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NPS Form 10-900 (Rev. 10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form OMB No. 1024-0018 PECENNED) 22280 APR 1 51999 be the information requested. If any item does not apply to the property being documented, onter "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 items on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items. 1. Name of Property historic name COVE BURYING GROUND other names/site number 2. Location street & number State Highway 6.at Pine Woods Road city or town Eastham not for publication _ vicinity stateMassachusetts code_MA county_Barnstable code_001_ zip code _02642 3.
State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1986, as amended, 1 hereby certify that this nomination - request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Hjstoric Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property e meets -I does not meet the National Register Criteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant -nationally statewide g locally. (O See continuation sheet for additional comments.) ndit- s. midanoud Signature of certifying official/Title Judith.B.
McDonough, Executive Director 3/31/99 Mássachusetts Historical Commission, State Historic Preservation Officer 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: Mentered in the National Register - See continuation sheet. - determined eligible for the National Register - See continuation sheet. - determined not eligible for the National Register D removed from the National Register - other (explain): bganth Beall Date of Action 5/12/99 Cove Burying Ground Name of Property 5.
Classification Ownership of Property (Check as many boxes as apply _ private x public-local _ public-State _ public-Federa (Check only one box) _building(s) _ district x site _ structure _ object Barnstable, MA County and State . Number of Resources within Property (Do not include previously listed resources in the count.) Contributing Noncontributing 1 building sites _structures objects 1 Total Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register n/a Name of related multiple property listing (Enter "N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing.) n/a 6. Function or Use Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) Funerary: Cemetery Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions) Funerary: Cemetery 7.
Description Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Materials (Enter categories from instructions) foundation walls roof other GRAVESTONES: slate, sandstone phyllite Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) P-SFo 10-900-a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet 7 Section number - 7. DESCRIPTION Page 1 Cove Burying Ground Eastham (Barnstable), MA he Cove Burying Ground is located in the southeasterly part of Eastham, on the east side of U.S. Route 6 short distance from the Orleans rotary. Route 6 is a four-lane, dual-direction highway that follows th course of the Colonial period Old King's Highway. Eastham is the oldest of several towns in the region known as Lower Cape Cod.
Orleans to the south and Wellfleet to the north are both offshoots of the OMB ApprovelNo. 1021-0018 The Cove Burying Ground is roughly rectangular in form, and encompasses about one acre of land. Its north, south, and west sides are defined by a granite post and iron rail fence (photo #1). A central opening on the west street side provides pedestrian access while vehicles are admitted through a wider opening at the NW corner. Both openings are or were equipped with chains to permit closure. The rear eastern edge of the burying ground is defined by an irregular row of trees. The burying ground is separated from the highway by a grassy area that widens at its northern end where it terminates in a paved, crescent-shaped drive at the northwest corner which provides limited parking.
A contemporary wooden sign bearing the name COVE BURYING GROUND is roughly centered behind the front (west) fence, facing the highway. The character of the general surroundings is typical of the Route 6 area, consisting of a mix of residential and commercial properties, with most of the latter related to the prevailing summer resort trade. Immediate neighbors include two 19# century front-gable houses (1150-1160 State Highway) to the north with a hip roof Federal period house (1220 State Highway) just beyond. Another front-gable Greek Revival style house and barn (1080 State Highway) stand on the south side separated by a small wood lot.
A mid-20th century motor court is located directly across the highway with another to the south and open lowlands to The Cove Burying Ground is the primary landmark remaining from the original settlement of Eastham, then known as Nauset, in the mid-17" century. This site was chosen primarily due to its proximity to Town Cove, a long, narrow, and well-sheltered harbor that lies immediately to the east. Laid out adjacent to the first Congregational Meeting House ca. 1646, the burying ground takes its name from this important topographical feature. It continued in use until 1770, although it was gradually phased out after the Bridge Road Cemetery (see NR nomination) was laid out in the new town center next to the second meeting house of 1720. Many of Eastham's early settlers are interred here, and the burial ground remains as the only extant property associated with most.
Prevalent family names include Doane, Freeman, Hedge, Knowles, Mulford, Paine, Snow and Sparrow. Most of these families are still well represented in Eastham and neighboring towns. The burying ground landscape consists of gently rolling terrain that is maintained in rough turf, and dotted vith a few trees of moderate size and age. Native cedars predominate, occurring individually and in sma roves at the north and south ends. Despite proximity to Town Cove, there are no views to the water. Thi probably represents a change from earlier times when the landscape was more open and agricultural in The gravestones, including both head and foot stones, are lightly scattered throughout the burying ground in seemingly random pattern, with headstones facing in all directions indicating that they may have been rearranged at some time in the past.
Two small family plots are found in the northeast quadrant. The Freeman family group consists of three early 18t" century graves set off by low granite curbing. The Doane (continued) OMB Approvel Na. 1024-0018 MPS Form 10-900-a 8-86 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Cove Burying Ground 7 2 Section number Page Eastham (Barnstable), MA - famity group consists of two graves ser off by four low grantte posts; it consists of one original stone trom 1719 and one 1907 stone that commemorates a 1685 death. Both of these groupings were probably defined in the late 19th or 20** century.
The burying ground contains a total of 50 known graves including 37 marked by original headstones, one prre-1905 replacement of an early-18" century stone that was stolen in the late 19*h century, six later memorials commemorating deaths that occurred in the 17" century, one fieldstone marker of uncertair The 37 original headstones that have survived to the present time display death dates spanning the period 1706-1770. Deaths, as recorded on headstones, occurred at regular interval during this period, with no significant gaps or clusters with the exception of the 1760s when no new markers appeared. Detailed burial records from this early period donot survive, but some loss of stones over the last 125 years has been documented by a series of surveys conducted in 1876, 1904-05, 1975-76, and 1997. About half of the marked graves include footstones as well as headstones.
The vast majority of both headstones and footstones are made of slate, but two sandstone headstones (#10, 11) and one phyllite (lustrous slate due to presence of mica) headstone/footstone pair (#32) exist as well. Together, these stones provide a diverse picture of gravestone art in the Colonial period. Gravestone Descriptions Representative and especially distinguished individual stones are described below, generally in chronological order. Stone numbers refer to a 1976 plan on the burying ground which is included as part of the nomination. The west-facing headstone of Jonathan Sparrow (1633-1706/7; stone #24), located northwest of center is one of the two oldest surviving slates. The inscription reads "HERE LYES BURIED YE BODY OF CAPT. JONATHAN SPRROW AGED 73 YEARS DIED MARCH YE 21" 1706." The headstone has been described as a: late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries.
It is small (16.5" x 14" to the bottom of the carving), but it brandishes a fearsome, toothy skull and flourishing wings, while an hourglass reminds the observer of the steady approach of death. Incisions near the ground on the left. Cutter's marks? Doodles? We do not know." (Epitaph & Icon: 63-64) Jonathan, his two wives, and his father are memorialized on a large boulder with a copper plaque erected by descendants in 1876. The headstone of Thankful Higgins (1692-1712; stone #26), located near the center of the burying ground, is another richly carved early stone. Its toothy death's head and foliate borders are similar to the Sparrow stone, but cruder in execution.
The inscription enframed by the carved areas reads, "HERE LIES YE (continued) P2S Fom 10-900a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number Cove Burying Ground 7 3 Page - Eastham (Barnstable), MA BODY OF THANKFUL HIGGINS DECEA'D JULY YE 13" 1712 IN YE 20* YEAR OF LIFE." The south-facing slate headstone of Marcy Freeman (1631-1711; stone #38; photo #2) is one of three stones in a small family plot that occupies the northeast corner of the burying ground. Distinguished by elaborate Baroque style carving, this small stone has been judged to be one of the finest on Cape Cod. "Its central block is a large heart in high relief, containing the biographical details. OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Hourglass above reminds us of time and death.
The borders, larger than usual because of the narrow bottom apex of the heart, are alive with festoons and whorls of cut stone, vaguely imitative of lush vegetation." (Epitaph & Icon: 64) The stone has survived in unusually good condition. It has been attributed to noted Boston carver Nathaniel Emmes. The Marcy Freeman stone is accompanied by that of her husband Major John Freeman (1621-1719; stone #37) who "DIED OCTOBER 1719 IN THE 98TH YEAR OF HIS AGE" and their son Lieut. Edmund Freeman (1655-1718/19; stone #39) who "DIED 11 FEBRUARY 1718/19 IN HIS 63RD YEAR." John and Edmund's stones are similar dark purple slates with well-defined foliate borders and winged skulls in their tympana. They may also have been carved by Emmes. All three stone are set off by a low granite curbing that was probably added to descendants in the late 19th century.
They are the only stones in this burying ground to be so distinguished. Another early slate marks the grave of Deacon Daniel Doane (1636-172; stone #18). It is typically small with a winged skull in the tympanum. An ornate and well-defined foliate border surrounds the inscription which tells us that Doane died December 20, 1712 in his 76t* year. This choice little stone is now rather overwhelmed by its neighbor, a 1909 memorial to John Doane. The stones of John Mulford (1671-1730; stone #10) and his wife Jemima Mulford (1666-1723; stone #12) are located near the center of the burying ground a short distance in from the front (west) side fence. Jemima's south-facing stone is quite large with a well-defined foliate border that continues over the tympanum which contains a winged skull with triangular nose and toothy jaw. It reads "HERE LYES THE BODY OF MRS. JEMIMA MULFORD WIFE TO MR.
JOHN MULFORD DEC'D MAY YE 8** 1723 IN YE 57" YEAR OF HER AGE." Thomas Mulford (c. 1640-1706; stone #14), who may be John's father, is also buried nearby. "Thomas' stone is stylistically similar to Jonathan Sparrow's: he died less than a year earlier, though date of death is an imperfect indicator of the date of a stone. Jemima's is by a different carver and in a more ornate style: a "light-bulb" skull, a richly carved, bordered tympanum with whorls of considerable power all around it, replacing the fruits an leaves of the older style." (Epitaph & Icon: 64) The north-facing headstone of Deacon Edward Knowles (1670-1740; stone #6) is located just east of the Mulford group.
The stone is similar to that of Jemima Mulford, but less richly carved, and more attenuater (continued) NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Cove Burying Ground 4 Section number - Page Eastham (Barnstable), MA in form and design. Its large roumdish skult is framed by wings so smatt that they almost appear as ears. The inscription below the tympanum reads, "HERE LYES BURIED EDWARD KNOWLES DIED 16 NOVEMBER 1740 IN HIS 70"* YEAR." The nearby stone of Deacon Samuel Freeman (1688-1751; stone #3) is squat and lichen covered. Deacon Samuel died May 30,1751 inhis 63d year. 1770 at age 76. Both are typical stones of the period with winged skulls and foliate borders. he grave of Mary Knowles (1672-1745; stone #22) is marked by an unusual stone.
The inscription i urrounded by a typical foliate border, but the large tympanum contains a winged skull over cross bone with a radiating background that resembles a rising or setting sun. The sun motif was a minor convention that appeared briefly in the mid to late 18'h century. Mary, who was the wife of Col. John Knowles, died November 7, 1745 in her 73"d year. OM8 ApprovelNo. 1021-0018 An unmarked fieldstone may be the marker attributed to Mercy Freeman (d. 1736; next to stone #JR) in 1905. The west-facing slate headstone of Thomas Lewes (1654-1718; stone #15) is located near the center of the burying ground in its southwest quadrant. Although lichen-covered and deteriorating, this stone continues to display a rich foliate border; the tympanum contains an unusual head with swirling "Medusa-like" hair instead of the usual winged skull. It is attributed to carver William Grant.
The inscription reads "DIED MARCH YE 19'" 1718 IN HIS 64'" YEAR." Several members of the Hedge family including father Samuel Hedge (1676-1714; stone #27), five year old son Samuel (1704-1709; stone #28) and daughter Thankful are interred near the southern edge of the burying ground. The headstone of Thankful Hedge (1698-1712; stone #29) is a small slate with a rich foliate border and a lantern-type winged skull in the tympanum. Attributed to the Lamson carving shop, it reads "DAUGHTER OF SMAUEL AND GRACE DIED APRIL YE 14'" 1713 AGED 13 YEARS 9 MONTHS." Young Samuel's stone is similar. There are two sandstone headstones in the Cove Burying Ground, both in the southwest corner, and both badly eroded.
One marks the grave of George Brown (c.1700-175?; stone #11) who "DIED 18 JANUARY 175 _IN HIS 51ST YEAR." The other belongs to John Mulford (1661-1730; stone #10) who "DIED APRIL 20 1730 IN HIS 59TH YEAR." Post Colonial Period The Cove Burying Ground has survived in reasonably good condition, given its 338 year history. This results from continuing care by descendants who continued to reside in Eastham in large number, and from a more antiquarian/preservation interest that has characterized the late-19th and 20th centuries Nevertheless, many stones suffer from erosion and spalling/splitting.
(continued) NPS Form 10-900-a 8-861 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Cove Burying Ground 7 5 Section number Page Eastham (Barnstable), MA In addition to Golonial period stones, several memorial stones have been placed in the burying ground by descendants of early settlers who are thought to have been buried there. The earliest of the post-Colonial markers was raised by descendants in 1876 to honor members of the parrow family (stone #25). It is located near the center of the burying ground adjacent to the 1706/0 rave of Capt. Jonathan Sparrow described above.
It is a large boulder with a copper panel affixed to th west side which bears the following inscription: HERE RESTS THE DUST OF RICHARD SPARROW AND HIS WIFE PANDORA WHO CAME FROM KENT COUNTY ENGLAND ABOUT 1633 AND SETTLED IN PLYMOUTH ABOUT 1650 THEY CAME TO EASTHAM AND SETTLED NEAR THIS PLACE WHERE HE DIED JANIUARY 8, 1660 HERRE ALSO RESTS JONATHAN SPARROW ONLY CHILD OF RICHARD TOGETHER WITH HIS FIRST TWO WIVES REBECCA BANGS AND HANNAH PRINCE HE SETTLED IN THE PART OF EASTHAM NOW EAAST ORLEANS WHERE AFTER FILLING MANY OFFICES OF HONOR AND TRUST IN BOTH CHURCH AND STATE HE DIED MARCH 21, 1706 AGED 73 YEARS IN MEMORY OF THESE EARLY SETTLERS OF OUR COUNTRY WE THEIR DESCENDANTS HAVE ERECTED THIS TABLET IN THIS CENTENNIAL YEAR OF OUR AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE AD 1876 Sometime before 1905 a memorial stone was placed on the grave of the Rev.
Samuel Treat (stone #20) after his original stone was stolen. It is a simple, dignified marble headstone with a curved top and chamfered edges. It reads REV SAMUEL TREAT DIED MARCH 13, 1716 AGED 69 YEARS. The memorial was erected by Olive, Mercy, and Lucia Knowles, sisters of William Knowles who owned a portion of the Samuel Treat homestead on Fort Hill. This general form of boulder with copper inscription plaque was followed for later memorials. One was placed by the Doane Family Association on August 21, 1907 in memory of Deacon John Doane (c.1590-1685; stone #JD placed 1907), one of Eastham's seven founders.
Similarly the Association of Descendants of Ralph Smith erected a monument to Ralph Swift (1610-1685; stone #RS placed 1946), another town founder and "pioneer of distinction." Three other stones, erected by descendants in 1966 memorialize Mayflower passengers Constance Hopkins Snow (1605-1677; stone CS), Giles Hopkins (1607-1690; stone #GH), and Lt. Joseph Rogers (1607-1678; stone #JR). Both the Cove Burial Ground and Bridge Road Cemetery have been surveyed many times. The former was (continued) OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet 7 6 OMB Approvel No. 1021-0018 Section number - Cove Burying Ground Eastham (Barnstable), MA Page - /horf, and John W.
Willard in November 1904 and May 1905, by Kenelm Collins of Eastham in 1975-7 nd by Fannin/Lehner of Concord in 1997. The stones of five graves recorded in 1904-05 had disappeare y 1976. A fieldstone next to stone #JR is believed to mark the grave of Mercy Freeman who died in 173 our other stones disappeared entirely between the surveys of 1905 and 1976. They include Joshua Ban and makes recommendation for repair and maintenance. Archaeological Description While no prehistoric sites are recorded within the Cove Burying ground, sites may be present. Twenty- eight prehistoric sites are recorded in the general area (within one mile), including site 19-BN-196 which covers a large area east of Route 6 to the shoreline of the channel leading to the Town Cove. That site is recorded as a village site with little additional information.
Environmental characteristics of the burial ground also represent locational criteria that are favorable for many types of prehistoric sites. The nominated property includes a well- drained, level to moderately sloping terrace within 1000 feet of several wetland areas including an estuarine channel connecting Nauset Marsh with the Town Cove. Given the above information, the relatively high site density for Eastham (69 sites), and the location of most sites in the eastern part of town in the vicinity of the cemetery, a high potential exists for locating prehistoric sites in this area. In general, however, the potential for locating significant prehistoric sites on the cemetery property is low due to the small size of the cemetery (1 acre) and the relatively deep impacts associated with the excavation of graves over a 130 year period.
A high potential exists for locating historic archaeological resources within and near the present boundaries of the Cove Burying Ground. Further documentary research combined with archaeological survey and esting can identify the locations of unmarked graves and reaffirm the associations between existing gravestones and actual graves. Known and unmarked graves may represent the most common archaeological resource in the cemetery. Individual graves may include skeletal remains in addition to boundary of the cemetery. Archaeological testing may also identify head and foot stones that are : Cove Burying Ground Name of Property 8. Statement of Significance