"Show me your cemeteries
and I will tell you what kind of people you have."

In addition, of course, to the universally accepted right of the dead by all civilizations
to be respected while maintaining and insuring their peace at their final resting places...

We must also remember and understand
that the accomplishments of the dead when they were living
directly contributed to who we are and what our way of life is today.

No you say? You don't see any connection?

Try this often-overlooked scenario on for size...

One of the 28 tombstones found is that of William Henry Heilman
a Union Army Captain who fought gallantly in the Civil War.
More than 700 other Union solders like him were also buried in the cemetery.

Had the outcome of the Civil War been different
if Captain William Heilman and his brave comrades had not courageously won the war
the Civil Rights Movement in this country, by many historical projections,
could have been delayed 50 years.

Think of it, the headlines of today in 2012
could still have been the headlines of 50 years ago, 1962...

Segregated schools, restaurants, bathrooms, buses and water fountains.
Clubings, police dogs biting and water canons knocking demonstrators to the ground.
No equal pay, no equal representation, no chance at a higher education
and all the rest of the multitude of injustices that occurred in 1962
could currently still be at issue today!

And more importantly one year later in 1963...
Dr. Martin Luther King with 200,000 of his followers
marched onto the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
where he delivered his famous speech "I Have a Dream".

Dr. Martin Luther King's dream in 2012 is with no doubt a reality...
but had it been postponed 50 years, today it may have still been only a dream.

And finally...

If the above scenario about Captain William Henry Heilman and his Civil War comrades
seems too non specific and does not move you,
maybe this story specifically about Captain William Henry Heilman and the cycle of life will...

The Wissahickon Boys Club for black boys between the ages of 6 and 18
holds the honor of two of it's alumni being Bill Cosby and football player Herb Adderley.

Bill Cosby of course went to Temple and honors them frequently whenever he is in town
and Herb Adderley, after he retired from football, ironically came back to Philadelphia
to broadcast football games for Temple University for years.

Captain William Henry Heilman,
after surviving the Civil War went on to become married and had two daughters,
Bessie W. Heilman born in January 1869 and Ada Heilman born in April 1870.

Bessie W. Heilman grew up to become a schoolteacher and in 1892 she was the assistant
to the principal at the "Kindergarten Number 1" school located in Germantown.

The Wissahickon Boys Club's educational history instilled in their students,
who now included Bill Cosby and Herb Adderley, essentially to be all that they could be
and ironically, you guessed it, was formerly known as the "Kindergarten Number 1" school.

So Temple University's Campus that once held the tombstone of the man,
who later had a schoolteacher daughter, who would teach at a school,
that would later teach Bill Cosby and Herb Adderley, who would, after highly successful careers,
no doubt helped brought on by these early teachings, return to honor Temple University.

- photo courtesy Ed Snyder -

Mary Ann Leeman
1829 - 1894

I see Mary Ann and her Tombstone so all alone...
But as those with no conscious walk the shore,
they see just a rock with some lettering
and nothing more.

And sadly between the dates on every tombstone you will find,
The story of their life that can never be told,
with just a simple chiseled line.

But fortunately I and others hear the Tombstones say, as we pass them by...
"As you are now, so once was I".

So with the above sad thoughts in mind...

I decided to do some research and hopefully bring some meaning back
to Mary Ann Leeman and her tombstone
and all the rest of those that were stranded upon this shore.

In 1880 Mary Ann Leeman was 45 years old and married to Samuel Leeman age 50 (born in 1830)
a Sea Captain and were living at 1820 Mervine Street in Philadelphia.

Living with them were their daughters Adelia H. Leeman age 25 (born in 1854),
Mary Leeman age 23 (born in 1857), Lucy P. Leeman age 17 (born in 1863)
and their son Frank A. Leeman age 16 (born in 1864).

The entire Leeman family was born in Maine.

Also residing with them
(See the next photograph below)
was their son-in-law Charles C. Platt age 26
(born in Connecticut in 1854) who was a Sea Officer
and was married to their second daughter Mary Leeman.

On May 15, 1883 in Philadelphia
Mary Leeman Platt gave birth to their son
Charles Alexander Leeman Platt

Sadly 2 years, 10 months and 13 days later on March 28, 1886
Charles C. and Mary Leeman Platt
lost their son Charles Alexander Leeman Platt to Diphtheria.
On March 31, 1886 he was buried at Monument Cemetery
(Location in family lot: Grave 2 South Foot)
On April 12, 1886 his grave was relocated at Monument Cemetery
(Lot 614, Section A)
On August 27, 1956 his grave was exhumed and removed to Lawnview Cemetery
(Lawn: Broad, Sec: 42, Graves: 41-42-43-44)

On October 3, 1893 tragedy struck again when Charles C. Platt
lost his wife Mary Leeman Platt at age 36 to Pneumonia.
On October 7, 1893 she was buried at Monument Cemetery
(Location in family lot: Grave 3 South Foot)
On August 27, 1956 her grave was exhumed and removed to Lawnview Cemetery
(Lawn: Broad, Sec: 42, Graves: 41-42-43-44)

On March 20, 1894 at age 65, Mary Ann Leeman, Mary Leeman Platt's Mother, died.
She was listed as being from Eastport Maine and was still living at 1820 Mervine Street.
On March 24, 1894 she was buried at Monument Cemetery
(Location in family lot: Grave 3 North)
On August 27, 1956 her grave was exhumed and removed to Lawnview Cemetery
(Lawn: Broad, Sec: 42, Grave: 45)

On November 7, 1909 at age 86, Mary Ann Leeman's husband, Captain Samuel Leeman
died while in Staten Island, New York.
On November 10, 1909 he was buried at Monument Cemetery
(Location in family lot: Grave 4 North)
On August 27, 1956 his grave was exhumed and removed to Lawnview Cemetery
(Lawn: Broad, Sec: 42, Grave: 48)

School Ship USS Adams - Launched in 1874

Charles C. Platt went on to become a Sea Captain
and held the position of a instructor aboard the School Ship USS Adams
of the Pennsylvania Nautical School
where he trained new mariners,
at its homeport at 10 North Wharves Dock in Philadelphia and out at sea,
the science of navigation.

On April 17, 1929 at age 75 Charles died from Heart Disease.
On April 20, 1929 he was buried at Monument Cemetery
in a Square Pine Case measuring 7'5" x 31"
(Location in family lot: Grave 3 South Foot) other reports (Lot 614, Section A, Grave 3 South)
His undertaker was Frankenfeld and his funeral plot cost $25.00
On August 27, 1956 his grave was exhumed and removed to Lawnview Cemetery
(Lawn: Broad, Sec: 42, Graves: 41-42-43-44)

Other Leeman-Platt family tombstones found...
Mary Leeman's older sister Adelia H. Leeman (born in 1854) individual tombstone was found...

- photo courtesy pwbaker -

...reveiling that her middle name was Harriet and that she passed in 1901.
Further research finds that she died on November 6, 1901 to be exact
and was living at 815 N. 45th Street in Philadelphia.

Mary Leeman's only brother Frank A. Leeman's tombstone was never found
but further research shows that he married Jane M. (nee MacElwee) who died on September 2, 1915
and was also living at 815 N. 45th Street in Philadelphia.

Charles C. and Mary Leeman Platt's tombstone was also found
(See the next photograph below)
but sadly the little tombstone of their almost 3 year old son Charles Alexander
has never been found along these shores.

On Sunday, the day before Memorial Day, we paid our respects at Lawnview Cemetery
to Anna M. Ross whose Marker is a few yards away from our Captain William Henry Heilman's Marker.

Anna also was originally buried at Monument Cemetery
during the time of the abandonment of Monument's unclaimed tombstones
that were lost or unceremoniously dumped into the Delaware River and Frankford Canal
when Temple University acquired their parking lot back in 1956.

Before we report this days Memorial day proceedings,
we feel that a report of Anna M. Ross's past is very much in order.

Anna M. Ross
1813 - 1863
Civil War Soldier's Friend

During the Civil War from 1861 to 1865 thousands of Union soldiers traveled to and from
the Northern States to the battlefields in the South through Philadelphia
and the patriotic citizens of Philadelphia, especially the ladies,
would offer refreshment to these tired and hungry soldiers.

As the numbers of these poor, suffering soldiers grew, several responsible citizens
created two large establishments called "Philadelphia Refreshment Saloons"
that were entirely funded by donations of the citizens of Philadelphia
to feed and minister to these troops.

At the corner of Washington and Delaware Avenue across from the Old Swedes Church
were located both of these "Philadelphia Refreshment Saloons",
the "Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon" and the "Cooper Shop Refreshment Saloon".

At the "Cooper Shop Refreshment Saloon" named after the owner of the shop, William Cooper,
who also helped organize the facility, were many lady managers, one of which was Anna M. Ross,
a single woman, renowned for her unselfish and untiring work helping the soldiers.

Anna M. Ross was recognized above the other lady managers
and was appointed Lady Principal of the "Cooper Shop Refreshment Saloon Hospital" as the "Saloon"
was founded mainly through her tireless and exceptional efforts on behalf of her "Boys".

Telegrams would be sent to the "Philadelphia Refreshment Saloons" from the Union Headquarters
informing when troops would be arriving and a cannon would be fired to alert the women
in the neighborhood who would assemble at the "Philadelphia Refreshment Saloons"
to begin food preparation and care.

In addition to serving wholesome food, coffee was dispensed,
medical care for the sick and injured was given at their hospitals on the premises,
stationery was provided and mailed for letters to their loved ones,
washing facilities were provided, and gifts dispensed.

To the young homesick boys leaving for war, the citizens of Philadelphia gave encouragement
as they cheered them on their way to the battlefield, often accompanied by military bands.

And sadly later, to the soldiers returning from war with injuries and sickness
free burial plots were provided for those soldiers who would die
in the "Philadelphia Refreshment Saloons" hospitals.

From the day of the opening of the "Cooper Shop Refreshment Saloon" Anna Ross toiled unceasingly,
watched patients while other workers slept, dressed the most loathsome wounds,
nursed patients deserted by others for fear of acquiring contagious disease
and withheld no time or expense from those committed to her charge.

For those soldiers traveling through Philadelphia on their way home from the battlefields,
she gave them nourishing food, a bed for the night, cleaned their clothing and established a fund
to give them traveling money, many times replenishing this fund from her own pocket.

For those soldiers that died in her hospital she arranged transportation for the families
to come to their deceased soldiers.

During the course of the War, over 400,000 troops were served by these Saloons
and as they expanded their facilities, entire regiments could be fed and cared for simultaneously.

So famous and prized was the work of the "Philadelphia Refreshment Saloons"
that president Lincoln's wife, Mary Todd Lincoln,
specifically asked to visit the sites in June of 1864, when she came to Philadelphia.

As the Civil War progressed it became evident with the increasing overwhelming demands
on the hospital at the "Cooper Shop Refreshment Saloon" with many of the soldiers needing
nursing care for wounds or diseases, Anna Ross decided to open a larger, more appropriate hospital,
where the weak and sick could remain to gather their strength
until able to rejoin their units or continue their journey.

She took it upon herself to raise the needed funds, while still ministering to those in need.

She traveled throughout the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey
pleading for donations and goods on her errand of mercy,
going door to door on behalf of her beloved soldiers.

Due to her untiring efforts of toil and care for the less fortunate, Anna's health broke down,
and despite valiant efforts of her personal physician, the medical director of the Hospital
and a dear friend, Anna's health continued to deteriorate, and at age 50 on December 22, 1863,
the very same day that her efforts were to be crowned with success
of the dedication of her new "Cooper Shop Soldiers' Home and Hospital"
on Race and Crown Streets in Philadelphia, she died.

The love that people had for Anna was felt far and wide from her hospital in Philadelphia
as her obituary appeared in newspapers as far away as
Boston, New York, Baltimore and Washington D.C.

Her funeral was attended by a immense multitude of people in keeping with
the love and esteem her life's work had earned her and whose sorrow was deepened by the knowledge
she could not be present at the dedication of her new "Cooper Shop Soldiers' Home and Hospital".

Thousands of people followed her casket to Monument Cemetery (now the Temple University Campus)
where a tombstone of white marble was erected depicting a female figure ministering to a soldier
and where military units honored her memory and many eulogies attempted to do her the honor
as one who devoted her life to works of charity.

GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) founded 1866
- Grave Marker -

After the Civil War the soldiers of the rebellion never forgot her.
In a rare act, one of the earliest veterans' posts,
The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Post 94 in Philadelphia,
chose to name itself after her, an honor normally reserved
for male Union Generals and soldier heroes of battle,
and also conducted a Memorial Day service for Anna every year.

As noted before in this Newsletter, Monument Cemetery was removed in 1956
to make room for the Temple University parking lot and most of the stones and memorials
were lost or unceremoniously dumped into the Delaware River and Frankford Creek
to use as a footer for the Betsy Ross Bridge.

Anna's grave was reburied at Lawnview Cemetery in 1956
and was recently rediscovered there and adopted by the...

"Anna M. Ross Camp #1" of the Dept of Pennsylvania's
"Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War",
(The successors to the old GAR Post 94)

and their Auxiliary, the...

"Auxiliary to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War",
under whose leadership, Margaret Atkinson,
past National President of the Auxiliary, continues this legacy to the present day
to honor Anna M. Ross at her grave on Memorial Sunday each year.

The Auxiliary recently obtained a more fitting and pleasing* "headstone",
(* Than the flat metal plate Marker issued by Lawnview Cemetery)
noting Anne's friendly service to soldiers during the Civil War,
and placed it on her final resting place where her memory is still alive today.

- Today's Proceedings -

Going only as an observer to Anna's ceremony
by way of a cordial invitation from their Camp Commander Russell J. Manning,
Valerie Morrison was indeed very honored when asked to also speak at her ceremony.

And the heartfelt sadness, tears and trembling lips of the occasion were felt by all

A prayer for Anna...

...and after 149 years since Anna's death, "her boys*" still pay her tribute
* The 28th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry

As do John M. McNulty and his father John T.
of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War - Pennsylvania Department

And the bugler
A member of the 28th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Band

The Pledge of Allegiance...

...still so dearly cherished in this land

Old Glory forever...

Then the Rose petals for Anna...

...as "her boys" gently rain them down upon her grave

And the 3-Volley Gun Salute

Ready...

Aim...

Fire...

And when the gun smoke clears...

...we must rejoice in who we are and what we still hold dear today

...while always being "at the ready"

I wish to thank all those that attended and made me feel a part of Anna's Legacy...

Including Margaret Atkinson, past National President of the Auxiliary,
whose past endearing work ensuring Anna's legacy,
was no doubt here with us in sprit,

John M. McNulty and his father John T.
of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Pennsylvania Department,

Anna's "boys" who shared with me their comradery (and their refreshments),
and the precious little boy who ran to me for a hug.

God Bless you all

I would also like to convey a very special thanks to...

Jim Loudon - Recorder
Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
Commandery of the State of Pennsylvania
MOLLUS

...whose Commandery is actively engaged in an effort to move
Captain Heilman's Monument Cemetery tombstone to a more appropriate location,
and are interested in exploring ways we can work together to facilitate our mutual goals.

And as we leave you dear Anna...

We promise not to think of you just once every year,
but every day, just as you thought of our soldiers every day.

And as we leave this sacred place...

Let us not leave unnoticed or unspoken for,
dear little Hattie May Wiatt buried somewhere beneath her grandmother's "Ball" family Marker,
in the foreground of this picture, just but a few steps away from Anna's grave.

Yes, here lies the long forgotten and believed by many to be
The Co-Founder of Temple University...

Hattie Mae Wiatt
Died 1886 at age 9
Diphtheria

Her .57 cents made a difference

In the beginning, Russell Conwell, the founder of Temple University,
started the university with a small church.

Hattie, who lived nearby and loved going to his Sunday School,
often found the church filled to it's capacity and unable to go inside.

Russell seeing Hattie crying on the steps one Sunday,
promised her that one day he would have enough money to expand the church.

Not much later Hattie, at age 5, died of Diphtheria and at her funeral at Russell Conwell's church,
Hattie's mother handed Russell Hattie's purse that she keep under her pillow,
containing her savings of 57 cents towards Russell's expansion of his church.

So moved by Hattie's intensions, Russell started the "Wiatt Mite Society" fund.
He changed Hattie's 57 cents into 57 pennies and sold each penny to the highest bidder.
Of the 57 pennies sold, 54 were given back and the bidding was repeated and repeated
until one day he had enough to expand the church
and thoughtfully he put Hattie's original 57 cents into a permanent display.

So successful was the new church with attendance that Russell decided to buy a larger church.

Now with the money now gone for the previous expansion, he needed terms to buy the larger church.

Fearing that he would never be able to come up with the large down payment for the $25,000 church,
Russell was gratefully surprised when the owner of the property, after learning about Hattie,
asked for 5% per year payment terms and a down payment of just 57 cents.

It should be noted that both Hattie and later Russell Conwell were buried at Monument Cemetery
and when the cemetery graves were removed in 1956,
Temple University returned Conwell's grave to the campus but never brought back Hattie.

Stay tuned for further developments...

The "Calvary" to the rescue...

One of the 22 or so tombstones that appears at low tide is that of...

William Henry Heilman
Captain - Civil War 15th U.S. Infantry
Born 1843 - Died 1909

During our research of William we found that after the war in 1865 he became an active member in
the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS),
the first post-Civil War veterans' organization.

Finding that the MOLLUS organization was still in existence today
and assuming, like all our military, that they would never leave their dead behind on a battlefield
much less dumped whole on the Delaware River, on May 8, 2012 we contacted them.

We found at this time, in speaking with their Jim Loudon, their designated contact person for this matter,
that they were aware of Heilman's tombstone abandoned on the Delaware,
and that they had intensions of rescuing him when the opportunity and funds become available.