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Copp's Hill Burying Ground

Copp's Hill Burying Ground is Boston's second oldest cemetery and a newer addition to the Freedom Trail. Along with the traditional food and rich culinary history of Boston you will have the chance to explore and discover historic sites along the Freedom Trail like Copp's Burying Ground.

The burying ground was founded in 1659 on land that the town bought from a local shoemaker. It was originally named North Burying Ground but was later renamed for William Copp, the original owner of the land. There were many additions and extensions to the burying ground in the 18th and 19th centuries making it almost impossible to decipher the original boundaries of the cemetery. British soldiers occupied Copp's hill during the revolution and often used grave stones for target practice, the evidence of which can still be seen on some stones.

As with other old burying grounds in Boston such as the King's Chapel Burying ground and Old North Burying Ground, you will find many famous historic people among the buried here. Notable burials include Increase and Cotton Mather, and Robert Newman, the famed patriot who placed the signal lanterns in Old North Church the night Paul Revere took his famous ride. There is also a section of unmarked graves on the Snow Hill Street side of the cemetery where African Americans who lived in the "New Guinea" community at the bottom of the hill are buried.

By the late 19th century the burying ground was badly neglected and was not included on the original Freedom Trail but was later added. It is no longer used for burials but Copp's Hill Burying Ground has since become a popular spot for tourists and photographers alike. It is now owned and well maintained by the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department.