Category Archives: Dead Presidents

William Henry Harrison

Posted on 2014/01/20 by

(Originally visited 23 June 2000) The great thing about laptop computers is that I can write this sitting in the grass, leaning my back against the bricks of the tomb built to house the first President Harrison. It’s a beautiful … Continue reading →

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Richard Mentor Johnson

Posted on 2014/01/13 by

(Originally visited 4 April 2005.) We awoke in Louisville the morning after visiting President Taylor’s grave and headed straight for Frankfort. I timed our visit so that we’d be there during normal working hours since tracking down the Vice Presidents … Continue reading →

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John Cabell Breckinridge

Posted on 2014/01/06 by

(Originally visited 4 April 2005. The puppy mentioned below celebrated her 10th birthday this past weekend.) We left the Frankfort grave of Richard Mentor Johnson and took a short but scenic route into Lexington. We did this despite knowing that … Continue reading →

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Martin Van Buren

Posted on 2013/12/09 by

(Originally visited 20 October 1999.) The summer had slipped away like a drowsy afternoon and I had accomplished very little over the past three months. Then the first chills of autumn awakened me like the bright dawn after an restful … Continue reading →

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John C. Calhoun

Posted on 2013/12/05 by

(Originally visited 3 April 2010.) The primary reason for my day trip to Charleston was to attend a preseason soccer game between my beloved Carolina RailHawks and our local rivals the odious Charleston Battery. Knowing John Calhoun was buried somewhere … Continue reading →

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James Monroe

Posted on 2013/11/25 by

(Originally visited 23 June 1999.) In historic downtown Richmond, through a residential neighbor, lies Hollywood Cemetery. Right at the entrance there’s a map of the cemetery carved in stone, detailing exactly where to find all the famous graves. This means … Continue reading →

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John Tyler

Posted on 2013/11/18 by

(Originally visited 23 June 1999.) Hollywood Cemetery boasts two Presidential graves within a few easy spitting distance. The only pair buried closer together are the Presidents Adams. If you count Jefferson Davis as an American President, and I believe the … Continue reading →

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Daniel D. Tompkins

Posted on 2013/11/04 by

(Originally visited 29 November 1997.) Thanksgiving of 1997 was a time of great uncertainty in my life. I had just received a very lucrative job offer that would have meant leaving my home in the woods. Since I’m using the … Continue reading →

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Elbridge Gerry

Posted on 2013/10/28 by

Usually these visits are solitary affairs. Me, a lone freak, walking amongst the old moss covered graves then suddenly smiling and pulling out a disposable camera and taking a few shots before sauntering off. This time, however, one of my … Continue reading →

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James Madison

Posted on 2013/10/07 by

(Originally visited 23 June 1999 & 11 October 2006) The first time I paid my respects at Madison’s grave came at the end of an eventful dead presidential day. I was visiting my parents in Williamsburg and we took a … Continue reading →

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