“Remember those New Hampshire soldiers who fell at Bunker Hill?” asks a weathered stone marker near the Riverside Avenue entrance. Welcome to Salem Street Cemetery. This historic site whispers tales of Medford’s earliest settlers and brave Revolutionary War heroes.
Salem Street Cemetery began as the private burial ground for the Wade family. Jonathan Wade owned the largest farm in this area. When he died in 1689, his son Dudley inherited the land. This included “that little pasture called the burying place”. By 1717, it became the town’s official burying ground.
This cemetery holds stories dating back to the late 17th century. It served as the final resting place for Medford’s prominent citizens until the late 19th century. Established in 1683, the last burial took place around 1930. The Salem Street Cemetery earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
Records show about 600 people rest here. However, only 485 markers exist. During the 17th century, a single gravestone often honored multiple family members. One large slate block marks the Wade family’s plot. It is the final resting place for at least four Wades.
Among the notable figures buried here is John Brooks. He was a Massachusetts Governor and a Revolutionary War figure. His grave features a large obelisk in the cemetery’s center. Another prominent burial is Sarah Bradlee Fulton, a Revolutionary War heroine. Her grave has a rock marker to the left of Brooks’ monument.
Interestingly, the Salem Street Cemetery also contains a section for enslaved people. More than fifty enslaved individuals are buried in unmarked graves in the southwest corner. In 2019, a memorial was dedicated to these unnamed souls.
The cemetery’s design evolved over time. During the 19th century, changes reflected fashionable cemetery aesthetics. Tombstones were rearranged into strict lines. Later, they were rotated 180 degrees to face new gravel paths. A granite wall was built along the eastern side. Landscaping created a “garden” cemetery in the Victorian style.
Notice the diverse iconography on the tombstones. The winged skull motif symbolizes ascension into Heaven. Willow trees represent sadness and mourning. Hourglasses signify the passage of time. Bones embody death and decay.
Most markers are headstones made of slate. However, there are also obelisks and table tombs. A large granite block stands in the southernmost corner. Its purpose remains a mystery. It has no markings. It is not mentioned in any records.
Salem Street Cemetery faced challenges over the years. In the 1940s, street widening buried tombs under new sidewalks. Vandalism in the 1990s damaged slate headstones. Fortunately, recent efforts by the Medford Historical Commission restored many of them.
As you wander these grounds, remember the generations who came before. The Salem Street Cemetery is a testament to their lives, sacrifices, and enduring legacy. Take a moment to reflect on the lives lived and the stories etched in stone. It is a place of history, remembrance, and quiet contemplation.