Kennett Square is home to one of the oldest cemeteries in Chester County, belonging to the Old Kennett Meetinghouse. Although it has a strong Quaker history, the occupants of the graveyard represent a more diverse mix of Chester County residents, writes Lars Farmer for The Daily Local News.  

The cemetery traces its origins back to over 313 years ago and was established by Quakers. Burial plots used to be first come first serve. Enslaved people and Black Civil War veterans are buried in a segregated spot for people of color.  

After the Battle of Brandywine passed through there on Sept. 11, 1777, the bodies of 40 Hessian casualties were left on the battlefield. The Quakers, who were worshiping quietly in the Old Kennett Meetinghouse at the time, buried the Hessians in an unknown soldier grave.  

It became more of a trend to bury families there by the mid 1800s, and in 2013 the first green burial took place there. The process of a green burial allows the body to decompose and be naturally recycled.  

Space for green burials cannot be reserved due to the method of chronological prioritization, which protects the burials.  

The cemetery, rich in history, is an active tourist attraction.  

Read more about the oldest cemetery in Chester County on The Daily Local News.  

The Battle of Brandywine in four minutes.