Saturday, March 7, 2009

Richmond, Virginia: John Tyler's Gravesite


You'd think John Tyler would get his own circle in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond. But no, he has to share one with James Monroe. Not fair. And no flags for either of then.

Tyler was a vice president on Inauguration Day in 1841, when William Henry Harrison gave his speech on a frosty day. Harrison supposed became ill and soon died. That elevated Tyler to the top job, the first vice president to do so.

Tyler tried to sort out the issues in the Civil War, but didn't have any luck and voted for Virginia to leave the Union. He was elected to the Confederate version of the House but died before taking a seat.

The statue shown above goes up several more feet, but this is a better look at the text honoring him.

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