Pictured is the Route 434 Cemetery as it looks today, and located near the Johnson’s Pools Plaza in Owego. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
For some of us, the thought of visiting an old, rural cemetery conjures up insecure feelings, while just seeing creepy graveyard decorations on Halloween makes others shudder.
In Tioga County, the Route 434 Cemetery often goes unnoticed by everyday traffic, yet you can catch a quick glimpse of it upon exiting the Johnson’s Pools Plaza. Stopping by to visit the postage stamp sized cemetery isn’t that easy due to its uneven landscape and proximity to the road.
Known simply as the Route 434 Cemetery and located midway between the Court Street and Hiawatha bridges, the cemetery holds fond memories for Charles “Bill” Kennedy of Owego.
Charles “Bill” Kennedy of Owego, a World War II veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor, will celebrate his 96th birthday in November. He recently shared memories of the Route 434 Cemetery located in Owego. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
Kennedy will celebrate his 96th birthday in November. The World War II veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor grew up in Huntingdon, Pa. and relocated to Owego to work at IBM shortly after the war ended, and he’s lived here ever since.
Kennedy has regularly attended Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Pearl Harbor ceremonies in Owego, often seen transported in style by jeep during the Memorial Day parade. In a December 2016 story published in the Owego Pennysaver, Kennedy recounted his memories of the attack on Pearl Harbor for the 75th anniversary of the event.
At a recent interview at his home, Kennedy instead wanted to reminisce about his memories of the Route 434 Cemetery.
Kennedy recalled how the area looked without buildings and other development. “It was a beautiful open meadow,” Kennedy said, adding, “And I enjoyed picking blackberries there.”
Using his thumb and forefinger to demonstrate the size of the berries, he smiled and said, “The blackberries were huge.”
Kennedy remembers when he first found the cemetery. “It looked like it had been abandoned for quite a while,” he said, adding, “The stones were lying flat.”
Kennedy’s keen memory and quick wit is still with him. He shared, “I remember one day I found a rabbit hole right near the cemetery,” and when he decided to put his hand in the hole, he said, “It took my breath away!” He paused a moment and chuckled, “I was worried about finding a human hand in the ground.”
The cemetery was considered abandoned because there is no cemetery association to care for it. Today, it falls under the responsibility of the Town of Owego.
The Owego Pennysaver featured a story about the cemetery as part of the 1991 county bicentennial, which was written by Tioga County Historian, Emma Sedore. Sedore explained that she requested a fence be placed around the cemetery, which remains today. The fence was constructed in the Town’s Parks Department workshop and erected at the site at the time of the bicentennial. Sedore also credits Charles Cafferty and Warren Olin, both former historians, for their research of the individuals buried at the cemetery.
In a 1928 Owego Gazette article, of which Cafferty contributed, it was noted that the property was once part of farms owned by the Conners family, and going back generations was used as a community burial ground. A majority of the internments, according to the story, as well as Kennedy’s recollection, were removed to other cemeteries.
Two individuals left to rest at the Route 434 Cemetery include Susannah Holbrook, who lived to be 97 until her death in 1847, and her husband Reuben, a Revolutionary War veteran. According to the Owego Gazette story, it was believed Holbrook had settled as early as 1791 along the river above Hiawatha Island. Born in Worcester County, Mass. in 1754, Holbrook died in 1835.
Two children, Rosa and Daniel Porter, are also buried there, along with a young woman named Abigail Wilbur. On Daniel’s headstone, it is noted that he is not dead, he is just sleeping.
Today, a member of the American Legion places a flag on Memorial Day in honor of Reuben Holbrook. It is Bill’s wish that the Route 434 Cemetery continues to be maintained and that the history of the individuals buried there will be remembered for generations to come.
Reuben Holbrook was my 4th Great Grandfather. He was the son of Benjamin Holbrook and Abigail Benson. He was born in Mendon, MA. His first wife was Rachel Darling, daughter of Thomas and Rachel (White) Darling. Rachel died prior to 1818 as his Revolutionary War Pension Application dated April 9, 1818 lists Susanna as his wife. She is thought to be the widow of _______ Conklin. The Letters of Administration dated 24 Aug 1835 filed in Owego,Tioga County for estate of Reuben lists his children Abigail McKee wife of Leonard McKee, Anna Fairbanks wife of Samuel Fairbanks, Darling Holbrook and Abraham Conklin.