Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1901-190?, 1902-02-19
ANCIENT TOMBSTONES
MONUMENTS TO COLONIAL HEROES
IN NEW YORK CEMETERY.
Old Trinity ChurehyArd Also Contains
Two "Bogus" Tombs Injustice Done
to the Memory of Thomas Crssap, by
President Jefferson.

II may be a trife startling to out
of-town visitors as well ss to many
native New Workers, whose interest
In matters historical has led them to
inspect the old tombstones in Trinity
churchyard, bearing names of promi-
nence and power in earlier years, to
learn that two OF the most famous
stones there are simply fakes"
The tombstones referred to are those
OF William Bradford, New Yorks first
printer and Capt. James Lawrence. the
hero OF the naval fight in 1918 between
the Chesapeake and Shannon, and who
died with the words, Don't give up
the ship" upon his lips.
There Is also a third stone which
shares with these in being a copy
This stands near the door of the north
transept, having the inscription. be-
meath rudely carved angel head, In
memory of Michael Cresap, first cap
tain of the rifles battalion. and son to
Colonel Thomas Cresap, who departed
this life October the IS, 1775."
This young rifle captain is usually
described in biographical dictionaries
as "a trader and Indian fighter" He
was a hardy pioneer as well, penetra-
ting nearly as far as Kentucky before
the revolution. The odium cast upon
him by President Jefferson-and which
1t has taken more than three-quarters
OF a century to erase-was occasloned
by the belief that Cresap was response
BILE for the massacre OF the friendly
Indian chief, Logan.
This atrocity occurred in liza, dur
ing border war on the upper Ohio,
which broke out near Pittsburg. The
name "Cresap's war" has sometimes
been given to this conflict, because
Cresap went against the Indians at
once, and killed what later proved 20
be number of friendly Shawnees. His
force did start for Logan's camp. but,
remembering the chiefs former friend
I Illness, desisted.
The truth of the story, as brought
out in 1851, was that Logan's family
nine members In all, became drunk in
the hut OF dramseller named Great
house. and when in helpless state
! that william, with a few kindred spir-
| its. slew every one of the intoxicated
| sayages. Cresap got the blame and
was deposed from his command by
lora Dunmore's agent, but was later
| relnstated
CIesap was an ardent patriot. and
when the revolutionary war broke out
| he marched to Cambridge TO join
Washington's army as captain OF 1876
Maryland riflemen. He became seri-
| ously i'll while there. and started for
his western home, but died in New
York city and was buried with mill
tary honors in Trinity churchyard.
II one desires to see the original
stones placed over the graves OF Brad
ford. Cresap and Lawrence. he must
! go to the New York Historical society
at Second avenue and Eleventh street
They occupy positions of honor among
other notable relics in the vestibule
The Trinity church corporation gave
the original Bradford stone to the So
and the Lawrence stone about the
same time.
The latter is the single slab bearing
the inscription to Lawrence's memory
for his remains repose under a more
elaborate monument The large slab
is OF white marble. and in excellent
condition, barring few deep scratches
here and there, which may have beer
caused by vandals.-New York Times