Deeply disturbed by its deteriorated state, Adam Thaxter bought the property behind the Old Ship Church. Now, we stand at Hingham Cemetery. It is a place of history and horticulture. Hingham Cemetery was established in 1672. It is the town’s first burial ground.
The cemetery spans 13 terraced acres. It is adjacent to historic Hingham Square. Hingham Cemetery is a privately owned cemetery. But it serves the town of Hingham.
Many state and national figures rest here. Patriots, statesmen, and townspeople helped build the country. Hingham Cemetery offers lots for sale. It is rare for historical cemeteries.
Hingham Cemetery includes Hingham’s only Veterans’ burial area. It also features the town’s only arboretum. A Memorial Garden serves as a final resting place for cremations. Two town-owned monuments reside here. The Settler’s Monument appears on the town seal. The Civil War obelisk honors the fallen.
Colonial slate headstones dot the landscape. Some are credited to noted carvers from the 17th and 18th centuries. Victorian artwork by three major American sculptors enhances the grounds.
In 1837, Adam Thaxter wanted to show respect. He wanted to show gratitude to distinguished ancestors. Their remains are interred here at Hingham Cemetery.
Before Hingham Cemetery was established, burials occurred near the meeting house. This was near Old Derby and the Old Ship Church. Tradition says burials continued among grazing farm animals.
In 1838, Hingham Cemetery was incorporated. It was modeled after Mt. Auburn Cemetery. Over time, more land was acquired. Hills were shaped and terraces sculpted. Paths and roads were laid out. Trees were planted turning Hingham Cemetery into an arboretum.
John Todd planted many specimen trees. He served on the cemetery board for 58 years. Elaborate monuments were erected. They used local Quincy granite and imported Italian Carrara marble.
The town erected its Settlers’ Monument in 1839. It stands on the site of the town fort. The fort was erected during King Philip’s War. Remains of early settlers lie in a sarcophagus under the monument. These remains were moved when Main Street was lowered.
The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, the Civil War Monument, was erected in 1870. This town-owned monument stands on private property. The obelisk is made of Quincy granite. It is inscribed with names of Hingham men who died in the Civil War.
Governor John Andrew is buried nearby. He was a Civil War leader. He was a driving force behind the 54th Massachusetts “black” regiment. Peter Ourish is also nearby. He was Hingham’s youngest Civil War volunteer. He fought in 15 major battles. He died of wounds at 19.
The cemetery chapel was erected in 1886. J. Sumner Fowler designed it in the Queen Anne style. A cupola originally topped the chapel. The Ames family donated the window in the chapel.
In 1916, the Receiving Tomb was erected. A potter’s field was established in 1928. In 1948, the town gave the cemetery land. This became the Water Street section.
A restoration program began in 1989. Roads were repaired and trees pruned. Headstones were cleaned. Historical tours were started.
In 1994, the Veterans’ burial ground opened. In 2000, the Memorial Garden for cremations was established. Hingham Cemetery has become a park, cemetery, arboretum, and historic site. It is a testament to Hingham’s past.