about those residents who inhabited Lafayette in times past. The spooky atmosphere satisfied both those searching for pre-Halloween chills and those interested in the historical side of the community.
Foundation President Joan Smith referenced the town’s name sake the Marquis de Lafayette saying, “The Marquis never actually visited the area but because of his involvement and loyalty to America’s Revolutionary War, the New Jersey town of Lafayette’s claim to fame was being the first town in the country to be named for the Marquis.”
A storytelling couple situated at Garrett Van Blarcom’s grave entranced the groups with their banter of Van Blarcom not only being a farmer but a coffin maker. According to the the costumed couple, sometimes people were “accidently” buried alive. Bells were placed with the newly buried. A grave watcher worked the graveyard shift, just in case someone needed to be saved by the bell.
Eek, what nightmares are made of!!
After cemetery visitors experienced the four story areas, they were encouraged to read the many sandstone and fieldstones tombstones. The cemetery was dedicated in 1828, however, the oldest burial belongs to military officer Cats barber in 1793. Also 41 members of the Ackerson family are known to be buried in the Lafayette Cemetery.
The Lafayette Fire Department maintained the safety of all visitors and controlled the flow of Route 15 traffic. Takacs Chiropractic donated festive cider and cookies enjoyed by visitors around a campfire and haunting live music was performed by Mike Osborne.
The costumed docents thanked leaving visitors and spookily reminded them to “count their party members and not take any home any paranormal hitchhikers.”