New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-04-24
Cremation of Henry Laurens on His
Plantation In South Carolina.

AuuS&AaAVM IL SOulM OAEO1UHs
In citing examples of cremation in mod
been overlooked. 1t is important not only
from the high character of the person, but
from reasons which bear directly upon the
subject as discussed by the World. 1t is
that of Henry Laurens, which took place
on his plantation December ii, 1892. The
connection of Henry Laufens go promi-
nently and creditably y with our early ma
tiOnal lite renders the carrying out Of his
last wish the more interesting. A citizen of
Charleston, he became a most successful
merchant, amassing large fortune during
a business career in which he was dis
tinquished for his accuracy, integrity,
and the punctuality with which he met
all business 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 everything in his power to
prevent war, against all persuasion to re-
main in England he came home and identi-
fed himself with the revolutionary struggle.
He succeeded John Hancock as President
OF Congress, an Office he resigned the Sec
Ond 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
never left him out of sight. With no pen
to write with, with no one to speak to,
he remained fourteen months, suffering from
insufficient food, not being permitted to use
his own money tor that purpose, broken
down in health and sugering acutely from
govt. His sufferings 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,
fEou in Do Of
but Laurens replied, HE loves me dearly,
and would lay down his life to save mine,
but am sure he would not sacrifice his honor
to save mine, and applaud him." When,
finally, he was released, he was appointed
one of the ministers of Congress for nego-
tiatlng peace. He met Jay, Franklin and
Adams at Paris, where the prelminaries of
the treaty were signed. On returning to
America he was received as a rational
benefactor, but he declined all public
offices and devoted himself to agriculture
and the mending of his broken fortunes
He died December 8, 1892. The following
clause in his will relates to the disposition
of his body:
II solemnly enjoin it on my son as an in
duty that as soon as he con-
veniently can after my disease to cause my
body to be wrapped IN twelve yards of tow
cloth and burned until it be entirely con-
sumed, and then collecting my bones, de- |
pOsit them wherever he may think proper"
His biographer, Ramsey, who was his |
law, relates this much, and adds that |
it was done as desired, but makes no men,
ton of the causes Of the request or details |
Of the burning. So unusual proceeding |
doubtless must have created considerable |
and the New York Journal and |
Patriotic Register, Saturday, January &c, |
1893. on file at the Historical Society Lii |
Drary, contains this allusion:
The following extract of a letter, dated
Charleston, South Carolina, December "a,
8 copied from the Norwich Weekly Regis
er, Of January Ia:
"A few days since departed this life
Henry Laurens, Esq, about seventy years
If age, and his corpse was burnt the Thurs
lay after his decease. This was done by
lis son at the request of his father, who
made this reserve in his will, that unless
lis son complied with this he should be cut
hort in any of his estate, which was worth
100000 sterling. The ashes remaining
rom the body were taken up and put into
! silver urn for that purpose. The reason
hat Mr.. Laurens gave tor this singular de-
ire was that his body was too good to be
aten by worms.
A foot mote, however, in Chad wick's RE
'Ort on Intramural Interment" states that
Henry Laurens having an infant child die
u smaH-pOX, Wnen tne DOdy was lald out, |
aused the window to be opened to admit
resh current of air. The air blowing over
he body restored the child to life, and in
his manner it barely escaped being buried
live. So horrOr-stricken was Mr. Laureps |
It this event that he left orders in his will I
or his body to be burned, and the inheri-
ance of his estate by his son was made con-
itional on his carrying out the request 1t
, impossible to find the details of the burn
ng so far, but a gentleman remembers to
ave read them years ago in an English
Ook. The funeral pile was erected on q
eutiful spot on his plantation. The body,
trapped as desired in the WILL was borne
n the shoulders Of four favorite slaves and
lid upon the pyre, when incense and per-
lmes were thrown upon it. After the fun
raj services were held beside it, the flames
ere kindled, and when the pile was burn
Z thu asl,aa 4ol L