St. Paul's Graveyard Article, Chester, Delaware Co., Pennsylvania Contributed to the USGenWeb Archives by Cyndie Enfinger Copyright. All Rights Reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************* Chester Times Friday, April 25, 1902, Page 15 TALES TOLD BY THE OLD BURIAL PLACE Some of the Records of St. Paul's Graveyard. AT JOHN MORTON'S TOMB Story in Marble of the Man Who Gave the Casting Vote in the Glorious Diploma of American Freedom-The Martin [sic] Family and the History it Made for Chester and Delaware County. PART SECOND. The most noted memorial in old St. Paul's graveyard is the marble obelisk, eleven feet in heighth, under which the remains of John Morton, the signer, rests. The shaft is set so that its four corners face precisely the four cardinal points of the compass. It is without ornamentation excepting on the west-side where is cut in relief, what Mr. Maples, the sculptor, designed to represent the coat of arms of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, surrounded by a wreath of laurel. The inscription on the west face reads: Dedicated To the Memory of JOHN MORTON, A Member of the First American Con- gress, from the State of Pennsylvania, Assembled in New York, in 1765, And of the next Congress assembled in Philadelphia, in 1774, And various other public stations, Born A. D., 1724. Died, April 1777. This Monument was erected by a portion of his rel- tives, October, 1815, On the south front of the inscription states: In 1775, While Speaker of the Assembly of Pennsylvania, JOHN MORTON, Was re-elected a member of Congress and in the ever memorable session of July, 1776, he attended that august body for the last time, enshrining he name in the greatful [sic] remembrance of the American people, by signing the Declaration of Independence. On the east site we read: In voting by States Upon the question of the Independence of the American Colonies, there was a tie until the vote of Penn- sylvania was given. Two members from which voted in the Affirmative, and two in the negative, The tie continued until the vote of the last member, JOHN MORTON, Decided the promulgation of the Glorious Diploma of American Freedom On the north side is inscribed: JOHN MORTON, Being censured by some of his friends for his boldness in giving the cast- vote for The Declaration of Independence, His prophets spirit dictated from his death bed the following mess- age to them: "Tell them that they will live to see the hour when they shall acknowledge it to have been the most glori- ous service that I have ever rendered to my country." THE MATHER FAMILY. A few steps to the south of the grave of Paul Jackson is a large slab of blue marble, lying flat with the earth, or rather somewhat depressed below the surface of the surrounding soil. It marks the family vault of the James Mather family. James Mather was the uncle of the wife of Paul and David Jackson. During the period when James Mather was at the heighth of his prosperity he resided in a large stone dwelling at the southwest corner of Third and Edgmont streets, in which Joshua P. and William Eyre, for many years conducted a general country store, to which business the late Col. William C. Gray succeeded, and which building was removed to make place for the present National Hall. At the head of the Mather slab is sculptured an hour glass, crossed by two arrows, supported on each side by angel's heads from which wings extend and at the bottom of the stone are two crossed thigh bones, and winged angels heads at the two lower corners of the stone. The inscriptions on the face of the slab in the amount of lettering is remarkable, and read thus: "In memory of Margaret Mather, wife of James Mather, who departed this life, February 1st, 1777, in the 65th year of her age. Firm to her friends and on her promise just. Benevolent and of a religious trust. Also in Memory of James Mather Vernon, son of Edward and Mary Vernon, who departed this life April 24, 1777, aged 2 years, 8 months and 24 days. Grandmamey's gone before. God's will be done. I'll follow her, she's nigh. I'm her own grandson. Also in memory of James Mather, who departed this life, January 11th, 1780, in the 77th year of his age. Though the worms my antiant body turn to dust. Yet I hope my soul in heaven will live among the just. Also in memory of Abigal Vernon, daughter of Edward and Mary Vernon, who departed this life December 15, 1784, aged 11 months and 11 days. Also in memory of Edward Test Vernon, son of Edward and Mary Vernon, who departed this life July 9th, 1765, aged 1 day. Also in memory of Mary Vernon, wife of Edward Vernon, Esq., who departed this life, October 16, 1785, aged 35 years. A MOTHER'S EPITAPH. She seven sweet babes with patience bore, then died. Five of them now moulder at her side, The other two are left her to bewail, Her husband also to lament her fail. That blooming rose, the pride once of this life, A tender mother, a virtuous, loving wife, Called from the bosom of her husband, dear, For fifteen years he was her constant care, Firm to her friends, and free from all deceit, Good Abraham's bosom will be her seat, She's gone before, to Paradise we trust. This file is located at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/delaware/cemeteries/stpauls.txt