Copp's Hill Burying Ground

What is Copp's Hill Burying Ground?

Copp's Hill Burying Ground is an evocative piece of colonial history nestled atop Boston's North End. As you walk its aged pathways, among headstones weathered by time, you can almost feel the whispers of the past. Established in 1659, it is the second oldest cemetery in Boston, a silent guardian of the city's earliest years, and a testament to the lives of its first inhabitants. The burying ground serves as a final resting place for artisans, merchants, and free African Americans.

Unlike the more frequented Granary Burying Ground, Copp's Hill has a certain tranquility that seems to resonate through the air. It's a place where visitors come to pay their respects, absorb the history, and enjoy the views of the Mystic River. It's a touching memorial to the city's ordinary and extraordinary citizenry alike, a place where each headstone tells a unique story of love, loss, and life in historic Boston.

History of Copp's Hill Burying Ground

The history of Copp's Hill Burying Ground is deeply intertwined with the beginnings of Boston itself. Originally known as the North Burying Ground, it was founded in a time when the Massachusetts Bay Colony was still a fledgling endeavor. Through the centuries, it has borne witness to the transformative events that have shaped the nation—from the colonial era through the American Revolution and beyond.

Prestigious figures of Boston's history are interred here, such as Increase Mather and his son Cotton Mather, prominent Puritan ministers, and Prince Hall, recognized as the founder of Black Freemasonry in the United States. During the American Revolution, British troops stationed on the hill used the elevation to train their cannons on Charlestown during the Battle of Bunker Hill, and it is rumored that they even took target practice on the headstones.

It's namesake, William Copp, was a shoemaker who once owned the land. Over time, the ground expanded to include adjacent land, accommodating more burials as epidemics and wars took their tolls on Boston's population. Each expansion tells a story of the city's growth and changing needs, with the burying ground quietly documenting each chapter.

Why is Copp's Hill Burying Ground Important?

Copp's Hill Burying Ground is an indispensable piece of Boston's historical puzzle. It not only reflects the final chapters in the lives of many important figures but also serves as a cultural and genealogical archive. The inscriptions and artistry found on the tombstones offer unique insights into the beliefs, professions, and family lineage of the people who played a role in Boston's early days.

Moreover, Copp's Hill tells the story of America's diversity and complexity. The presence of markers representing people from various walks of life, including African Americans such as Prince Hall, provides a more multifaceted view of colonial Boston. It presents a history that is both illustrious and common, notable and daily—a spectrum of narratives that is too often simplified.

For historians and genealogists, it's a treasure trove of data. And for the rest of us, it's a tangible link to Boston's—and America’s—history that compels us to reflect on the journey of our nation from its genesis to the present day. Perhaps you might find it as striking to stand where Revolutionary War soldiers once stood, gazing upon the same harbor that has seen this city surge through the tides of time.

Things to Do & See at Copp's Hill Burying Ground

When you visit Copp's Hill Burying Ground, you do more than just observe—you interact with history. Take a moment to read the gravestone epitaphs; they're more profound than you might expect, often touching on themes of mortality and the fleeting nature of life.

Join one of the Freedom Trail tours that includes Copp's Hill as a stop. Experienced guides bring the place to life—no pun intended—recounting tales of those who are buried there, from sea captains to Revolutionary War heroes. Be sure to view the Mather family tomb, site of Increase and Cotton Mather, and allow the layered history to settle in.

Photography enthusiasts and artists will appreciate the view from Copp's Hill, which offers vistas of the city skyline and the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge. It is also a quiet spot to sit for a while, absorb the serenity, and possibly even watch the sunset. Always remember, as you tread softly among these graves, you're walking on hallowed ground that has absorbed the echoes of centuries.