East Lexington in Middlesex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Robbins Cemetery

By Bill Coughlin, April 15, 2009

1. Robbins Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Originally part of the Samuel Winship farm, this land was deeded by his son in 1784 as a cemetery for the Robbins, Winship, Buckman, Bowman and other Lexington families. Stephen Robbins and his son Eli, who are buried here, operated a fur dressing factory, a spice mill and a tannery. When they wanted to open a tavern and were refused permission by the selectmen, Eli enlisted Daniel Webster’s help, and won!

The willow and urn carved on many gravestones here are symbols of mourning widely used in the early 1800’s in painting and needlework, as well as on headstones.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1784.

Location. 42° 25.676′ N, 71° 12.124′ W. Marker is in East Lexington, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. Marker is at the intersection of Massachusetts Ave. (Massachusetts Route 4) and Hillside Ave., on the right when traveling west on Massachusetts Ave.. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lexington MA 02420, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Charles Follen (approx. 0.3 miles away); Munroe Tavern

Marker in East Lexington image. Click for full size.

By Bill Coughlin, April 15, 2009

2. Marker in East Lexington

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(approx. 1.2 miles away); The Foot of the Rocks (approx. 1.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Foot of the Rocks (approx. 1.3 miles away); Arlington Reservoir (approx. 1½ miles away); Lexington Ship Memorial (approx. 2 miles away); Old Belfry (approx. 2 miles away); Lexington Minuteman (approx. 2 miles away).

Robbins Cemetery image. Click for full size.

By Bill Coughlin, April 15, 2009

3. Robbins Cemetery

Grave of Stephen Robbins image. Click for full size.

By Bill Coughlin, April 15, 2009

4. Grave of Stephen Robbins

Like many of the gravestones in Robbins Cemetery, the stone of Stephen Robbins contains the willow and urn symbols mentioned on the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,292 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 19, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.