History of Mt. Moriah Cemetery (1999); Philadelphia Co., PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Jane Hamilton Copyright 2004. All Rights Reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************* This is being done with the 'permission' of the "News of Delaware County", newspaper. Granted Jan. 2004. Article was written by Chris Carr. This is part of a series of cemeteries "In Our Back Yard", June 23, 1999. Like many old cemeteries, Mt. Moriah's history is slowly being washed away by the elements and devoured by vegetation. While Horatio Jones, acting president of Mt. Moriah, says that he has every record on every burial in the cemetery, much of the history of the cemetery itself has faded away. Jones says the 300 to 400-acre, non-sectarian necropolis opened 1856. While he is unsure of the exact number, Jones says there are thousands or tens of thousands of graves in Mt. Moriah today. But why Mt. Moriah opened, who the first interment was and, most curiously, why one-half of the cemetery is in Delaware County and the other half in Philadelphia, are all questions that have been buried by time. One thing that is known about Mt. Moriah is that it was the final resting place of Betsy Ross until her grave was relocated in 1976 to her former home, now a museum at 238 Arch st. in Philadelphia. Another grave of significance is that of Charles Baker, a Civil War Medal of Honor recipient. He received the medal for his role in rescuing survivors of the USS Tecumseh as it burned on the sea, the object of a torpedo's wrath. Baker's grave is located in a section of Mt. Moriah devoted to Civil War Naval veterans. While not grouped together, another significant number of graves are the result of the 1917 influenza epidemic. Victims can be found scattered throughout the cemetery. Perhaps more interesting than the cemetery's fading history is its architecture. Like most old cemeteries, Mt. Moriah, which straddles Cobb's Creek, features a more varied and more awe-in-spiring collection of funerary monuments than are allowed in new burial grounds. Throughout the grave yard, towering monoliths, most adorned with renderings of angels or God, stretch toward the heavens. Other plots are cut into the hills, accessible only by means of a short stairway. Still other family plots are surrounded by low walls and feature benches for the bereaved. Jones says the cemetery still does several burials per year and, unlike most cemeteries, still allows these more exotic grave markers. As for the plots already there, their histories may get a little clearer once the Friends of Mt. Moriah begins its work in the cemetery. The group will have its first meeting at 10 A. M. July 4 at the Naval Plot. Anyone interested in helping to preserve this historic cemetery is invited to attend. A photo of a Victorian lady headstone is pictured. Like most old cemeteries, Mt. Moriah, which straddles Cobb's Creek, and is located in Delaware and Philadelphia Counties, features a more varied and more awe-inspiring collection of funerary monuments than are allowed in newer burial grounds. Throughout the grave yard, towering monoliths, most adorned with renderings of angels or God, stretch toward the heavens. This particular marker is of a Victorian lady. It has weathered over the years, as have many monuments in the cemetery. A photo of an area of large monuments is also pictured. While the early history of Mt. Moriah Cemetery may be lost, the acres of tombstones and their variety can still be appreciated. A preservation effort is underway to stop the years of neglect at this large cemetery which straddles Cobbs creek in both Delaware and Philadelphia Counties. Many famous people are buried there although the remains of one, Betsy Ross, were removed during the Bicentennial to the new site by her former Philadelphia home, 239 Arch st. in Philadelphia a historic site.