Copp's Hill Burying Ground
Copp's Hill Burying Ground Photos
You might also consider
More like Copp's Hill Burying Ground
Recommended Reviews - Copp's Hill Burying Ground
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
My husband and I were walking part of the Freedom Trail two weeks ago during a weekend visit to Boston for his birthday. We decided to visit a few sites on the Freedom Trail that we hadn't visited in the past, and Copp's Hill Burying Ground was our last site of the day. The burying ground is a historic cemetery in the North End. It was established in 1659, was originally named "North Burying Ground," and was the city's second cemetery. It's not large but there are some signs around that provide some interesting history about the cemetery. It was also has some good views of the North End. If you're hitting every stop on the Freedom Trail, you'll be visiting it. If you're picking and choosing select sites, Copp's Hill Burying Ground is close to the Old North Church and worth a visit!
Once you reach Copp's Hill Burying Ground on the Freedom Trail, you have a sense of accomplishment. You got almost to the end, at the border of North End with Charlestown. The cemetery is easy to spot, has a plaque at the entrance, free to visit. Not very crowded, on the hill, peaceful site. Capt. Daniel Malcolm, smuggler and supporter of the Sons of Liberty is buried here, also, Robert Newman, known for hanging the lanterns during Paul Revere's midnight ride, Edmund Hartt, builder of the USS Constitution, free African Americans and other historical figures. Another historical site, Copp's Hill dates from 1659 and it was Boston's largest colonial burying ground. Definitely worth the visit, you can stay as long as you want. We spend about 30 minutes in here, lots of nice greenery (we were here late summer). As usual, you get interesting puzzle pieces of history while browsing this site.
This burial ground is popular on tours of Boston. We visited on a different mission. To pay respect to a spot that does not get much recognition. Prince Hall fought for Black men to become Freemasons.
Absolutely loved this stop on the freedomtrail. I do wish they kept the grounds a little bit better. The Copp's Hill Burying Ground was established in 1659 as the 2nd cemetery in Boston after King's Chapel filled up. Originally named the North Burying Ground, later took on the name of shoemaker William Copp, who had once owned the land. During the Revolutionary War, the British occupied Copp's Hill. They placed batteries on the western slope of the hill between Hull and Snowhill Streets to fire on Bunker Hill. They also shot some of the gravestones, which still bear the scars (Grave of Captain Daniel Malcolm) Copp's Hill cemetery is only 4 acres and records show between 10,000-11,000 burials took place here, but not all of those people remain. Some were disinterred and moved to the upscale Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge when it opened in 1831. Grave robbers also stole bodies for dissection at the Harvard Medical School. Notable residents that still remain here are: : The Reverends Increase Mather and Cotton Mather made famous by the Salem witchcraft trials. Also Samuel Mather, an independent minister. (I literally just got done reading a book on these guys so sooo cool to see their grave in person!) Robert Newman, patriot and sexton of Old North Church who hung the lanterns in the church steeple to tell Paul Revere and William Dawes which way the British Regulars were coming Edward Hartt, who built the U.S.S. Constitution, known as "Old Ironsides." Shem Drowne, coppersmith and maker of famous weathervanes including the grasshopper atop Faneuil Hall Prince Hall, founder of the Black Masons, now known as the Prince Hall Masons More than 1,000 slaves and free African Americans from the New Guinea community once located at the bottom of Copp's Hill John White Webster, executed for the murder of Dr. George Parkman and buried in an unmarked grave.
Another stop in the Freedom Trail. Really great history of the graves, what the symbols in the tombstones mean and the way they did the year of death with fractions for the year. Make this a stop when you go to Boston!
Visiting Copp's Hill Burying Ground was part of a pizza tour we did in the North End of Boston. The cemetery was founded in 1659 and sits atop Copp's Hill and is the second oldest cemetery in the city. There are more than 1200 marked graves but our guide said the city estimates that many more thousands are buried here. Many notable early colonists are buried here which is interesting. Increase Mather and his son Cotton Mather were influential Puritan Ministers who were central figures in the Salem Witch Trials in the 17th century. Prince Hall and abolitionist and founder of Black Freemasonry, Phyllis Wheatley the first published poet of African descent, Robert Newman, a patriot who placed signal lanterns in the steeple of Old North Church for Paul Revere's ride to Lexington and Concord and many more others. The grave headstones are still fairly intact and it gives you some insight how old this cemetery is. Being on top of the hill gives you a nice view of Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution across the river. It's definitely a stop when visiting the North End of town.
A must visit for any history buff or cemetery enthusiast. Copp's Hill Burying Ground is the final resting place and burying ground of merchants, artisans, and craftspeople who lived in the North End of Boston . Copp's Hill was Boston's largest colonial burying ground, dating from 1659. If you've never seen a colonial New England style headstone , Copp's Hill is full of them . They are easy to spot because early New England gravestones are made of slate and sandstone and are very thin. The minimalist decoration and lack of embellishment of the early headstone designs reflect the British Puritan and Anglo-Saxon religious cultures. The morbid imagery on the headstones --such as skulls and crossed bones, winged death's heads, and hourglasses--were designed to remind those left behind of the fleeting nature of life. I love the funerary art found on these early New England headstones ! I have always enjoyed exploring old cemeteries for the funerary art I am drawn to bold and fun commercial art, and that to me is exactly what gravestones are. They are signposts advertising who is buried there, and the very old ones have a real flair for it that you will find plenty of in Copp's Hill. Some notables buried in Copp's Hill are fire-and-brimstone preacher Cotton Mather, a Puritan minister closely associated with the Salem witch trials. The burying ground also holds Old North Church sexton Robert Newman, the man who hung the lanterns on the night of Paul Revere's midnight ride. Also, several participants of the Boston Tea Party are buried here and there graves have a special marker that read , " Boston tea party participant." It's a very historical , interesting and peaceful place to spend some time at while visiting Boston.
The cemetery was founded on February 20, 1659, when the town bought land on Copps hill from John Baker and Daniel Turell to start the "North Burying Ground". Now named "Copp's Hill Burying Ground" (although often referred to as "Copp's Hill Burial Ground"), it is the second oldest cemetery in Boston (second only to the King's chapel burying ground founded in 1630). It contains more than 1200 marked graves, including the remains of various notable Bostonians from the colonials era into the 1850s. On the Snow Hill Street side are the many unmarked graves of the African Americans who lived in the "New Guinea" community at the foot of the hill. In addition to the graves there are 272 tombs, most of which bear inscriptions that are still legible.
This is Boston's we one burying ground and holds the tombs of the Mather family! Not to mention some very prominent African American tombs as well, such as Phyllis Wheatley, the first published woman of African descent that was also a poet. You can see the tomb of Cotton Mather, the Puritan minister that was a central figure of the Salem witch trials...very cool burying ground! The headstones are remarkably beautiful - very Victorian gothic style! There are many other ancient historical internments here as well, but I did have some difficulties finding some of the graves as they're very old and worn so it's almost impossible to read a lot of them. Still, it's very eerily beautiful and well kept. It's easy to find but parking can be a challenge...I think there's some street parking but it was all full. I ended up parking in a garage a block away - was only there for an hour and it was an exorbitant $15!!! So be aware! Probably better to just walk it.
A must stop on the Freedom Trail, Copp's Hill dates back to 1659, and has a rich history, which can be found here https://www.thefreedomtrail.org/trail-sites/copps-hill-burying-ground Amazing old gravestones, and there are plenty of placards to explain the history, and use of the grounds, and famous people buried here. Views of Old North Church are amazing as you walk up to Copp's.
One of the stops on our Ghosts & Graveyards tour, Copp's Hill is located in Boston's North End. It's quite a remarkable cemetery with many famous Bostonians laid to rest here. Located on a hill where there was once a windmill, it was the city's largest colonial burying ground and dates from 1659. Quite spooky at night but the walkways are smooth enough to safely walk in low light. Interestingly, it was used by the British during the battle of Bunker Hill in 1775.
Copps Hill Burying Ground is well maintained and an easy stop on the way to the Old North Church on the Freedom Trail. This is the resting place of quite a number of notable historic figures. Among the most famous are Paul Revere, Sam Adams, and Cotton Mather. Cotton Mather was a Puritan minister who was an integral part of the Salem Witch Trials. Over and above the historical figures that are buried here, this site is interesting because the British placed cannons here that they fired during the Battle of Bunker Hill. You can also see quite a number of headstones that were damaged when the Red Coats used them as targets. While you can walk around and see the place for yourself, there are guided tours available; I suggest that you take one.
Ok this is going to sound weird but i like old interesting cemeteries. This is from the 1800's and i found it interesting. There was someone in a costume giving some tour .. i think it was a ghost tour
I was in the area and decided to finally walk over and check out this burying ground. Free entry and some quiet time in an otherwise very loud city. It was very cloudy with some light rain which meant even less people. There is so much history buried here and there are little information plaques all around the cemetery to read up on people and the little fun bits of trivia. This is a lovely little respite and I feel like this is a must visit while here in Boston. Go find the double stone grave while you're there - it's quite a site and work of craftsmanship! read more
My husband and I were walking part of the Freedom Trail two weeks ago during a weekend visit to Boston for his birthday. We decided to visit a few sites on the Freedom Trail that we hadn't visited in the past, and Copp's Hill Burying Ground was our last site of the day. The burying ground is a historic cemetery in the North End. It was established in 1659, was originally named "North Burying Ground," and was the city's second cemetery. It's not large but there are some signs around that provide some interesting history about the cemetery. It was also has some good views of the North End. If you're hitting every stop on the Freedom Trail, you'll be visiting it. If you're picking and choosing select sites, Copp's Hill Burying Ground is close to the Old North Church and worth a visit! read more
Once you reach Copp's Hill Burying Ground on the Freedom Trail, you have a sense of accomplishment. You got almost to the end, at the border of North End with Charlestown. The cemetery is easy to spot, has a plaque at the entrance, free to visit. Not very crowded, on the hill, peaceful site. Capt. Daniel Malcolm, smuggler and supporter of the Sons of Liberty is buried here, also, Robert Newman, known for hanging the lanterns during Paul Revere's midnight ride, Edmund Hartt, builder of the USS Constitution, free African Americans and other historical figures. Another historical site, Copp's Hill dates from 1659 and it was Boston's largest colonial burying ground. Definitely worth the visit, you can stay as long as you want. We spend about 30 minutes in here, lots of nice greenery (we were here late summer). As usual, you get interesting puzzle pieces of history while browsing this site. read more
1 year ago
This burial ground is popular on tours of Boston. We visited on a different mission. To pay respect to a spot that does not get much recognition. Prince Hall fought for Black men to become Freemasons. read more
11 months ago
Absolutely loved this stop on the freedomtrail. I do wish they kept the grounds a little bit better. The Copp's Hill Burying Ground was established in 1659 as the 2nd cemetery in Boston after King's Chapel filled up. Originally named the North Burying Ground, later took on the name of shoemaker William Copp, who had once owned the land. During the Revolutionary War, the British occupied Copp's Hill. They placed batteries on the western slope of the hill between Hull and Snowhill Streets to fire on Bunker Hill. They also shot some of the gravestones, which still bear the scars (Grave of Captain Daniel Malcolm) Copp's Hill cemetery is only 4 acres and records show between 10,000-11,000 burials took place here, but not all of those people remain. Some were disinterred and moved to the upscale Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge when it opened in 1831. Grave robbers also stole bodies for dissection at the Harvard Medical School. Notable residents that still remain here are: : The Reverends Increase Mather and Cotton Mather made famous by the Salem witchcraft trials. Also Samuel Mather, an independent minister. (I literally just got done reading a book on these guys so sooo cool to see their grave in person!) Robert Newman, patriot and sexton of Old North Church who hung the lanterns in the church steeple to tell Paul Revere and William Dawes which way the British Regulars were coming Edward Hartt, who built the U.S.S. Constitution, known as "Old Ironsides." Shem Drowne, coppersmith and maker of famous weathervanes including the grasshopper atop Faneuil Hall Prince Hall, founder of the Black Masons, now known as the Prince Hall Masons More than 1,000 slaves and free African Americans from the New Guinea community once located at the bottom of Copp's Hill John White Webster, executed for the murder of Dr. George Parkman and buried in an unmarked grave. read more
Visiting Copp's Hill Burying Ground was part of a pizza tour we did in the North End of Boston. The cemetery was founded in 1659 and sits atop Copp's Hill and is the second oldest cemetery in the city. There are more than 1200 marked graves but our guide said the city estimates that many more thousands are buried here. Many notable early colonists are buried here which is interesting. Increase Mather and his son Cotton Mather were influential Puritan Ministers who were central figures in the Salem Witch Trials in the 17th century. Prince Hall and abolitionist and founder of Black Freemasonry, Phyllis Wheatley the first published poet of African descent, Robert Newman, a patriot who placed signal lanterns in the steeple of Old North Church for Paul Revere's ride to Lexington and Concord and many more others. The grave headstones are still fairly intact and it gives you some insight how old this cemetery is. Being on top of the hill gives you a nice view of Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution across the river. It's definitely a stop when visiting the North End of town. read more
A must visit for any history buff or cemetery enthusiast. Copp's Hill Burying Ground is the final resting place and burying ground of merchants, artisans, and craftspeople who lived in the North End of Boston . Copp's Hill was Boston's largest colonial burying ground, dating from 1659. If you've never seen a colonial New England style headstone , Copp's Hill is full of them . They are easy to spot because early New England gravestones are made of slate and sandstone and are very thin. The minimalist decoration and lack of embellishment of the early headstone designs reflect the British Puritan and Anglo-Saxon religious cultures. The morbid imagery on the headstones --such as skulls and crossed bones, winged death's heads, and hourglasses--were designed to remind those left behind of the fleeting nature of life. I love the funerary art found on these early New England headstones ! I have always enjoyed exploring old cemeteries for the funerary art I am drawn to bold and fun commercial art, and that to me is exactly what gravestones are. They are signposts advertising who is buried there, and the very old ones have a real flair for it that you will find plenty of in Copp's Hill. Some notables buried in Copp's Hill are fire-and-brimstone preacher Cotton Mather, a Puritan minister closely associated with the Salem witch trials. The burying ground also holds Old North Church sexton Robert Newman, the man who hung the lanterns on the night of Paul Revere's midnight ride. Also, several participants of the Boston Tea Party are buried here and there graves have a special marker that read , " Boston tea party participant." It's a very historical , interesting and peaceful place to spend some time at while visiting Boston. read more
The cemetery was founded on February 20, 1659, when the town bought land on Copps hill from John Baker and Daniel Turell to start the "North Burying Ground". Now named "Copp's Hill Burying Ground" (although often referred to as "Copp's Hill Burial Ground"), it is the second oldest cemetery in Boston (second only to the King's chapel burying ground founded in 1630). It contains more than 1200 marked graves, including the remains of various notable Bostonians from the colonials era into the 1850s. On the Snow Hill Street side are the many unmarked graves of the African Americans who lived in the "New Guinea" community at the foot of the hill. In addition to the graves there are 272 tombs, most of which bear inscriptions that are still legible. read more
This is Boston's we one burying ground and holds the tombs of the Mather family! Not to mention some very prominent African American tombs as well, such as Phyllis Wheatley, the first published woman of African descent that was also a poet. You can see the tomb of Cotton Mather, the Puritan minister that was a central figure of the Salem witch trials...very cool burying ground! The headstones are remarkably beautiful - very Victorian gothic style! There are many other ancient historical internments here as well, but I did have some difficulties finding some of the graves as they're very old and worn so it's almost impossible to read a lot of them. Still, it's very eerily beautiful and well kept. It's easy to find but parking can be a challenge...I think there's some street parking but it was all full. I ended up parking in a garage a block away - was only there for an hour and it was an exorbitant $15!!! So be aware! Probably better to just walk it. read more
A must stop on the Freedom Trail, Copp's Hill dates back to 1659, and has a rich history, which can be found here https://www.thefreedomtrail.org/trail-sites/copps-hill-burying-ground Amazing old gravestones, and there are plenty of placards to explain the history, and use of the grounds, and famous people buried here. Views of Old North Church are amazing as you walk up to Copp's. read more
One of the stops on our Ghosts & Graveyards tour, Copp's Hill is located in Boston's North End. It's quite a remarkable cemetery with many famous Bostonians laid to rest here. Located on a hill where there was once a windmill, it was the city's largest colonial burying ground and dates from 1659. Quite spooky at night but the walkways are smooth enough to safely walk in low light. Interestingly, it was used by the British during the battle of Bunker Hill in 1775. read more
7 years ago
Copps Hill Burying Ground is well maintained and an easy stop on the way to the Old North Church on the Freedom Trail. This is the resting place of quite a number of notable historic figures. Among the most famous are Paul Revere, Sam Adams, and Cotton Mather. Cotton Mather was a Puritan minister who was an integral part of the Salem Witch Trials. Over and above the historical figures that are buried here, this site is interesting because the British placed cannons here that they fired during the Battle of Bunker Hill. You can also see quite a number of headstones that were damaged when the Red Coats used them as targets. While you can walk around and see the place for yourself, there are guided tours available; I suggest that you take one. read more
3 years ago
This was one of my favorite stops while we were walking the Freedom Train in Boston. Beautifully located on a hill, and filled with many people who were killed before our nation became a nation...in 1776. Humbling to look at the headstones, and read a bit about each person. OK, I admit I love old cemeteries...lol. This one did not disappoint!. Easy to get to as you walk around the trail (that is marked by inlaid red brick). Amazing place.. There was something that was kind of annoying. There was an actor dressed up like a dead lady, and no matter where we were in the cemetery, we could hear her . She had a group of tourists, and was hamming it up. read more
9 years ago
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. read more
"There's no use in my trying to tell you what they were like, because the awful, the blasphemous horror, and the unbelievable loathsomeness and moral foetor came from simple touches quite beyond the power of words to classify. There was none of the exotic technique you see in Sidney Sime, none of the trans-Saturnian landscapes and lunar fungi that Clark Ashton Smith uses to freeze the blood. The backgrounds were mostly old churchyards, deep woods, cliffs by the sea, brick tunnels, ancient panelled rooms, or simple vaults of masonry. Copp's Hill Burying Ground, which could not be many blocks away from this very house, was a favourite scene." --H.P. Lovecraft, "Pickman's Model" Plan your route to visit carefully. Anyone wishing to drive and park is torn apart and fed to ghouls. read more
One of the reasons why I loved this Burying Ground was the beautiful view! The view is absolutely breathtaking and you can see the Bunker Hill memorial! While this Burying Ground doesn't have the many names that the Granary Burial Ground and King's Chapel Burying Ground, it still has a lot of history! Roam around and read the tombstones to get an idea of how people were back then. It gives you a glimpse of how they viewed death. read more
8 years ago
Rich history in a small beautiful graveyard. I really enjoyed reading the plaques here in Copp's Hill Burying Ground. They provide both a history of events and an explanation of what you see around yourself. Plus, bonus fun facts! For example, gravestones were often reused, which is why one of the pictures I took shows upside down writing on the back of one! read more
15 years ago
16 years ago
17 years ago
9 years ago
Another great place with lots of history. The cemetery features some very old and historical gravestones. Definitely worth a few minutes to check out. read more
15 years ago
I'm giving Copp's Hill 4 stars for a couple of reasons. First, it's the second oldest cemetery in all of Boston. Secondly, it's at the top of the street where the Old North church is. There's no reason to not make the short walk up the hill. With that being said, you'd have to be really good at history to recognize some of the names buried here. Google is your friend. For me, it just didn't have the same impact compared to Granary Burrying Ground. read more
11 years ago
14 years ago
Page 1 of 2
More info about Copp's Hill Burying Ground
21 Hull St
Boston, MA 02113
North End
Directions
Payment methods
Copp's Hill Burying Ground Reviews in Other Languages
Ask the Community - Copp's Hill Burying Ground
Review Highlights - Copp's Hill Burying Ground
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
2 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
7 years ago
15 years ago
