REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER 1775-1763

PIERRE CHARLES L’FANT

ENGINEER ARTIST SOLDIER

UNDER THE DIRECTION OF GEORGE WASHINGTON

DESIGNED THE PLAN FOR THE FEDERAL CITY

MAJOR US ENGINEER CORPS 1782

CHARTER MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI

DESINGED ITS CERTIFICATE & INSIGNIA

BORN IN PARIS FRANCE AUGUST 2, 1755

DIED JUNE 14, 1825 WHILE RESIDING AT CHILHAM CASTLE MANOR

PRINCE GEORGE’S CO. MARYLAND AND WAS INTERRED THERE

REINTERRED AT ARLINGTON APRIL 28, 1909

When you walk out onto the veranda of what was Robert E. Lee’s home, now in the center of Arlington Cemetey, you overlook the United States Capital City and the tomb of Pierre L’Fant, who designed the plan for the city. 

The name of the type of gravestone that marks L’Fant’s grave is called a table tomb for an obvious reason—it looks like a table. Usually the table tomb is six legged supporting a stone tablet which carries the inscription of the deceased.  In this case, the six legs are supported by an elaborate base that also has a sword carved into the top representing L’Fant’s service in the Revolutionary War.