My name is John Ellingsworth, and I manage this website along with the Mount Moriah Cemetery Encyclopedia at mountmoriah.info.
As with so many things, this is a work in progress.
Mount Moriah Cemetery is one of Philadelphia’s largest, most historic – and most misunderstood – places. Established in the mid-19th century, it is the final resting place of tens of thousands of people: veterans, artists, laborers, children, community leaders, and families whose stories helped shape the city and region.
For many years, I lived near the cemetery, close enough that it became a familiar presence in my life. Over time, curiosity turned into exploration, exploration turned into concern, and concern into action. I walked its roads, photographed its monuments, and began sharing what I learned about its history, its people, and its significance to Philadelphia.
My connection to Mount Moriah is also rooted in family. A number of my relatives are buried here, including my mother, which deepened my interest and gave this place meaning beyond its historical value. As I researched burial records and traced family histories, I realized how many stories – famous and forgotten alike – are tied to this cemetery.
I am not affiliated with Mount Moriah Cemetery in any official capacity, nor am I part of any preservation organization. What you’ll find here is independent work: notes, photographs, observations, and historical information gathered out of personal interest and respect for the dead. My goal has been to record, preserve, and share what I’ve learned with others who care about Mount Moriah’s past and future. By writing about it, I hope to contribute to a broader understanding of its importance and to keep its stories from being lost.
This site reflects my personal journey with Mount Moriah: part family history, part local history, and part quiet exploration of a place that deserves to be remembered.
Feel free to learn more about this historic cemetery, and if you feel inspired, contribute what you can.