Committee for Historical Burial Grounds

 In the Spring of 2002 the Gloucester Historical Commission established a Committee for Historical Burial Grounds in response to a call of the Community Development Plan, 2001. The Plan states that our ancient cemeteries should be maintained and their historical significance recognized and documented. and further that a committee of the Historical Commission could “assume an official role in working with the DPW and preparing a program to increase public awareness” .

The Committee for Historic Burial Grounds held its first public meeting on June 18, 2002 to introduce a plan for our historic cemeteries. At this meeting Walter and Joyce McGrath presented a program showing how they have restored and continued to maintain Cove Hill Cemetery in Lanesville. Ellen Nelson, representing the Historical Commission, called for volunteers and at a subsequent orientation meeting at which Nancy Barlow described aspects of the project, a work plan was drawn up, and Nancy Barlow and Ellen Nelson were designated co-chairpersons.

THE PROJECT: PART I

The first and easiest part of the project was to identify those City burial grounds designated “historic”. By definition, a burial ground that has no more salable lots is historic. There may be an occasional burial at an historic cemetery in a lot previously purchased. (The term “Cemetery” is usually used for burial places of the 19th century and the term “Burial Ground” used for those of the 17th and 18th century. We follow local usage for this report)

The City of Gloucester has responsibility for the following historic cemeteries: First Parish, Clark, Bay View, Cove Hill, Langsford Street, Old Bray, Thompson, Sumner Street, Magnolia Point, Cherry Hill, Bay View, and with some question, High Street. Some of these burial places are in relatively good condition and others, for varying reasons, are in terrible condition.

Committee members decided that documenting the stones as quickly as possible was the first priority as weathering and vandalism are destroying the monument record especially in isolated cemeteries. Following Walter McGrath advice to start with an easy one, Magnolia Point Cemetery was chosen as our first inventory project. Nancy Barlow prepared an inventory form and a group of volunteers gathered at Magnolia Point Cemetery in June of 2002 to begin the work of documenting the stone record and assessing the condition of the stones, monuments, and grounds.

Taking advantage of the summer months, the committee went on to document other cemeteries. Results of work at other sites will be written in later reports.

During the winter months a data base was developed and the data was transcribed from the inventory sheets. Paul Nelson took digital pictures of all the monuments and markers and Roger Davis edited the data. In addition to the copies of this report located at the City Archive, Sawyer Free Library, and Cape Ann Historical Association Library, the data is available on the City of Gloucester website.
The web site will include this information as well as information about the composition and condition of the stones.

The printed version of the inventory is arranged in two ways. The first section is by last name of the person listed on the monument or marker. The second section which includes a map, is listed by section, lot, and stone. A photograph of every stone showing section, lot, and stone follows the second section. There are few actual inscriptions on the monuments and markers at Magnolia Point Cemetery but we include them at the end of this report because of their importance in reflecting the attitudes of the time they were inscribed

Those committee members taking part in the Magnolia Point inventory project are:
Nancy Barlow, Stephanie Buck, Carole Carlson, John Crowninshield, Judy Gillis, Vilma Hunt, Julie Mattera, Helen McCabe, Walter McGrath, Ellen Nelson, Paul Nelson, Pat Parisi, Paul Parisi, Mary Beth Pereira, Donna Polizzia, and Maggie Rosa.

THE PROJECT: PART II

The second part of our historic burial grounds project will be to address those problems identified in the inventory. In the Magnolia Point Cemetery, for example, a few stones are broken and have fallen, some plantings and ground growth have obscured stones, some work needs to be done on the stone wall, a new sign showing more accurate information should be made, and if possible, a more appropriate fence put across the front.



THE PROJECT: PART III

The First Parish Burial Ground is our most important and our most vulnerable. In the 1990’s Edith Sparling, Bruce and Ann Campbell, and a dedicated group of volunteers took on the task of doing an inventory and making improvements as they could. In less than 10 years their work, except for the inventory, can no longer be seen. In the summer of 2002, after a wonderful day when an army of volunteers from the Rotary Club spend a morning cleaning up at First Parish, a young man, Matthew Murray, made First Parish Burial Ground his special project and worked miracles. Much, much more is needed however and it will take more volunteer hours, and the help of professional conservators, preservationists, and people with expertise in cemetery landscape design to accomplish what needs to be done at First Parish.

THE PROJECT : PART IV

The Committee would like to be able to offer tours of our ancient cemeteries, prepare histories of some of our forefathers, provide visitors to Gloucester with a brochure, offer schools a hands on historical experience, and raise awareness in the community about the value of our historic resources.

The Historic Burial Grounds Committee will be able to complete the inventory of all the historic cemeteries and because of a gift from the Rotary Club we will be able to print out copies for the City Archive, the Sawyer Free Library, and the Cape Ann Historical Association Library. Thanks to the gifts of time and energy of committee members, we can provide the information on the City web site.

The ultimate aim of the Committee is to generate interest and respect for our unique historical heritage as represented in our ancient burial grounds. Our hope is that citizens will take an active role in helping to protect and preserve this link to our rapidly disappearing past. This will take the time and effort of Committee members but it will also take money. Without help the Committee, will not be able to accomplish this work and we certainly will not be able to carry out Parts II and III of the project.

We would be grateful for your tax deductible gift to :

Historic Burial Ground Fund
9 Dale Avenue
Gloucester, MA 01930

We would also like to welcome you to our group of volunteers.

Ellen Nelson