Abington Presbyterian Church Cemetery
Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Church founded on this site, 1714. Cemetery established, 1719. First recorded burial, 1728. Site of Revolutionary War skirmishes. Burials include pastors and educators notable in Abington, Philadelphia, and Princeton, and veterans of major wars.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
Founded in 1714, Abington Presbyterian Church stood at the heart of one of Montgomery County's oldest colonial communities, with its adjoining burial ground opening in 1719 and receiving its first recorded interment in 1728. The grounds saw Revolutionary War skirmishing as armies maneuvered across the Philadelphia countryside, and generations of pastors, educators, and war veterans were laid to rest here. The cemetery links Abington to the wider intellectual worlds of Philadelphia and Princeton through the notable clergy and teachers buried within it.
Why it matters
As a continuously used colonial-era church and cemetery, it preserves more than three centuries of local, religious, and educational history in one hallowed acre of Pennsylvania.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- National Constitution Center11.2 mi away · 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- African American Museum in Philadelphia11.2 mi away · 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Betsy Ross House11.3 mi away · 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Illadelph Glass Gallery11.3 mi away · 68 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Muse Gallery11.3 mi away · 52 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Larry Becker Contemporary Art11.3 mi away · 43 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Attractions
- Harbison's Dairy Milk Bottle9.2 mi away
- Discovery Center at East Park Reservoir9.8 mi away
- Pennsylvania Railroad, Connecting Railway Bridge10.3 mi away
- Philadelphia Zoo10.6 mi away
- Philly Gun Range10.6 mi away · North Percy Street
- Rocky Steps10.8 mi away
Food & drink
- Independence Mall Cafe11.3 mi away · 50 North Independence Mall East, Philadelphia
- Bubble Tea Room11.4 mi away · 319 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- 3J's Cafe11.4 mi away · 317 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Dunkin'11.4 mi away · 634 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- La Colombe Coffee Roasters11.4 mi away
- PrimoHoagies11.4 mi away · 304 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Four Points by Sheraton Philadelphia City Center11.1 mi away · 1201 Race Street, Philadelphia
- Days Inn Philadelphia Convention Center - Philadelphia11.1 mi away · 1227 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Clarion Suites Philadelphia11.1 mi away · 1010 Race Street, Philadelphia
- Sleep Inn Center City11.2 mi away · 1020 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia E - Penns Landing11.2 mi away · 100 North Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Philadelphia - Convention Center, PA11.3 mi away · 1200 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Related events
- · Revolutionary War skirmishes
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
William Allen (1704-1780)
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William Allen was one of colonial America's richest men, and his fortune helped build the institutions of early Philadelphia. He backed construction of the State House, now Independence Hall, and helped found Pennsylvania Hospital and the college that became the University of Pennsylvania. He established Allentown and served as Chief Justice of Pennsylvania's Supreme Court, but as revolution neared he broke with the patriot cause and remained a Loyalist until his death at his Mount Airy estate.
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Benjamin Rush, born on this Philadelphia site, was a physician, teacher, and reformer whose signature joined the Declaration of Independence. A tireless humanitarian, he spoke out against slavery and championed public health and social reform in the young republic. His pioneering study of mental illness earned him the lasting title "Father of American Psychiatry."
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In the tense December of 1777, General Sir William Howe marched British and Hessian troops out of occupied Philadelphia hoping to smash the Continental Army once and for all. Over several days of skirmishing along the heights of Edge Hill, Washington's soldiers held their entrenched ground and refused to be dislodged. Unable to force a decisive battle, Howe pulled back to the city while Washington led his army onward to the hard winter that awaited at Valley Forge.
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