Olde English Burying Ground - Canton, MA

In the heart of Canton, Massachusetts lies a burial ground that echoes centuries of history. Established as early as 1700, this cemetery has witnessed the passage of time and the stories of countless lives. Its origins intertwine with the fabric of the town’s narrative, merging two distinct cemeteries into one solemn resting place. The earliest engraved stone in this cemetery dates back to 1742.

Visitors to this historic site are greeted by a bulletin board adorned with a map detailing each stone. Every grave bears a number, ensuring clarity and organization amidst the aged markers. Two spreadsheets accompany the map, listing the stones alphabetically by last name and numerically by stone number. With 54 stones present, including footstones that correspond to headstones, this cemetery offers a glimpse into the past, although it’s known that many burials here remain unmarked, their stories lost to time.

The cemetery’s evolution is intricately tied to the accounts documented in “History of The Town of Canton, Massachusetts” by Daniel Huntoon, published in 1893. Originally, this burial ground comprised two distinct sections: the “English Graveyard” and the “Proprietor’s Lot.”

The “English Graveyard” section, situated closest to Washington Street, emerged as the younger portion of the cemetery after 1754. Initially believed to be owned by the English Church, it became a significant part of Canton’s burial tradition over time.

Conversely, the “Proprietor’s Lot” area boasts the oldest burials, with land usage dating back to 1700 and a deed secured in 1741. Following the establishment of the Canton Cemetery in 1716, this section remained exclusive to the descendants of the original proprietors, preserving a sense of familial continuity amidst the passage of years.