Christ Church Burial Ground Sign
History
In 1719 Christ Church purchased two acres of land on the outskirts of town at the corner of 5th and Arch streets. The burial ground became the final resting place for over 4000 members of Christ Church including five signers of the Declaration of Independence: Benjamin Franklin, Joseph Hewes, Francis Hopkinson, George Ross, and Dr. Benjamin Rush. Also buried on these historic and sacred grounds are many of our nations early founders and leaders, prominent lawyers, medical pioneers, military heroes, victims of the Yellow Fever epidemic, and members of the Church from the colonial era up into the last decade.
When Benjamin Franklin died in 1790 he was buried in his family plot in the north west corner of the burial ground along with his wife Deborah and their two children Francis and Sarah. In 1858 Franklin's descendants requested that an opening be placed in the brick wall so the public could see Ben's grave day or night, and a metal fence was installed. After the opening in the wall it was much easier for Franklin's many fans to show their respect and remembrance of him by tossing a penny onto his grave. "A penny saved is a Penny earned."
In 1864, the warden of Christ Church, Edward Lyon Clark compiled a book of all the inscriptions that were still visible on the already fading existing soft marble markers. Today only 1,300 markers remain and plaques have been placed in front of some of the gravestones that contain the words that once appeared on the now blank headstones.
www.christchurchphila.org/Historic_Christ_Church/Burial_G...
Christ Church Burial Ground Sign
History
In 1719 Christ Church purchased two acres of land on the outskirts of town at the corner of 5th and Arch streets. The burial ground became the final resting place for over 4000 members of Christ Church including five signers of the Declaration of Independence: Benjamin Franklin, Joseph Hewes, Francis Hopkinson, George Ross, and Dr. Benjamin Rush. Also buried on these historic and sacred grounds are many of our nations early founders and leaders, prominent lawyers, medical pioneers, military heroes, victims of the Yellow Fever epidemic, and members of the Church from the colonial era up into the last decade.
When Benjamin Franklin died in 1790 he was buried in his family plot in the north west corner of the burial ground along with his wife Deborah and their two children Francis and Sarah. In 1858 Franklin's descendants requested that an opening be placed in the brick wall so the public could see Ben's grave day or night, and a metal fence was installed. After the opening in the wall it was much easier for Franklin's many fans to show their respect and remembrance of him by tossing a penny onto his grave. "A penny saved is a Penny earned."
In 1864, the warden of Christ Church, Edward Lyon Clark compiled a book of all the inscriptions that were still visible on the already fading existing soft marble markers. Today only 1,300 markers remain and plaques have been placed in front of some of the gravestones that contain the words that once appeared on the now blank headstones.
www.christchurchphila.org/Historic_Christ_Church/Burial_G...