Old Burying Point Cemetery

Welcome to the Old Burying Point Cemetery, alternately known in historical records as the Charter Street Cemetery. As we stand before the wrought-iron gates of this sacred enclosure, we are preparing to enter one of the most…

As we cross the threshold from the pavement of Charter Street into the grassy enclosure of the cemetery, take a moment to observe the stark juxtaposition between the sacred and the secular. On one side of the iron fence lies the…

Let us pause before one of the exceptionally well-preserved slate markers to examine the distinct, highly stylized artwork carved into the tympanum—the rounded top section of the headstone. The dominant motif you will observe…

Navigating toward the left side of the cemetery enclosure, we arrive at a grave of immense historical and literary significance. Beneath this heavy, age-worn marker lies John Hathorne, one of the principal, and most notoriously…

Directing our attention toward the center of the graveyard, you will notice a distinct departure from the upright, vertical slate headstones. Resting prominently on the uneven ground is a massive, horizontal tabletop tomb…

Continuing our scholarly survey of the cemetery's most prominent occupants, we locate the impressive tomb of Governor Simon Bradstreet. His presence here elevates the historical significance of the Old Burying Point far beyond…

As our route brings us toward the rear boundary of the Old Burying Point, we must address the most profound element of this cemetery: its silence regarding the victims. We have examined the graves of the wealthy merchants, the…

Our scholarly examination of the Old Burying Point Cemetery draws to a close. We have navigated the uneven dirt paths of this sacred ground, translating the grim, winged poetry of the Puritan death's heads and identifying the…