Look closely at these stones for they guard stories of Philadelphia’s early Catholics. This is Saint Mary’s Cemetery. It is a place where famous patriots and ordinary people rest side by side.
Saint Mary’s Cemetery opened in 1759. It became the burial ground for Catholics. Before this cemetery, Catholics were buried near Old St. Joseph Church or in the public burial ground at Washington Square.
The first burial here was a baby. Ann White was the great-granddaughter of a Supreme Court Chief Justice. Later, the cemetery grew. In the late 1700s, the German congregation of Holy Trinity bought land from Saint Mary’s. This was specifically for their members’ burials.
Let me tell you about some notable people buried here at Saint Mary’s Cemetery. Commodore John Barry rests here. He was the Father of the American Navy. Thomas Fitzsimons is also here. He signed the Constitution. Stephen Moylan was General Washington’s aide. General Philippe C. Ducoudray, a French hero, is here. He fought in the Revolution. Michael Bouvier, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’s great-great-grandfather, is buried here.
Saint Mary’s Cemetery holds more than just famous names. Many ordinary Catholics are here. One story I find particularly moving is that of Katrina. She was a poor servant from Lancaster. Katrina moved to Philadelphia. She sought the ministry of Father Ferdinand Farmer. During the yellow fever epidemic of 1793, she helped. She spread earth over the cemetery to protect against the fever. She wanted a free burial. She died after a fire. Katrina was buried here in Saint Mary’s, beneath the soil she helped spread.
Time has weathered many tombstones here at Saint Mary’s Cemetery. Some are now unreadable. In 1891, the American Catholic Historical Society documented the legible inscriptions. They wanted to preserve the written record.
The cemetery also contains remains of Philadelphians. George Meade, Michael Bouvier and James Campbell are here. You will also find children from St. Joseph’s Orphanage. They started the orphanage in 1797. Also, victims of the yellow fever plagues rest in Saint Mary’s Cemetery.
Saint Mary’s Cemetery reminds us of Philadelphia’s rich past. It connects us to those who shaped the city and nation. As you leave, remember the stories. Remember the famous and the ordinary. All rest together in this historic ground.