Plymouth in Plymouth County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

First Burying Ground of Mayflower Passengers

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 22, 2017

1. First Burying Ground of Mayflower Passengers Marker

Inscription.

First Burying Ground of Mayflower Passengers. . This monument marks the first burying ground in Plymouth of the passengers of the Mayflower. Here, under cover of darkness, the fast dwindling company laid their dead, leveling the earth above them lest the Indians should learn how many were the graves. Reader History records no nobler venture for faith and freedom than that of this Pilgrim band. In weariness and painfulness, in watching often, in hunger and cold they laid the foundations of a state wherein every man, through countless ages, should have liberty to worship God in his own way. May their example inspire thee to do thy part in perpetuating and spreading the lofty ideals of our republic throughout the world. < South Side of Monument : > . “Aboute a hundred sowls came over in this first ship and began this work which God of His goodness hath hithertoo blesed. Let His holy name have ye praise.”Bradford 1650 , <North Side of Monument : >. The bones of the Pilgrims found at various times in and near this enclosure and preserved for many years in the canopy over the rock were returned at the time of the Tercentenary Celebration and are deposited within this monument. Erected by the General Society of Mayflower Descendants A.D. 1920. < Back of Monument : > Of the One Hundred and Four Passengers these died in Plymouth during the first year John Allerton . Mary, first wife of Isaac Allerton . Richard Britteridge . Robert Carter . John Carver and Katharine his wife . James Chilton’s wife . Richard Clarke . John Crakston Sr. . Sarah, first wife of Francis Eaton . Thomas English . Moses Fletcher . Edward Fuller and his wife . John Goodman . William Holbeck . John Hooke .John Langmore . Edmund Margeson . Christopher Martin and his wife . Degory Priest . Ellen More and a brother (children) . William Mullins, Alice his wife and Joseph their son . Solomon Prower . John Rigdale and Alice his wife . Thomas Rogers . Rose, first wife of Myles Standish . Elias Story .Edward Tilley and Ann his wife . Thomas Tinker, his wife and son . John Turner and two sons . William White . Roger Wilder . Elizabeth, first wife of Edward Winslow . Thomas Williams.

This monument marks the first burying ground
in Plymouth of the passengers of the MayflowerHere, under cover of darkness, the fast dwindling company laid their dead, leveling the earth above them lest the Indians should learn how many were the graves.
Reader History records no nobler venture for faith and freedom than that of this Pilgrim band. In weariness and painfulness, in watching often, in hunger and cold they laid the foundations of a state wherein every man, through countless ages, should have liberty to worship God in his own way. May their example inspire thee to do thy part in perpetuating and spreading the lofty ideals of our republic throughout the world.
< South Side of Monument : > “Aboute a hundred sowls came over in this first ship and began this work which God of His goodness hath hithertoo blesed. Let His holy name have ye praise.”Bradford 1650

<North Side of Monument : >The bones of the Pilgrims found at various times in and near this enclosure and preserved for many years in the canopy over the rock were returned at the time of the Tercentenary Celebration and are deposited within this monument.
Erected by the General Society
of Mayflower Descendants
A.D. 1920
< Back of Monument : >
Of the One Hundred and Four Passengers
these died in Plymouth during the first year
John Allerton • Mary, first wife of Isaac Allerton • Richard Britteridge • Robert Carter • John Carver and Katharine his wife • James Chilton’s wife • Richard Clarke • John Crakston Sr. • Sarah, first wife of Francis Eaton • Thomas English • Moses Fletcher • Edward Fuller and his wife • John Goodman • William Holbeck • John Hooke •John Langmore • Edmund Margeson • Christopher Martin and his wife • Degory Priest • Ellen More and a brother (children) • William Mullins, Alice his wife and Joseph their son • Solomon Prower • John Rigdale and Alice his wife • Thomas Rogers • Rose, first wife of Myles Standish • Elias Story •Edward Tilley and Ann his wife • Thomas Tinker, his wife and son • John Turner and two sons • William White • Roger Wilder • Elizabeth, first wife of Edward Winslow • Thomas Williams

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 41° 57.442′ N, 70° 39.747′ W. Marker is in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in Plymouth County. It is at the intersection of Carver Street and Middle Street, on the left when traveling south on Carver Street. Marker is located on Cole's Hill. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Plymouth MA 02360, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the South Shore.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gurnet Fortifications (within shouting distance of this marker); National Day of Mourning (within shouting distance of this marker); James Cole (within shouting distance of this marker); Coles Hill

South Side of Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 22, 2017

2. South Side of Monument

(within shouting distance of this marker); Plymouth Rock (within shouting distance of this marker); Massasoit (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Cole’s Hill (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Plymouth Waterfront (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Plymouth.

Another marker is no longer nearby. America's Hometown (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

North Side of Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 22, 2017

3. North Side of Monument

Back of Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 22, 2017

4. Back of Monument

First Burying Ground of Mayflower Passengers Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 22, 2017

5. First Burying Ground of Mayflower Passengers Monument

Monument on Cole's Hill image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 22, 2017

6. Monument on Cole's Hill

Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 15, 2025

7. First Burying Ground of Mayflower Passengers Marker

Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 15, 2025

8. First Burying Ground of Mayflower Passengers Marker

Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 15, 2025

9. First Burying Ground of Mayflower Passengers Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,088 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 25, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 7, 8, 9. submitted on March 23, 2026, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California.