Deep within the Georgetown neighborhood a story whispers from the past. This is the story of Presbyterian Burying Ground now known as Brown Cemetery.
Imagine yourself transported back to the early 1800s. Georgetown was a bustling port city distinct from Washington D.C. It had its own identity and prominent families. In 1802, the Georgetown Presbyterian Church established a new burial ground. This Presbyterian Burying Ground was meant to serve its growing congregation.
Dr. Charles Beatty donated the land for this sacred space. He stipulated it be used for a church or cemetery. The act ensured its purpose could not be easily altered.
The Presbyterian Burying Ground quickly became a popular choice. Interments began almost immediately. The cemetery offered low prices for burial plots. This made it accessible to many Georgetown residents.
The cemetery’s layout was simple. Gravel paths lined with fir trees bisected the grounds. Black locust trees were planted throughout. A high wooden fence kept out vandals. A church was erected in 1855 on the east side of the Presbyterian Burying Ground. It served as Georgetown Presbyterian Church’s primary place of worship.
The Presbyterian Burying Ground wasn’t just for the wealthy. It became the primary cemetery for all Georgetown residents. Many middle-class families built vaults for their loved ones. These vaults were often brick-lined and covered with marble.
The Presbyterian Burying Ground was considered beautiful. The Washington Post described it as “one of the prettiest to be found anywhere”. It rivaled Oak Hill and Glenwood in beauty and social standing.
However, the Presbyterian Burying Ground’s popularity waned over time. The establishment of Congressional Cemetery in 1807 drew attention away. It was larger and could accommodate grander monuments. By 1847, weeds and shrubs had overtaken the Presbyterian Burying Ground.
A fire in 1831 destroyed many cemetery burial records. Another blow came with the opening of Oak Hill Cemetery in 1848. Oak Hill was beautifully landscaped. It attracted many families who disinterred loved ones from Presbyterian Burying Ground.
The cemetery faced challenges from the surrounding neighborhood. By 1891, it was surrounded by homes leased by poor African Americans. Crime and vandalism were common.
In 1891, the trustees agreed to close the Presbyterian Burying Ground. The church lacked funds for upkeep. They planned to revoke burial permits. Families were asked to remove their loved ones’ remains.
Disinterments began. Many bodies were reburied at Oak Hill Cemetery. Winter weather delayed the process. The abandoned cemetery became a tourist destination.
The Presbyterian Burying Ground deteriorated significantly. Weeds and bushes grew thick. Graves were left open. The area reeked of decomposition.
In 1895, Georgetown Presbyterian Church abandoned upkeep. Looters ripped down mausoleums for bricks. Human remains were found during water pipe construction.
After years of neglect, the District of Columbia purchased the Presbyterian Burying Ground in 1909. They built Volta Park there. However, nearly 2000 bodies remained buried at the site.
Even today, occasional human remains and tombstones are discovered at Volta Park which was Brown Cemetery. The story of Presbyterian Burying Ground serves as a reminder of Georgetown’s past. It is a story of community change, neglect, and rediscovery. It is a place of rest for those who helped shape the area.