Finn's Point National Cemetery

Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026

History of Finn's Point National Cemetery

Finn's Point National Cemetery is located about six miles northwest of Salem, NJ, at the north end of what was Fort Mott Military Reservation. Today, the picturesque cemetery is entirely surrounded by the Killchohook National Wildlife Refuge and is adjacent to Fort Mott State Park. Originally, the United States purchased the land for the construction of the Finn's Point Battery to protect the Port of Philadelphia. By 1863, however, the grounds increasingly served as a burial site for Confederate prisoners of war who died while imprisoned at Fort Delaware.

Fort Delaware was on Pea Patch Island in the Delaware River, one mile east of Delaware City. The island was named after a colonial-era tale that a boat loaded with peas ran aground on a river shoal, and the peas sprouted in the sandy loam. In 1847, Congress appropriated $1 million to construct the largest modern coastal defense fort in the nation here, surpassing Fort Sumter in size, to protect the ports of Wilmington, DE, and Philadelphia. In April 1862, Fort Delaware received its first POWs — 358 Confederate soldiers from the Battle of Kernstown, VA. By January 1866 when the prison closed, approximately 22,773 men occupied the fort, including soldiers, officers and other prisoners.

An estimated 2,502 men died while imprisoned at Fort Delaware. Even prior to its designation as a national cemetery, the remains of POWs were transported to Finn's Point across the river for burial. When weather or ice made trips to the mainland hazardous, it was necessary to bury the bodies on Pea Patch Island. On May 12, 1875, Virginia Gov. James L. Kemper wrote to the secretary of war concerning the neglected Confederate graves on Pea Patch Island. In response, Gen. E.D. Townsend advised the governor that Finn's Point would be made a national cemetery and the remains of soldiers—both Union and Confederate — would be reinterred there. Finn's Point was official declared a national cemetery October 3, 1875.

Today, the small cemetery is nearly surrounded by tidal marshes and tall grass that encroach the stone enclosure walls. The Meigs lodge is a particularly elegant construction of stone with contrasting quoins and other architectural details. Finn's Point National Cemetery was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Monuments and Memorials The Union Monument was installed in 1879 in memory of 135 Union guards who died while on duty at Fort Delaware and who were interred at the cemetery.

The Confederate Monument was erected by the U.S. government in 1910 to memorialize Confederate soldiers buried at the cemetery. The 85-foot tall concrete and granite obelisk features bronze tablets listing the names of 2,436 Confederate prisoners of war who died at Fort Delaware during the Civil War.

Notable interments

Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Finn's Point National Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.

Eligibility for burial at Finn's Point National Cemetery

Planning ahead for a Veteran's or loved-one's final resting place can eliminate unnecessary delays and reduce stress on a family at a difficult time.

Request eligibility status for:

Veteran or servicemember Spouse Dependent family member Apply online »

Burial in a VA national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

Directions

Take New Jersey Turnpike or Route 295, last exit south or first exit north towards Delaware Memorial Bridge, Route 49 Pennsville, NJ, approximately four miles to intersection of Ft. Mott Road, enter through Ft. Mott State Park.

Floral and grounds policy

Our floral and grounds policy exists to reflect the honor and respect we hold for our Nation's Veterans, by preserving the dignity and solemnity of their final resting place.

These items are welcome:

Weapons policy

VA regulations 38 CFR 1.218 prohibit the carrying of firearms (either openly or concealed), explosives or other dangerous or deadly weapons while on VA property, except for official purposes, such as military funeral honors.

Possession of firearms on any property under the charge and control of VA is prohibited. Offenders may be subject to a fine, removal from the premises, or arrest.

Education and visiting programs

More than half of VA's national cemeteries originated with the Civil War and many are closed to some burials. Other sites were established to serve World War veterans and they continue to expand. Historic themes related with NCA's cemeteries and soldiers' lots vary, but visitors should understand "Why is it here?" NCA began by installing interpretive signs, or waysides, at more than 100 properties to observe the Civil War Sesquicentennial (2011–2015). Please follow the links below to see the interpretive signs for Finn's Point National Cemetery.

A National Cemetery System Finn's Point National Cemetery Confederate Burials in the National Cemetery - The Fort Delaware Prison Visit the Veterans Legacy Program and NCA History Program for additional information. Thank you for your interest.

Nearest cemeteries

The three closest veteran cemeteries to Finn's Point National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):

• Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery - New Castle County — Bear, DE (11 mi · open)
• Mount Moriah Cemetery Naval Plot — Philadelphia, PA (28 mi · closed)
• Mount Moriah Cemetery Soldiers' Lot — Philadelphia, PA (28 mi · closed)

Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes

The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Finn's Point National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.