Halifax in Halifax Region, Nova Scotia — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)

Old Burying Ground

1749 - 1844

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 14, 2014

1. Old Burying Ground Marker

Inscription. This land was set aside as a common burial ground outside the stockade of the new fortified town of Halifax
First grave dug June 21, 1749
Granted to St. Paul’s Church June 17, 1793
Closed to burials August 18, 1844
Welsford-Parker Monument dedicated July 17, 1860

Erected by Old Burying Ground Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1800.

Location. 44° 38.61′ N, 63° 34.336′ W. Marker is in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in Halifax Region. Marker is on Barrington Street close to Garden Spring Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1480 Barrington Street, Halifax NS B3J, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Old Burying Ground (here, next to this marker); Why Aren’t We Americans? • Pourquoi ne sommes-nous pas des Américains? (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Old Burying Ground (a few steps from this marker); The Welsford Parker Monument (a few steps from this marker); Mr. John Samwell (a few steps from this marker); Carved in Stone (within shouting

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distance of this marker); Major General / Major-Général Robert Ross 1766-1814 (within shouting distance of this marker); Black-Binney House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Halifax.

Also see . . . The Old Burying Ground, The History. A public cemetery receiving burials of persons of many faiths, its capacity was soon tested by a typhoid fever epidemic which killed over a thousand settlers in the winter of 1749-1750. Alarmed by the threat to public health, Governor Edward Cornwallis ordered that "all householders were ... to notify deaths within twenty-four hours to one of the clergymen, under pain of fine and imprisonment. Persons refusing to attend and carry a corpse to the grave when ordered by a justice of the peace were to be struck off the ration list and sent to prison." (Submitted on October 6, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 14, 2014

2. Old Burying Ground Marker

The Welsford Parker Monument in the background

Welsford Parker Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 14, 2014

3. Welsford Parker Monument

Old Burying Ground plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 14, 2014

4. Old Burying Ground plaque

is a designated National Historic Site and a Registered Provincial Heritage Property. The first burial was the day after Halifax was founded, June 22, 1749. This land was outside the stockade which ran up Spring Garden Road. The last burial was 1844 and at the time there were over 10,000 burials but about only 1250 gravemarkers have survived. In 1793 the burying ground was deeded to St. Paul’s Church three blocks north on Barrington St. St. Paul was erected in 1749 and opened for worship in 1750, it is also open to the public.
In 1987 the Old Burying Ground Foundation was established as a registered non-profit foundation to restore and preserve the cemetery. The first restoration was completed in 1991. Another restoration commenced in 2010 to repair damage caused by 20 years of weather and Hurricane Jaun.
The Old Burying Ground Foundation relies upon voluntary contributions for about 50% of our funding necessary to maintain these premises. If you wish to make a donation you may do so by depositing any moneys into the slot in the steel post directly below the bottom of this message. Tax receipt will be issued for donations over $10 deposited with your address and gift information. Letters and donations many be also mailed to
The Old Burying Ground Foundation, c/o St. Paul Chruch
1749 Argyle St., Grand Park, Halifax B3J 3K4
Enjoy you visit - Have a great day

Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 417 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 6, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.