Granary Burying Ground (Boston, MA)

The Granary Burying Ground in Boston, Massachusetts is one of the most historic cemeteries in the United States. It serves as the final resting place for some of America’s brightest political and philosophic minds, to include early leaders of Boston and the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Today, this renowned cemetery is one of the most popular stops along the Freedom Trail and for good reason!

History

Boston’s Granary Burying Ground has its origins in the year 1660, when it was established as the South Burying Ground to accommodate Boston’s growing population and alleviate the over-crowded King’s Chapel Burying Ground. The land that was used for this new burying ground was originally part of Boston Common, which was much larger than it appears today.

Gravestones throughout this early period were known for intricate and fascinating carvings and artwork (i.e. iconography). Things such as a skull and cross bones (below), the angel of death, “death’s head,” a soul effigy, and other motifs were common on late 17th-century and 18th-century gravestones. Granary Burying Ground has some of the most historic and interesting iconography of anywhere in Boston.

After the tragic events of March 5, 1770 that took place outside the Old State House (known as the “Boston Massacre”), the five victims were laid to rest in the Granary Burying Ground. Then following the American Revolution, many of Boston’s brilliant sons were buried here, to include: John Hancock, Samuel Adams, James Otis, Paul Revere, and Robert Treat Paine. Interestingly, doctor and patriot Joseph Warren was initially buried in the Granary Burying Ground, but was moved to St. Paul’s Church in 1825 and eventually to the Warren family plot in Forest Hills Cemetery in 1855.

Over the years, the burying ground was expanded and underwent multiple changes. The wall and granite entrance gate to the cemetery were designed by architect Isaiah Rogers and installed in 1840 (Touro Synagogue in Newport, RI has the same granite gate, also designed by Rogers). Also in the mid-1800s, pedestrian walkways, shrubs, and trees were placed in the burying ground. Another major change was a rearrangement of gravestones in the 1800s in order to place them all in rows. This was done to allow for easier groundskeeping and for use of a lawnmower. The last interments at Granary Burying Ground were in 1880.

Today, Granary Burying Ground remains an incredibly popular attraction to visitors and locals alike. It is great to see that many of our founding fathers and early political leaders have not been forgotten and continue to be visited and revered over 200 years after their deaths!

Interesting Facts

• “Granary” Burying Ground received its name (in 1737) from a once adjacent grain storage building
• There are approximately 2,300 known tombstones and grave markers in the Granary Burying Ground (but the estimation of actual burials is nearly 5,000)
• Granary Burying Ground (1660) is Boston’s third-oldest cemetery, behind King’s Chapel Burying Ground (1630) and Copp’s Hill Burying Ground (1633)

Notable Burials

The Granary Burying Ground (Tremont Street) is a stop on Boston’s Freedom Trail and one of the most well-known cemeteries in America. Visiting the Granary Burying Ground is free (open from ~9AM – 4PM) and it is small enough that you can see it all in a fairly short period of time; however, you will be surprised at the number of historic people laid to rest there. This includes three signers of the Declaration of Independence (John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Robert Treat Paine), the five victims of the “Boston Massacre,” revolutionary legends such as Paul Revere and James Otis, the parents of Benjamin Franklin, and numerous others from Boston’s illustrious history.

To assist in your visit, I’ve included a simple map to guide you (in a counter-clockwise fashion) to the approximate location of eight primary gravesites:

1 – Victims of the “Boston Massacre”

2 – Samuel Adams

3 – Robert Treat Paine

4 – Paul Revere

5 – Peter Faneuil

6 – John Hancock

7 – James Otis

8 – Josiah & Abiah Franklin

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1 – Victims of the “Boston Massacre”

The ‘Boston Massacre” occurred on the cold night of March 5, 1770. Some boys began to taunt a British soldier who guarded the Custom House (Old State House) on King Street, which escalated when the guard struck one of the boys (other accounts state that armed men wandered the streets, looking for soldiers to taunt and harass). This led to a gathering of angry citizens, to include sailors and other laborers from the area. Shortly thereafter, seven British soldiers under command of Captain Thomas Preston arrived to assist the lone soldier on guard. The arrival of additional troops, along with the ringing of church bells throughout the town (which often signified a fire), led to a flood of colonists into the streets and added to the confusion and mayhem. The mix of British troops and angry citizens led to one of the soldiers being struck and consequently, he fired his musket into the crowd. This resulted in the other soldiers to fire into the crowd, which left nine wounded and five dead: Samuel Gray, Samuel Maverick, James Caldwell, Crispus Attucks, and Patrick Carr.

On the day of the burial, all of the shops in Boston were closed and thousands of citizens filled the streets to witness the hearses pass by on the way to the cemetery. The five victims were buried in the Old Granary Burying Ground in Boston (along with 12-year-old Christopher Snider, who was killed by Loyalist Ebenezer Richardson during a protest outside his home on February 22, 1770). The current gravestone was erected in 1906.

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2 – Samuel Adams (September 27, 1722 – October 2, 1803)

Samuel Adams was born on September 27, 1722, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the son of Samuel Adams Sr. and Mary Fifield, who raised their children within the Puritan faith. His father was a successful merchant and church deacon, which made him a leading figure in Boston. Young Adams attended the Boston Latin School before attending Harvard College in 1736 (he continued his education there and earned a masters degree in 1743). Through his education and upbringing, Adams supported colonial rights; however, a life-altering controversy involving his father cemented his disdain for English rule.

In 1739, Samuel Adams Sr. and the Boston Caucus established a land bank in Massachusetts, in response to a growing currency shortage. Essentially, this bank would issue paper money to borrowers, who would mortgage their land. Though fairly popular with the people, it was opposed by the Royal Governor, the Governor’s Council, and others in power. Their influence led to the dissolution of the land bank by Parliament in 1741, which made Adams Sr. and other directors of the land bank liable for the currency still in circulation. What followed was a lifetime of lawsuits, debt, and controversy, which plagued the Adams family. In fact, young Samuel Adams dealt with this long after his father’s death and felt that it “served as a constant personal reminder that Britain’s power over the colonies could be exercised in arbitrary and destructive ways.”

After leaving Harvard, Adams got a job at the counting house of Thomas Cushing; however, that lasted only a short time and his own follow-on business venture was unsuccessful (Adams was seemingly more preoccupied with politics and cared little for making money). He ended up partnering at his family’s malthouse, which is why he is often associated with brewing/beer (although he was a maltster by trade).

Adams’ foray into politics began in earnest in 1748, when he and some friends created the “Independent Advertiser.” This was a newspaper that published political essays (many written by Adams himself), which espoused the rights of the people and often spoke out against decisions by Parliament. Interestingly, by 1756, Adams held the position tax collector, a job in which he often did not collect taxes (this only increased his popularity with the citizenry).

In the tumultuous lead up to the American Revolutionary War, Adams was a leading voice in Boston for colonial rights and published countless essays in the “Boston Gazette” under pseudonyms. He attacked the various acts of Parliament in the 1760s and 1770s, calling upon the people to realize their constitutional rights and the dangers of “taxation without representation.” In fact, Adams is often considered “radical” at this time- while many patriots wanted to find a resolution as British citizens, Adams quickly came to the realization that independence was the only solution. His contributions in the wake of the Boston Massacre and lead-up to the Boston Tea Party were crucial in forming the patriot argument and cause.

Adams served in the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, the First Continental Congress, and the Second Continental Congress, during which he signed the Declaration of Independence. He also signed the Articles of Confederation in 1778. He returned to Boston in 1779 to participate in the Massachusetts state constitutional convention and in 1781, he retired from the Continental Congress. In 1789, Adams served as the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts under Governor John Hancock. When Hancock died in 1793, Adams succeeded him as governor and served until 1797. On October 2, 1803, Samuel Adams died at the age of 81. He is buried in Boston’s Granary Burying Ground.

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3 – Robert Treat Paine (March 11, 1731 – May 11, 1814)

Robert Treat Paine was born on March 11, 1731 in Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony. His parents, Reverend Thomas Paine and Eunice Treat, had five children together and moved to Boston from Weymouth in 1730. Now in a center of commerce, his father changed professions from minister to merchant.

For young Paine, he attended the Boston Latin School and then entered Harvard College, where he graduated in 1749. After teaching locally for a time, he decided to try his hand as a merchant. But despite sea voyages up and down the East Coast, across to Europe, and even a whaling voyage to Greenland, Paine came to the realization that it was not for him. During the 1750s, he decided to study law, which was briefly interrupted by his service as a chaplain during the Crown Point Expedition during the French & Indian War. He ultimately returned to Boston in 1756, was admitted to the bar the next year, and established his legal practice in nearby Taunton. On March 15, 1770, he married Sally Cobb, with whom he had eight children.

Paine’s legal background and social stature earned him a place on the Massachusetts General Court from 1773-1774, followed by the Provincial Congress from 1774-1775. Additionally, he served alongside John Adams, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Elbridge Gerry as Massachusetts delegates to the Continental Congress. While in Congress, Paine signed the Olive Branch Petition in 1775 and of course, the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Perhaps Paine’s most famous act (other than signing the Declaration) was his role in the legal proceedings following the “Boston Massacre” in March 1770. Most people know that John Adams successfully defended the British soldiers in court; however, it was Samuel Quincy and Robert Treat Paine who prosecuted Captain Thomas Preston and his soldiers! Funny to think that only six years later, both Adams and Paine came together and signed the Declaration of Independence.

In December 1776, Paine returned to Boston and served in a variety of official roles: Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives (1777), member of the Executive Council (1779), committee member that drafted the state constitution (1780), Attorney General (1777-1790), and as a Justice of the state Supreme Court (1790-1804). Paine died on May 11, 1814 in Boston at the age of 83. He was buried in the Granary Burying Ground, where many other famous patriots would be laid to rest.

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4 – Paul Revere (January 1734 – May 10, 1818)

Paul Revere is undoubtedly one of the most well-known American patriots, primarily due to his actions on the night of April 18-19, 1775 leading up to the events at Lexington and Concord (immortalized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s romanticized 1860 poem Paul Revere’s Ride). But there was so much more to the man than just that one night!

Paul Revere was born in Boston’s North End to Paul Revere Sr. (a French Huguenot born Apollos Rivoire) and Deborah Hitchborn, as one of 12 children. At only 13-years-old, Revere apprenticed under his father and learned the trade of a silversmith. By 15, he also became one of the young “change ringers” at Christ Church (the Old North Church), whose job was to ring the bells in the steeple. Interestingly, this very steeple would become deeply woven in American history and lore, alongside Revere.

After a brief stint as a second lieutenant in a provincial artillery regiment during the French and Indian War, Revere returned to his native Boston and established his own silversmith shop. In 1757, Revere married Sarah Orne and they had eight children; however, Sarah died young in 1773 and Revere remarried Rachel Walker that same year.

As an industrious artisan and active member of the local community, Revere earned the respect and loyalty of laborers around the city. Additionally, he joined the Sons of Liberty and forged friendships with local patriots such as Dr. Joseph Warren. In the wake of the “Boston Massacre” in March 1770, it was Revere’s engraving that inflamed passions and immortalized the event. As relations between Bostonians and the royal government rapidly deteriorated in the 1770s, Revere and other mechanics (laborers) met at the Green Dragon Tavern to discuss politics and gather intelligence on the British troops in town.

Paul Revere quickly became a favorite messenger of Dr. Warren, Samuel Adams, and other leading patriots. In December 1774, he rode hard to Portsmouth, NH, to warn the inhabitants of an impending British incursion. as mentioned, he is best known for his “midnight ride” on the night of April 19, 1775, which has been immortalized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s 1860 poem “Paul Revere’s Ride.” While Revere’s contributions on that historic night cannot be diminished, he was hardly the only rider that night (Longfellow’s poem is very romanticized). In fact, William Dawes, Samuel Prescott, and over a dozen others saddled their horse and stormed out across dark and dusty roads to warn the countryside of the British troops’ movements.

After the American Revolutionary War, Revere continued work as a silversmith and soon expanded his business. Around 1788, he opened an iron foundry and continued to serve his local community. He stayed politically active and also very active in the Freemasons. On May 10, 1818, Revere died at his home in Boston at the age of 83. He is buried in Boston’s Granary Burying Ground.

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5 – Peter Faneuil (June 20, 1700 – March 3, 1743)

Peter Faneuil was born in New Rochelle, New York and moved to Boston as a teenager following the death of his father. Faneuil became involved in the lucrative merchant trade out of Boston and over the years, rose in prominence and wealth. He was involved in the “triangle trade,” which was reliant on the shipment of enslaved people, molasses and sugar, and rum (a horrific commonality at the time). Due to his exorbitant wealth, Faneuil was able to give back to the city that gave much to him and is said to have been a generous person and a public benefactor. In September 1742, what is now known as Faneuil Hall was completed and given to the city of Boston as a gift from Peter Faneuil (it was named in his honor after his death only a few months later).

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6 – John Hancock (January 23, 1737 – October 8, 1793)

John Hancock was born in Braintree (now part of Quincy), Massachusetts. When his father died when he was just seven-years-old, young Hancock went to live with his aunt and uncle (Thomas and Lydia). Thomas was a proficient merchant and trained Hancock in the ways of trade. After attending Boston’s Latin School and Harvard University, Hancock eventually returned to his uncle’s trade and soon took over the business (when his uncle died in 1764, John inherited the business, a great deal of land, and wealth).

As an acquaintance of Samuel Adams and other patriots, Hancock became involved in Boston’s revolutionary movement (undoubtedly incensed by the British seizure of his ship Liberty in 1768). He served as the 1st President of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress and as the President of the Continental Congress from May 24, 1775 – October 31, 1777. During that time, he oversaw the adoption and signing of the Declaration of Independence, on which his rather large signature is now famous. Hancock would go on to serve as the 1st and 3rd Governor of Massachusetts, from 1780 – 1785 and 1787 – 1793 respectively.

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7 – James Otis Jr. (February 5, 1725 – May 23, 1783)

James Otis was born in Barnstable, Massachusetts and attended Harvard University, where he graduated from in 1743. Otis worked as a lawyer (a common profession in that day) and is best known for his argument against the “Writs of Assistance,” which were documents that allowed British customs officials to search private property (for smuggled goods) without prior permission. Otis’ passionate five-hour oration at the State House in 1761 was a meaningful rebuke against the Crown and to this day, is one of the earliest and most powerful stances against English rule. Ultimately, Otis’ argument did not win the case, but his “On the Writs of Assistance” garnered public support for eventual revolution (even though Otis himself did not necessarily identify as a “revolutionary”). Sadly, Otis experienced a rapid decline in mental health throughout the 1770s, which was clearly noticed by his peers (being struck in the head by a Crown official in 1769 may have contributed to this). What’s worse is the way in which Otis died: he was killed on May 23, 1783 when he was struck by a bolt of lightning while watching a thunderstorm from the doorway of a friend’s house.

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8 – Josiah and Abiah Franklin (Parents of Benjamin Franklin)

Josiah and Abiah Franklin were the parents of beloved patriot, Benjamin Franklin. Josiah was born in Ecton, Northamptonshire, England and his second wife, Abiah, was born in Nantucket, Massachusetts. They lived in Boston and would have 10 children together, including Benjamin (b. 1706). Josiah worked as a tallow chandler (candle maker) and soap boiler in the city and encouraged his sons to take up a trade. Josiah desired Benjamin to pursue religious work with the clergy, but could only afford two years of school. Instead, the intelligent and driven Benjamin ran away to Philadelphia at the age of 17 and became involved in printing and publishing. Although Josiah and Abiah are buried in Boston, Benjamin Franklin is buried in Philadelphia, PA. The current monument to Josiah and Abiah was erected in 1827 out of stone from the Bunker Hill Monument quarry and stands at 25 feet tall.

Sources: https://www.thefreedomtrail.org/trail-sites/granary-burying-ground; https://www.boston.gov/cemeteries/granary-burying-ground