Christ Church Burial Ground facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Christ Church Burial Ground
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Benjamin Franklin's grave.
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 Location in Philadelphia
Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 5th and Arch Sts. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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| NRHP reference No. | 71000062 |
| Added to NRHP | June 24, 1971 |
The Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia is a very old and important cemetery. It's a special place where many famous people from early American history are buried. The most well-known person resting here is Benjamin Franklin. He was a famous inventor, writer, and one of America's Founding Fathers. His wife, Deborah, is also buried beside him.
This cemetery is also the final home for four other people who signed the Declaration of Independence. These important figures helped create the United States. They are Benjamin Rush, Francis Hopkinson, Joseph Hewes, and George Ross. Two more signers, James Wilson and Robert Morris, are buried nearby at Christ Church.
The burial ground belongs to Christ Church. This church was founded way back in 1695. Many famous people from the Revolutionary War, like George Washington, attended services there. The cemetery is located at 5th and Arch Streets in Philadelphia. It started in 1719 and is still used today.
You can visit the Christ Church Burial Ground for a small fee. About 100,000 tourists come each year to see this historic spot. Even when the cemetery is closed, you can still see Benjamin Franklin's grave. There are special iron rails at the corner of 5th and Arch Streets. These rails were added in 1858 so people could easily view his grave from the sidewalk. It's a fun tradition in Philadelphia to leave pennies on Franklin's grave!
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Who Else Is Buried Here?
Besides Benjamin Franklin and the Declaration signers, many other interesting people are buried at Christ Church Burial Ground. Here are a few of them:
Important Leaders and Thinkers
- John Andrews, D.D. (1746-1813): He was the fourth leader of the University of Pennsylvania.
- Michael Hillegas (1729–1804): He was the very first Treasurer of the United States. Think of him as the first person in charge of the country's money!
- William M. Meredith (1799–1873): He served as the Secretary of the Treasury, another important financial role for the country.
- Charles Willing (1710–1754): He was the mayor of Philadelphia three times.
Military Heroes
- Commodore William Bainbridge (1774–1833): A brave naval hero from the War of 1812. He was the captain of the famous ship "Old Ironsides."
- Major General George Cadwalader (1806–1879): A general who fought in the American Civil War.
- Commodore Thomas Truxtun: He commanded the ship Constellation.
Scientists and Innovators
- Thomas Bond (1713–1784): He helped start the Pennsylvania Hospital, one of the first hospitals in America.
- Lewis Evans (c.1700–1756): A cartographer and surveyor. He made maps and measured land.
- Charles Mason (1728–1786): An astronomer and surveyor. He helped draw the famous Mason–Dixon line in 1763.
- Philip Syng Physick (1768–1837): He is known as the "Father of Modern Surgery" because of his important work in medicine.
- Philip Syng (1703–1789): A silversmith who created the Syng inkstand. He also helped Benjamin Franklin start several organizations.
Other Notable People
- Benjamin Franklin Bache (1769–1798): Benjamin Franklin's grandson. He was a printer and published a newspaper called the Aurora.
- Sarah Franklin Bache (1743–1808): Benjamin Franklin's daughter.
- John Dunlap (1747–1812): He was the printer who first printed the Declaration of Independence.
- Matthew Pratt (1734–1805): An American portrait painter from the Colonial Era.
- Annis Boudinot Stockton (1736–1801): A poet from early American history.
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Benjamin Rush's grave.
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The grave of John Taylor (right), a long-time grave digger at the cemetery.
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Edwin De Haven headstone
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Commodore Bainbridge's tombstone
