Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 February 1920 — First Cremation of Human Body in America in 1792 [ARTICLE]

First Cremation of Human Body in America in 1792

The first cremation of a human body in America occurred on December 9, 1792. The body was that of Henry Laurens, a leading statesman of the colonies and one of the commissioners who signed the treaty of Paris, ending the Revolutionary war. Colonel Laurens died at his plantation near Charleston, S. C„ on December 8, 1792, and there he was cremated. In his will he provided for this and enjoined his son to cause his body to be wrapped in twelve yards of tow cloth and burned until it was entirely consumed. His bones were to be collected and deposited wherever might be thought proper.