Nomination for First Burial Ground

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

1222 NPS Form 10-900 (Rev. 10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service OMB No. 1024-0018 RECEIVED 2230 OCT - / 2004 National Register of Historic Places NAL RE Registration Form LACES 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 the information requested. If any item does not apply 5to the property being documented enter "N/A" for "not applicable". For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions. Place additional entries and narrative terms on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a).

Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items. 1. Name of Property historic name First Burial Ground other names/site number Park Street Burial Ground 2. Location street & number Park Street near Centre Street N/Anot for publication city or town Woburn N/A - vicinity state_ Massachusetts _ code_MA county. Middlesex code _017 zip code01801 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1986, as amended, I hereby certify that this homination 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 I does not meet the National Register Criteria.

I recommend that this property be considered significant - nationally - statewide locally. ((See continuation sheet for additional comments.) Betey edlieng natinal keeid n. Minsecuteeidter Wurectol. 9/28/04 Massachusetts Historical Commission, State Historic Preservation Officer In my opinion the property - meets - does not meet the National Register Criteria. ([See continuation sheet for additional comments.) Signature of certifying official/Title State or Federal Agency and bureau 4. National Park Service Certification I. hereby certifv that this propertv is: Ventered 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): Date Date 11-13.04 First Burial Ground Name of Property 3.

Classification Ownership of Property _ private X public-local - public-State public-Federal Category of Property building(s) _ district X site - structure object Name of related multiple property listing (enter N/A if property is not part of a multiple property listing) 6. Function or Use Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) Funerary: Cemetery Middlesex County, MA County and State Number of Resources within Property Contributing Non contributing 1 16 18 buildings sites 4 structures 3 objects Total Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register N/A Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions) Funerary: Cemetery 7.

Description Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) N/A Materials (Enter categories from instructions) N/A Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets) See continuation sheets. NPS Form 10-900-a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 First Burial Ground Woburn, Middlesex County, MA Section number 7 Page 1 NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION Woburn's First Burial Ground is a 1.4-acre site located at the corner of Park Street and Centre Street in the Woburn Square area. It is one block north of City Hall and the Common and one block west of the Main Street business district (Photo #3).

The burial ground is sometimes considered part of a larger city-owned property, but both the 1873 atlas and a survey undertaker in 2000 (see attached copies) show it as a separate parcel. There are commercial properties to th east and south of the burial ground, residences to the northwest and an overgrown undeveloped city-owned parcel to the northeast, which is the site of a 19*h century powder magazine and a former quarry. Along most of the Park and Centre Street frontage there is a heavily mortared fieldstone retaining wall that varies in height from 4' to 5'. The southern section of the wall, where the former town pound was located (see 1873 atlas), is much lower and less finished with a 6' chain link fence in front of it.

Chain link fencing of variable heights and styles also encloses interior sections of the burial ground, separating it from the vacant land to the northeast and from some of the adjacent businesses to the east. The rear of several Main Street buildings also forms a portion of the southeast perimeter of the burial ground Pedestrian access is through an unlocked chain link gate on Park Street at the southern end of the burial ground (Photo #1). The granite and concrete path at this entrance leads to a series of late 20" century steps and stepped ramps and a small circular plaza containing a flagpole and several commemorative plaques. There is no formal circulation system beyond this short path and no other access points besides those provided by breaks in the chain link fence.

The burial ground is located on a steeply sloping site that rises about 30' above Park Street to an area known as Magazine Hill. The high point is at the northern end, where the Baldwin family monument is dramatically sited (Photo #2). The landscape character of the burial ground is simple with open lawn scattered with a few mature deciduous trees, primarily maples and horsechestnuts. Most of the trees are located along Park Street in a rough row, with a few on the interior. There are no shrubs except invasive vegetation at the edges of the burial ground. While an 1866 survey recorded about 270 gravestones, a recent inventory undertaken by a group of local residents known as the Grave Group found 203 gravestones, of which 189 have been positively identified. A small percentage of these have footstones, many located in their original position six feet from the headstone.

As was typical in very early burial grounds, headstones are arranged randomly and oriented in all directions. They are also concentrated in the central portion of the burial ground, although there may be unmarked graves in other areas. The vast majority of the headstones are slate, erected between 1690 and 1794, with most displaying the (continued) NPS Form 10-900-a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 First Burial Ground Woburn, Middlesex County, MA Section number 7 Page 2 winged death's head that was characteristic of 18# century New England. Many of the earlier stones are fairly thick, with a large number of light gray slate, some with green diagonal stripes. Almost all have a shouldered main block with rounded tympanum.

Several distinctive styles are evident within the cemetery. A number of the headstones display characteristics attributable to the Lamson family of stone carvers from Charlestown and Malden, Massachusetts who were active from the late 17'h through the 18" century. Some of the earliest stones appear to be the work of Joseph Lamson (1658-1722), founder of the Lamson shop. These display the winged skull, almost always with eyebrows, which was a characteristic of Joseph Lamson's work. They also frequently feature cross bones, hour glasses, inscriptions of "memento mori" and "tempus fugit" in the panel below the tympanum, as well as abstract forms in the side panels. Another characteristic of Joseph Lamson's work was that the lettering typically is in upper case and is set in a box with decorative borders.

Examples from the First Burial Ground that appear to be the work of Joseph Lamson include the headstone of Ann Convers (d. 1691) (Photo #4); Lieutenant James Thomson (d. 1693); Francis Wyman (d. 1699); Sarah Johnson (d. 1710); Abraham Fyfeild (d. 1711); Samuel Richardson (d. 1712); and John Burbeen (d. 1713). By the Revolutionary War period, the shop consisted of several members of the Lamson family and the work of individuals in harder to distinguish. Later headstones carved by the Lamson shop display narrower side panels with simpler motifs; larger death's heads; simpler boxes enclosing the inscription and use of upper and lower case lettering. Examples of stones with Lamson characteristics from this period include Benjamin Wyman (d. 1774); Daniel Thompson (d. 1775) (Photo #5); and Dorothy Gardner (d. 1787) (Photo #6).

The 18"* century epitaphs are surprisingly expressive of both social history and individual traits. Accidents and disease were frequent causes of death, with a particularly high rate of infant mortality. One broken stone set in a isolated location at the north end of the burial ground reveals that its owner (name illegible) died of smallpox. The headstone of Eleazer Flagg Pool (d. 1776) indicates that "six weeping children in eight days followed father and mother to their graves." Benjamin Brook (d. 1769) was killed by a falling tree. Deacon Samuel Wyman wrote of his wife Abigail (d. 1772) "Here lies the wife of my youth, the desire of my eyes." Judith Tyng (d.

1736, age 99) was commemorated with the words, "A woman of most Exempl'ry Vertue & Piety, Rich in Grace, Ripe for Glory." In addition to the predominant slate headstones, there are also three 19" century marble headstones, one large sandstone (formerly a table tomb, now lying on the ground with engraving missing) and two large monuments. The most prominent monument is that of the Baldwin family, a squat granite block obelisk at the crest of the hill near the north edge of the burial ground. The inscription reads: "To the memory of Col. Loammi Baldwin, who died October 20, 1807, aet. 63. Erected by his children." It honors Loammi Baldwin (1745-1807) Continental (continued) NPS Form 10-900-a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 First Burial Ground Woburn, Middlesex County, MA Section number 7 Page 3 Army officer, builder of the Middlesex Canal, and propagator of the Baldwin apple. There are 13 Baldwins buried in the tomb underneath, including Loammi Baldwin the Younger (1780-1838) the father of American civil engineering, builder of naval dry docks, canals and turnpikes, and designer of the Bunker Hill Monument. His brother, James F. Baldwin (1782-1862), builder of thriBoston and Lowell ailroad and the Boston water system, is also among the farmily memibers The other prominent monument is a marble structure located at the southeast corner of the property. It was erected by John Fowle in memory of James Fowle, Esq. (d. 1856, age 62). The Fowle monument consists of an 8' tall eight-sided tapering column topped by a marble urn and set on a marble pedestal and granite base.

The inscription on the pedestal is a raised scroll-like panel and the whole is decoratively carved. The most recent stone is that of Asahel Porter, who was killed in the battle of April 19, 1775. The current stone is a replacement which was carved in 1976 as a replacement for Porter's original stone which had disappeared. Near the entrance to the burying ground are several late 20" century commemorative features including a flagpole, and three signs. The sign nearest the entrance is a post mounted iron plaque, painted bronze, erected in 1962 in memory of Deacon Edward Converse, a founder of the City of Woburn. The second sign is also a post mounted iron plaque, painted bronze, identifying the site as "Park Street Burial Ground." It was erected in memory of 15 Revolutionary War soldiers buried here. The third sign is a bronze plaque mounted on a low granite base of recent construction.

It identifies the site as "First Burial Ground, 1642 until 1794" and notes that it contains the remains of Daniel Thompson and Ashael Porter, who fought at the battles of Lexington and Concord. First Burial Ground is an evocative place, one of the oldest surviving cultural resources in Woburn. It retains its colonial character and has an outstanding collection of early slate gravestones, including many carved by noted stone carver Joseph Lamson and other members of the Lamson family. The surrounding area, including the vacant lot to the northeast and the rear of the adjacent commercial buildings, is poorly screened and detracts from the historic setting. Archaeological Description While no ancient Native American sites are recorded in the burial ground, sites may be present. One site is recorded in the general area (within one mile).

Environmental characteristics of the burial ground do not represent locational criteria (slope, soil drainage, proximity to wetlands) that favor the presence of Native American sites. While natural soils at the cemetery appear well drained, much of the area is steeply sloped and located over 1,000 feet from the nearest wetlands. Landscaping that included (continued) NPS Form 10-900-a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 First Burial Ground Woburn, Middlesex County, MA Section number 1 Page 4 terracing, construction of the town pound in the southwestern corner of the burial ground along Park street, and excavation. Of over 270 graves have also adversely affected the integrity of soil stratigraphy ir ihe area and any resources that were present.

Given the above information and the small size of the nominated parcel (1.4 acres), a low potential exists for locating significant ancient Native American A high potential exists for the recovery of historic archaeological resources in the First Burial Ground. Additional documentary research combined with archaeological survey and testing may locate evidence of unmarked graves, funerary related artifacts, boundary markers, wall fragments, post holes, and the town pound that existed in the burial ground area. Unmarked graves may include stratigraphic evidence of a burial shaft, casket, human remains, and artifacts including personal items of the deceased and memorial offerings buried with the individual(s). Unmarked graves may include multiple interments, partial sets of human remains, or no remains at all.

Partial sets of human remains may result from relocated graves that did not remove or re-bury the entire individual or buried body parts. The absence of human remains may result from relocated graves or memorial graves for individuals buried or lost elsewhere. Older graves were reportedly moved when the town pound was constructed. Gravestones, footstones and artifacts related to memorial services may also be found in archaeological contexts throughout the cemetery. Structural evidence of stone walls, post holes, and other boundary markers may be found around the periphery of the burial ground as it changed through time and incorporated areas such as the town pound. Family burial areas may also be marked with boundary markers. Structural evidence of outbuildings related to cemetery operations and maintenance may also exist although none have yet been identified.

(end) First Burial Ground Name of Property 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the criteria qualifying the property for National Register listing) X A Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history. -B Property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past. X C Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or that represent the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction.

- D Property has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history, Criteria Considerations (Mark "x" in all the boxes that apply) N/A Property is: purposes A owned by religious institution or used for religious - B removed from its original location - C a birthplace or grave X D a cemetery - E a reconstructed building, object, or structure _ F a commemorative property G less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past 50 years Middlesex County, MA County and State Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions Art Community Planning and Development Social History Period of Significance 1646 - 1903 Significant Dates Significant Person: (Complete if Criterion B is marked above) Cultural Affiliation Architects/Builders Narrative Statement of Significance (Explain the significance of the property on one or more continuation sheets) See continuation sheets 9.

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

Major Bibliographic References (Cite the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form on one or more continuation sheets) See continuation sheets Previous documentation on file (NPS) - preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been requested - previously listed in the National Register - previously determined eligible by the National Register designated a National Historic Landmark _ recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey # Primary location of additional data State Historic Preservation Office .Other State agency , Federal Agency x Local Government - University Other Name of Repository: Woburn Public Library NPS Form 10-900-a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 First Burial Ground Woburn, Middlesex County, MA Section number 8 Page 1 8. SIGNIFICANCE The First Burial Ground is the oldest burial place in Woburn, dating to approximately 1646 when the present town center was established. It remained the community's primary graveyard until 0724 odonidl usad grcasional y ains strn i sor lal iscrations andoa. eriel giod eaon or 17" and 18" century slate gravestones. The site possesses integrity of location, design, materials, workmanship, feeling and association, and meets National Register Criteria A and C on the local level with a period of significance extending from 1646 to 1903. The site may also have archaeological significance associated with unmarked graves and buried headstones. The burial ground meets Criterion A due to its strong associations with the early settlement and history of Woburn.

It was the only municipal burying ground in active use for the town's first 160 years and contains the graves of over 270 of the town's early citizens, represented by 203 gravestones and monuments. It is a well-preserved example of a colonial New England burial ground that illustrates evolving ideas of death and commemoration in the late 17* and 18th centuries. Fifteen Revolutionary War veterans are buried here, as are many of the town's founders. The burial ground meets Criterion C as a well-preserved early graveyard that illustrates the evolving styles of funerary art in Woburn and New England. Most of the gravestones are made of gray slate with shouldered main block headed by a round-arched tympanum and display the red main bock headed by a oun winged death's head typical of the 18'* century.

Many of the stones display distinctive carving styles of the well-known Lamson family of carvers from the Charlestown/Malden area, one of the earliest and most important producers of colonial gravestones in New England. There are also two 19" century monuments, three marble headstones and a sandstone table tomb. First Burying Ground meets Criteria Consideration D because it contains graves of persons of transcendent importance to the early settlement and development of Woburn, as well as because of its age, its distinctive headstone design, and the skilled carving of many of the gravestones. Woburn, ten miles north of Boston, was originally an outlying village of Charlestown, and was settled in 1642. The present town center was established a few years later with a common by 1646 and meeting house around that time.

The First Burying Ground was probably established shortly after that and remained the primary municipal burying ground until 1794 when the Second Burying Ground was established. Initially there were about 30 families in the fledgling community, most from Charlestown. This number had roughly doubled by 1675 but a smallpox epidemic in 1677 reduced the population temporarily. A century later in 1775 the population of the Woburn/Burlington area had grown to 1,515. (continued) NPS Form 10-900-a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 First Burial Ground Woburn, Middlesex County, MA Section number 8 Page 2 Among those buried at the First Burial Ground are four of the town's early ministers and Captain Edward Johnson (1598 - 1672), one of the founders of Woburn and author of The Wonder Working Providence of Zion's Saviour in New England, the first printed history of New England (1653). Later burials included 15 soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War, including Daniel Thompson and Asahel Porter, casualties of the battles of Lexington and Concord. The first mention of the burial ground in town records dates to 1662. Other early references include payment of 3 shillings and 6 pence to Gershom Flagg in 1678 for "Cutter's grave" and in 1679 John Houghton was appointed "to ring the bell, to dig graves and to cleanse the meetinghouse." The cemetery was closed in 1794 as it had become full.

However there were several later interments, including members of the Baldwin and Fowle families, both commemorated by impressive monuments. The Second Burial Ground on Montvale Avenue was active from 1794 to 1845. Since 1845 Woodbrook Cemetery on Salem Street has been the primary municipal burying ground. Calvary Catholic Cemetery was established on Washington Street in the southern part of the community in the 19# century, with a small Jewish cemetery adjacent to it. While the First Burial Ground saw few changes in the 19"h century, its surroundings continued to evolve. The adjacent hill to the northeast was the site of a powder house erected during the War of 1812 and has been called both Magazine Hill and Powder House Hill.

Park Street, which runs along the western edge of the cemetery was initially known as "burying ground lane" and became Park Street when the town accepted it in 1846. The name was derived from a small park owned by G.R. Gage that was located at the corner of present day Park and Centre Streets. Initially the entrance to the burial ground was located near that corner where there was a spring-fed horse trough, but it was later relocated further south to its present location. The stone wall along the Park and Centre Street frontage probably also dates to the 19" century when Park Street was created. There were also administrative changes. Until 1824 the burial ground was administered by the First Parish Church. After that the town assumed responsibility.

The current configuration of the burial ground largely reflects its 18" century size and shape but there have been minor boundary adjustments. At some point a town pound was carved out of the southwestern corner of the burial ground along Park Street (see 1873 atlas) with some of the oldest graves reportedly relocated at that time. The pound was later removed and the land that it occupied is now part of the burial ground. The lot where the Fowle monument is located is shown on the 1873 atlas as a separate parcel and is now considered part of the burial ground Otherwise the boundaries of the 1873 atlas correspond with the 2000 Existing Conditions Plan by Allen and Major Associates (copy attached). The First Burial Ground is unusually well-documented.

A narrative history and an inventory of (continued) NPS Form 10-900-a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 First Burial Ground Woburn, Middlesex County, MA Section number 8 Page 3 gravestone inscriptions was published by William R. Cutter in 1866, building upon an earlier list compiled by Nathan Wyman in 1847. There were 269 epitaphs recorded in 1866, four less than here were in 1847 (presumably indicating that four headstones had disappeared in the meantime wo stones were erected in the 19t century to honor individuals who had died in the 18th, tw near the Fowle monument, is the only 20" century burial. Cutter also recorded a breakdown of burials by chronological period.

There were 24 burials before 1700, many of which no longer have extant headstones; 128 burials between 1700 and 1750; 84 burials between 1750 - 1775; and 38 burials between 1775 and 1793. Only a few burials occurred after 1800, primarily members of the Baldwin and Fowle families. Cutter notes that during the earlier periods there was a high mortality rate for women under 40 (presumably associated with childbirth) and that after the Revolution there were few burials and that most were older people. The first burial for which a headstone remains is that of Deacon Josiah Convers (Converse) (d. 1689-90, age 72), followed by Lt. James Fowle (d. 1690, age 49), Elizabeth Carter (d. 1691, age 78), and Ann Convers (Converse) (d. 1691, age 69 (?), (photo 4) wife of James, who was followed a few days later by her infant son Edward (age three days).

Cutter also notes that the Richardson family are the most numerous here, with 62 recorded burials. There is little documentation from the 20" century but a ca. 1910 photo from a newspaper article on the burial ground shows it considerably more tree-covered than it is today, with scattered evergreen and deciduous trees. In a 1952 monograph on the cemetery, Cemetery Commissioner S. Robert Cummings commented, "I regret to say that instead of a sanctified contemplative retreat, it has often served as a playground for children, idlers and dogs as evidenced every year by the amount of refuse that has to be cleared up before the grass can be cut." The burial ground has endured for nearly 350 years, with relatively few changes since 1800. It has an outstanding collection of skillfully carved colonial headstones.

The stones are appreciated by the citizens of Woburn, who have recently conducted a detailed inventory of them. Many stones are in good condition, while others are threatened by centuries of weathering and are in need of conservation. Recent efforts to preserve and maintain the First Burial Ground have included participation in the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management's Historic Cemeteries Initiative, which prepared a conceptual master plan and made prioritized recommendations for improvements. (continued) NPS Form 10-900-a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 First Burial Ground Woburn, Middlesex County, MA Section number 8 Page 4 Archaeological Significance in the burial ground, the exact date when the burial ground was established, and the extent that early graves were relocated for construction of the town pound. Research identified above may also identify exactly when the town pound was established. The identification of unmarked graves can help identify overall boundaries for the burial ground and its internal subdivisions based on kinship, ethnicity, and socio-economic status. Unmarked graves may contribute important information that indicates how the community treated its less fortunate and usually less documented deceased members including 17" and early 18" century slaves, unknown persons, paupers, and other indigent persons.

Many individuals included in the groups listed above were often buried in unmarked graves around the periphery of the burial grounds or in designated areas yet to be identified. Osteological studies of human remains associated with unmarked and marked burials may contribute a wealth of information relating to the overall health, general appearance, and pathologies that affected Woburn's early population. Detailed analysis of skeletal remains may contribute important information on the general stature of individuals, ethnic, and socio-economic groups and the accidents and disease that affected those groups. (end) First Burial Ground Name of Property 10. Geographical Data Acreage of Property 1.4acre UTM References (place additional UTM references on a continuation sheet) 1.19 323020 4705280 Zone Easting Northing Middlesex County, MA County and State Zon3.

19 Easting Northing 2.19 Zone Easting Northing Zone 19 EastingNorthing - See continuation sheet Verbal Boundary Description (Describe the boundaries of the property on a continuation sheet) Boundary Justification (Describe why the boundaries were selected on a continuation sheet) 11. Form Prepared By name/title _ Shary Page Berg, preservation consultant, with Betsy Friedberg, NR Director, MHC organization Massachusetts Historical Commission date September 2004 street & number220 Morrissey Boulevard telephone_617-727-8470 city or town Boston stateMA zip code 02125 Additional Documentation Submit the following items with the completed form: Continuation Sheets A USGS map (7.5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property's location. A sketch map for historic districts and properties having large acreage or numerous resources.

Photographs Representative black and white photographs of the property. Additional Items (check with the SHPO or FPO for any additional items) Property Owner (Complete this item at the request of the SHPO or FPO) name_City of Woburn street and number 10 Common Street telephone 781-935-3010 city or town Woburn state MA zip code_01801 NPS Form 10-900-a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 First Burial Ground Woburn, Middlesex County, MA Section number 9,10, 12 Page 1 9. BIBLIOGRAPHY Coady, Marie et al. "First Burial Ground Inventory." Unpublished manuscript and notes on file at Woburn Redevelopment Authority, 2002 Cummings, S. Robert. . "The Public Cemeteries of Woburn." Woburn Cemetery Commission pamphlet, 1952. Cutter, William R.

"Notes for a Concise History of Woburn" in Edward F. Johnson, Woburn Records of Births, Deaths and Marriages from 1640 to 1873, Part III - Marriages. Boston: Winship, Daniels & Co., 1891. Gabel, Laurel K., gravestone expert. Personal communication, May 2002. Massachusetts Historical Commission. Survey files and 1980 town narrative. Sewall, Samuel. The History of Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Boston: Wiggin and Lunt Publishers, 1868. Tucker, Ralph. "The Lamson Family Gravestone Carvers of Charlestown and Malden, Massachusetts" in Markers, Vol. X, Journal of the Association for Gravestone Studies. Woburn Public Library. Local history files. (end) 10.

GEOGRAPHICAL DATA Verbal Boundary Description First Burial Ground is bounded on the southwest by Park Street; on the west by Centre Street; on the northeast by Magazine Hill (an undeveloped former quarry), and on the east by the rear of commercial properties that front on Main Street. The cemetery encompasses the southern portion of assessors map 51, block 5, parcel 14. The entire parcel consists of 2 acres, of which about 1.4 acres comprise the cemetery. The boundary between the cemetery and the adjacent undeveloped city-owned parcel to the north is marked by a chain link fence and delineated on Existing Conditions Plan C-1, Magazine Hill, Woburn, MA by Allen and Major Associates Inc, 4/25/2000. Boundary Justification The boundary includes the entire burial ground developed between 1642 and 1903 including the former town pound and the Fowle lot.

(end) NPS Form 10-900-a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 2,10,12 _Page 2 OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 First Burial Ground Woburn, Middlesex County, MA 12. LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS NR Photo # Location/Description 1 2 3 4 5 6 View northeast from Park Street with burial ground entrance at right View northeast towards Quarry Hill with path and flagpole at right and Baldwin monument at left View southeast from near Baldwin monument towards town center and common Ann Convers (Converse) (d. 1691) headstone Daniel Thompson (d. 1775) headstone Dorothy Gardner (d.

1787) headstone Date 5/2002 5/2002 5/2002 5/2002 5/2002 5/2002 Photo by Shary Berg Shary Berg Shary Berg Shary Berg Shary Berg Shary Berg [MHC NR # # Historic Name First Burial Ground Woburn (Middlesex County), Massachusetts National Register Distriet Data Sheet August 2004 Description/Materials |Date 3 4 5 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 First Burial Ground Perimeter Wall Chain Link Fence Stepped path, plaza and flagpole Ann Convers headstone Lt.

James Thomson headstone Francis Wyman headstone Sarah Johnson headstone Abraham Fyfeild headstone Samuel Richardson headstone John Burbeen headstone Benjamin Wyman headstone Daniel Thompson headstone Dorothy Gardner headstone Eleazar Flagg Pool headstone Benjamin Brook headstone Abigail Wyman headstone Fieldstone Metal Granite, concrete Slate, carved by Joseph Lamson Slate, carved by Joseph Lamson Slate, carved by Joseph Lamson Slate, carved by Joseph Lamson Slate, carved by Joseph Lamson Slate, carved by Joseph Lamson Slate, carved by Joseph Lamson Slate, carved by Lamson studio Slate, carved by Lamson studio Slate, carved by Lamson studio late, carver unknow late, carver unknow Slate, carver unknown Baldwin Family monument Marble column and pedestal, granite base Commemorative plaques Iron, bronze Data sheet includes a selective accounting of noteworthy resources from the cemetery.

Contributing Non-contrib Building Site Structure Object Total 1 16 - 4 3 1642 19" cent Late 20 cent Late 20" cent Ca. 1691 Ca. 1693 Ca. 1699 Ca. 1710 Ca. 1711 Ca. 1712 Ca. 1713 Ca. 1774 Ca. 1775 Ca. 1787 Ca. 1776 Ca. 1769 Ca. 1772 Ca. 1736 Early 19" cent Ca. 1856 Late 20"cent Status Contrib Non-contrib Non-contrib Contrib Contrib Contrib Contrib Contrib Contrib Contrib Contrib Contrib. Contrib Contrib Contrib Contrib Non-contrib Type T1 Site 1 Structure 1 Structure 3 Structures 1 Object 1 Object 1 Object 1 Object 3Objects l.Blale Town of #o N.Blahe S Heyun illlefield PLATE: C. 11 E1l i .ah " mi 51 CENTRE IURIAL CROUN ONnOa 6 KIL POWDA n1 0 poomi S UNIFARIAN CHURCH T. MONUMENT D D.II (6 MAIN ORT H. CONG. Leathe RAIL imonels UT. CHURCH AOA eirs Detail of 1873 Woburn Atlas with burial ground at upper right hand corner.

Note pound and Fowle lot which have subsequently been incorporated into the burial ground. First Burial Ground, Woburn, Middlesex County, MA Street Centre Campbell Street MAGAZINE HILL FIRST BURIAL GROUND Main Street -d..l Union Street. 1 Winn Street Ergets Walnut Street WALNUT STREET MUNICIPAL-LOT: Pleasant Street WOBURN COMMO Common St. Montvale Avenue C Detail of Woburn Redevelopment Authority Map showing current site context First Burial Ground, Woburn, Middlesex County, MA GRAPHIC SCALE SREE CAMPBELL STREET UNION STREET EVERETT STREET 58 MAIN STREET 5ga 5g WALNUT STREET Existing Conditions Plan C-1 by Allen & Major Associates for Woburn Redevelopment Authority 4/25/2000 First Burial Ground, Woburn, Middlesex County, MA AONOSYN Bam CÉMÉTARY 4-17 ln. this aners 1901

Detail of Existing Conditions Plan C-1 annotated to show burial ground features (keyed to data sheet) First Burial Ground, Woburn, Middlesex County, MA UNTTED STANATONAL PARKSERVICE INTERIOR NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY First Burial Ground NAME: MULTIPLE NAME: STATE & COUNTY: MASSACHUSETTS, Middlesex DATE RECEIVED: 10/01/04 DATE OF 16TH DAY: 11/13/04 DATE OF PENDING LIST: 10/29/04 DATE OF 45TH DAY: 11/14/04 DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: REFERENCE NUMBER: 04001222 REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: N DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N LESS THAN 50 YEARS: N OTHER: N PDIL: PERIOD: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: N REQUEST: N SAMPLE: SLR DRAFT: N NATIONAL: N COMMENT WAIVER: N VACCEPT RETURN REJECT 11-13-04DATE ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: Entered in the National Redistes RECOM./CRITERIA REVIEWER - DISCIPLINE TELEPHONE DATE DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N If a nomination is returned to the nominating authority, the nomination is no longer under consideration by the NPS.

AA11N First Burral ground Woburn, Middlesex Cbunta, MA Photo l- ouerview wul Baldrn Monument un l LEPE LVES Ý BODY OF ANN CONUERS VIFE TO LAMS CONUERS AGED 0.0 VEARS DIED AUGUST TH 10 Ferst Burral ground, Woburn, Middlese Coun Photo#2- Ann Convers headstone, 1691 First Buryung ground, Wobum, Middlesex do, MA pox ZONA PHOTO<NO» 13-14**N1N 18:002 jamoye Photo 3- View Sorteast trwad torm centh LERE LYES Y BODY ANN CONUERS VIE TO JAMES CONUER AGED 6.9 VEARS DIED AUGUST TH 10 I 6 First Bunal ground, Wobum, Middlesu co, MA ZONA PHOTOKNo.1160010 135 14%*N-1 Photo 4- Headstme ol Ann Cnoers (Cnverse) (d.

1641 Here lies Buried the Bo M DANIEL THONPSON W flain in Concord Battle, or of April 1715 Aged 40 Here Pafsenger confind reducd es ushat was once Religious, wojfe ie calfe he engagd did animate bo lamely Religion and deer fibe Steacy wc in Li First Burial Ground, Wobum, Maddlesex do, MA LO ZONA PHOTOCNo.7A2088 135 14** N1 NN-04 2(035)0 Photo 5 Headstone of Daniel Thompsan (d. 1775) In Memory of MIS DOROTHY GARDI Wite of ME SAMJEL GARDI whodied First Bural Ground, Woben, Moddlesex Co, MA ZONA PHOTO dale 2005 00) 260353 Photo 6- Headstone of Dorothy Gandner (d.1787) EENSE PETTO CRACTE AVS LIRAIAD NAT. R The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Massachusetts Historical Commission RECEIVED 2280 OCT - | 2004 ACES September 28, 2004 Ms.

Carol Shull National Register of Historic Places Department of the Interior National Park Service 1201 Eye Street, NW, 8t* floor Washington, DC 20005 Dear Ms. Shull: Enclosed please find the following nomination form: First Burial Ground, Woburn (Middlesex), MA The nomination has been voted eligible by the State Review Board and has been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer. The owners of the property were notified of pending State Review Board consideration 30 to 45 days before the meeting and were afforded the opportunity to comment. Two letters of support have been received. Sincerely, Betay Frieieng Betsy Friedberg National Register Director Massachusetts Historical Commission enclosure CC: Shary Page Berg, consultant Tracey A. Harwood, Woburn Historical Commission Mayor John C.

Curran, City of Woburn Donald Borchelt, Woburn Redevelopment Authority John Cashell, Woburn Planning Board 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125 (617) 727-8470 - Fax: (617) 727-5128 www.state.ma.us/sec/mhc WOBURN ED FORATED 6A2:A City of Woburn Historical Commission City Hall, 10 Common Street, Woburn MA 01801 781 354-2529 WoburnHistoricalCommission@yahoo.com www.CityofWoburn.com September 3, 2004 Betsy Friedberg, Director National Register Program Massachusetts Historic Commission 220 Morrissey Boulevard Boston, Massachusetts 02125 Re: National Register Nomination of First Burial Ground, Woburn, Massachusetts Dear Ms. Friedberg: The Woburn Historic Commission would like to offer its strong support for the nomination of the First Burial Ground for the Massachusetts and National Registers of Historic Places.

The First Burial Ground is one of the oldest landmarks in the City of Woburn. Opened when the town was founded in 1642, the site served as the community's principal cemetery until 1793, when a second yard was opened on the other side of the Center. As an historic landscape, the First Burial Ground has experienced surprisingly little change over the centuries, with the burial markers still lying in the spontaneous pattern established in the 17° Century. The First Burial Ground is of great significance not only for the quality of its Plantation and Colonial period headstones, but also because of the important personages who were buried here. These include Captain Edward Johnson (1598-1672), founder of the Town of Woburn and author of "The Wonder Working Providence of Zion's Savior in New England," the first printed history of New England (1653).

The ancestors of Presidents Franklin Pierce, Grover Cleveland, Benjamin Harrison, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover are interred here. Daniel Thompson and Ashael Porter, casualties of the Battle of Lexington and Concord (1775), and fifteen Revolutionary War veterans are also buried within this ground. Porter was killed by the first fire of the British on Lexington Green. At the top of the hillside is the granite obelisk which marks the Baldwin family tomb. Here lies Colonel Loammi Baldwin (1745-1807), builder of the Middlesex Canal, propagator of the Baldwin Apple, and Continental Army officer. Loammi Baldwin the Younger (1780-1838) known as the "Father of American Civil Engineering," builder of naval dry-docks, canals, and turnpikes, and designer of the Bunker Hill Monument - and his brother James F.

Baldwin (1782-1862), builder of the Boston and Lowell Railroad and the Boston Water System, are also among the thirteen Baldwins entombed within. The historic significance of this important asset to the City of Woburn and to the region cannot be overstated The consideration and support of the Massachusetts Historic Commission in this nomination and our overall restoration effort is greatly appreciated. Thank you. Sincerely, Jaayst of Tracey A. Harwood Chairman CITY OF WOBURN MASSACHUSETTS NR ple City Hall 10 Common Street Woburn, MA 01801 SSTRIAGIND CPICORPORATS NTD John C. Curran Mayor (781) 932-4501 FAX (781) 932-4506 September 3, 2004 Ms. Betsy Friedberg National Register Director Massachusetts Historic Commission 220 Morrissey Boulevard Boston, MA 02125 Re: National Register Nomination of First Burial Ground, Woburn, Massachusetts Dear Ms.

Friedberg: I am writing to offer the City of Woburn's strong support for the nomination of the First Burial Ground for the National Register of Historic Places. The First Burial Ground dates from the founding of the community in 1642, and is perhaps the oldest, and certainly on of the most significant historic assets within the community. The site is located on the edge of Woburn Square, just behind the commercial blocks, where it has sometimes been overlooked as it lies in the shadow of other important historic downtown landmarks, such as the Woburn Public Library, designed by Richardson, the First Congregational Church, and the Woburn Common. However, the ancestors of five U.S. presidents are interred in the First Burial Ground, along with two casualties of the Battle of Lexington and Concord and fifteen Revolutionary War veterans.

In recent years, an informal community group has been organized, dedicated to increasing the public's awareness and appreciation of the historic value of the First Burial Ground, and the City's other historic cemeteries. Both the recognition of this important asset which will be afforded by the listing on the National Register, and, hopefully, financial support for its restoration through the approval of the City's pending MPPF application, will go a long way to securing the First Burial Ground as one of the City of Woburn's premier historic artifacts. The consideration and support of the Massachusetts Historic Commission in this nomination, and for our overall restoration effort, is greatly appreciated John C. Curran Mayor