Do you know who is buried in Peabody’s tomb or where George Peabody is buried, or who George Peabody is for that matter?

Well, I hope you know at least the latter. If not, tune in another time when I can try and do some justice, albeit ad nauseum, to a great man.

As for the final resting place of the city of Peabody’s namesake, that would be on the Peabody-Salem line at the Harmony Grove Cemetery. That is where the Peabody family plot is located and where a large empty granite sarcophagus is sitting atop the final burial place.

I say “final” because Mr. Peabody, who died on November 4, 1869 was first buried at Westminster Abbey. It would be another 96 days of traveling from one continent to another, across the Atlantic Ocean, aboard a British naval ship, the H.M.S. Monarch, and escorted by the U.S. Naval ship, U.S.S. Plymouth, before he was back in his country of birth, the United States.

But the story does not end there, because the massive H.M.S. Monarch, having too large a draught for Boston Harbor, had to sail into Portland Harbor first. In Portland, George Peabody laid-in-state at City Hall until he was carried onto a funeral train and departed for the last leg of his journey, Peabody.

He arrived in Peabody amidst somber fanfare and again, laid-in-state, this time at the Peabody Institute Library until he was finally reinterred, as his final wishes dictated, in the family plot at Harmony Grove Cemetery. His funeral, which took place on February 8, 1870, was a cold stormy day, yet as it was for his “English” funeral, was attended by many, including the who’s who of the Victorian Era.

In attendance were many military units and commanders, including Admiral Farragut. Also in attendance were the Governor of Massachusetts, the Lt. Governor, federal and state judges, Governor’s Council member and city government representatives, including mayors of such cities as Salem, Portland, Baltimore and Boston. Prince Arthur, Queen Victoria’s son, was also in attendance.

President Grant was planning to attend but did not, owing to the fact that Robert E. Lee was planning to attend, but the Confederate general was ill and died soon thereafter. The abundance, as well as the eclecticism of dignitaries, was undoubtedly a testament to George Peabody’s popularity.

The lives that George Peabody touched and his far-reaching munificence has endured for centuries.