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Kensington Founder’s Historical Marker Unveiled at Palmer Cemetery


On Saturday, October 17th the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, The Friends of Palmer Cemetery and The Penn Treaty Special Services District gathered together for the dedication of an official State Historical Marker for Anthony Palmer, who was the founder of Kensington.

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Palmer Cemetery/Thomas Weir

The marker reads,

Anthony Palmer (1664 – 1749) Arriving in Philadelphia in 1705, Palmer established himself as a merchant. He served on provincial council and held several judicial posts. He became acting governor in 1748-1749 and used his diplomatic acumen to negotiate with the French, Spanish, and Native Americans. He worked with Benjamin Franklin to acquire the support and revenue to fortify and defend Pa. against raiding privateers. He founded the community of Kensington in the 1730s.

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Kensington Mummers/Thomas Weir

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Tony Lemma/Thomas Weir

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Jim Kingsmill/Thomas Weir

 

A crowd of local residents braved the autumn cold and looked on as speeches were made about the history and significance of the cemetery. The event was led by Jim Kingsmill, a cemetery trustee and key volunteer. Other speakers included a Revolutionary war reenactor who gave a monologue on what it would’ve been like to live in Fishtown during Palmer’s era; Rich Levins of the PTSSD; and Tony Lemma, a born and bred Fistowner and Vice President of The Home Depot. The home improvement retail company was responsible for recently bestowing the cemetery with a $15,000 grant for restoration. After an ensemble of Kensington Mummers performed a rendition of America the Beautiful, the historical marker was unveiled.

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Revolutionary War Reenactor/Thomas Weir

According the the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission’s website there are currently more than 280 historical markers in Philadelphia with only a small number of those in the Riverwards neighborhoods. This marker will hopefully be the first of many more to come.

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Kensington Mummers/Thomas Weir

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Anthony Palmer Historic Marker/Thomas Weir

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