Once Peyton's Place

Most people may not realize that the first man who was referred to as "The Father of our Country" was once buried in our sacred grounds. No, I'm not talking about George Washington, although he was a member of our church and one of his wife's granddaughters is buried in the church yard. I'm talking about Peyton Randolph. Yes, that Peyton Randolph, cousin of Thomas Jefferson and the first president of the United States before we were the United States.

Peyton Randolph was a Virginian lawyer who served many positions in his home state. His positions included VA Attorney General and Representative of Williamsburg in the House of Burgess. He was unanimously elected first president of the Continental Congress. Randolph held this title until October 23, 1775 when he died of a stroke in office. He was replaced by a man named John Handcock, who became famous for his large signature. 

Two days after his death, Peyton Randolph was buried at Christ Church Burial Ground. A funeral was held for him at Carpenter's Hall. The service was conducted by Reverend Jacob Duché, the Chaplin of Congress and Rector of Christ Church. Historically, Duché and Randolph are remembered for September 1, 1774, when President Randolph requested that Reverend Duché read a prayer before they began Congress. This famous first prayer in Congress is captured in the stained glass window that hangs above the entrance of the Christ Church Neighborhood House. 

Peyton Randolph was only buried in our graveyard for a year until his nephew, Edmund Randolph, removed his remains and had them reinterred in the family crypt in the Chapel of William and Mary in his native state of Virginia. 

Many believe believe this man may have gone on to become our nation's first official president, but he is now largely forgotten. Multiple places and towns are named for Randolph, including a street here in Philadelphia. Like so many of the named that are connected to our collective American past, his name is lost in the ages. But I, Hop, will not forget him or the fact that his remains were once in our care.

I have created a new tour called "Names Without Stones" presented Fridays at 5:30 in the month of May. Only $5 a person, these 30 minute tours tell the stories of many others who are buried in our grounds, such as Charles Mason and Ben Franklin Bache, who have no stones. I promise to give a voice to the voiceless. 

- Hop