Cemetery
The location of the original cemetery has its own story. During the summer of 1809, Mother Seton and her companions took a walk through the dense woods on their property in order to select a site for a cemetery. Harriet's attention rested on a large, old oak tree which she designated for her repose, declaring "This is my spot!" as she playfully threw an apple core against its trunk. Within four months, Harriet died and was buried beneath the large oak. Harriet's grave became the first of many Sisters and Daughters of Charity to be buried in the original cemetery.
Before seven years had passed, three more Setons were buried in this plot: Mother Seton's daughters Anna Maria and Rebecca and her sister-in-law, Cecilia Seton. When Mother Seton died on January 4, 1821, she was buried near her relatives under the large oak tree.
Mortuary Chapel
Both of Mother Seton's sons were at sea at the time of her death. It was not until June, six months later, that William Seton learned of her death when he returned to Emmitsburg to visit her. Desiring that his mother's remains be fittingly honored, William later donated $250 (a substantial donation for this period of time) for the building of a mortuary chapel. In 1846, the Mortuary Chapel was completed and the remains of Mother Seton were transferred to the chapel vault. They were later exhumed for her Beatification and today rest in the Basilica.
In 1845, donations were received to construct a brick wall and iron railing around the grave yard, which was expanded in 1891 when the cemetery was improved. The plain wooden grave markers were replaced with a simple marble headstone, uniform in size and style.
Other Burials
Archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley, nephew of Mother Seton and, like her, a convert to Catholicism, visited the place of her burial in 1873. At this time, he requested to be buried near his aunt, saying, "It is here I wish to be buried, here at Mother Seton's feet." At the time of his death four years later, the remains of Archbishop Bayley were placed in the vault beside those of Mother Seton.
The remains of Bishop John McNamara, Auxiliary Bishop of Washington, DC, were also buried in the Mortuary Chapel in 1960. Bishop McNamara was an ardent promoter of the Cause of Mother Seton for Canonization.
At the time of her beatification in March 1963, the remains of Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton were exhumed, placed in a small copper casket, and enshrined above the altar in St. Joseph College Chapel. On January 4, 1968, these sacred relics were transferred to her altar in the Daughters of Charity Chapel (now the Basilica) at the Provincial House of the Daughters of Charity Emmitsburg Province.
The historic oak tree stood until 1984, when the soft earth could no longer support it. Its rotten roots gave way and it fell backwards, causing no damage as it rested between two rows of stones and touched none. Shortly afterwards a new tree was planted.
