Revolutionary War soldiers found their final resting place here. This is the Walter Street Burying Ground. Established in 1711, this serene site holds stories of early settlers and brave patriots. Let’s step back in time. Let’s explore the history etched in these stones at Walter Street Burying Ground.
The Walter Street Burying Ground began as a place for members of the Second Church of Christ to bury their dead. In 1711, the town of Roxbury allowed those in outlying areas to establish their own church. It was difficult for them to travel to the First Church of Christ. The Second Church of Christ was built on Peter’s Hill. The Walter Street Burying Ground was created behind it to the south.
By 1733, the Second Church was discontinued. A new church was built in West Roxbury. Today only the Walter Street Burying Ground remains. The church and parsonage are long gone. This 0.81-acre site is now within the Arnold Arboretum.
The Walter Street Burying Ground holds more than just early settlers. It also contains a large tomb. This tomb is for Revolutionary War soldiers. These soldiers were stationed at the nearby Loring-Greenough House. The house was later a hospital. Many soldiers became ill with smallpox. They were first buried in the house’s garden.
In 1867, a decision was made. The soldiers’ remains were moved to the Walter Street Burying Ground. They were given a proper burial. A brick vault covered with an earthen mound became their final resting place.
But the Walter Street Burying Ground’s story doesn’t end there. In 1902, Walter Street was widened. The remains of 28 more bodies were discovered. These remains were transferred to Mount Hope Cemetery. The Walter Street Burying Ground lost 300 square feet during this widening.
Look around at the stones that remain in Walter Street Burying Ground. The earliest burials date back to the early 1700s. This land connects us to the lives and sacrifices of those who came before us. Among them are members of the Weld family. Joseph Weld was granted land for making a treaty with the Pequod Indians in 1643.
The Massachusetts Society of the Sons of the Revolution erected a plaque in 1906. It stands as a testament to the soldiers who died in hospitals at Jamaica Plain. They were buried in this lot.
The Walter Street Burying Ground is a reminder. It reminds us of the past. It connects us to the people who shaped our community. Take a moment to reflect on their lives. Consider their contributions. Remember the stories etched in these stones. The Walter Street Burying Ground is more than just a cemetery. It is a place of remembrance. It is a place of history.