Visiting Historical Graveyards

Visiting historical graveyards can be enlightening and a bit creepy, but it is well worth the trip. Many times, there is no home or memorial left of a significant individual, so this is the only way to honor them, but at the same time, we can learn about regular, everyday Americans (some may even be your ancestors) who lived and experienced life in different ways.

The cemeteries in Massachusetts are a prime example of this. For example, Granary Burying Ground in Boston is the final resting place of many famous American patriots, such as John Hancock, Paul Revere, and Robert Treat Paine, but it is also the final resting place of those who suffered from plagues, fires, or anything else that would cause their demise. What is interesting about the various gravestones is the detail put into them. Some have intricate designs, heartfelt messages, or are elaborately carved to honor the individual. This can tell you how special a person was, how wealthy they were, or how important they were to the local community.

John Hancock's Grave

Paul Revere's Grave

And then there are simplistic graves that give us just enough information to determine what our ancestors did with their lives. I was able to find the headstone of my 4x great-grandfather, who fought in the American Revolution as a Captain for a Virginia Regiment and was buried in Elkin, North Carolina. While I still need to visit this grave site, I learned a lot about my family history just seeing this online.

I mentioned that visiting graveyards can feel a bit creepy for some, and it does depend on the graveyard. When I visited Monticello with my younger daughter several years ago, we walked past the Jefferson cemetery. I must say that it really felt like all of the deceased Jeffersons were in there having some sort of garden party and just watching the visitors as they passed by. Gettysburg is another place that gives me the same feeling of being watched, even though it was not the actual cemetery I visited, but the battlefield. That being said, both spots are well worth the trip because of the vast amount of information that can be learned and passed on to the next generation.

Never underestimate the easiest and least expensive means of learning history. Visiting graveyards is one way to do something cost-effective, pay homage to great men and women, and learn about your own family history, as well as see how people paid homage to their beloved dead in years past. While it can be a bit creepy, it is well worth the visits.

Fun Fact - the Jefferson Cemetery sits on the grounds of Monticello, but is still owned by the Jefferson family via the Monticello Association. Only direct descendants of Thomas Jefferson are buried there. There are a few exceptions, like Jefferson's best friend Dabney Carr.