Established in 1807 by a group of private investors, this grassy site above the Anacostia River was intended to serve as the burial grounds for the new federal city. In 1812 the cemetery was deeded to nearby Christ Church. Many prominent individuals involved with the history of the nation are buried on the 32-acre grounds. In addition, more than 70 former members of the House and 20 former senators lie here. The graves of congressmen who died in office are uniformly marked by distinctive sandstone monuments, clustered in two locations in the cemetery.