The Historic Kemp Family Burial Ground is located on land originally patented by the Kemp family in the early 18th century. It is one of the largest historic family burial grounds in Maxatawny Township with the Kemp family being one of the founding families of the East Penn Valley. The burial ground is the final resting place for key figures in the early years of Maxatawny Township. Their life stories form much of the township’s history.
Theobault Kemp arrived in America around 1720 and is said to be the original pioneer settler of Maxatawny Township. During the Revolutionary War, his son, George Kemp, was appointed captain and was present at the Battle of Germantown. George inherited and ran Levan’s Tavern, which was a way station for several signers of the Declaration of Independence, including John Adams. Hannah, the only known slave in this section of Berks County, is also buried in the Historic Kemp Family Burial Ground, as specified in the will of Captain George Kemp.
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