Nothing Is Certain But Death And Taxes, Context-Ben Franklin

The Saying: NOTHING IS CERTAIN BUT DEATH AND TAXES.

Who Said It: Benjamin Franklin

When: 1789

The Story behind It: American-born Franklin was a statesman, scientist, and writer who frequently corresponded with the prominent international figures of his time. In 1789, at the age of 83, Franklin was still corresponding with Jean Baptiste Leroy, a French physicist and writer. Many of Franklin's personal letters contained simple maxims-the kind found in his Poor Richard's Almanack-and they prove that his wit and wisdom were not impaired by age. One of these comments was: "Our Constitution is in actual operation. Everything appears to promise that it will last; but in this world nothing is certain but death and taxes."

© 1975 - 1981 by David Wallechinsky & Irving Wallace
Reproduced with permission from "The People's Almanac" series of books.

Benjamin Franklin, Superstar ("Keystone Tombstones")

When Benjamin Franklin died 20,000 mourners attended his funeral at Christ Church in Philadelphia, PA in 1790.  By way of contrast the city's entire population in 1790 was 28, 522.  And when George Washington died 9 years later only 4,000 people attended his funeral.  Franklin and his wife are buried in a rather simple grave in Christ Church Burial Ground.  Rather than a headstone there is a large flat rectangular "ledger" gravestone which reads "Benjamin and Deborah Franklin:  1790."  People to this day leave coins on the gravestone as a gift to the departed.  Roughly $4,000 to $5,000 a year in coins are left on the grave.  This money is used for upkeep of the cemetery.

There's a great new book out called "Keystone Tombstones:  Volume One" (Sunbury Press, $19.95).  It's the first of 3 planned volumes.  The authors are long-time friends Joe Farley and Joe Farrell.   Profiles of 30 "famous" Pennsylvania grave sites are in this book, which includes biographical information and stories about a wide range of notable men and women buried in Pennsylvania (the Keystone State).

Thanks to Tirdad Derakshani's article, "State of Rest, Their Stories Are Carved In Stone", in the Philadelphia Inquirer on June 14, 2012.