What Happened to Thomas Paine’s Remains?

Thomas Paine was previously recognized as one of the most important figures in the American Revolution. Many people were moved to action by his powerful pamphlets, and after he finished in America, he flew to Paris and got involved in the French Revolution as well. And yet, just six people showed up for his funeral in 1809 since he was penniless, childless, and so despised by his colleagues. Additionally, it is said that some of his bones were turned into buttons while the remainder was disposed of. Although the majority of Paine's beliefs and character have been vindicated in current times, one mystery still remains: what became of his remains?

In his day, Thomas Paine was mostly shunned for two reasons. Two reasons contributed to Paine's criticism of many of his erstwhile revolutionary allies: first, his book The Age of Reason was perceived as an attack on Christianity, and second, after his arrest and confinement in France, Paine felt that they had deserted him.

Paine was laid to rest in a simple tomb on his farm when he passed away, but a decade later, a devotee called William Cobbett organized for him to be excavated and transported back to his native England. He wanted to set up a stately grave for Paine but couldn't find any takers. Cobbett eventually kept Paine's bones in his attic until he passed away, at which point it is unknown what will become of them. It's likely that some bones were sold off individually while others were discarded since Cobbett's son sold all of his belongings at auction. Many people have asserted they possessed pieces of Thomas Paine, but none of them have been proved.