Does anybody recognize this view? I was up there last week and could not leave without taking this picture. There is a big event coming up on May 2nd at this very spot.
Picturesque Frankford View
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FRANKFORD, PA., SOLDIER’S MONUMENT IN CEDAR HILL CEMETERY
On Memorial Day 2006, there was a small unit of haggard hot and weary troop of Union soldiers holding Rocky Hill. Thirty-Three men of Frankford are holding this hill waiting for relief. The relief never came. Instead a small band of loyal brethren from the Ross Camp SUVC 28th came to pay them honor and respect and promise them that relief will come someday.
The squad fired three volleys from rifles that thundered and shook Frankford. Time stood still. Traffic stopped. A crowd had gathered. There were thousands of our neighbors all around us, watching and listening. It was the Castors, and Dittmans, and Deals, and Knorrs. It was all the good people who once lived in Frankford because they loved Frankford.
As taps were being played, I could hear “When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again, Hurrah, Hurrah…” In the enormity of the moment my eyes filled with tears, as I came to my senses. It was taps instead. There was reflection on War and men and suffering and sacrifice.
There was a speech given on the lack of resources that are needed. In spite of having stones furnished by the Government and ready to install, the cemetery wants $25,000 to set them in place, that’s in addition to the money needed to restore the tall white marble obelisk containing hundreds of names of local Civil War veterans.
Then we all left, those of us that could.
Looking down from the highest point in Cedar Hill Cemetery is a tall white marble obelisk topped by a majestic eagle, erected by the citizens of Frankford as a memorial to the men from the area who served in the Union forces in the Civil War.
The marble shaft, bearing the names of every man from Frankford that fought for the Union, is surrounded by thirty-three unmarked graves of Civil War veterans.
The names of these 33 men should be remembered:
Charles Brown, 16th Reg. NY Artillery
John Carey, 4th Maryland Inf.
John Clare, Co. I, 26th PA
Robert Conway, Co. A, US Artillery
William Coultre, Co. D, 28th PA
Charles Crawford, Co.H, 84th PA
James B. Dreardon, Co. D, 95th PA
Richard Eckersley, Co. K, 121st PA
Stephen Gray, Co. B, 145th PA
William Hasson, Co. B, 1st Delaware Vol
Thomas Haigh, Co. L & Co A, 71st PA
William Hardy, Co I, 106th PA
Holden Hay, Co. F, 142 Pa
Isaac Hersey, 98th PA
Benjamin Hillborn, Co. K, 117th PA
John Holdcroft, Co. I, 29th PA
Peter Jordan, U.S. Navy
Samuel Keen, Co. A, Independant Battery PA Light Artillery
Samuel King, Co. P, 28th PA & 147th PA
Richard Kenley (Kenly), Co K, 205th PA
John McDonald, Co I, 72nd PA
Samuel Philips, 1st NJ Cavalry
John Price, Co K, 114th PA
John Stowman, Co I, 114th PA
Alexander Summers, Co I, 29th PA
Joseph Swayne, Co. D, 23rd N.J.
Mathias Thomas, Co H, 69th PA
Benjamin Thomason, Co F, 99th PA
George Tomilson, Co. H, 26th PA
Edward Trader (Traitor) Co. B, 26th PA and Son age 4 (buried in same coffin)
Henry Whartonbey, Co I, 106 PA
Jacob Wine, Co. K, 98th PA & Co. E, 7th US Vol
Girardus Wynkoop, 32 PA Militia
Back at the G.A.R. Museum, there was lots of food. There were cakes and cookies, sandwiches and beer, deviled and pickled eggs. There were hot roast beef sandwiches too. A small tailgate party erupted in the back lot. The soldiers were enjoying their leave. There was plenty of food left over as most of the attendees this day, stayed holding Rocky Hill until next year.
______________end____________
Next year came and went. No help or reinforcement ever came, and the Men of Frankford are still holding Rocky Hill.
P.S.
March 29, 2007 edition
By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer
“Joe Menkevich, the civic association president, is challenging local politicians to help fund costly repairs to a 22-foot-high soldiers monument in North Cedar Hill Cemetery, at Frankford and Cheltenham avenues.
The marble structure features cannons, an American flag, an American eagle with outspread wings and the names of more than 150 soldiers killed in the Civil War. Thirty-three Union soldiers are buried in unmarked graves in a circle around the monument.
Local history buffs are hoping to order 33 gravestones and complete renovations by 2011, the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War.”
The Following Article, Circa August 1871, Is From An Undated Newspaper Clipping Found Within My Private Collection.
Column One:
CEDAR HILL CEMETERY – The Ledger has
for some time been giving its readers exhaust-
ive sketches of the cemeteries of Philadelphia,
and from its issue of yesterday we copy the
following description of our own beautiful
Cedar Hill. This Cemetery is situated in
the Twenty-third Ward. on the outskirts of
Frankford, at the Junction of the Bustleton
turnpike on the northwest. It contains 12
acres of ground which is on a hill about half
a mile above the village of Frankford, and is
elevated about 100 feet above the level of the
Delaware river, which can be seen at the dis-
tance of a mile and a half. The grounds are
surrounded by a high terrace wall, and are
pleasantly shaded by the grove of native
cedar, larch, willow, ash, English linden,
white birch, white and yellow pine, sycamore
and other trees. All the walks and drives are
kept rolled and swept, and lire always in good
order and condition.
The projectors of this cemetery were Isaac
Shallcross, William Overington, Leonard
Shallcross, Thomas Castor, and Peter Castor,
all of Frankford. The purchase was made in
October. 1848, for the sum of $4,825. On the
25tb of March; 1850, a charter of incorpora-
tion was obtained from the Legislature, and
the company went into operation. By the
charter, the company is governed by thirteen
trustees, who are elected annually. The stock
is composed of 150 shares, at $50 each. The
stockholders were entitled to $10 additional
upon each share, with interest at 6 per cent.
This included the entire profits to those in-
trested in the enterprise. Provision was also
made for erecting proper buildings and mak-
ing improvements.
A further provision of the charter is as fol-
lows: “After the stockholders shall have
been fully, paid their principal and interest ac-
rcording to the second section of this article,
then the one-half of the proceeds of the sales of
burial lots shall be appropriated to the raising
of a permanent fund by investing the same on
bond and mortgage, ground rents or other se-
cure manner so that the interest or income
shall be always used for the purpose of keep-
ing the said ground and appurtenances in good
repair forever.”
The object of this was to prevent specula-
ion, to the detriment of lot-owners. A large
portion of the original stock has been paid,
and a considerable fund accumulated for the
future improvement of the grounds. In 1858
a handsome Gothic cottage was erected on the
grounds, for the use of a superintendent, at a
cost of $5700 and in 1869 a fine improve-
ment was made at the main entrance at the
foot of the hill, by erecting on either side
two story buildings, and connecting them by
an arch over the entrance. One is used as a
lodge for the gate-keeper, and the other for
the office of the company. The material used
is the rubble stone from quarries in the vicin-
ity of the Cemetery, finished with Pennsylva-
nia marble. The cost was upwards of $9000.
After passing through the gate on the right is
an arched spring-house of stone, enclosing a
pump of the coldest spring water.
The company have also built near the
centre of the cemetery a large receiving vault,
for temporary interment. The first burial in
this cemetery was that of Hugh Murray a
member of the Council of the borough of
Frankford. This was on October 14, 1850.
Down to the present time, August, 1871,
there have been 3619 internments. The two
oldest persons interred in the cemetery were
Jacob Foulkrod, in 1852, aged 92 years, 5
months, 9 days and Mary his wife, in 1861,
aged 93 years, 3 months and 9 days.
Column Two:
On entering the cemetery, .the first object of
public interest that meets the eye is the Sol-
diers’ Monument. It stands on the highest
point in the cemetery, and of the soldiers
who’s names are carved upon it a few are
buried under its shadow in the beautiful level
plot surrounding it. Others are buried in
their family lots, others on the battle-fields,
and of some of them the last that was ever
known was that they fell in battle. The shaft
of the monument is 22 feet high, 4 foot square
at the base, and ornamented with & cannon on
each corner. Over the top the American flag
is draped in heavy folds, and, upon it stands
the American eagle, with outspread wings, as
if defending the standard. The whole struc-
ture Is of Italian marble, and cost $2500.
The faces of the column bear inscriptions
As follows:
South Face – This column, erected by the joint
Contribution of Co. D., First California Regt.,
71st P. V., and citizens of the Twenty-third Ward,
commemorates the services of the heroic dead
who fought to crush treason and rebellion; and
gave their lives that their country might live.
Dedicated July 4th, 1867.
“For there fell down many slain, because the
war was of God.” 1 Chron., 5, 22.
121st P. V. —Sergeant, Chas. F. Newman,
Hospital; Privates, Wm. H. Wright, Hospital;
Daniel Miller, Gettysburg; Wm. Spear, Gettys-
burg; Robert Ray, Gettysburg; R. H. Copeland,
Gettyeburg, John Thelle, Gettysburg; Thomas
Stone, Andersonvllle; Peter McAnally do. ;
James Hilton, do. ; John Taylor, do. ; James
Peirce, do. ; Albert. Clymer, Hospital; Dennis
Hayes, do. ; James W. A. Bishop, Fredericks-
buug; Edward Morin, do. ; Robert Kay, do. ;
John Thorn, do. ; James Burk, do. ; James
Belton, Richmond; John Giberson, Belle Plain;
Thos. Kirkwood, do. ; Alfred Wonderly, do. ;
Thos. Roan, Chas. H. Cooper, Salisbury, N. C. ;
Thos. Stott, do. ; Alfred Whitehead, do. ; James
McDowell, Frankford; Michael Shuster, do, ;
Joseph Johnson, Hospital; John W. Lees, Robt.
Lindsey, Petersburg; John Susby, Washington;
Abner B. Miller, Philadelphia; Wm. Allen, Belle
Isle.
Engagements—Hyattstown, Md., Antietam,
Md,, Gettysburg, Pa., Bristoe Station, Va., Be-
thesda Church, Va., Cold Harbor, Va., South
Side Railroad, Va., Five Forks, Va.
East Face.—
But with us was the Lord our God
To help us fight our battles.
2d Chron. 32, 8.
114th Regt. P.V. —Sergeant David E. Edgar,
Chancellorsville; Privates, Jas. K. P. Byran, do. ;
Chas. Mahan, do. ; Vanlier Bond, do. ; Joshua L.
Wood, Gettysburg ; John Galloway, do. ; Geo.
Vanhart, Fredericksburg; David Hutchinson,
do.; Nathan Kelsey, do. ; Samuel Rodgers, do. ;
Edward Simmous.
106th Regt. P. V.— Wm. Martin, Spottsylva-
nia ; David Allen, Andersonvllle ; George barber,
Wm. Blackburn, Savage Station; Wm. McMullen,
Hospital ; George Rice, Petersburg ; Lewis
Lesher, do. ; A. Dungan, Hospital; Bendingo Ho-
worth. Hospital; T Donlon, Weehawken ; John
Johnson, do. ; James Ferry, do. ; John Hart,
Harriet Lane; Frederick Putt, Fort Fisher.
26th Regt. P. V.—Leiut. D. Potts, Second Bull
Run; Corp. Wm. Fairhurst, Chancellorsville ;
Corp. Wm. M. Gordon, Gettysburg ; Private Wm.
Reynolds, Andersonville ; Michael Moras, do.
95th Regt. P. V. — James Crockett, Gaines’
Hill ; Samuel Dearden, Spottsylvania, ; Wm.
Castor, do. ; Geo. Reese, do. , John Reed, Cedar
Creek; Wilbur R. Walton, Sail Creek; Theo.
Cocker, Cold Harbor.
List of Engagements 71st P. V.; Baltimore
Riot, MD; Falls Church, Va.; Ball’s Bluff, Va.;
Fair Oaks, Vftt; Peiich Orchard, Vn.; Savftge
Ktation, Va.; Malvern Hill, Va.; Chantilly, Va.;
Fredericksburg, Va.; Antietam, Md.; Gettysburg,
Pa.; Mine Run, Va.; Morton’s Ford, Va.;
Willderness, Va.; P. 0. Run, V.
North Face:
In Honor of our
Fallen Heroes.
Died for their Country.
California Regiment, 71st P. V., Company D.
—Col. E. D. Baker, Ball’s Bluff. Capt. Jacob T.
Smallwood, Fort Fisher; Lieutenants Joseph
Williams, Ball’s Bluff; Frank Hibbs, Spott-
Sylvania ; Wm. Wilson, Antietam; Sergeant
John Teese, Po River ; Corporals Seawall Randall,
Ball’s Bluff, Elijah Hunt, Harper’s Ferry, Lewis
Evans, Frankford. Privates John Stott Ball’s
Bluff; John Castor, do., Robert Smith, do. ;
David Chipman, ; Wm. Wilkinson, Fair Oaks;
Richard Hartley, do.; John Williams, do, ; Thos.
Pilling, Antietam; Wallace Shaw, Wilderness;
Rudolph Price, do.; Robert, Lesher, Gettysburg;
Wm. Brown, do. ; Geo. Gregson, Frankford ;
Barney Williams Andersonville ; John Gibson,
Frankford, Wm. Batt, Richmond, Va.; Joseph
Batt, Harper’s Ferry ; George Lever, Newport
News ; Anthony McArlain, do.; Richard Standing
do. ; Adam Hefer, do. ; Charles Layton, do. ;
Henry Castor, do.; John Fulton, do. ; Thomas
Column Three:
ah, yes, Frankford’s Circle of Honor at Cedar Hill Cemetery
On Sept. 14th , 2010 , the Historical Society of Frankford had a program about this. The Gazette graciously covered it:
Cedar Hill Cemetery « The Frankford Gazettefrankfordgazette.com/tag/cedar-hill-cemetery/Cached
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Sep 15, 2010 – … has been attempting to document all of those buried in the circle of honor. … The Civil War Memorial at Cedar Hill Cemetery is one important … has begun on the CW veterans interred in Frankford’s Cedar Hill Cemetery. …
This is a view from within the cemetary at the corners of Bustleton Ave, Frankford Ave and Bridge St. I was a long term resident of Frankford, my grandparents lived in the house at 4249 Paul Street next to Mater Dolorosa Church..
Michael J. Whitman