Burial at Mount Moriah Cemetery Naval Plot: A family guide

History of Mount Moriah Cemetery Naval Plot

Mount Moriah Cemetery was established by the Pennsylvania Legislature in 1855, one of several rural cemeteries developed in Philadelphia between 1845 and 1860. Located on the southwestern edge of the city, the private cemetery originally consisted of 54 acres. Over time it has grown to 380 acres spanning both sides of Cobbs Creek. Due to the massive size of the cemetery, many churches and other organizations have established smaller lots within its bounds. A majestic gatehouse provides entrance into to the cemetery. Designed by local architect Stephen D. Button in 1855, the Romanesque gatehouse is fabricated from brownstone.

Notable headstones in the cemetery include a granite marker constructed in the shape of the Civil War iron-clad ship, the USS Monitor. The headstone memorializes William Rowland, a sailor on the USS Minnesota, which was protected by the Monitor from the CSS Virginia (formerly the USS Merrimack) at the Battle of Hampton Roads.

For a time Mount Moriah Cemetery held the remains of Betsy Ross, reputed maker of the American flag. However, leading up to the local celebration of the 1976 Bicentennial, her remains were moved to Arch Street near the Betsy Ross house.

In the early 1870's, an African-American named Henry Jones purchased a lot in the cemetery. After his death, cemetery authorities turned away his funeral procession at the gate, on the basis of his race. A lawsuit was filed against the Mount Moriah Cemetery association on his behalf, and in 1876 the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Jones' right to burial in the cemetery.

Notable veterans buried at Mount Moriah Cemetery Naval Plot

The National Cemetery Administration documents the following veterans of note buried at Mount Moriah Cemetery Naval Plot, listed by section and site as recorded in the cemetery's official register.

• Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. Recipients receive the Medal of Honor from the President on behalf of Congress. It was first awarded during the Civil War and the eligibility criteria, medal design, and recognition on a recipients' grave marker have all evolved over time. There are 434 Medal of Honor recipients interred at VA national cemeteries including 6 double recipients.
• » Medal of Honor recipients interred or memorialized here:
• Quarter Gunner Charles Baker (Civil War). Baker was born in Georgetown, District of Columbia in 1809. He earned the Medal of Honor on board the USS Metacomet (Side-wheel Steamer Gunboat) during the Civil War. His citation reads: "Served on board the USS Metacomet. As a member of the boat's crew which went to the rescue of the USS Tecumseh when the vessel was struck by a torpedo in passing the enemy forts in Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864, Q.G. Baker braved the enemy fire which was said by the admiral to be "one of the most galling" he has ever seen, and aided in rescuing from death 10 of the crew of the Tecumseh, eliciting the admiration of both friend and foe." He died on August 3, 1891, and is buried in Section 2, Row 22, Site 22.
• Coxswain Albert Beyer (Spanish-American War). Beyer was born in Hanover, Germany on June 13, 1859. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for valor while assigned to the USS Nashville (Gunboat No. 7) during the Spanish-American War. His citation reads: "On board the USS Nashville during the cutting of the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, May 11, 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Beyer set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action." He died on October 29, 1929, and is buried in Section 1, Row 9, Site 19.
• Captain of the Forecastle James Healey (Civil War). James Healey (also Haley) was born in Ireland in 1824. He earned his Medal of Honor while assigned to the USS Kearsarge (Sloop-of-War) in foreign waters during the Civil War. His citation reads: "Served as captain of the forecastle on board the USS Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Acting as captain of a gun during the bitter engagement, Haley exhibited marked coolness and good conduct and was highly commended by his division officer for his gallantry and meritorious achievement under enemy fire." He died on November 27, 1880, and is buried in Section 2, Row 17, Site 22.
• Coxswain Robert Jourdan (Civil War). Jourdan (also Jordan) was born in New York in 1826. He received a Medal of Honor for bravery in action during the Civil War while temporarily assigned to the USS Mount Washington (Side-wheel Gunboat). His citation reads: "Attached to the USS Minnesota (Frigate) and temporarily serving on the USS Mount Washington during action against the enemy in the Nansemond River, April 14, 1863. When the Mount Washington drifted against the bank following several successive hits which struck her boilers and stopped her engines, Jordan boarded the stricken vessel and, for six hours as fierce artillery and musketry continued to rake her decks, calmly assisted in manning a 12-pound howitzer which had been mounted on the open hurricane deck." He died on December 20, 1881, and is buried in Section 2, Row 18, Site 4.
• Landsman Joseph Killackey (Boxer Rebellion). Born in Ireland on January 21, 1879, he received his Medal of Honor while assigned to the USS Newark (C-1) during the Boxer Rebellion. His citation reads "In action with the relief expedition of the Allied forces in China, June 13, 20, 21, and 22, 1900. During this period and in the presence of the enemy, Killackey distinguished himself by meritorious conduct. He died on September 8, 1946, and is buried in Section 4, Row 3, Site 23.
• Fireman John Laverty (Civil War & Peacetime). Laverty (also Lafferty) was born in Ireland on June 17, 1845. He received the Medal of Honor twice while serving in the U.S. Navy: first on board the USS Wyalusing (Side-wheel Gunboat) for participation in an attempt to destroy the Confederate ram Albemarle in the Roanoke River, May 26, 1864, and second for actions on board the USS Alaska (Screw Sloop of War) following a rupture of the vessel's stop-valve chamber while in Callao Bay, Peru, September 14, 1881. Laverty's service during the Civil War, and first Medal of Honor commendation, was under the name Lafferty. He died on November 13, 1903, and is buried in Section 3, Row 3, Site 17.

Eligibility for burial at Mount Moriah Cemetery Naval Plot

Planning ahead for a Veteran's or loved-one's final resting place can eliminate unnecessary delays and reduce stress on a family at a difficult time.

The Department of Veterans Affairs covers the grave plot, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government-furnished headstone or marker, and a U.S. burial flag at no cost to eligible families.

Visiting hours

Visitation Hours: Open daily from sunrise to sunset. Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed federal holidays except Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

How to schedule a burial at Mount Moriah Cemetery Naval Plot

1. The funeral home or family contacts the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117 (24/7 for active funeral arrangements).
2. Provide the veteran's full name, date of birth, social security number, dates of service, branch, and date of death.
3. Fax or email the DD-214 to the cemetery's interment office for verification.
4. Once eligibility is confirmed (typically 30–60 minutes for complete documentation), the cemetery assigns a date, time, and committal shelter.
5. The funeral home transports the deceased to Mount Moriah Cemetery Naval Plot at the assigned time. The cemetery handles opening, closing, and perpetual care from that point.

Where Mount Moriah Cemetery Naval Plot sits in the Pennsylvania cemetery system

Mount Moriah Cemetery Naval Plot is one of the veteran cemeteries operating in Pennsylvania. The cemetery is currently closed to new in-ground burials but may accept cremated remains in some cases. Families should verify status before planning.

For families considering alternatives, the nearest veteran cemeteries appear in our cemetery sidebar. If Mount Moriah Cemetery Naval Plot is fully reserved, those alternatives are typically the next options.