Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-05-07
5t|istellameuns &eading.
A CAROLINA CREMATIONIST.

In citing examples of cremation in modern
times, one of the most noteworthy has been
overlooked. 1t is important, not only from
che high character Of the person, but from
reasons which bear directly upon the bject
as discussed by the World. 1t is that of
Henry Laurens, which took place on his plan
taton, December II, 1892 The connection
of Henry Laurens so prominently and credit
ably with our early national life, renders the
carrying out of his last wish more interesting.
A citizen of Charleston, he became a most
successful merchant, amassing large fortune
during business career, in which he was dis
tingushed for his accuracy, integrity and
the punctuality with which he met all bus-
ness engagements. Having gone to Europe
for the education Of his son, he was one of the
thirty-nine who petitioned parliament against
the Boston port bill. Having done all in his
power to prevent war, against all persuasion
to remain in England, he came home and
identified himself with the revolutionary
struggle. He succeeded John Hancock as
President of Congress, an office he resigned
the second term, when he was made minister
to Holland. On his way to his mission the
vessel was captured by the British, and he
was carried to the Tower, on the suspicion of
treason. Here he was placed in close con-
finement, guarded by two wardens, who never
left him out of sight.
With no pen to write with, no one to speak
to, he remained fourteen months, suffering
from insufficient food, not being permitted to
use his own money for that purpose, broken
down in health, aud suffering acutely from
gout. His sufterings became known; Burke
was interested in him; various schemes were
proposed for his release. One Of these was
to be through the concessions of his son John,
then in Paris as representative of Congress,
but Laurens replied "He loves me dearly,
and would lay down his life to save mine, but
I am sure he would not sacrifice his honor to
save mine; and I applaud him." When,
finally, he was released, he was appointed one
of the ministers of Congress for negotiating
peace. He met Jay, Franklin and Adams at
Paris, where the preliminaries of the treaty
were signed. On returning to America he
was received as a national benefactor, but he
declined all public Offices and devoted himself
to agriculture and the mending of his broken
fortunes. He died December 9th, 1892. The
following clause in his will relates to the dis
position of his body:
"I solemnly enjoin it on my son as an indis-
pensable duty, that as soon as he convenient
ly can after my decease, to cause my body to
be wrapped in twelve yards of tow cloth and
burned until it be entirely consumed, and
then collecting my bones deposit them wher-
ever he may think proper"
His biographer, Ramsey, who was his SON.
in.law, relates this much, and adds that it was
done as desired, but makes no mention of the
causes of the request or the details of the
burning. So unusual proceeding doubtless
must have created considerable interest, and
the New York Journal and Patriotic Register,
Saturday, January 26, 1893, on file at the
Historical Society Library, contains this al
lusion:
"The following extract of letter, dated
Charleston, S. c., December "a, is copied
from the Norwich Weekly Register, of Janu
ary ID:
"'A few days since departed this life, Hen
ry Laurens, Esq, about seventy years of age,
and his corpse was burnt the Thursday after
his decease. This was done by his son at the
request of his father, who made this reverse