Gilpin observer., 1902-02-06
ANCIENT TOMBSTONES
MONUMENTS TO COLONIAL HEROES
IN NEW YORK CEMETERY.
Old Trinity Churchyard Also Contains
Two Bogus" Tombs-InjusticeD Done
to the Memory of Thomas Cresap, by
President Jefferson.

1t may be a triae startling to out
of-town visitors as well as 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 York's first
printer, and Capt. James Lawrence, the
hero OF the naval fight in 1913 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, I'm
memory of Michael Cresap, first cap
tain of the rifles battalion, and son to
Colonel Thomas Cresap, who departed
this life October the 1S, 1775."
described in biographical dictionaries
as "a trader and Indian fighter" He
was 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 century to erase-was occasioned
by the belief that Cresap was RESPONSE
BILE for the massacre of the friendly
Indian chief, Logan.
This atrocity occurred in 1774, dur
ing a 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 a:
once, and killed what later proved &c
be number of friendly Shawnees. His
force did start for Logan's camp, but
remembering the chiefs former friend
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 a dramseller named Great
| house. and when in a helpless state
| that william, with a few kindred spir-
| its, slew every one of the intoxicated
| savages. Cresap got the blame and
| was deposed from his command by
| orc Dunmore's agent, but was later
| reinstated.
| CIesap was an ardent patriot, and
when the revolutionary war broke Out
ne marched to Cambridge to joir
| Washington's army as captain OF 13t
Maryland rifemen. He became seri
ously i'll while there, and started fol
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 origina
stones placed over the graves of Brad
| ford, Cresap and Lawrence, he mus
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.
oiety in 1868, that OF Cresap in 1867
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 slat
is Of white marble, and in excellent
condition, barring few deep scratches
here and there, which may have been
caused by vandals.-New York Times