William Penn Annex East in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Christ Church Burial Ground
1719
Christ Church Burial Ground is most famous as the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin, a man who captured the spirit of his age and of the city. Franklin's genius touched nearly every aspect of Philadelphia's life and produced many achievements. Franklin had an international reputation as a scientist because of his pioneering study of electricity.
He used his fame abroad and his diplomatic skills to negotiate the Alliance with France in 1778 and the Peace with Britain in 1783, achievements as important to the cause of American independence as any battle.
Christ Church Burial Ground contains the graves of some of America's greatest patriots, including five signers of the Declaration of Independence: Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), Francis Hopkinson (1737-1791), Dr. Benjamin Rush (1746-1813), George Ross (1730-1779) and Joseph Hewes (1730-1779). The burial ground has been in use continuously since 1719, when the Vestry of Christ Church purchased this site because there was no room in the churchyard for interments and the land near the church was too marshy.
Other notables interred in Christ Church Burial Ground: Commodore William Bainbridge (1774-1833), the hero of the War of 1812; Thomas Willing (1731-1821), president of the First Bank of the United States; John Dunlap (d. 1812), printer of the first broadside of the Declaration of Independence; Captain William Budden (d. 1766), who brought the Liberty Bell and Christ Church bells to America; Philip Syng (1703-1789), silversmith who fashioned the inkstand used by the signers of the Declaration of Independence; and Michael Hillegas (1729-1804), the first Treasurer of the United States.
Erected by Old Philadelphia Congregations.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Signers of the Declaration of Independence series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1778.
Location. 39° 57.149′ N, 75° 8.896′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in William Penn Annex East. Marker is at the intersection of Arch Street and 5th Street on Arch Street. Marker is on the southeast corner of Arch & 4th Streets. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 247 5th St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Chronology of Benjamin Franklin (here, next to this marker); The Last Resting Place of Benjamin Franklin (here, next to this marker); Benjamin Franklin (here, next to this marker); Sarah Franklin Bache (here, next to this marker); Benjamin Franklin Epitaph (here, next to this marker); Revolutionary War Patriots (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Christ Church Burial Ground (here, next to this marker); Signers of the Declaration of Independence (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Christ Church & Burial Ground markers.
Also see . . . Joseph Hewes Biography. A good biography of Joseph Hewes - Signer of the Declaration of Independence from North Carolina. (Submitted on September 26, 2008, by Michael of Des Moines, Iowa.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,595 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 2, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on July 19, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 3. submitted on August 2, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 17, 2018.