The Ringing of the Bell

Upon the death of James P Allaire’s first wife, Frances Allaire, the chapel bell was rung in remembrance of her. It was the custom in the early 19th century to announce to the town or village that a person had passed. In the case of Frances, the bell will toll 7 times to indicate a woman had passed and 51 for her age. This is why the chapel bell rings 58 times today.

Clocks

Clocks were stopped upon the death of the deceased in the household. This was thought to prevent bad luck for the living.

Looking Glasses (Mirrors)

Mirrors were either covered with white or black crepe. The reasons for this custom are so the next to look in the mirror would not die and that it was also feared that if they were left uncovered, the face of the dead might be seen in them.

Hair Wreaths and Rings

Locks of hair were popular tokens of remembrance. Hair suggested permanence because it did not decay. They would make hair wreaths that would be displayed in the parlor or hair rings and other types of jewelry.

Funeral Meal

Prior to the 1830s families would have elaborate funeral meals. Some families would even go into debt trying to feed the whole town. In the 1830s funeral meals were very simple, offering tea, bread, or cake to all.

Flowers and Herbs

Sending flowers originated in the 19th century to disguise the odor of the dead. Rosemary and tansy would also be in the house to disguise the odor of death. The leaves of both would be put in the casket to ward off danger.

Ribbons and Armbands

Women wore black ribbons on their clothing and men wore black armbands. Widowed men usually wore armbands for a few months to a year.

Mourning Periods

Spouse: 1-2 ½ years
Parent or Child (10yrs or older): 6 months to 1 year
Children under 10yrs: 3-6 months
Sibling: 6-8 months
Infants: 6 weeks or more

THE REV. THOMAS TANSER

The Rev. Thomas Tanser was an Englishman by birth. As a young man he became a Methodist missionary and when he came to this country he preached in the Methodist Church. He was ordained a deacon in the Episcopal Church by Bishop Doane in 1835 and priest in 1837. All of his ministry was as a missionary, first at Howell Works and St. Peter's, Freehold from 1835 - 36, then for a year (1837-38) at St. Peter's, Spotswood, and then from 1838-1845 at St. George's (Salem), Penn's Neck (Pennsville), St. Stephen's, Mullica Hill and St. Thomas, Glassboro. The Rev. Thomas Tanser died while serving the congregation of St. Stephens in Mullica Hill on April 14, 1845.There is some evidence that suggests that the Reverend inhabited the third row house, currently part of the Allaire Village Inc. office, while he resided at the Howell Iron Works in 1836.