A chill wind whispers through the aged headstones. This is Rumney Marsh Burial Ground. This historic cemetery dates back to 1693. It stands on Butler Street in Revere.
Let’s step inside. Rumney Marsh Burial Ground is more than just a cemetery. It’s a chronicle of Revere’s past. It holds the stories of early families and brave soldiers. This ground connects Revere to Chelsea, Winthrop, and East Boston.
Notice the quiet neighborhood surrounding us. Once, this was Rumney Marsh. The first burial here was in 1693. It became the final resting place for generations. We honor those who rest here.
Deane Winthrop is buried here. He was the son of Governor John Winthrop. Captain Samuel Sprague also rests here. He was a Revolutionary War hero. Phillips Payson is also here. He was known as “The Fighting Pastor”. Even Civil War veterans found their final peace here.
Look around. Sixteen enslaved people are buried along the cemetery’s edge. Plaques now commemorate their lives. Job Worrow is one name you’ll see on both the slave and soldier plaques. He was both enslaved and a Revolutionary War soldier.
Samuel Cole once owned this land. He opened Boston’s first “house of entertainment”. Later, the Hasey brothers set aside land for a burial ground after a smallpox outbreak. The first recorded burial was Mary Smith in 1693. Her footstone remains but not her headstone.
Observe the gravestones. Many feature 18th and 19th-century iconography. Angels and skeleton heads adorn them. Rising and setting suns symbolize life and death.
Notice the large stones near the entrance. One commemorates soldiers. Another shares a short history of Rumney Marsh Burial Ground. A stone honors Charles James Bibber. He was a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient.
Many consider the Rumney Marsh Burial Ground a link to the Salem Witch Trials. Sarah Doolittle Floyd rests here. Her husband John was accused of witchcraft.
After 1929 the cemetery upkeep became sporadic. Yet, locals recall playing here. They played hide-and-seek among the tombstones. Some even remember Memorial Day parades stopping here.
Today, the Rumney Marsh Burial Ground Restoration Committee cares for this space. They ensure this piece of New England history is well-kept. The annual Bocce On the Beach tournament helps raise money.
Take a moment. Remember those who rest here. Reflect on their lives and sacrifices. Rumney Marsh Burial Ground connects us to Revere’s past. It is a reminder of the lives that shaped this community.