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F73 61 .K5B6
HISTORICAL SKETCH
AND
MATTERS APPERTAINING
TO THE
KING'S CHAPEL BURYING GROUND
H R.
F
BOSTONIA CONDICA.A). 1630.
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
HISTORY DEPARTMENT
SOC SCI REF F73 .61 .K5B6
TO BE TAKEN FROM ROOM
FORM NO. 991: 4.22,52. 1M.
Soc Se 1 F 73.61 KSB6 REF
4 06 12002
.
No 773.61. K5Bb
YBLIG LIBRARY
ILVX
Copy
ROMANIVM
CIVIVM
OF THE CITY OF" BOSTON
GIVEN BY
To
SECOND EPISCOPAL CHAPEL, 1710. [ KING'S CHAPEL. ] { BEACON HILL IN BACKGROUND. }
KINGS CHAPEL BURYING GROUND 0081 NI
VA
KING'S CHAPEL BURYING GROUND.
This was known as the " burying-place " from the first settle- ment of Boston, 1630, and after the year 1660, the North bury- ing-ground (Copps Hill), and the South burying-ground (Granary), were established, and the " burying-place " was then known as the " old burying-place."
This ground is more interesting to the historical student than any of the other grounds of old Boston.
Here were buried nearly all of the first settlers of Boston, and many prominent men of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay.
The establishment of this ground dates from the burial of Mr. Isaac Johnson, who died in Boston on the 30th of September, 1630. Although the place of his burial is not mentioned by his contemporaries, yet Samuel Sewall told Rev. Thomas Prince that Mr. Johnson was buried in this ground. Gov. Hutchinson also states this fact in a note to his valuable history :
" 1630, Mr. Johnson had chosen for his lot the square which lies between Court, Washington, School, and Common Streets. Tradition locates his house about the centre of the northeast side, near the site of the City Hall, and according to his particular desire, expressed on his death-bed, be was buried at the south- west corner of the lot, and the people exhibited their attachment to him by ordering their remains to be buried near him. This was the origin of the first burying-place."
Mr. Johnson was son of Abraham Johnson, Esqr. of Clip- sham, and his estates were in Rutlandshire, Northamptonshire, and Lincolnshire, England.
He married the Lady Arbella, daughter of the Earl of Lincoln. She died in Salem, Mass., a month before the death of her hus- band, and it is presumed she was buried there, but the location is unknown.
Mr. Johnson was an important man in the colony, and had great influence in all public affairs. He was chosen one of the assistants on the 13th of Ang. 1629.
Judge Samuel Sewall was born in England March 28, 1652, and came to Boston with his parents in 1661, and was 21 years old in 1673, 43 years after the death of Mr. Johnson. Mr. Sewall was therefore contemporary with the aged townsmen of Boston, who were undoubtedly at the funeral of Mr. Johnson, and knew the facts related by these witnesses.
Although there are no records of Mr. Johnson having posses- sion of this lot, it was probably granted to him by the town, and he dying very soon after, and having no family, it reverted back to the town with no record. If that theory is correct, it would account for the same lot having been divided up to several persons, as by record in the Book of Possessions several years after.
Captain Robert Welden. - His burial in Boston is mentioned by Governor Winthrop; "Feb. 18, 1630-1. Capt. Welden, a hopeful young gentleman, and an experienced soldier died at
6
Charlestown of a consumption, and was buried at Boston with a military funeral."
Governor Dudley in his letter to the Countess of Lincoln, said : " Amongst others who dyed about this time, was Mr. Robert Welden, who, in the time of his sickness, we had chosen to be captain of 100 foot; but before he took possession of his place, he dyed, the sixteenth of this February, and was buried as a soldier, with three Volleys of Shott."
The encroachment made by Gov. Andros and his council, on the old burying-place in 1688, was fully consummated that year by the taking of land in the southwest corner, and laying the founda- tion stones the middle of October, 1688 - for the first Episcopal Chapel in New England. On March 24, 1688, a brief had been issued by authority of Gov. Andros and three members of the chapel were authorized to ask for contributions for the fund to build the chapel. The graves of the first settlers were disturbed and the stone memorials removed from the site.
Tombs were built under the wooden chapel, which was en- larged in 1710. The first mention of these tombs on the church record is the 6th of Dec., 1717, when it was voted that "Mr. Mills " and " Mr. Franklin " have liberty to build a tomb under the east end of the chapel.
This vote means Rev. Samuel Myles, the rector, who died March 17, 1727/8, and Sir Henry Frankland, Baronet, who suc- ceeded to his brother's title in England, in 1747. He was an influential and wealthy townsman, and was made collector of the Port of Boston in 1741, by Gov. Shirley. He died in Bath, England, Jan. 11, 1768. It is not known how many more tombs were built under the reconstructed chapel, but it is known that Mrs. Frances Shirley, wife of Gov. Shirley and their daughter were buried in one of these tombs.
By the vote of the proprietors of Kings Chapel, April 1, 1771, " that John Erving Esqr. have liberty to bury the body of Lieut. Gen. (Gov.) Shirley, family or descendants in tomb No. 18, under the Chapel." Mr. Charles Apthorp, who died the 11th of Nov., 1758; Mr. Samuel Vassel of London, England ; and Mr. William Price who died 19th May, 1772, aged 87 years, and some of the pastors of the chapel were buried in the tombs made under the third or stone chapel.
It is certain that there were a number of tombstones under the wooden chapel, when in 1748, the selectmen gave orders that the floor of the new chapel should be six feet high from the ground, to allow free entrance to those having relatives buried there, and to keep the stones and monuments from being destroyed while building within and without.
From the plan of tombs under Kings Chapel made August 26, 1813, it is shown that there are ten tombs on the north side of the crypt, numbered from one to ten, and ten tombs on the south side numbered from eleven to twenty, also a large tomb under the tower. All of these tombs are now closed to future inter- ments, under an Act of 1890, chapter 190, and the entrances to each were sealed by a solid brick wall.
KING'S CHAPEL BURIAL GROUND 1630.
KING'S CHAPEL BURIAL GROUND 1630.
HERE WERE BURIED
JACOB SHEAFE, 1658.
JOHN WINSLOW, 1674.
MARY CHILTON, 1679 A PASSENGER IN THE MAYFLOWER AND WIFE OF JOHN WINSLOW.
MAJOR THOMAS SAVAGE, 1682.
LADY ANDROS, 1688.
CAPT. ROGER CLAP, 1690. THOMAS BRATTLE, 1713.
PROFESSOR JOHN WINTHROP, 1776.
JAMES LLOYD, 1831. .
CHARLES BULFINCH, 1844.
HERE WERE BURIED
GOVERNORS OF MASSACHUSETTS
JOHN WINTHROP, 1649.
JOHN ENDECOTT, 1665.
JOHN LEVERETT, 1679.
WILLIAM SHIRLEY, 1771.
LIEUT. GOVERNORS OF MASSACHUSETTS
WILLIAM PHILLIPS, 1827.
THOMAS LINDALL WINTHROP, 1841.
GOVERNORS OF CONNECTICUT
JOHN WINTHROP, 1676.
FITZ-JOHN WINTHROP, 1707.
JUDGES OF MASSACHUSETTS
WAIT STILL WINTHROP, 1717.
ADAM WINTHROP, 1743.
OLIVER WENDELL, 1818.
THOMAS DAWES, 1825.
MINISTERS OF BOSTON
JOHN COTTON, 1652.
JOHN DAVENPORT, 1670.
JOHN
OXENBRIDGE, 1674.
THOMAS BRIDGE, 1715.
. CAPTAIN ROBERT KEAYNE, FIRST COMMANDER OF THE ANCIENT AND HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY, 1638.
WILLIAM DAWES, JR. PATRIOT AND SON OF LIBERTY. APRIL 6, 1745. FEB. 25, 1799.
THIS TABLET PLACED BY THE CITY, 1901.
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FROM THE TOWN AND SELECTMEN'S RECORDS.
29 day of 6th moneth 1642. It's Ordered that the Constables shall, with all convenient speed, take care for fencing in the burying place.
The Book of Possessions.
Thomas Scotto his possessions within the limits of Boston. 1. One house and garden bounded with the burying place on the west; Henry Messenger north; the streete south; and Mr. Hutchinson east.
This 31st of 1st mo., 1645.
It's agreed with Thomas Scotto, of this Towne, for his Dwelling howse, and yard, and garden in this Towne, sold and delivered unto the select men afforesaid for the Towne use, with all the appurtennances thereof, and groweths thereupon, and benefits that doe or may arise by vertue thereof, bounded with the Lands of Henry Messinger towards the North; with the Land of Mr. Richard Hutchinson towards the East; with the Comon street towards the South; with the Burying place towards the west, and all for the sume of fifty-five pounds.
NOTE. - Thomas Scottow, joiner, in February, 1664, was appointed to superintend the graves, gate and fence of the old burying.place. His house and garden adjoined the old burying-place on the east.
30: 9: 1657.
Itt is agreed with Capt. Savage that for the preserving the fence aboutt the burying place and maintaining the fence, in good condition from time to time hee shall enjoy the use of said ground for twenty yeares leaving the same in good repayer att the end of twenty yeares.
20. 6. 1660.
Itt is ordered that the old burying place shall nott bee broken up any more withoutt leave of some two of the select men first obtained.
5. 9. 1660.
Itt is ordered that the old burying place shall bee wholly deserted for some convenient season, and the new places appointed for burying onely made use off.
March 12th. 1676 77.
Lett to Ephraim Sauage the Herbage of the old buryinge place, for 14 yeares he makeinge & maintaininge a suffitient fence about it.
15 March 1679. 80
Voted yt the Selectmen agree with & make satisfaction to those to whome the buryinge places are leased out, to take care that the fences of them be kept well repaired & yt noe Cattle be suffred to feed in them.
July 21st 1702.
Mr. Robt Gibbs, Richd Draper John Barnerd. & Joseph Prout do manifest their approbation of Mr. Henry Dereing's making a Tomb in the Old burying place at the place where his relations are burryed. July 21.
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June 30th 1704.
Mesures John Marryon Dan11. Oliver, Thoms. Fitch & Joseph Prout declare their Consent. that in the Old burrying place there be a Tombe made for Coll. Page to burry his deceased wife in.
June 14. 1708.
The Select men have Lett unto James Williams the grass in the old burrying place for this Summer he paying for the Same 30./
July 17 1710.
Voted That. Capt Ephraim Savage is desired to imploy Some meet person to repaire the fence of the Old burying place & to make ye Same next the High way (where it is nee full.) on foot Higher than now it is.
July 17 1710.
Voted. a grant to Capt Ephraim Savage of the Grass in the Old bury- ing place for this Sumer he paying for the Same the Sume of fifteen Shillings.
pd by his accot page 291.
The Chapel was enlarged to twice its original size in 1710, and more land from the old burying place on the north and east of the chapel was taken (as shown by the following record), and more graves and more memorial stones removed.
At a Meeting of ye Sel men Aug 7th 1710.
The Select men do agree to Appoint a Town meeting on Monday the 14th of Aug. curt at Nine of ye Clock in ye fore noon to consider of, agree and determine on, what they Shall think proper. and Expedient Relating to a motion or request of the Honble Coll. Francis Nicholson, together with ye ministre. Church wardens and others of the Church of England in Boston, desireing a grant of Land in ye old burying place of fifteen foot wide on the North Side of ye Church, for ye En- largement therof on that Side, and ten foot in breadth on ye Easterly end there of as more fully Set forth by ym in writeing.
14th Octor 1710
A motion or Request in writeing being presented and distinctly Read at this Meeting & is as followeth, vizt.
" The Request of the Honble Collo Francis Nicholson together with the Ministers, Church Wardens, and others of the Church of England in Boston Sheweth.
That the Church. being too Small to accomodate the congregation and Strangers that dayly Increase. And are desireous to Enlarge the Same with the Approbation of the Select men and Inhabitants, but wanting Ground on the North Side and East End, Request that they may have a Grant of fifteen foot wide on the North Side and Seventy four foot in Length, And ten foot at the East end of the Church in Length which is included in the Sd Seventy four foot. Resserveing the Same Liberty too all persons who have had friends buryed in Said Ground which they Enjoyed heretofore. Which Request being granted Shall be ever Acknowledged, &c."
Voted. a grant to the Sd Gentlemen of their abovesaid Request.
June ye 18 1711
Voted, That Capt Ephrm Savages accot. of eight Shill by him Ex- pended on fence. &c. at ye Old burying place be accepted in Leiw of ye grass let to him ye 17th July 1710 page 231.
11
Feb. 11, 1711.
Voted That a convenient number of Trees be provided to plant on the sides of each burying place where it Shall be thought proper, and that Mr. Dan11. Oliver Speak to Mr. Oliver Wiswell to provide ye Same. .
Aprill 16, 1711.
Liberty is granted too Mr. John Pool to make a Toomb in the Old burying place there where his Relations are buryed.
Sept. 26, 1711.
Liberty is granted to Isaac Adington Esq to the children of Capt. Nath11. Green, deceased, and to M'. John Colman, to break ground in to Old burying place to make three Tombs Vizt. one for each family.
Nov. 16, 1714.
Liberty is granted by ye Sel. men, unto Jona Waldo to Make a Toomb for his family in the Old burying place to Stand next to Doct". Cooks fence.
16 May, 1715.
Liberty is granted to Major Thomas Fitch, to make a Toomb for his family in thee Old burying place on ye Easterly Side, Next to Doct" Cooks Land, & next adjoyning to ye Toomb of Isaack Addington Esq. Deceaced.
June 21, 1715.
Liberty is granted to Mr. Thomas Walker to make a Tomb in the Old burying place, at the Easterly' Side there of between the Tombs of Major Thom& Fitch Mr Jona Waldo.
At a meeting of the Sel-men ye 14th of May 1717. .
At a motion of Mesurs Abraham Francis and -- Fairwether for Liberty to Erect a Toomb in the Old Burying place. Liberty is granted to them the Sd Francis & Fairwether to make and erect a Toomb at the Easterly Side of ye Sd burying place next unto that of mr Jonathn Waldos. Provided they carry up the Easterly end thereof wth a Brick wall in conformity to those Toombs there of Mesure Davenports Fitch's & Walkers there.
At a meeting of ye Select men Octor 28th 1717.
Liberty is granted to m' Elias Callender to make a Vault in the Old burying place in the Spot of grownd where his relations are buryed, Provided no Monument above ground over the Same be there raised.
26 May 1718.
Agreed that William Yong is to pay fifteen Shillings for his Cows grazeing in the Old Burying place the Last Summer.
At a Meeting of the Sel-men Octor 26, 1719.
Liberty is granted to Willm Hutchinson Esqr & Mr. Fr Brinley to Make a Toomb in ye Old burying place in that Spot where m. Brinley's Relations were formerly buryed for. ye Interring ye Seigneur of ye family there.
At a Meeting of the Select men the 29th of Febry 1719/20.
Liberty is granted to mr. Thomas Dawes to Erect a Toomb in the Spot of ground where his Relations wr buryed in ye Old burying place.
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29 Feb. 1719/20.
Mrs. Susanna Jacobs hath liberty granted to her to Erect a Toomb in ye Old burying place nigh the School House.
Feb. 23 1736.
John Jeffries Esqr. desires to hire the Herbage of the Old burying place, Capt. Armitage Signifying his Willingness to resign it in May next.
June 22 1737.
Upon a motion of mr. James Townsend Praying for Liberty to Erect a Tomb in the Old burying place where, are two brick Graves belonging to his Family.
Voted, That Capt. Armitage and Capt. Lyman be desired in View the Place, consider the Motion and Report thereon.
June 27 1737.
Capt. Armitage and Capt. Lyman Reporting upon the Motion and desire of mr. James Townsend as Entre'd the 22d of June instant. It was Accordingly
Voted, That Liberty be Granted to mr. James Townsend to Erect a Tomb in the Old Burying place, where there are Two Brick Graves belonging to the Family of Townsend and Davenport.
Mar. 12 1738.
The Petition of Sundry Inhabitants for Liberty, at their own Cost and Charge to Erect and Build a Row of Tombs, and to Raise a good Brick Fence in Front of the Old Burying Place, abutting on Tremount Street they and their Heirs or Assigns Always keeping the same in Sufficient Repair.
Read - After some Debate thereon
Voted, That the Prayer of the Petition be Granted, Upon Condition that the said Work be carried on, and perform'd in a way and manner agreeable to, and according to the Orders and Directions of the Select Men who are also hereby Impowered to Grant and A/sign the Tombs when Erected to the several Grantees they giving sufficent Assurance to the satisfaction of the Select Men, that they, their Heirs or Assigns Shall keep, uphold and maintain the said Brick Wall and Tombs in good, and sufficient Repair, from time to time, and at all times hereafter to the approbation of the Select Men of the Town for the Time being.
JACOB WENDELL,
H. HALL,
WILLIAM TYLER,
WILLIAM FAIRFIELD,
STEPH. BOUTINEAU,
Jos: MARION, ISAAC GRIDLEY,
SAMUEL TYLER,
BENJAMIN HALLOWELL, JOHN TRAIL,
JOHN KNEELAND, JUNR.
DANIEL BELL,
JOHN DENNIE,
JAMES DAVENPORT,
JOHN TYLER, JOSHUA BLANCHARD,
BENJAMIN CLARK,
JACOB PARKER.
March 21, 1738.
Whereas a Petition of sundry Inhabitants was presented to the Town, at their Annual Meeting the 12th of March current -Praying for Liberty at their own Cost and Charge to Erect and Build a Row of Tombs and raise a good Brick Fence in the Front of the Old Burying place, abutting on Treamount Street - they and their Heirs or Assigns always keeping the Tombs and Brick fence in sufficent Repair. The Prayer whereof was accordingly Granted, Upon Condition that the said Work, be carried on and Effected in a Way and manner agreeable to the
SAMUEL BRIDGHAM, JOHN GOLDTHWAIT,
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Select men. Who are also to Assign the Tombs when Erected to the Grantees taking Caution, for their performance as above - And messTe. Blanchard, Parker, and Kneeland, Appearing desire the Select men would please to give them Directions for their proceeding in the said Work that it may be began as soon as may be,
The Select men taking the Motion under Consideration, They direct and order as follows - Vizt .-
That the Street be not broken up, or dug, for carrying on the Work more than One half of the length of the Brick Wall proposed, at One time, the Work of which half shall be finished and the Street made good again before the other half be dug up.
That the same be inclosed with a Fence while the said Work is doing. That the Dirt or Earth dug up every Day shall be Carryed away the same Day.
That the Bricks and Lime be laid so as not to incumber or incom- mode the Street. That a sufficient Number of Hands shall be employ'd in the Work so as to Compleat and finish the said half within Four Weeks, and the whole within Two months from the Time When the Work shall be begun.
And When the Work shall be begun, it shall not be left until the whole of it be finished to the Satisfaction of the Select men. That the Foundation of the Brick Wall or Fence be laid with Stone, and con- tinued One Course above the Pavement of the Street, the said Brick Wall to be Thirteen Inches thick with Pillars on the inside thereof between every Tomb. That a good Stone Wall be made on the back of the Tombs the Arches of the Tombs to be turn'd with a Wall of Thirteen Inches thick, the top whereof is to lye One foot at the least below the Top of the Pavement. The Heighth of the Wall to be as the Committee of the Select men shall direct.
Voted, That the Hon. John Jeffries, Esqr. Capt. Armitage and mr. Clarke be a Committee to take the Oversight of the said Work, until the same shall be Compleated and finished.
May 24 1738
The Hon. John Jeffries Esq', Desires he may have the Herbage of the Old Burying place for the Year Current.
May 29 1738
Voted, That the Herbage of the Old Burying place be, and hereby is Let, to the said John Jeffries Esq. at the rent of Thirty Shillings p Annum.
Sept. 20 1738.
Mr Daniel Bell Desires Liberty of a Tomb in the Old Burying place, amongst the New Tombs there to be made and also that he may have liberty of Building it himself.
Jan. 28 1739.
Voted, That the Herbage of the Old Burying place be Let to the Hon. John Jeffries Esq. for the year ensuing, Vizt. 1740. At the price it was let for the last year, Vizt. Thirty Shillings.
July 51 739.
Messrs, Parker & Blanchard appear'd and Informs That, Deacon Samuel Bridgham desires Liberty to Erect a Tomb within the Old Burying place, in Order to Interr therein his Relatives which now lye buried near together in said Burying place.
Voted, That the Hon. John Jeffries Esqr. Capt Armitage, mr Collson and mr Clarke be a Committee to Consider of this affair, to View the place, and to give Liberty therefor, Provided they do not see any incon- venience therein.
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March 10 1739
A, Petition of John Chambers, and Others, Grave Diggers, presented to the Select Men, Representing that the Old and South Burying Places, are so filld with Dead Bodies they are Obliged Oft times to Bury them four deep. - Praying it may be laid before the Town, for their Con- sideration - Read.
Voted, That the Consideration of this Affair be Referr'd to the Select Men, Who are Desired to Report to the Town at the next General Town Meeting, What they may think proper for to be done thereon.
April 8 1741
Ordered, That m' Savell, desire m' Joshua Blanchard & Company, who Undertook the Building of the Tombs in the Old Burying place, in Treamount Street. to be here next Wednesday in Order to the Settling and disposition of the Tombs.
NOTE .- The third King's Chapel was built between the years 1749 and 1753, and the corner-stone was laid by Governor Shirley. The roof of the new chapel was built over the second chapel, and services were continued in the second chapel until the walls and roof were all up, when the congregation attended Trinity Church until the wooden church was taken down and out of the stone chapel, when the chapel was completed and the first service was held there on August 21, 1754.
On March 14, 1747, the officers of King's Chapel asked the town for more land on the north and east of the chapel from the old burying place. But it was not until 1749 that, after considerable controversy between the wardens of the chapel and selectmen, more land was granted to them from the old burying place on the north and east from the chapel, and the site of the first Latin school-house on the east. More graves and tombs were disturbed, and the remains and monuments were removed. The following record from the town records gives the history of building the present King's Chapel :
March 15 1747.
The Petition of the Minister, Church Wardens & Vestry of King's Chappel in Boston, in behalf of themselves, and the Congregation that usually Attend the Publick Worship of God there, Setting forth that said Chappel, which has been constantly Improved for the Public Wor- ship of God, for about Sixty Years past is in many parts of it Rotten and greatly decayed, and almost rendered unfit for that Service any longer, and said Congregation out of Regard to the Honour of God and for their own Edification being very desirous than the Public worship of God should be still supported and carryed on in said Place, have determin'd to Rebuild said Charg, and make it some what larger. and more Commodious than it now is, but apprehend they shall be greatly Streightened for want of a little Ground at the east End of said Church that leads into the Burial place, the Petre pray the Town will be pleas'd to Grant to said Church so much of their Land Eastward as will make the same Regular & Commodious, or if the Town think best that they would Appoint a Committee to consider of this Petition, View the premises & Report to the Town what is best to be done as to granting the Prayer thereof, was Read - And after some Debate thereon, it was Voted that the Honble Andrew Oliver Esqr. Thomas Hancock Esqr, Mr. Jeremiah Allen, Mr. Middlecott Cooke, the Honº Jacob Wendell Esqr Mr. Thomas Greene & M' John Tyng be & hereby. they are appointed a Committee to consider of said Petition, View the Premises Consider the Circumstances of the same and Report to the Town at the Adjourn- ment of this Meeting whether it will be best, for the Town to Grant the Prayer thereof.
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Monday March 28 1747
The Committee appointed the 14th. Instant to Consider of the Petition of the Minister Church Wardens and Vestry of Kings Chappel in Boston, for Granting 'em. a peice of Land to enlarge said Chappel, Reported, - That they had met the Petrs. but done nothing thereon, they being desirous to withdraw their Petition, and several of the Petrs being now present and moving that they may have. Liberty to withdraw their Petition, It was Voted that they have Liberty to with draw their Petition accordingly.
March 31st, 1748.
The Petition of a Number of the Congregation of Kings Chappel, praying the Select men would call a Town Meeting as soon as conven- iently may be for the Grant of a peice of Land at the East end of the said Chappel to Enlarge the same &c. was read and is as follows, Vizt.
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