Copp's Hill Burying Ground in Boston

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  Mark tatum

  :: 01 May 2018 12:55:16

  In the Copp's Hill Burying Ground history is alive. It is a history going back to February 20, 1659 when the cemetery was created on Copp's Hill. This is time in Boston History before the United States of America. As a matter of fact during the Battle of Bunker Hill, the British used Copp's Hill to train their canons across the Charles River to Charlestown. On June 30, 1704; seven pirates were hung on gallows in Copp's Hill. When we talk about Copp's Hill the majority of it is the cemetery that was originally named The North Burying Ground. The name would change to Copp's Hill Burying Ground, named after William Capp the shoemaker. Copp's Hill Burying Ground is in the far northern area of the North End on the crest of a hill that overlooks the Charles River, historic buildings including the narrowest house in Boston, and the spire of the Old North Church. It is one of the points of interest along Boston's Freedom Trail. When you travel southbound on the Freedom Trail toward Boston Commons, it is the first point of interest south of the Charlestown Bridge. One of the days we walked the Boston Freedom Trail, we picked it up from Commercial Street which is south of the Charlestown Bridge where it is the start of the brick pavement through the North End. It is also the hilliest segment of the Boston Freedom Trail. When we followed the Freedom Trail onto Hill Street we were parallel to a wall on the left. This was the border of the second oldest cemetery in Boston. With the Old North Church in clear view ahead a few hundred feet before it, we entered the Copp's Hill Burying Ground. Entering the cemetery required climbing up a few steps. I have never reviewed a cemetery before. This is more than a cemetery. It is alive with history. Being surrounded by headstones that date back to 1776 in a scenic outdoor square parcel interspersed with mature trees on a hill overlooking the water is an interesting experience. It is a learning experience. Throughout the cemetery, there are plaques that provide vital facts and information. Speaking of vital facts, two of the deceased that are buried here include 1) Robert Newman who is the man who hung the lanterns on that famous night when a few stops down the Freedom Trail Paul Revere was on his midnight ride and 2) Edmund Hartt the man who built the USS Constitution which is the famous ship off the Freedom Trail north of the Charlestown Bridge. In the cemetery, we did a combination of resting and walking. I noticed that time hasn't been too kind to many of the grave stones that date all the way back to the 1700s. Many are shot where the inscriptions are worn out and intelligible. However, there are others that time has been kind to. I noticed that quite a few headstones featured a winged skull. This piqued my curiosity. The winged skull is the symbol of death and mortality. On a warm Boston summer day, it was relaxing resting under a mature tree that might of been alive at the same time as Robert Newman and Edmundt Hart. It was peaceful yet not devoid of noise. There were plenty of people sharing the second oldest cemetery with me, my family, and the deceased buryed here. Above the people and tombstones and across Hill Street was an interesting streetscape of the northernmost historic and charming residential buildings in the North End. In conclusion my first cemetery review produces a 4 star rating. At Copp's Burying Ground history does not rest in peace. History lives on the first southbound Boston Freedom Trail stop in the North End.

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  Rebecca White

  :: 04 March 2018 21:27:01

  Wonderful little cemetery. Loved to walk around and read the markers. Very peaceful.

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  Stephen Dow

  :: 09 October 2017 18:38:41

  Fascinating cemetery. It's unexpectedly located right in a neighborhood in Boston's "North End." Most of the barely legible gravestones date back to the 1700's, and some to the late 1600's. It is open daily.

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  David MacIndoe

  :: 21 September 2017 11:56:20

  Small and not overrun by people, Copp's is a peaceful cemetery that is also one of Boston's oldest. There is a lot of history behind it. Look at the retaining wall and see if you notice a line of mortar running along it (northeast side I believe). That is where they had to patch it after the wall collapsed and soil and bodies flooded into the streets!

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  hi there

  :: 11 August 2017 18:40:10

  Lots of history at this burial ground. Definitely do your research before visiting so as to find the interesting well known people buried here and download maps to find their gravestones. Lots of scavenger hunting happening here. Many of these gravestones are so old that the writing is barely visible. Cotton Mather is buried here and he dates back to the Salem Witch Trials. Go to YELP for better reviews and photos. It's easier to upload multiple photos there.