 In his last act of public service , in 1839 Rowan was appointed as a commissioner to adjust land claims of U.S. citizens against the Republic of Mexico . During an adjournment of the commission in 1842 , Rowan returned to Kentucky to visit relatives . While there , he fell ill and was unable to return to Washington , D.C. ; consequently , he resigned his commission . Rowan died July 13 , 1843 . He was interred in the family burial ground at Federal Hill . In his will , Rowan specified that no marker should be placed over his grave , noting that his parents ' graves had no markers , and he did not want to be honored above his parents . Several years later , members of his family placed a marker over his grave , despite his wishes . According to legend , the marker frequently tumbles from its base , purportedly a manifestation of Rowan haunting his grave . 
