Central Burying Ground, an American landmark just across the Walker
Elizabeth Bellusci
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As the new Emerson tenants finish their move into the Walker Building at 120 Boylston St., they cannot avoid looking at the little cemetery across the street--the Central Burying Ground, a Boston landmark.
The cemetery was established in 1756 to assuage the overcrowding of Boston's three main cemeteries: Copps Hill, King's Chapel, and the Old Granary during the late 18th century.
The city purchased two acres, extending the Boston Common, in order to accommodate the remains of soldiers and participants of the Boston Tea Party.
One of the historic figures buried at CBG is William Billings (1746-1800), America's first major composer. More than 140 of his works, including "The Singing Master's Assistant," were used in several New England voice schools.
Buried at CBG also is Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828), who painted several famous George Washington portraits which are displayed in museums across the globe.
Another well-known person buried at CBG is Stephen Higginson (1743-1828) who was a member of the state legislature and the Continental Congress in 1783. He was a lieutenant colonel in the Boston regiment that was instrumental in defeating Shay's Rebellion in 1786 and an officer at the port of Boston 1797-1808.
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The exact location of where these historical figures are buried is unknown, however, because the weathered headstones are unreadable.
The building of more tombs in the Central Burying Ground was forbidden by city law between 1826-36, as the city expanded its underground rail service, and was interrupted again in 1936 when Boylston Street was extended to connect with Tremont.
According to Boston Parks and Recreations Center Historian Kelly Thomas the bodies from the tombs unearthed during those excavations were placed in "The Dell," a common burial area on the west side of the cemetery.
"There were over 1,100 people that were uncovered during the construction and placed in a mass grave," Thomas said.
Author Charles Turek Robinson included the cemetery is his book "The New England Ghost." Robinson reported seeing a ghost in the form of a little girl who "played games" with him, tapping him on the shoulder and pulling the keys out of his pocket.
 Media Credit: med-pharm53.bu.edu/pages/cemeteries/ |
Carol McCabe, wife of "New England Ghost Hunter" Jim McCabe, claims there was a presence when she visited the cemetery.
"I was separated from the crowd and I heard footsteps behind me. I didn't see anything but I just had a strange feeling something was there." McCabe said.
The CBG has become a national tourist attraction and it is a stop in several city tours, including the Spirits of New England Walking Tour, and the Boston Graveyards Ghost Tours.
Relevant links:
http://www.panoramamagazine.com/panoramamagazine/articles/what_lies_beneath.asp or
http://www.ci.boston.ma.us/parks/HBGI/hbginfo.asp?ID=3
pages.emerson.edu/courses/spring02/jr200a/team5/central.html