Franklin Family Grave

Look through the fence on your right. As surprising as it may seem, you’re looking at the grave of Benjamin Franklin, located in Christ Church Burial Ground, one of the city’s most important historic cemeteries. Franklin has been buried here since 1790, in a family plot in the northwest corner of the site. Beside him lie his wife Deborah, as well as two of their children, including Francis, who died at a very young age, and Sarah, known as Sally, who played an active role during the American Revolution. Despite his importance, the grave itself is very simple: just a marble slab, with no large monument. And yet, it’s one of the most visited spots in the cemetery. A well-known tradition is to toss coins onto the grave, inspired by the phrase often linked to Franklin: “A penny saved is a penny earned.” This custom grew in part because of the fence along the wall, which lets visitors see the grave from the street and easily throw a coin. Over time, though, this practice has caused damage to the marble, which had to be restored in the 21st century to repair cracks and impact marks. Around you, the cemetery, which opened in 1719, holds around 1,400 graves. Several key figures from the founding era of the United States are also buried here, including other signers of the Declaration of Independence, making this place both intimate and closely tied to the country’s early history.