What is History, according to the dictionary History is 1. The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, and 2. The whole series of past events connected with someone or something.
So let's for the benefit of this post focus on the second definition, the one that states the whole series of past events connected with someone or something. History is everywhere, from our own homes and family trees to our local museums. But what about cemeteries, burial grounds and church graveyards, those are big centers of history, after all they are the final resting places of the someone!
Let me tell you a story, in the center of the city of Trenton, New Jersey in a area that is falling apart with abandoned buildings and a high crime rate is the Friends Burying Ground, located behind the historic Friends Meeting House. In this small graveyard is a very simple marble and bronze marker erected in 1937 on the final resting place of George Clymer, a single small Stars and Stripes flutters above.
Who was George Clymer and why is he so important you may ask, not many people really know George, after all he died in 1813, and before 1937 his resting spot was not even properly marked. However, George is a very important man, he is a member of a very important group known as the Founding Fathers of the United States! Now everyone has heard of the Founding Fathers, but old George actually got the rough end of the stick, not as famous as Benjamin Franklin, or a future President like John Adams, George however, is a special man.
George Clymer is one of one six men who are part of a very special club, these men are the only men to sign both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, not even John Adams and Benjamin Franklin are a member of this group.
The Friends Burying ground has other notable burials, Lambert Cadwalader another member of the Continental Congress rests here, Richard Howell, the 3rd Governor of New Jersey is also here and Philemon Dickinson a Major General in the New Jersey Militia and U.S. Senator also calls this place home, and this is just one small cemetery in Trenton.
So what about the other fifty five men who signed the Declaration of Independence, or the thirty eight men who signed the Constitution, where are they buried and what are their stories?
For the longest time, I have loved history. My Dad gave me a book to read once, I still remember it, it was 'When the Lion Feeds' by Wilbur Smith. This book is set in South Africa during the Zulu Wars, and I remember devouring all his books, I couldn't get enough, I read up on the Zulu Wars, the Boer War and other South African history. I moved onto other books, and have not stopped since! When I moved with my wife to New Jersey, I started reading about the Revolutionary War (after all a lot of big battles happened right here). I started visiting locations of the battles, historic homes and of course cemeteries, I could not get enough and I know I am not the only one who loves this stuff and so the idea for Tomb Tours was born!
Ok, so enough for now, we have plenty of time to talk. I will post again really soon, until then follow us on Twitter @tombtours, like our Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/tombtours and if you have any questions comments or concerns please email us at tombtours@gmail.com.
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