Who was the first person to be cremated in the United States after the Revolutionary War?

The first person to be cremated in the United States after the Revolutionary War was Colonel Henry Laurens. He was a prominent political leader during the American Revolution, serving as the President of the Continental Congress. Laurens expressed his desires for cremation in his will, and after his death in 1792, he became the first American to be cremated, as an act of personal conviction and preference for this method of disposition over burial.

This event is significant in the history of cremation in the United States, as it marks the beginning of a practice that would not gain widespread acceptance until much later. The choice of cremation reflects Laurens' progressive views on death and burial practices during a time when traditional burial was the norm. His decision was pivotal in influencing future attitudes towards cremation, helping to pave the way for the eventual establishment of crematory facilities in the U.S.