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25 NPS Form 10-900 (Rev. 10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service OMB No. 1024-0018 National Register of Historic Places Registration Form DEC 29 This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in How to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (National Register Bulletin 16A). Complete each item by marking "X" in the appropriate box or by entering 1. Name of Property historic name. Rumney Marsh Burying Ground other names/site number. 2. Location street & number. Butler Street @ Elm and Bixby Streets - not for publication city or town_ Revere - Vicinity state_ Massachusetts _code_MA county Suffolk _ code_ 025 - zip code _02151 3.
State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1986, as amended, I hereby certify that this nomination - request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property - meets - does not meet the National Register Criteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant - nationally - statewide Tocally. (- See continuation sheet for additional comments.) petay truedtera hational Register Airéctor, 12/23/03 (Signature of gertifying official/Title Carb)M.
Metz, State Historic Preservation Officer Massachusetts Historical Commission State or Federal agency and bureau In my opinion, the property - meets - does not meet the National Register criteria. (- See continuation sheet for additional Comments.) Signature of certifying official/Title Date State or Federal agency and bureau 4. National Park Service Certification 1, hereby certify that this property is: M entered in the National Register - See continuation sheet. - determined eligible for the National Register - See continuation sheet. - determined not eligible for the National Register - removed from the National Register - other (explain): Htah Ball Date of Action 2/11/04 Rumney Marsh Burying Ground Name of Property 3.
Classification Ownership of Property Category of Property _ private building(s) x public-local _ district _ public-State xsite _ public-Federal _ structure _object Natee of ieparpeity istipi paroparty lise propery isting) 6. Function or Use Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) FUNERARY: Cemetery Suffolk County, Massachusetts County and State . Number of Resources within Property Contributing Non contributing buildings 4 sites structures 18 1 objects 22 TOTAL Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions) FUNERARY: Cemetery 7.
Description Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) n/a Materials (Enter categories from instructions) other: GRAVESTONES: slate, marble, limestone, granite Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets) See Continuation Sheets Regorm 10-900 Natiod Farks Pricetment of the Interior National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number _ Page _1 OMB Approvel No. 1021-0018 Rumney Marsh Burying Ground Revere (Suffolk), MA 7. Narrative Description Summary Dating to ca. 1693 and actively used through 1930, the Rumney Marsh Burying Ground is a small, early colonial period burying ground that survives in the midst of a densely developed, mid 20th century residential neighborhood.
While its setting has changed drastically, the burying ground itself retains a very high degree of integrity. Many of the key physical features that characterize early community burying grounds in Massachusetts are clearly displayed at Rumney Marsh. They include proximity to the original meetinghouse and town center, natural rolling topography, irregular dispersion of stones with the oldest concentrated on the highest ground, informal plantings, a simple circulation system consisting of perimeter footpaths, and a stone wall enclosure. Most important are the gravestones, whose high artistic qualities, materials, scale, and iconography provide a chronological history of American gravestone art. An unusually high concentration of 18th century slates with the winged skull motif are present.
This core is supplemented by numerous 19th century stones of slate, marble, and other materials that display popular period motifs such as the urn and willow. There are no large, elaborate, late 19th century marker forms such as obelisks and only one family plot. Typically, some stones have been lost over time and some have deteriorated, but overall the 300 year old Rumney Marsh Burying Ground has survived with remarkably little modern change. Location and Setting The Rumney Marsh Burying Ground occupies its original site on the south side of Butler Street in the city of Revere, Massachusetts. Revere occupies 6.32 square miles on Massachusetts Bay. The inviting 4.5 mile coast consists of a gently curving, sandy beach. Known as Revere Beach (NR: 1998; NHL: 2003), it has been a popular recreational area since the mid 19th century.
The city's northern boundary is defined by the Pines River, a tidal tributary of the Saugus River, with extensive associated salt marshes. The southern edge is defined by Belle Isle Inlet and Mill Creek. Neighboring towns include Boston (SE), Chelsea (SW), Malden (W), and Saugus (N). The Burying Ground lies on the eastern edge of Revere's historic commercial center on Broadway (State Route 107) and its institutional core on Beach Street. Beach Street is a 17th century roadway that meanders northeasterly from Broadway to Bell Circle at the intersection of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Parkway (State Route 1A) and American Legion Highway (State Route 60). Broadway and the two parkways are important regional thoroughfares. (continued) OMB Approval No.
1021-0018 NºS Form 10-900-8 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number - 7 Page _ 2 Rumney Marsh Burying Ground Revere (Suffolk), MA Broadway also functions as Revere's Main Street. Beach Street marks the locus of Revere's earliest settlement in the 17th century and the surrounding area has served as the town center ever since. Several surviving resources speak to this continuing role in addition to the burying ground, but none as clearly. They include the former Rumney Marsh Meeting House/Church of Christ (1710; 265 Beach Street; NR 1984), the former First Congregational Church (1850/1885; Beach Street @ Central Avenue), the First Baptist Church (1893; Beach Street @ Library Street), and the Revere Public Library (1903; Beach Street @ Library Street).
Although these resources are located in proximity to each other, the extent of later infill development precludes a historic district. The Rumney Marsh Burying Ground is now part of the block bounded by Butler (N), Library (S), Bixby (E), and Elm (W) streets. It is bordered by dwellings on all sides except Butler Street where the entrance is located. The surrounding area was subdivided for residential use in the late 19th century. Initial development was very slow, but the area is now a dense, mid-20th century, residential neighborhood that is composed primarily of one-story, wood-frame, ranch-style houses. A small number of earlier dwellings are present as well. Burying Ground Description The burying ground is rectangular in shape and enclosed by a mortared stone wall that is approximately 3' tall and 2' wide. The wall consists of regularly sized (approx.
2" x 8"), rough- faced granite blocks. The wall has a slightly projecting cap-course, inset with a double row of jagged stones. The sole entrance is located at the northwest corner of the burying ground, at the west end of the Butler Street wall. Here, double-leaf cast iron gates with a decorative scroll pattern and the date 1693 are attached to posts that are slightly taller and wider than the wall. (photo #6) The wall, which dates to the late 1930s, was preceded by a wooden picket fence that appears in some historic views and was cited by local historian Benjamin Shurtleff in his 1937 history. An 1897 cemetery plan shows the entrance at the northwest corner, but facing west rather than north as it does today. This is because Butler Street was not yet in existence.
The entrance opens onto a small brick terrace which is framed by a 1930 war memorial on the south and a large, 1970s, historical signboard on the east. The circulation system serves only pedestrians; it consists of narrow brick pathways along the south and west sides, approximately 4' in from the walls. An 1897 cemetery plan shows a third path running along the north side. There is no vehicular access and no lighting. The land within the burying ground rises gently to a (continued) OMB Approvel No. 1021-0018 N°S Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Rumney Marsh Burying Ground Revere (Suffolk), MA Section number - 7 Page - 3 low crest near the rear center where the oldest gravestones are concentrated. It is maintained in rough turf with numerous deciduous and coniferous trees.
Most trees appear to be volunteers and several are damaging the perimeter walls and adjacent stones due to overly close proximity. The gently rolling terrain within the burying ground may represent the early topography of the surrounding area which is now flat. The burying ground contains a wealth of gravestones dating from the late 17th to mid 19th centuries. There is an unusually rich collection of 18th century stones, with many dating to the first half of that century. Smaller numbers of modest, mid-late 19th and early 20th century stones are present as well, but hallmark features such as tombs, buildings, and obelisks or other monumental markers of that period are lacking. There is only one family plot although family names often appear in clusters. The vast majority of gravestones are made of dark slate interspersed with a few 19th century examples of marble, limestone, and granite.
(photo #1) Some stones are broken, sinking, or toppled, and many others have disappeared over time as is to be expected in a cemetery of this age (see Shurtleff list, pp. 458-460). The extant slates generally maintain their crisp detail while some of the softer stones are badly eroded. Some of the broken stones have been set into concrete pads in a horizontal position. While this method has kept pieces together, it has also accelerated erosion by presenting a larger surface to weather, and by collecting water. Typically, the gravestones are roughly arranged in north-south rows with inscriptions facing west and bodies facing east to the rising sun. The earliest stones are concentrated in the northeast quadrant of the burying ground, especially on the high ground at the rear (E) center. Many early headstones are still accompanied by small footstones which mirror their arched profile.
In some cases, only the footstone remains. Many stones at the Rumney Marsh Burying Ground possess the distinctive artistic qualities of highly skilled gravestone design and craftsmanship. Rumney Marsh is especially rich in the winged skull motif which dominated New England gravestone art throughout most of the 17th century. (photo #2) While winged cherubs gradually replaced the winged skull motif as the 18th century progressed, the popularity of the latter endured throughout the 18th century at Rumney Marsh. Later examples often display the stylized foliate borders that replaced the richer fruits and leaves that are characteristic of the 17th and early 18th centuries.
At least two early slates have been attributed to noted carver Joseph Lamson (1658 - 1722) who belonged to a family dynasty of skilled artisans working in the Malden/Charlestown area just north of Boston, and south and west of Revere. Several finely detailed examples of the early 19th century urn and willow motif are also noteworthy. (continued) OMB Approvel No. 1021-0018 Res Form 10-900-s United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number _ Page_4 Rumney Marsh Burying Ground Revere (Suffolk), MA Gravestone Descriptions Marcy Haugh, 1702 (photo #3) The well-preserved slate that marks the grave of Marcy Haugh is an excellent example of an early slate. The top half of the tympanum contains a light bulb shaped head with large, round, staring eyes, a triangular nose, and a toothy mouth with protruding lips.
The wings are well- defined and take up the entire area. Richly carved fruits and leaves appear below the skull in the lower half of the tympanum and along the sides of the inscription panel. Some of the fruits are paired and resemble heavy breasts. The inscription reads "Here lyes buried ye body of Marcy Haugh ye wife of Atherton Haugh aged about 29 years deceased November ye 16th, 1702." Mary Cutler (1703) This early example of a winged cherub retains the rich, naturalistic carving of the 17th century. Attributed to Joseph Lamson (Forbes), it is a shouldered slate topped by a round-arched tympanum. The cherub's head is oval shaped with well-developed eyes, nose, mouth, and hair. The wings and individual feathers are similarly well-executed. Rich carved fruits and leaves appears above the head and around the sides and base of the inscription panel.
Mary Cutler was the daughter of John and Anna Cutler. She died at age 33. Deane Winthrop, 1703/4 (photo #2) This early slate, also attributed to Joseph Lamson (Forbes), combines the old winged skull motif with an up-to-date, swirling, foliate border. Here, a winged hourglass (to represent the fleeting passage of time) and two tiny skulls appear in the upper tympanum above the typical winged skull motif. The top, bottom, and sides of the inscription panel are framed by a foliate rinceau molding. The inscription reads: "Here lyeth buried ye body of Mr. Deane Winthrop of Pullin Point Aged 81 years who departed this life March the 16 1703/4. Winthrop was the son of John Winthrop, Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Pullin Point is now part of Winthrop. Edward Watts, 1714 (photo #4) The high arched tympanum of this stone contains an unusually naturalistic winged cherub head.
The head is oval, and the closed eyes, nose, mouth, and curling hair are realistically executed The wings are very small. A stylized floral border appears above the head, and along the sides and base of the inscription panel. Watts died on June 5, 1714 at age 47. The adjacent grave of his wife is marked by a slate with winged skull. (continued) OMB ApprovelNo. 1021-0018 pens Fom 10-900-a United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number - 7 Page _ S Rumney Marsh Burying Ground Revere (Suffolk), MA Joseph Whittemore, 1735 The large tympanum that heads this slate contains a wide-winged skull with round eyes, arched brows, triangular nose, and curving upper lip. It tapers to a toothy jaw and then flares to a base. An unusual scalloped fringe appears above.
The inscription panel is framed by stylized fruits and leaves. Whittemore died Sept. 30, 1735 at age 36 Eustis Family, mid-18th century Three similar, adjacent slates, all accompanied by footstones, commemorate members of the Eustis family: William who died in 1736/7 at age 77, his wife Sarah who died in 1748 at age 85, and Thomas who died in 1752 at age 49. All are wide and round-shouldered with broad, segmental-arched tympanums. The winged skulls have unusual indented tops, large oval eyes, triangular noses, and toothy jaws. Circular medallions appear above two of the heads. Sarah Oliver, 1769 This slate is distinguished by a low-arched tympanum that is filled by a winged cherub. The oval head is detailed with protruding eyes, a small nose, and small straight line for a mouth. The hair forms a narrow scalloped border. The sides of the stone display a rinceau border.
The inscription reads: "In memory of Sarah Oliver, dau'tr of Mr. William & Mrs. Rebecca Oliver who died Nov'br 10th 1769 aged 12 years 6 months & 23 d's. Fresh in ye Morn, ye Summer Rose Hangs wither'd ere 'tis noon, We scarce enjoy ye balmy Gift But mourn ye Pleasure gone. John Sale Oliver, 1769 This small, round-shouldered slate is similar to that of his sister Sarah, with a well-defined vinged cherub, and stylized border. John died November 11, 1769, at age 6 years, 7 months, and This Stone Declares a Solemn Truth That death Spares none no not a youth Whose Virtues great & graces many Few Could Excel Scarce One if Any (continued) OMB Approval No.
1024-0018 EnS Form 10-900-8 United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number - 7 Page - 6 Rumney Marsh Burying Ground Revere (Suffolk), MA Hepzibah Oliver, 1769 Hepzibah's stone is similar to those of her siblings. She died December 16, 1769 at age 10 years, 5 months, and 2 days. Under this Stone ye Dust of one Does lye Whose thoughts were Still fix'd one Etern'ty Though young in years Still as She grew her mind Was neir content till She ye truth Could find. Joanna T. Oliver, 1865 (photo #5) This is a late example of several exceptional stones with the urn and willow motif that was so popular in the early 19th century. Here, a high, round-arched tympanum contains a large tree with unusually well defined trunk, branches, and leaves that overhangs a large urn. Both are set on a low pedestal.
This design is set off by a contrasting background of fine cross-hatching. Oliver died October 12, 1865 at age 83. Belcher family, early-19th century Three similar urn and willow slates mark the graves of Nathaniel Belcher who drowned in Boston Harbor in 1797, his wife Martha who died in 1834, and their son Nathaniel who died in 1812 at age 20, and their son James who died in Pittsburg in 1816 at age 22. Cary Family The only family plot defined by low stone curbing, belongs to the Cary family. The plot contains one very large (approx. 3' x 6') dark slate laid horizontally on the ground. The names of fourteen family members are inscribed on this single marker. The first is Samuel Cary (1742-1812) and the last is Henry Cary (1819-1885).
All are 1910 reinterrments from the tombs that once existed on the southern edge (Cary Avenue) of the former Rumney Marsh Meeting House/Church of Christ (1710; 265 Beach Street; NR 1984) Crocker, Cheever/Harris, and Pratt/Woods families Other reinterments, such as the graves of members of the Crocker, Cheever/Harris, and Pratt/Woods families are now marked by small, black, rectangular slates. Civil War Veterans (GAR) monument and grave stones (photo #7) A cluster of stones at the southeast corner of the burying ground commemorate soldiers who participated in several wars. All are small limestone markers with segmental arched tops. (continued) OMB Approval No.
1024-0018 NºS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number - 7 Page - Rumney Marsh Burying Ground Revere (Suffolk), MA Names and regimental information are inscribed within a shield motif. They are clustered around a Civil War monument that consists of a pyramid of cannonballs from that war. War Memorial (photo #6) Veterans who lost their lives in the Colonial Wars (1675, 1769), the Revolutionary War (1775- 1783), the War of 1812, and the Civil War (1861-1865) are served by a war memorial opposite the Butler Street entrance. It consists of a large, split granite boulder with a bronze plaque attached to the flat face.
Erected by the Revere Tercentennial Committee in 1930, it reads "Ye Rumney Marsh Burying Ground This Memorial Placed in Remembrance of the Soldiers Who Lie Buried Here." and includes all of their names. Sign Board (photo #6) The only important element within the burying ground that post-dates the decade of the 1930s is a large wooden sign on wooden posts that stands east of and perpendicular to the War Memorial. Erected under the auspices of the Revere Historical Commission, the Revere Community Development Program, and then Mayor George V. Colella, it provides a brief history of the burying ground and commemorates its rededication on May 29, 1975. Current Conditions The Rumney Marsh Burying Ground survives as a well preserved example of an early colonial period burying ground that remained in active use through 1930.
Some individual gravestones have been lost over time, but density remains high, including an unusually high number of footstones. The condition of the surviving stones varies from poor to excellent. Most slates, including those from the 17th and early 18th centuries, remain in good to excellent condition, retaining crisp carving. In contrast, many marble stones have eroded badly. Some stones are partially buried, some tipping, and some are broken. The pieces of some broken stones were set in concrete in 1960. While this method has kept pieces together and within the burying ground, the placement in a prone position has accelerated the weathering process. Despite some problems caused by volunteer trees, the burying ground is well-maintained and in generally good condition. These conditions are typical of early burying grounds, and less severe than many.
Archaeological Description While no ancient Native American sites are located in the cemetery, sites may be present. One site is located in the general area (within one mile). Environmental characteristics of the (continued) OMB Approval No.1024-0018 NPS Form 10-900-a (3-86) United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number - 7 Page - 8 Rumney Marsh Burying Ground Revere (Suffolk), MA cemetery indicate some locational criteria (slope, soil drainage, proximity to wetlands) that support the presence of ancient sites. The cemetery is located on a level to moderately sloping and excessively drained glacial outwash plain, both favorable characteristics for the presence of ancient sites. The nearest wetlands, however, lie over 1,000 feet from the cemetery, an unfavorable site locational characteristic.
Given the above information, the small size of the cemetery (approximately 0.57 acres), and impacts related with over 300 years of grave excavations, a low potential exists for the recovery of significant ancient Native American resources in the Rumney Marsh Burying Ground. A high potential exists for the recovery of historic archaeological resources in the burying ground. The long history of interments together with lost stones, changes in the size of the burying ground, and the practice of unmarked burials for slaves and paupers indicates unmarked graves as a highly potential resource type at the burying ground. Marked and unmarked graves may contain stratigraphic evidence of grave shafts, coffins, human remains, and other funerary related artifacts.
Gravestones and artifacts may also be randomly scattered below surface and in clustered deposits related with specific activities such as memorial services. Structural evidence may also survive from outbuildings associated with burial ground maintenance and funerary activities. (end) Rumney Marsh Burying Ground Name of Property 8. Statement of Significance