USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Old Copp's Hill and Burial Ground : with historical sketches, March 1, 1882 > Part 5
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S. F. McCLEARY,
City Clerk.
[DOCUMENT 47 -1879.]
CITY OF
OBIS.
.1822
BOSTONIA CONDITA A.D.
1630
GIMINE D
BOSTON.
A SKETCH
OF THE
ORIGIN AND HISTORY
OF THE
GRANARY BURIAL-GROUND.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, March, 1879.
Referred to the Special Committee on Interments, with authority to print the same. Sent up for concurrence.
W. H. WHITMORE,
President.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, March 31, 1879.
Concurred.
HUGH O'BRIEN, Chairman.
THE GRANARY BURYING-GROUND.
It may be said primarily that in the Description of Boston, by our late Mayor Shurtleff, much information concerning all the burial-grounds will be found. Although rather gen- eral in terms, the account there given seems to be correct ; and it will be sufficient to say that the statements therein have been used in the following report.
In regard to the Granary yard it may be briefly stated that it came into use some thirty or forty years after the settlement of the town. Probably there was at first little order or precision to its boundaries, as it was simply a
2
CITY DOCUMENT No. 47.
corner of the Common which reached westerly from the foot of Beacon and Cotton hills. Prior to 1700 we must regard the present Tremont street as little more than a lane skirting the open common field, having houses on the easterly side only, and with the present Beacon street reaching up the hillside. It is not known when or where the first inter- ments were made, but from analogy we may presume they were nearest the road, and hence where the Tremont House stands. In Bonner's map of 1722 it appears as if the land nearest Beacon street had been by that time set off for house- lots, about on the lines still so occupied; but as yet our Park street could have been nothing more than a road-way. The town about this time seems to have placed its buildings on this land, and the Almshouse in fact was rebuilt about 1682, on Beacon street, near Park. About 1712 a Bride- well, or House of Correction, was placed on the upper part of Park street; in 1738 a Workhouse one hundred and twenty feet long was added, and a Pound. Soon after, a Granary was put on the corner of Park and Tremont streets, while the Town bulls were kept in a corner of the main ground.
From the words used in the records it seems that the town voted in 1719-20 to enlarge the ground on the Common side ; and, as will be seen, tombs were placed along that line. It is highly probable that some graves were extended beyond the line, since it will be remembered that when the drinking- fountain was placed on the Common near the Park street gate, and. large excavations were made for the water-pipes, several gravestones were disinterred.
At all events the records show that in 1721 fifteen tombs were licensed on the west side of the yard, beginning at the upper corner, and being in a line parallel with the present Park street. By the end of 1725 the whole line was com- plete, and in 1726 tombs were put on a new range from that corner, following Tremont street.
By 1737 this row was also finished, and the corner turned irregularly round the garden lot now belonging to the Tremont House estate ; tomb No. 80 being the end one in that direction.
In 1739 five more tombs were built, Nos. 81-85, being the first on the easterly side, parallel with the passage-way from Tremont street to Tremont place.
After this date less care seems to be taken with the record of grants ; if, indeed, any tombs were built for many years. Shurtleff indeed says that none were granted until 1810, and so far corroborates our opinion based on the lack of records.
According to Shurtleff, 26 tombs were built in 1810,
3
HISTORY OF GRANARY BURIAL-GROUND.
being Nos. 86-111, forming all of the row in that direction, up to the line of the Athenæum estate.
A line was also built on a portion of the north side of the yard, parallel to the estates adjoining the Atheneum towards Park street.
In 1807, also, William Payne and his sisters, who owned the estates on Beacon street west of the Athenaeum, and abutting on the burying-ground, obtained leave to construct tombs in their yards, to be entered from the cemetery. Nine tombs, were so built, under the stables and outhouses of these estates ; and yet these tombs were readily taken by such citizens as David Sears, Uriah Cotting, John Gore, Edward Blake, and others of note.
There are also various tombs in the yard not placed by regular plan, and probably not the subject of regular grant. Such tombs, raised above ground and covered with a huge slab, are to be found in all of our older cemeteries, and usually belonged to the clergymen or magnates of the day. Thus we know that tomb No. 140 was that of Rev. John Baily, who died in 1697; and we find mention of tombs of Gov. Endicott, Simeon Stoddard, and Josiah Willard, - all prominent inhabitants of the town.
The records indeed are very imperfect, and our main reli- ance must be the memorandum which has been kept in the various departments which have successively had the custody of the yard. The list herewith printed was originally pre- pared about a century ago, and from time to time various transfers and claims have been added. In 1818 the then Superintendent of Health, Samuel H. Hewes, opened a record-book, still preserved at the office of the Board of Health ; but it was very fragmentary, and little used after the beginning.
In regard to the question of the present ownership of the various tombs not much can be said. There seems to be no law or decision covering the point of wherein the ownership rests on the death of the first constructor of a tomb.
No case seems to have arisen as to the rights of heirs. Of course a tomb is of but very limited capacity, and when once filled, common propriety would restrain any heir from insisting upon an abstract right to place bodies in the ances- tral vault. But where no disposition has been made by gift, and where descendants are numerous, there may well be a question as to the rights of the heirs. The town of Boston. seems to have had a by-law that when tombs became dilapi -- dated it might repair the same and assign them to other parties. It seems that this was done, after the Revolution especially, when the families of former owners had departed
4
CITY DOCUMENT No. 47.
from the country. But to-day the question will arise whether the right to sell a tomb depends upon the consent of all of the descendants of the grantee of one hundred and fifty years ago. Undoubtedly for the present purpose it will be sufficient to point out one owner, but a search for title will be long and inconclusive.
EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS OF THE SELECTMEN.
P. 144-5, April 13, 1721. Voted, That whereas the Town of Boston at a Publike Town Meeting on the 29th day of Aprill 1719 ordered that the South Burying place should be Inlarged next the Common or Train- ing Field : In pursuance of which vote or order the select men in the year 1720 did so Inlarge the said Burying-Place, at which time sundry of the Inhabitants of the said Town to the number of fifteen desired Liberty to erect new Tombs, on the south line of the said Burying- place, which the Select men granted on condition they would carry up and maintain a brick wall on said line at the end of their Tombs which said line of Tombs begins at the upper or west corner of the said Bury- ing-Place next the Alms House, and are by the said Select men assigned to the several Persons who built the same as follows, viz. : -
To Jonathan Belcher, Esq., the upper tomb which we call No. 1
" Oliver Noyce, Esq., downward
. No. 2
" Mr. James Gooch
. No. 3
" Mr. Thomas Cushin . No. 4
Capt. Thomas Steel
No. 5
" Mr. James Bowdoin .
No. 6
" Mr. William Foy
No. 7
" Mr. George Bethune .
No. 8 No. 9
" Mr. Ezekiel Lewis
" Mr. Robert Guteridge
Mr. William Webster, his heirs
No. 10 No. 11
" Jeram Allen, Esq.
No. 12
" William Harris, Esq.
No. 13
" Capt. Adino Bulfinch
No. 14
66 Mr. Joshua Henshaw .
No. 15
Ordered, That the above written be entred by the Town Clerk in the Select men's book, and Certificates be by him given out to the Owners in the form following, viz. : -
" At a meeting of the Select men of Boston, Aprill the 13th, 1721.
" There is granted to Jona Belcher, Esq., the first tomb from the west end of the South Burying Place, on the south line of said Burying Place, he having at his own charge erected the same and paid to the Town his part of the Common shore for draining the said tombs, - and so the rest."
P. 185, 1721, March 5. Upon a petition of Mr. John Edwards of Bos- ton, sheweth, that whereas there is a Tomb in the South Burying place, belonging to the Late Governour Endicot, which has bin unimproved for many years, and there being no family in said Town nearer related to the said Governour Endicot's family than his, desires he may have liberty granted him to make use of it for his family. Granted that the said John Edwards has Liberty to Improve the said Tomb until a person of better right to it appears to Claim it.
1722, April 17, (p. 187), grants were made as follows : - To - - Gill No. 16, David Colson No. 17, Thomas Crees No. 18, Henry Guio-
5
HISTORY OF GRANARY BURIAL-GROUND.
neaues No. 19. " Granted to each of them their respective tombs, they having erected them at their own expense and paid to the Town their share to the common shore."
1722, Sept. 24, (p. 207.) " Liberty granted for a tomb to be built for Mr. John Coney, deca, in the S. Burying place on the south line No. 20." Liberty granted to Samuel Barrett to build a tomb on the same line, No. 21.
1723, Oct. 11, (p. 244.) Liberty granted etc. " upon terms of the for- mer grants," to Jonas Clark No. 22, Jonathan Jackson No. 23.
1723, Nov. 25, (p. 246.) " There is granted to Mr. William Downes the twenty-fourth Toomb from the west end of the South Burying place on the south line of the said burying place, he having at his own charge erected the same and paid to the Town his part of the common shore for draining the said Toombs."
1724, April 27, (p. 256-7.) " Liberty is granted to Mr. Samuel Rand to build a Tomb in the South Burying place on the south line, No. 25, upon the same conditions others had."
" Liberty is also granted to Mr. Silence Allen and Mr. Eliazer Darby to build two Tombs between them on the same conditions, No. 27 and 28."
"Liberty is also granted to David Demming, Henry Howel, and Hannah Demming to build one Toomb between them on the same con- ditions, No. 29."
(P. 258.) "Liberty is granted to Mr. Thomas Wallis to build a Toomb in the South Burying Place on the south line, No. 29, upon the same conditions others had."
" Liberty is also granted to Mr. William Palfrey to erect a Toomb in the same Burying place on the same terms. He quitt his Grant to Capt. Bonner."
1724, July 17, (p. 266.) " Liberty granted to Mr. Andrew Faneuil to erect a Toomb in the South Burying place, near to the Toomb of Simion Stoddard, Esq."
1725, Sept. 27, (p. 311.) Liberty granted &c., " upon the same con- ditions others did" to Cap't. John Bonner No. 30, William Spiekman, No. 31, Henry Gibbins No. 32, Jera Belknap No. 33, Penn Townsend, No. 34.
(P. 312.) "Liberty is granted to Mr. Thomas Wallis to build a Toomb in the South Burying place upon the south line No. (26) upon the same terms as others had granted. Liberty being formerly granted to Mr. Eleazer Darby and Silence Allen to build a Tomb betwixt them, have now made application they may have each of them a toomb ; which was granted. To Mr. Eliazer Darby No. (27), to Mr. Silence Allen No. (28.)
1726, Sept. 6. (p. 348.) Liberty is granted to build a tomb in the south burying place, on the new line, " on the same conditions formerly granted to others," to John Borland, No. 37; Joseph Brandon, No. 38 ; Barrett Dyer, No. 39 ; John Durant, No. 35.
1726, Nov. 19, (p. 350.) Liberty &c., " upon the conditions as others have the liberty " to Nathanial Cunningham, No. 40.
1726-7, March 10, (p. 358.) Liberty, &c., " on the same terms as others, having paid part of the drain " to Wm. Bowen, No. 34; Thomas Downe, No. 44.
1727, May 3, (p. 363.) Liberty, &c., " upon the west line on the same terms as others had, he having paid for the benefit of the drain," to Capt. Cyprian Southick, No. 46.
1727, May 29, (p. 365.) Liberty &c., " on the same conditions the former persons did, he having paid for the drain " to John Jekyl, No. 47; John and Thomas Hill, No. 45; Ann Green, No. 41; William Wheelwright, No. 42.
1727, Aug. 28, (p. 376.) Liberty granted, &c., "on same terms
6
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 47.
with others" to John Hunt, No. 49; John Dolbear, No. 51; Francis Wardell, No. 53.
1727, Sep't. 8, (p. 377.) Liberty granted &c., " on former terms," to James Pemberton, No. 48; Cap't. John Fairweather, No. 43; William Young, glazier, No. 52; Nathaniel Byfield, No. 50.
1727-8. March 25, (p. 388.) Liberty granted of a tomb on the east line " on the conditions granted to others " to Robert Patteshall, and to Capt. William Blare. [No numbers given.]
At the end of the volume of Selectmen's Records from 1715 to 1729, and in the same handwriting, is the following : -
" A List of the Toombs in the South Burying place on the South Line and numbered, viz .: -
Jonathan Belcher, esq.
No. 1
Oliver Noyes, esq.
2
Capt. James Gouch
3
Mr. Thomas Cushing .
4
Capt. Thomas Steel
5
Mr. James Bowdoin
6
Mr. George Bethune
8
Mr. Ezekiel Lewis
9
Mr. Robert Guteridge
10
Mr. William Webster
11
Jeramiah Allen, esq. .
12
Capt. Adino Bulfinch .
14
Mr. Joshua Henshaw .
15
Mr. John Gill
16
(Now Thomas Hancock) added in different ink.
Mr. David Colson
17
Docr Thomas Creese
18
Mr. Henry Geneue
19
Mr. John Coney
20
Mr. Samuel Barrett
21
Mr. Jonas Clark .
22
Mr. Jonathan Jackson
23
Mr. William Downs (pinmaker)
24
Mr. Samuel Rand
25
Mr. Thomas Wallis
26
Capt. Eliezer Darby
27
Mr. Silence Allen
28
Mr. David Deming
29
Capt. John Bonner
30
Mr. William Spikeman
31
Mr. Henry Gibbons
32
Mr. Jeremiah Belknap
33
Mr. William Bowen
35
Penn Townsend, esq. .
36
Mr. John Borland
37
Mr. Joseph Brandon
38
Mr. Barret Dyer .
39
Mr. Nathaniel Cunningham
40
Mrs. Ann Green
41
Mr. William Wheeler, jun' Capt. Wm Blak 42
·
.
.
.
.
7
Mr. William Foy
William Harris, esq. .
13
Mr. John Durant
7
Capt. John Fairwether
43
Mr. Thomas Down
44
Messrs. John & Thomas Hill
45
Capt. Cyprian Southack
46
Jolın Jekiel, esq.
47
Mr. James Pemberton
48
Mr. John Hunt
49
Nathaniel Byfield, esq.
50
Mr. John Dolbeare
51
Mr. William Young
52
Mrs. Frances Wardwell
53
Mr. William Lee
54
Mr. John Wendell
55
Major Paul Mascareen
56
Mr. Thomas Jackson .
57
Mr. Andrew Tylor
58
Mr. Francis Gatcom
59
Mr. Nicholas Buttolpli
60
William Welsteed, esq. his family
61
Doc. Nathan1 Williams
62
Mr. William Wheeler jun".
63
Mr. William Palphree
64
Messrs. Zecha & Cornelius Thayer
65
Mr. Robert Pattishall
66
Capt. James Blin
.
67
1729, Aug. 6 (p. 5). "Granted to the several persons hereafter named, each a Toomb in the South Burying Place on the east line on the conditions on the former Persons.
The Revd. Mr. William Welsted for his father's family.
William Palfrie.
Capt. James Blin.
1729, Dec. 29 (p. 12). Granted &c. " on the same conditions that others had them granted on " - to Mr. John Windal.
Dec. 31 (p. 12). "Granted to Mr. William Lee liberty of a Toomb in the South Burying Place on the East line on the same condition with others," was granted July, 1728.
1729-30, March 12, (p. 19.) " Granted to Mr. Thomas Jackson, of Boston, merchant, one of the new toombs in the South Burying place on the east line No. (-) on the same conditions with others."
1735-6, Feb. 25, (p. 277.) " Liberty is granted to Mr. John Knee- land to break up the ground in the Sonth Burying Place, between the Bull house and the north east corner of it, in order for the building five tombs, upon condition that he build a brick wall where the Fence now stands and make good the ground again to the satisfaction of the select- men."
1735-6, March 3 (p. 280.) " Voted that Messrs. Joshua Blanchard, John Kneeland, Jr., Jonathan Williams, Jr., Benjamin Emmons and Thomas Hubbard shall have the tombs granted to be built in the South Burying place as entred the 25 Feb. last."
1736, April 14 (p. 294.) " A petition signed by Messrs. Edmª Quincy, Thomas Jackson, Joseph Green and sundry others, praying for liberty to erect a brick wall on the northerly side of the south burying place, with Tombs under the same, or that other provision may be made for their accommodation, viz., in the old burying place " was read and referred.
1736, June 2 (p. 317.) " Mr. Joshua Thomson prays for liberty to build a tomb, or that he may have assigned to him one of those that are about to be built in the South burying place near the Bull-House, as it now stands, upon the conditions usual."
HISTORY OF GRANARY BURIAL-GROUND.
8
CITY DOCUMENT No. 47.
P. 139. 1733, May 8. " Liberty is granted to Mr. John Lee to break up the ground and build a Tomb in the South Burying Place about 26 feet distance from the South west wall against the Tomb belonging to William Harris, Esq."
New Vol. E. P. 67, 1736-7, Feb. 23. "John Jeffries, esq. informs that it is the desire of Mr. John Gibbins to have liberty to build a Tomb in the South Burying Place."
E. pp. 84-5, 1736-7. March 23. " Whereas upon the petition of sundry persons as entred at several times Liberty was granted for the erecting a Number of Tombs in the South Burying Place, which work being compleated and finished the Tombs allotted and drawn and a list of them presented to us for confirmation :
VOTED, that the Thirteen Tombs lately erected in the South Burying place, numbered from sixty-eight to eighty inclusive, be and hereby are granted and confirmed unto the Persons hereafter named, their Heirs and assigns respectively, forever, viz : -
No. 68 .
Mr. Richard Checkley.
69 ·
Mr. Jonathan Williams, junr.
70 . Mr. Thomas Hubbard.
71 Mr. Benjamin Emmons.
72 .
Mr. John Indicott.
73 . Mr. Joshua Blanchard.
74 .
Mr. Edward Gray.
75 .
The Hon. John Osborne, Esq.
76
Mr. Edmund Quincy.
77
Mr. Thomas Jackson.
78 79
Mr. Isaac Walker.
Mr. John Buttolph.
80
Mr. Joseph Green.
Upon the following conditions, viz. : That they and each of them, their Heirs and assigns, Do from time to time forever hereafter at their own proper costs and charges, uphold, maintain and keep in good repair the Brick Wall or Fence, with Cants on the Top of the same, as it is now built, and of the full breadth of each of their respective Tombs, to the satisfaction of the Selectmen of the town for the time being, - Paying each his proportion for the benefit of the Drain as has been Cus- tomary.
E. P. 109, 1737, Apl. 25. Mr. John Clough (Leather-dresser) prays for Liberty to build a Tomb in the South Burying palce next adjoining to the Tomb number 80 lately erected there.
E. P. 298, 1738, April 5. " Capt. Jonathan Armitage desired Liberty to erect a Tomb in the South Burying place on the north line. His former desire made in the year 1734 being omitted entring at time."
P. 328, 1738, June 21. Deacon Parker and Mr. Blanchard desired leave to build four new tombs in the South Burying place adjoining the thirteen built in 1736 on the northerly side of the yard, and it was granted, the tombs "to be disposed of by the Selectmen as they shall see fit."
F. p. 6, 1738, Sept. 13. As all the money for Tombs 68 to 80 had not been paid in, Mr. Joshua Blanchard was ordered to collect it and pay for " building a small piece of Brick wall at the North corner of said Burying place, against which part of Mr. Joseph Green's Tomb stands, viz. : Number 80."
F. p. 63, 1738-9, Jany 10. Voted that the five Tombs lately built in the South burying place number'd from 81 to 85 inclusive, be and hereby are granted to the persons hereafter named, their Heirs and assigns forever, viz. :
9
HISTORY OF GRANARY BURIAL-GROUND.
No. 81
.
to Deacon Jacob Parker. .
82
.
" Deacon John Clongh.
83
" the heirs of Sam' Greenleaf, decd.
84
.
" Doctor John Gibbins.
Upon the conditions following, viz. : that they and each of them, their Heirs and assigns, Do from time to time forever hereafter, at their own proper cost and charge uphold, maintain and keep in good repair the Brick Wall or Fence, with Cants on the Top of the same, as it is now built, and of the full breadth of each of their respective Tombs, to the satisfaction of the Selectmen of the Town for the time being, paying each his proportion for the Benefit of the Drain as has been customary.
F. p. 334, 1740, July 16. Liberty to Hugh Hall, Esq., to build a Tomb in the South burying place " and to bring in his bricks &c., by the almshouse," " provided that he takes care for putting up the Fence again in good order."
RECORDS OF THE TOWN OF BOSTON, VOL. 8, P. 491.
At a meeting of the freeholders &c., Nov. 2, 1795. "The Article in the Warrant relative to the Common and Chapel Burying grounds, read, : - Whereupon, voted that the Hon. Thomas Dawes, Esq., the Hon. George R. Minot, Esq., Dr. Eustis, Nath'l Appleton, Esq., Dr. Jarvis, Mr. Nath'l Balch, Hon. Wm. Tudor, Esq. be a committee.
1795, Nov. 6, (p. 493.) The Committee appointed by the Town to consider the subject of the Burying grounds at large and to report on Friday next some suitable place of deposit for the Dead, in order that the Town may be enabled to discontinue the opening of Graves in the Common and Chappel Burying grounds, report as follows : -
The Committee having consulted the Physicians of the Town, find it to be their opinion that the Health of the Inhabitants is in danger from the crowded state of these Grounds, and the exhalations which must frequently arise from opening Graves therein. In addition to which they find it is almost impossible to open new Graves, without disturb- ing the relicts of the Dead already interred. From an equal regard to Health, for a decent respect for both the living and the Dead, they rec- ommend to the Inhabitants to adopt the following measures : -
1st. That no Graves or new Tombs shall be opened or built in either the Common or Chappel burying Ground, after the first day of May next.
2d. As the South Burying ground is already sufficiently large for the present accommodation of the Inhabitants and will admit of such enlargement, that the Selectmen be empowered to allot to any Inhabi- tant who may apply for the same, sufficient Ground for erecting a Tomb in the Ground, and to enlarge the said South Burying Ground in a direction westerly whenever the publick convenience shall in their judgment require it.
3d. Inasmuch as in remarkably inclemant weather it may be in- convenient for Funerals to proceed to the South Burying Ground, that the Selectmen cause to be erected under the Vestry room of the Stone Chappel, or in some other part of the Chappel burying ground, a Vault or Tomb suitable for a temporary deposit, in which any of the Inhabi- tants who may incline thereto, shall have a right to deposit the Bodies of their deceased Friends or relatives, for a term of time not exceeding twenty-four hours (unless in particular cases) by permission of the
" Capt. Jonathan Armitage.
85
·
10
CITY DOCUMENT No. 47.
Selectmen, until it may be convenient for them to remove such Bodies to the place of final interment.
All which is submitted.
THOS. DAWES, pr order.
The foregoing report having been read and considered the question was put whether the same shall be accepted.
Passed in the affirmative.
1802, Jany. 25, (p. 92.) " Mr. Benjamin Hale and Asa Hatch apply that their names should [be] entred in the plan of the Granary Burying Ground on Tomb No. 11, formerly owned by Webster. Mr. Hale being the legal heir under Webster, and having sold one half of said Tomb to Mr. Hatch."
1807, June 24, (p. 346.) "Dr. James Lloyd informed the Board that by consent of Mrs. Shrimpton Hutchinson he had sold the Tomb in the Granary Burying ground belonging to Mr. Hutchinson, to Dea- con Nye & son, and wished it to be so entered upon the Selectmen's books. Agreed that such communication should be entered on the Record."
1807, Apr. 29, (p. 338.) "On the application of Christopher Gore, William Paine and Mr. Fletcher for liberty to build a number of Tombs on their land adjoining on the west wall of the Granary burying ground with liberty to enter such tombs through the brick wall." Referred to a committee.
1807, Aug. 6, (p. 353.) " A petition of Mr. Michael Homer having been several times before the Board, for liberty to build Tombs in the Granary burying ground, reference was had to the doings of the Town. in the year 1795, when it appeared that the Town ordered that no new grave or tomb should be built in the Chapel or Granary burying grounds ; in consequence of this vote the Board determined that it was not in their power to give liberty as requested."
1807, Sept. 16, (p. 358.) On said application " Voted that they have the consent of the Board to their request, provided they shall obtain a like consent from the persons who own Tombs adjoining to that wall ; which consent shall be expressed in writing and signed by said propri- etors and put upon the Town files."
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