Old City in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
You're Standing on a Burial Ground
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 19, 2022
1. You're Standing on a Burial Ground Marker
In 1701, William Penn formally deeded this land to the Quakers "for a burying place." However, surviving documents show Quaker burial records as far back as 1687. Arch Street's burial grounds were initially organized by family and community. As the grounds grew fuller, the Quakers began burying the deceased in chronological rows. The final recorded burial was in 1872. It is impossible to determine the exact number of people buried on the property. Conservative estimates start at 13,000 and reach as high as 20,000.
William Penn's Deed
This land served as Pennsylvania's first official burial ground, established in 1701.
Erected by Arch Street Meeting House.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Quakerism series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1701.
Location. 39° 57.123′ N, 75° 8.79′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Old City. It can be reached from Arch Street just east of North 4th Street, on the
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: What Happened to the Headstones? (a few steps from this marker); About the Meeting House / A Master Builder / Arch Street Meeting House (a few steps from this marker); The Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 (a few steps from this marker); Arch Street Meeting House (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Arch Street Meeting House (within shouting distance of this marker); Philadelphia Conference (within shouting distance of this marker); Sarah Mapps Douglass / Quakers & Social Justice / Arch Street Meeting House
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 19, 2022
2. You're Standing on a Burial Ground Marker
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 4, 2025
3. Grave stone on the grounds of the Arch Street Meeting House
Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 340 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 21, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on April 6, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
