Visiting President Chester A. Arthur's Grave & Cemetery Made Me Laugh!

[@reneerednour3951]

Love the stories behind your videos! I always learn something after watching them. 😊

[@lesliecarter1986]

Thanks for this wonderful Presidential visit. I am learning so much from watching your videos. Thanks Steve!😊

[@maryannlockwood7806]

Thank you for showing this to us, Steve. I hope all is well.😊

[@HetaliaGirl1]

I get up in the Hudson Valley son we learned a little bit about President Arthur. I grew up in Poughkeepsie. The Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery is the 😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮burial place of "Little Phil" Phillip Hamilton, youngest child of Alexander and Eliza Hamilton, and actor Rip Torn's calumbarium. This is just south of Hyde Park, where my grandparents were raised. It's the location of my favorite place in the U.S., the FDR estate. At this point, Menands is a tiny suburban village right next to Colonie, the location of the Albany Rural Cemetery and the Albany area mall. President Arthur is one of my birthday twins. The only reason I know about him is that he was local. Thank you for making the trip to Presidential gravesides.

[@RichSteven-l9t]

My husband is related to Chester Arthur. My husband recently passed away. We traced My husband's heritage as well as my family as well we spent many years and both enjoy history

[@WaterGirlH2o]

Hi Mr. Steve, and greetings to Jim, too. Thanks for another amazing tour of our past presidents. I was really amazed to see so many of his family members buried together. ❤ I appreciate the time you spent bringing us these pieces of history. Until the next time, your friend from the great Peach 🍑 State of Georgia 🍑 🎉❤

[@thebestisyettocome4114]

This is Mr Hahn. I'm still here at 100. From Clearwater Beach Florida. Be well.

[@wandahall4435]

Wow ❤❤❤

[@darrelljohnston8676]

Hey Mr. Hahn...good job getting to 100....👍

[@shaynewheeler9249]

🌊💦

[@leftylou6070]

In the words of Jeff Spicoli. "Mr. Hand, you dick"!

[@patricktuorto]

This is Patrick from Bucks County PA saying hello to Mr. Hahn, be well and God Bless!

[@leesashriber5097]

Good morning Steve!! Happy Saturday 🥰 Another interesting story of our US presidents. Your background on each visit is interesting and informational. Thank you😊 A beautiful grave. 🕊️❤️🙏

[@bethtyree6346]

Thank you for Chester A Arthur's story

[@sallykohorst8803]

Very interesting story he had. Thanks for sharing.

[@dsinavich5141]

Hi Steve...very interesting story...he has a beautiful monument...kidney disease... pneumonia..can be cured these days...no meds back then ...I like the name Chester I went to grade school with one....also Arthur I have a friend by that name ...we call him Bill.....thanks for vlogging...have a great weekend........ Deborah 🇨🇦.

[@RoySimonetti-zp7jv]

Same to you,Deborah ❤

[@BenjaminHawkins-gk8wn]

Legendary blues artist Howlin' Wolf's real name was Chester Arthur Burnett.

[@thoughtfulhistorytoday7214]

From Wikipedia. " In another civil rights case in 1854, Arthur was the lead attorney representing Elizabeth Jennings Graham after she was denied a seat on a streetcar because she was black.[44] He won the case, and the verdict led to the desegregation of the New York City streetcar lines". Well he may have been a so so President but was truly an American hero.

[@kevinsmith5288]

Good morning Steve, Thanks for the backstory on President Arthur. It's funny how people always want to believe "theories" instead of the boring truth, as you said 😂. It looks like that cemetery needs to be mowed, like my lawn. 😅

[@johnpeddicord4932]

Enjoyed again, Steve, HAPPY St Patrick 's to you and Jim

[@gregghinsey2466]

Love your videos. My wife and I have been binge watching. Keep it up.

[@marlenepearson3936]

That is a really nice grave site and beautiful angel 😇 statue. President Arthur has alot of family around him; which is fantastic! Beautiful pond too. Thanks for taking me to another place I will nevet get to go to 😃

[@Lava1964]

According to my sister, a retired art teacher, art nouveau was popular from 1890 to 1910. President Arthur's death precedes that period only slightly, so the design could be art nouveau.

[@colemahaffey2366]

Thanks for the story and have a happy Saturday!

[@dellascorner317]

This is why I love watching you, Steve! I always learn something and I’m a big history buff. I think when I retire I’m going to do something similar to what you’re doing. But in the meantime, this is so wonderful! Sometimes I wish cemeteries would have some kind of budget to clean the headstones without damaging them so people can continue to read them. As some of those are over 150 years old, one day, nobody will be able to read them. And part of this presidents crypt, am I right and saying he’s buried above ground? Because that granite looks really new. Or is he buried underground? Nothing better than boots on the ground! And I really have never had the time to study each president. This is so enlightening it your explanations are just enough of a look into their lives. And you were so right about politicians!! Thanks again for doing what you do!

[@Sara001t]

Hey Della 🌹🌹🌹 Can I ask just for a cool question please??

[@eileenbrown2005]

Arthur Cottage in Cullybackey, Northern Ireland, is the ancestral home of Chester Alan Arthur. His father was born in Cullybackey. Arthur Cottage is open to the public, and has also recently become a wedding venue. I live very close to Cullybackey. My late uncle got a genealogy expert to research Chester Alan Arthur. We have a family connection to him on my paternal grandmother's side. Information on Google Search and Wikipedia.

[@mskrisclark684]

Very interesting video Steve. From what you said about Arthur & Ford they both were never elected President.

[@travelingwithmikeandpam9074]

Thanks, Steve, for the vlog. It's amazing that some of the 1st presidents are modestly buried!

[@catherine59226]

Always interesting Steve! Thank you for your hard work! ❤️👍🏻

[@Linda-in9ns]

Hi Catherine 👋🏼Sassy T. Friend! Good to see you! 🍀

[@catherine59226]

@@Linda-in9ns Good morning Linda! Nice to see you at Steve’s channel! He’s the best!

[@debbiemorgan6701]

I love this! You always keep your vlogs interesting.

[@Sara001t]

Hey Debbie 🌹🌹🌹 Can I ask just for a cool question please??

[@williamdavidfrancavilla7388]

I brought my family there back in November. There were a lot of coins on the grave and a rock with the words “Dude President” on it. The kids really liked that. On the way back to VA we also saw Van Buren and FDR.

[@BenjaminHawkins-gk8wn]

Hopefully, you saw their graves, since Arthur, Van Buren, & F.D. Roosevelt have all been dead a long time.

[@BenjaminHawkins-gk8wn]

Interesting, I believe Arthur's Presidency was before his fellow Irishman, Oscar Wilde, coined the term "dude" in his novel, "The Picture of Dorian Gray".

[@williamdavidfrancavilla7388]

@@BenjaminHawkins-gk8wn okay, that made me laugh out loud and yes we saw the graves.

[@sharonobryan9713]

Kind of sad, but at least it is a beautiful cemetery. Thank you for "taking us with you!"

[@michaelgrow8630]

Thank you. Enjoyable history lessons. Also neither he or Mr. Ford were elected President.

[@annedesautels1495]

i was born 1935 therefore truly enjoy all your gravceside vedeos . thank you so much

[@TheGraveyardChannel]

Thanks Anne! 😊👍

[@lambhill1180]

Thank you for adding on an explanation of the relationship of the other family members.

[@kwill1515]

I visited President Arthur a few years ago. Before the visit, we stopped to tour a house that was part of the Underground Railroad. It was in the early stages of renovation/restoration. Love your cemetery videos!

[@raybeavers3123]

Steve, you do an amazing job in locating and giving us a History lesson on each person’s grave you find. Thank You for all you do and I for one, really appreciate every grave you visit. Stay Safe out there and Always be Alert! People are NOT THE SAME, as when we were much Younger. God’s Speed To You as Always! 🤗👍👏🇺🇸🫡🥇🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@TheGraveyardChannel]

Thank you, Ray, I appreciate that! 👍

[@kwill1515]

Thanks!

[@TheGraveyardChannel]

Hi Kathleen, thank you, once again. You are awesome! :-)

[@herd118]

I’m glad you noticed the art nouveau lettering on the graves, that was absolutely indicative of the period. President Arthur notably had the White House redecorated by Louis Comfort Tiffany to include his Tiffany glass screens. Thanks for sharing your visit.

[@monikameza4107]

Thank you Steve for sharing 😊 stay safe out there

[@alexanderkostan2488]

I remember, I saw a video about him on the History Channel’s The Presidents documentary, he use to buy expensive outfits from the Brooks Brothers stores which are still in existence today, that’s insane. He would’ve had to have a lot of money to afford all of that. I even saw that he was the sideburns president., he’s known for his big bushy sideburns. Also, I learned that he was the leader of a group within the Republican party called The Stalwarts, that’s where Charles J. Guiteau, the man who assassinated President James A. Garfield because he was outraged by Garfield’s policies and Guiteau Thought he was being a hero to kill President Garfield, but it made him look like a straight up fool on paper seek and he was rejected by the people in the White House, Garfield shrugged him off like he was nothing of any importance, so he thought he was doing Chester A. Arthur a favor by going to kill the president in a train station in Washington DC it’s sad that it backfired for Guiteau.

[@shaynewheeler9249]

Grave

[@williammckern1442]

Arthur served for several years as Collector of the Port of New York in the 1870s -- the federal official responsible for receiving customs duties on imported cargo coming through New York Harbor. Because the Collector got paid on a percentage system, it was the highest paying job in the federal government. Arthur received the modern equivalent of a million dollars a year, so he was able to indulge his taste for good living.

[@tillarosayoung6994]

❤❤ hi Steve is always good seeing you

[@markdemay2177]

Great work Steve as always a pleasure to learn from your visits . Beautiful cemetary. If interested St Johns Cemetery in Queens NY has tons of gansters buried there.

[@runaremblem2221]

Very good Steve 🤗🙏

[@buckshot6481]

Glad you get around Steve, get to see some beautiful areas.

[@shannonmanley9217]

Another Great Video, this was interesting. God Bless and take care Steve.

[@pattibrooks1907]

Thanks Steve ! Happy Saturday Happy Weekend to you and Jim !Have a nice day weekend and best wishes !

[@saramagdalena2126]

Always nice to see you Steve, hope you are fine 😊 take care❤

[@TheGraveyardChannel]

Thanks, Sara, all is good. 😊👍

[@alextaffera6962]

Another great history lesson Steve as always ❤

[@doug2078]

Driven by that cemetery hundred's of times .Never went in. I'll have to stop one of the days

[@Linda-in9ns]

Good morning Steve. 🌞🇺🇸Thanks again for the story! 💁‍♀️have a nice weekend you and Jim! 🌴

[@tintinhickey5869]

Thanks

[@TheGraveyardChannel]

Hi tin tin, thanks, so much, for your very kind donation. You'll be getting a shout out in an upcoming video! :-)

[@BenjaminHawkins-gk8wn]

I realize Arthur's wife died several years before he became President, & that, supposedly, he kept her photograph on his nightstand. Having seen a photograph of her, I can attest that she was remarkably beautiful, one of the most beautiful women to ever be married to one of our Presidents. May our most Merciful God grant both Mr. & Mrs. Arthur eternal rest, peace, & bliss. He was truly a civil rights hero.

[@cynthiapickett7403]

Beautiful cemetery.

[@czechmate6916]

Thank you for the history lesson, what you mentioned about him here is about all I remember hearing about him. I love your videos you go to some of the nicest cemeteries and have some of the best stories to tell about the person.

[@oliviasoliz5983]

Thank you for sharing very helpful to know who was our president back then Way before I was born.

[@garymorris1856]

Although, I have been to 23 presidential gravesites, I have not been to Arthur's. It certainly looks like a very beautiful and fascinating cemetery. His gravesite is very unique, and I did not know there were so many family graves near to his.

[@Kimteach2011]

From what I know about Chedter Arthur, he was an intensely private man even as president. I'm sure he will be pleased that his grave is in the back and mainly out of sight.

[@wallacehelin3384]

I’ve Also been to every deceased presidents gravesite and have several postings on find-a-grave. When I got to Chester Arthur’s I was disappointed because I got there fairly early in morning on a sunny day, leaving my photo horrendously backlit.

[@lamlam1969]

LOL… the no fishing sign! I saw 2 deer at the cemetery my mom is buried in, but that’s kind of a rural area

[@stephaniehocking8596]

So wonderful to see you again. I was getting worried about you. Xx

[@julienielsen3746]

Such a nice gravesite.

[@wandahall4435]

Great job Steve ❤❤❤😮😮😮😊😊😊

[@rhvoriginals3083]

As we now know, thanks Steve, Albany Rural Cemetery is the final resting place of Chester A. Arthur, the twenty-first president, it also finds eight presidential cabinet secretaries, five U.S. senators, 32 U.S. representatives, and two U.S. Supreme Court justices, 55 of Albany, NY, mayors, and 5 NY state governors. You can also visit, General Phillip Schuyler, Revolutionary War hero, and Alexander Hamilton’s father-in-law. Over 1,000 Civil War veterans are buried there. As is, John Van Buren, Martin Van Burin’s son, who was in attendance at Queen Victoria’s coronation; he lived a pretty impressive life too. It’s still an active cemetery and boasts over 130,000 burial sites. Chester A. Arthur was one of the attorneys responsible for desegregation of New York City’s trolley system. He also took part in a case which won several slaves their freedom. When a slaveholder with several slaves passed through NYC. His firm took him to court, as slavery was illegal in NY, possessing slaves was also illegal. He won. Those slaves were freed. On September 7, 1857, William Lewis Herndon, who was Ellen Lewis Herndon’s father, saved 152 women and children from his sinking ship off the NC coast, during a three day hurricane, while in command of the SS Central America, a commercial mail steamer. He saw them safely to another vessel. William went down with his ship. He was a national hero. Herndon, VA, is named after him. Over 400 people drowned with the ship’s sinking. It was the largest loss of life at that time for a commercial ship. Two years after the tragedy, Ellen married Chester.

[@LawyerCalhoun1]

I think Arthur was one of the better Presidents of that fairly corrupt era. His major position before the Vice Presidency was as Controller of the New York Custom House where import duties were assessed and collected. The corruption opportunities and political spoils were almost unlimited. But as President, he greatly advanced Civil Service reforms so that jobs were held based on qualification and merit, and not based on who you knew and your willingness to kick back a portion of your salary in order to get and keep a job. I don't think his body is in that above ground sarcophagus . Lack of vent holes usually means its just for looks.

[@rickkeller9733]

Chester Arthur is actually in our family tree. A cousin. On Dad's side

[@eileenwalukas173]

General Phillip Schuyler is buried there too. Next to the fence .

[@danideesh]

Hi Steve, how are you? Nice job on Chester Arthur & his family. I wish I knew you were in New York, so that we could’ve met somewhere and I would’ve took the ride up there with you. I bet it was a nice drive. Looking forward to your next video. Much love to you, Steve.

[@williammckern1442]

Menands = "Men-ands". (Imagine the word "and" with an "s" at the end.) It's a village in the town of Colonie. Colonie = "Coll-uh-knee." Albany = "All Bunny."

[@williammckern1442]

Arthur was selected for vice president because of the dispute between Republican Stalwarts and Half-Breeds. Garfield was nominated for president in 1880 after a battle between Stalwarts and Half-Breeds. Garfield wasn't associated with either faction, but wanted to placate the Stalwarts with the VP nomination. Arthur was a friend of Stalwart leader Roscoe Conkling and a Stalwart leader himself. He agreed to accept after another Stalwart, Levi P. Morton, declined. In terms of his administration, Arthur advocated Civil Service reform, which was a surprise since the Stalwarts were supporters of the Spoils System when it came to government jobs.

[@richardangelo2464]

It's a beautiful and large cemetery...I live not far from it and have visited several times..and fyi the correct pronunciation of Menands would be close to. Muhnands... Love your videos

[@gregorykacsandy5005]

👍🙏

[@JBBooks-qv2kp]

Always knew Chester Arthur from his sideburns. Didn't know much else about his life but alway thought he stood out due to the sideburns, always reminded me of the Gilded Age.

[@lisad476]

Happy St Patrick's Day Steve

[@jodywoodruff6473]

Awesome video Steve. 😊

[@josephosheavideos3992]

Reformer James Garfield's selection of party Stalwart Chester Arthur to be his running mate was a classic example of ticket balancing. In fact, when Charles Guiteau, a disappointed office seeker, shot Garfield, the assassin supposedly exclaimed, "I am a Stalwart and Arthur is now president." The nation was horrified at the second presidential assassination in 16 years. Chastened by the circumstances of his accession to the presidency, Arthur, who had previously opposed civil service reform, now signed the nation's first civil service act, making some government posts subject to competitive exams rather than political appointment.

[@eileenwalukas173]

This is near my childhood home

[@cindyjohnson2300]

So is he in or under the sarcophagus? Very nice respectful with dignity and not overly done. I had know idea he was president. Thank you for sharing. Take care have a good week.

[@MrHeadbanger366]

He was only 56? That just seems so young to me now, I'm 58.

[@gerryrandallfox2402]

This is why he is buried where he is, with family.

[@KayHightower-t4w]

I heard that Peggy Schuyler is buried in the same cemetery. Did you visit her? It would be great if you put together video of the graves of the people in Hamilton. (Burr, Hamilton, Schuyler sisters, etc.)

[@mikki3961]

Oh dear, Please Steve say All bany, not al bany. My grandparents are buried there. Beautiful place in Menands NY.

[@Sara001t]

Hey Mikki 🌹🌹🌹 Can I ask just for a cool question please??

[@whoami7721]

Hi, Steve. I always enjoy your videos. So, President Arthur was the perhaps the first one to be "birthered"? I remember reading that his opponents spread rumors that he was born in Canada. I just learned in school that he was not into the job and his presidency was inconsequential (both not true, by the way). All I really knew about him was that he always dressed up, had big sideburns, and even walked around DC without Secret Service escort. Imagine a president doing that today! The 1880s were a different time.

[@texadonkey34]

You always bring us the best information 😊. I hope you’re having a nice spring and enjoying the cool weather. I’m watching the movie Stealing Sinatra, about the kidnapping of Frank Jr. Pretty interesting 🤔

[@TheGraveyardChannel]

I haven’t heard of that movie. I will see if I can find it. Thanks Tex. 👍

[@texadonkey34]

you will luv it, I was shocked that the Jan and Dean singer was involved.

[@jons.6216]

After watching this I had to go look up if he was included in that old Simpsons musical number about "caretaker presidents", but he wasn't mentioned by name! Haha! Historians should know. We were only taught so much in history classes.

[@williamcap2236]

Your in my neck of the woods ! I worked in Menands for 10+ years. it's pronounced ma nan ds. And I live near the Saratoga battlefield.

[@davidmckinney6577]

Good morning Steve beautiful vlog. Is Chester buried in the ground because that above ground monument looks small..I hope you and Jim have a wonderful blessed weekend my friend..good to see you again. I have been really busy taking care of my uncle he is dying from cancer its a very hard thing to go through.

[@rickallanolsen]

Steve, it's not the Grand Rapids River. It's called Grand River and it empties into Lake Michigan near Muskegon. I never liked Gerald Ford because he was on the Warren Commission.

[@dldove22]

Cool to find a place I know future. I never visited the cemetery though.

[@poetcomic1]

As for the schoolmarmish fishing sign - I always practice catch and eat and release.

[@michellegreen6023]

I grew up in Delaware County and I am proud to say that I went to his final resting place

[@JessBookgirlTV]

Steve, Since you are in New York, are you going to visit cemeteries on Long Island New York?

[@BenjaminHawkins-gk8wn]

Interstingly, directly or indirectly, the great blues man, Howlin' Wolf, was named for President Arthur, his actual birthname was Chester Arthur Burnett.

[@michaelbatson1879]

Arthur redecorated the White House in late Victoria style and had a sale which sold a bunch of stuff that had accumulated in the White House over time like Nelie Grant's bird cage and Lincoln's old pants.

[@Iraborn]

My favorite president. Indeed, unexpected, but rose to the occasion.

[@1aikane]

My knowledge of him says he was a corrupt city boss before becoming president

[@fredbloggs8072]

I would guess that the reason Arthur's grave is so far out of the way is that there was already a family plot in that part of the cemetery prior to him becoming president, with members of his family buried there.

[@graveart1105]

It’s funny that you were looking directly at it when you were at the fountain. Check out the old red sandstone gravestones in the Dutch language.

[@Sara001t]

Hey Marian🌹🌹🌹 Can I ask just for a cool question please??

[@graveart1105]

@@Sara001t sure. Ask away!

[@Sara001t]

@@graveart1105 can we be friends if you don't mind me discuss private with you please??

[@Sara001t]

@@graveart1105 can we be friends if you don't mind getting to know more about me and have some fun together with you please??

[@tommclaughlin1041]

Another piece of trivia, parts of the movie Ironweed with Jack Nicholson was filmed in that cemetery.

[@here_we_go_again2571]

Thank you Steve! I did a measurement (Google maps) as the crow flies it is about 15 miles between Fairfield, VT and the Canadian side of the VT-Canada border; with no direct roads (n-s) one would have to go either east or west to get on a road that went north, into Canada. In 1829 that area would have been even more "wilderness-y" than it is now 😁 It appears that the USA was rather fortunate with its "accidental presidents" none of them are on the "worst presidents list" (Although, I suspect that LBJ is hovering somewhere just below the "10 Worst", etc..)

[@Lava1964]

Correct. Of all the "He wasn't born in the USA" theories about American presidents, Chester Arthur's seems the most likely to be true.

[@J.M.Chadwick6]

A beautiful cemetery with many other notable burials, worth checking out. (Pronounced Ma-nands and All-bany. It's actual location can be confusing.)

[@rjwalker4153]

Good vid. Arthur was the most unlikely President in history. He was even an unlikely Vice President. When he was offered Garfield's running mate, he couldn't believe what a surprise it was and a great opportunity he had to accept, Other's joked he didn't have the experience to be a Vice President and said can you imagine if something happened to Garfield ? But then figured nothing would happen to him. But as President, Arthur surprised many by being a pretty good President. Some in his party thought Arthur owed them favors for helping him become Vice President. Arthurs answer to them was maybe he owed them as Vice President. But not as President. He said that was an act of God and I have to do what I think is right as President.

[@TheGraveyardChannel]

Thanks for sharing that with us rj!

[@MiJacFan1]

This President was mentioned on Die Hard With a Vengeance. The cops needed to know who the 21st President was, and some truck driver told John MacClain who it was and gave him a history lesson. Itwas the name of a school in New York.

[@Jason-od4cg]

I stopped here on the way home from Boston & it was pretty difficult to find him. I did follow the signs pointing the was but the way I came which was the opposite you did. Where you turned left toward his gravesite I was supposed to turn right but since there were missing signs I kept straight until I finally turned around and went the way you did. It was another challenge figuring out Ellen’s resting place. That sign for their children threw me off.

[@joyannmace3141]

Good morning steve

[@retrofuturistic8]

Two comments about the president who had the most impressive facial hair. First, his major accomplishment as president was Civil Service Reform, ending the "spoils" system where (for the most part) all federal jobs were vacant upon the changing of presidents and the vacancies would be filled with the new president's political supporters. Garfield was assassinated by Charles Guiteau, a minor functionary in the Roscoe Conkling political machine (from which Arthur sprang) and expected to be rewarded with a federal job from the new president Garfield. When he couldn't even get a job interview -- Garfield wanted to hire based on competence and not politics -- imagine that -- Guiteau decided to kill Garfield so a "stalwart" -- as those who were part of the Conkling machine were called -- would be president and he would be rewarded. He wasn't. Arthur was horrified that Garfield was murdered so that he, Arthur, would ascend to the presidency and staff the government with stalwarts. Arthur fathered civil service reform instead. Second, the "birther" controversy with regard to Arthur had a basis in reality. He was born in Fairfield, Vermont, just a couple of miles (at most) from the Canadian border. And birth records weren't perfect back then. Birth dates and birthplaces might be a little off because births weren't instantly recorded. It's not like he was born in a hospital with a definite address and a birth certificate was immediately filed with the local government. The "birth certificate" back then was usually nothing more than a notation in the family bible made days or weeks later.

[@alabamablacksnake9995]

So with the headstones being that close are they buried underneath? Or are they buried random places and the headstones are placed in random spot’s?

[@shawninny]

lol it’s “ALL-bany” and “Men-Ands” We have other famous graves in the area too, Uncle Sam, Maureen Stapleton, Maureen OSullivan, Grandma Moses… hopefully you got to check them out.