Christ Church Burial Ground
Encyclopedia
Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
is an important early-American cemetery. It is the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin
and his wife, Deborah. Four other signers of the Declaration of Independence
are buried here, Dr. Benjamin Rush, Francis Hopkinson
, Joseph Hewes
and George Ross
. Two more signers are buried at Christ Church
just a few blocks away.
The cemetery belongs to Christ Church
, the Anglican church founded in 1695 and place of worship for many of the famous Revolutionary War participants, including George Washington
. The burial ground is located at 5th and Arch Streets, across from the Visitors Center and National Constitution Center
. The Burial Ground was started in 1719, and it is still an active graveyard. 100,000 tourists visit each year, many leaving pennies on Franklin's grave. The cemetery is open to the public for a small fee, weather permitting. Once closed, one can still view Benjamin Franklin's gravesite through iron rails. The iron rails in the brick wall were added for public viewing at the request of Franklin's descendants in 1858.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
is an important early-American cemetery. It is the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
and his wife, Deborah. Four other signers of the Declaration of Independence
Declaration of independence
A declaration of independence is an assertion of the independence of an aspiring state or states. Such places are usually declared from part or all of the territory of another nation or failed nation, or are breakaway territories from within the larger state...
are buried here, Dr. Benjamin Rush, Francis Hopkinson
Francis Hopkinson
Francis Hopkinson , an American author, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence as a delegate from New Jersey. He later served as a federal judge in Pennsylvania...
, Joseph Hewes
Joseph Hewes
Joseph Hewes was a native of Princeton, New Jersey, where he was born in 1730. Hewes’s parents were part of the Quaker Society of Friends. Immediately after their marriage they moved to New Jersey, which became Joseph Hewes’s home state. Hewes was formally educated at Princeton and after...
and George Ross
George Ross (delegate)
George Ross was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Pennsylvania.He was born in New Castle, Delaware, and educated at home. He studied law at his brother John's law office, the common practice in those days, and was admitted to the bar in Philadelphia...
. Two more signers are buried at Christ Church
Christ Church, Philadelphia
Christ Church is an Episcopal church located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1695 by members of the Church of England, who built a small wooden church on the site by the next year. When the congregation outgrew this structure some twenty years later, they decided to erect a new...
just a few blocks away.
The cemetery belongs to Christ Church
Christ Church, Philadelphia
Christ Church is an Episcopal church located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1695 by members of the Church of England, who built a small wooden church on the site by the next year. When the congregation outgrew this structure some twenty years later, they decided to erect a new...
, the Anglican church founded in 1695 and place of worship for many of the famous Revolutionary War participants, including George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
. The burial ground is located at 5th and Arch Streets, across from the Visitors Center and National Constitution Center
National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center is an organization that seeks to expand awareness and understanding of the United States Constitution and operates a museum to advance those purposes....
. The Burial Ground was started in 1719, and it is still an active graveyard. 100,000 tourists visit each year, many leaving pennies on Franklin's grave. The cemetery is open to the public for a small fee, weather permitting. Once closed, one can still view Benjamin Franklin's gravesite through iron rails. The iron rails in the brick wall were added for public viewing at the request of Franklin's descendants in 1858.
Burials
Other famous people buried at Christ Church Burial Ground are:- Michael Woolston AshMichael Woolston AshMichael Woolston Ash was a Jacksonian member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.Michael W. Ash was born in Philadelphia. He studied law, was admitted to the bar June 21, 1811, and commenced practice in Philadelphia...
(1789–1858), congressman - Samuel John AtleeSamuel John AtleeSamuel John Atlee was an American soldier and statesman from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress for Pennsylvania from 1778 to 1782.-Early life:...
(1739–1786), delegate to the Continental Congress - Benjamin Franklin BacheBenjamin Franklin Bache (Journalist)Benjamin Franklin Bache , son of Richard and Sarah Bache and the grandson of Benjamin Franklin, was an American journalist. He headed the openly Jeffersonian publication, the Philadelphia Aurora, which is notable for being some of the impulse behind the Alien and Sedition Acts...
(1769–1798), grandson of Benjamin Franklin, printer and publisher of the Aurora newspaper - Sarah Franklin BacheSarah Franklin BacheSarah Franklin “Sally” Bache was the daughter of Benjamin Franklin and Deborah Read.Known as "Sally" throughout her life, she was an ardent American patriot during the Revolutionary War through relief work and as her father's political hostess...
(1737–1811), daughter of Benjamin FranklinBenjamin FranklinDr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat... - Commodore William BainbridgeWilliam BainbridgeWilliam Bainbridge was a Commodore in the United States Navy, notable for his victory over HMS Java during the War of 1812.-Early life:...
(1774–1833), Naval hero of War of 1812War of 1812The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, captain of "Old IronsidesUSS ConstitutionUSS Constitution is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. Named by President George Washington after the Constitution of the United States of America, she is the world's oldest floating commissioned naval vessel...
" - Francis BiddleFrancis BiddleFrancis Beverley Biddle was an American lawyer and judge who was Attorney General of the United States during World War II and who served as the primary American judge during the postwar Nuremberg trials....
(1886–1968), United States Attorney General - James BiddleJames BiddleJames Biddle , of the Biddle family, brother of financier Nicholas Biddle and nephew of Captain Nicholas Biddle, was an American commodore. His flagship was USS Columbus.-Education and early career:...
, Commodore in the United States Navy - Dr. Thomas Bond (1713–1784), co-founder of Pennsylvania HospitalPennsylvania HospitalPennsylvania Hospital is a hospital in Center City, Philadelphia, affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania Health System . Founded on May 11, 1751 by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Bond, it was the first hospital in the United States...
- Major General George CadwaladerGeorge CadwaladerGeorge Cadwalader was a general in the United States Army during the Mexican-American War and American Civil War.-Biography:He was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, studied law, and was admitted to the bar...
(1806–1879), Civil War general - John Cadwalader (1805–1879), congressman and judge
- Matthew ClarksonMatthew Clarkson (mayor)Matthew Clarkson was the mayor of Philadelphia from 1792 to 1796. He was elected to the Confederation Congress in 1785, but did not attend....
(1733–1800), mayor of Philadelphia - Joseph ClayJoseph ClayJoseph Clay was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.Joseph Clay was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Congresses, and served until his resignation after March 28, 1808. He was also...
(1769–1811), United States Congressman - Tench CoxeTench CoxeTench Coxe was an American political economist and a delegate for Pennsylvania to the Continental Congress in 1788-1789. He wrote under the pseudonym "A Pennsylvanian".-Biography:...
(1755–1824), Continental Congressman - John DunlapJohn DunlapJohn Dunlap was the printer of the first copies of the Declaration of Independence and one of the most successful American printers of his era.-Biography:...
(1747–1812), printer of the Declaration of Independence - Lewis EvansLewis Evans (surveyor)Lewis Evans , was a Welsh surveyor and geographer, working principally in British America.Lewis Evans was born in Caernarfonshire, Wales...
(c.1700-1756), cartographer and surveyor - Tench Francis, Jr.
- David FranksDavid FranksDavid Salisbury Franks was aide-de-camp for General Benedict Arnold during the American War of Independence.He was living in Quebec with his parents when the American Revolution broke out...
(1740–1793), aide-de-camp for General Benedict ArnoldBenedict ArnoldBenedict Arnold V was a general during the American Revolutionary War. He began the war in the Continental Army but later defected to the British Army. While a general on the American side, he obtained command of the fort at West Point, New York, and plotted to surrender it to the British forces...
during the American War of Independence - Samuel HardySamuel HardySamuel Hardy was an American lawyer and statesman from Virginia, who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress....
(1758–1785), Continental Congressman - Michael HillegasMichael HillegasMichael Hillegas was the first Treasurer of the United States.-Biography:Hillegas was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Margaret Schiebenstock and George Michael Hillegass , an immigrant from Germany and a well-to-do merchant involved in iron and sugar...
(1729–1804), first Treasurer of the United StatesTreasurer of the United StatesThe Treasurer of the United States is an official in the United States Department of the Treasury that was originally charged with the receipt and custody of government funds, though many of these functions have been taken over by different bureaus of the Department of the Treasury... - Thomas HopkinsonThomas HopkinsonThomas Hopkinson was a lawyer, public official, and prominent figure in colonial Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
(1709–1751), father of Francis HopkinsonFrancis HopkinsonFrancis Hopkinson , an American author, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence as a delegate from New Jersey. He later served as a federal judge in Pennsylvania...
, president of the Philosophical Society, one of the founders of the Library Company - John InskeepJohn InskeepJohn Inskeep was a mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, serving twice, from 1800 to 1801 and from 1805 to 1806.He was born on his family's homestead near Marlton, New Jersey....
(1757–1834), mayor of Philadelphia - Major William JacksonWilliam Jackson (secretary)William Jackson was a figure in the American Revolution, most noteworthy as the secretary to the United States Constitutional Convention. He also served with distinction in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War...
(1759–1828), Revolutionary War officer, secretary of the Constitutional ConventionPhiladelphia ConventionThe Constitutional Convention took place from May 14 to September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to address problems in governing the United States of America, which had been operating under the Articles of Confederation following independence from... - Thomas LawrenceThomas Lawrence (mayor)Thomas Lawrence was a merchant and a mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Born in New York City, he came around 1720 to Philadelphia, where, for the rest of his life, Lawrence was engaged in the mercantile business...
, five-time mayor of Philadelphia - Charles MasonCharles MasonCharles Mason was an English astronomer who made significant contributions to 18th-century science and American history, particularly through his involvement with the survey of the Mason-Dixon line, which came to mark the division between the northern and southern United States...
(1728–1786), astronomer, surveyor, laid out the Mason-Dixon Line in 1763 - George A. McCallGeorge A. McCallGeorge Archibald McCall was a United States Army officer who became a brigadier general and prisoner of war during the American Civil War. He was also a naturalist.-Biography:...
(1802–1868), United States Army brigadier general and prisoner of war during the American Civil War - William M. MeredithWilliam M. MeredithWilliam Morris Meredith was an American lawyer and politician.Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1812...
(1799–1873), Secretary of the Treasury - Dr. Philip Syng PhysickPhilip Syng PhysickPhilip Syng Physick was an American physician born in Philadelphia.-Biography:Physick graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1785, then began the study of medicine under Dr. Adam Kuhn, and continued it in London under Dr. John Hunter, becoming, on January 1, 1790, house surgeon of St....
(1768–1837), known as the "Father of Modern Surgery" - Elizabeth and Samuel PowelSamuel PowelSamuel Powel was a colonial and post-colonial mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and graduated in 1759 from the College of Philadelphia . He served as mayor from 1775–1776 and 1789–1790, the office having lain vacant in the interim...
- Annis Boudinot StocktonAnnis Boudinot StocktonAnnis Boudinot Stockton was an American poet.Stockton was born in Darby, Pennsylvania, to Elias Boudinot, merchant and silversmith, and Catherine Williams. Annis was also known as the Duchess of Morven—their estate in Princeton, New Jersey was named Morven, after the legendary Scottish King...
(1736–1801), poet - Philip SyngPhilip SyngPhilip Syng was, like his namesake father, a renowned silversmith who created fine works in silver and sometimes gold for the rich families of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He also created the Syng inkstand, which was used to sign the United States Declaration of Independence.He was a member of...
(1703–1789), silversmith and inventor with Benjamin Franklin - Henry TazewellHenry TazewellHenry Tazewell was an American politician who was instrumental in the early government of the U.S. state of Virginia. He was born in Brunswick County, Virginia. He served as the President pro tempore of the United States Senate in 1795.He was the father of Littleton Tazewell...
(1753–1799), U.S. Senator - Commodore Thomas TruxtunThomas TruxtunThomas Truxtun was an American naval officer who rose to the rank of commodore.Born near Hempstead, New York on Long Island, Truxtun had little formal education before joining the crew of the British merchant ship Pitt at the age of twelve...
, commander of the ConstellationUSS Constellation (1797)USS Constellation was a 38-gun frigate, one of the six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. She was distinguished as the first U.S. Navy vessel to put to sea and the first U.S. Navy vessel to engage and defeat an enemy vessel... - William TuckeyWilliam TuckeyWilliam Tuckey was an American composer, who exerted important influence on the musical life of the Colonial United States. He was one of the first American composers to gain notability, and was also a choir master and organist...
(1708–1781), composer