Northborough in Worcester County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Old Burial Map of the Howard Street Cemetery
Photographed by Conrad Ward, May 28, 2024
1. Old Burial Map of the Howard Street Cemetery Marker
3 Col. John Crawford, died in 1813. Crawford Street is named for him. He was one of those who supervised the erection of the second meeting house, in 1808. He lived in the house currently standing at the corner of West and Crawford Streets.
52 Rabbi Judah Monis, M.A., 1683-1764, brother-in-law of Reverend John Martyn. He was the Hebrew Instructor at Harvard College, in Cambridge, for 40 years. He was baptized a Christian in 1722; he came to Northborough in 1761.
TOMB Reverend John Martyn, 1706-1767, was chosen as the first minister of Northborough, in 1746. Son of Captain Edward Martyn, of Boston. Educated at Harvard College, Cambridge. Was ordained in this church on May 21, 1746. He was a preacher of the Great Redemption of Jesus Christ.
56 & 61 Mrs. Mary Fairbank, 1761-1790, whose first child died at the age of two days, in 1788. Her stone bears the epitaph:
"Erected in Memory of Mrs. Mary Fairbank, the amiable Consort of Mr. Josiah
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67 Miss Sarah B., Daughter of Mr. Windson and Mrs. Anna Stratton, who died October 20, 1819, Age 20. Her gravestone bears the poem,
"Behold and see, as you pass by,
As I am now, so you must be,
Prepare for death and follow me."
74 Mr. Seth Rice, who died February 18th, 1796, at the age of 91. His gravestone bears the poem,
"How vain and transient are the chains
Of every earthly view
Cold death has clasped me in his
Arms Fare well my friends! Adieu!"
78 Mr. William Babcock, who died November 25th, 1801, Age 91. His gravestone bears the inscription,
"Return my friends, dry up your tears.
I must lie here, till Christ appears."
82 Deacon Seth Rice, who died January 2, 1815, Age 77. His gravestone bears the inscription,
"From this solemn truth receive,
Near to the opening grave
Photographed by Conrad Ward, May 28, 2024
2. Old Burial Map of the Howard Street Cemetery Marker
Death will not grant a long reprieve,
The end of all things, is at hand."
109 Lt. William Holloway, died at age 70, in 1760. The first precinct meeting was held at his home, built in 1711, which still stands at 302 Church Street.
111 Deacon Paul Newton, who died May 18, 1797, Age 79, after having faithfully served the Church of Christ, in Northborough, as a Deacon for more than 50 years.
119 Captain Silas Bruce, who died March 21, 1806, Age 40, whose grave bears the inscription,
"Friends and physicians could not save
my mortal body from the grave,
Nor can the grave confine it there;
when Christ shall call me to appear."
126 Mrs. Lydia Warren, wife of Mr. Thomas Warren, who died November 6th, 1790, Age 81. Her gravestone reads,
"My soul in Christ's sweet hands I trust,
now can I sweetly sleep,
My body falling to the dust,
I leave with thee to keep."
133 Dr. Stephen Ball, 1735-1798, was the first physician of Northborough. The site of his first home was what is now at 238 West Main Street. He later lived at what is now 38 Main Street.
139 James and Joseph, twin sons of Captain Jeams [sic] and Mrs. Miriam Eager, were born May 25, 1749. Joseph died that day; James died 4 days later. This is thought to be the oldest stone in the cemetery.
141 Captain James Eager, 1686-1755. The site of his home was located at 112 West Main Street. He gave the land for the first church in Northborough in 1746; he was the moderator at the First Precinct meeting.
160 Mrs. Sarah Eager, wife of Mr. Francis Eager, who died June 27, 1791 at Age 46. Her gravestone reads,
"This Grave contains the feeble mould'ring
The spirit triumphs in Eternal Day."
161 Bezaleel Eager, 1713-1787, served as Selectman, Town Clerk, a member of the Northborough Committee of Correspondence, and Representative for Westborough in the General Court. He lived in the house located at 455 West Main Street.
177 Deacon Jonathan Livermore, 1700-1801, was the first Town Clerk. He lived in the house at 500 Green Street, on Ball Hill, which was built in 1727.
183 & 184 Jacob and Elizabeth Rice, brother and sister of Reverend Luther Rice. They lived near the corner of Lincoln Street and Oak Avenue. Jacob, 1780-1782. Elizabeth, 184 1775-1779. Reverend Rice was one of the first missionaries to Burma and a trustee of George Washington University.
185 Mr. Paul Fay, who died March 28th, 1790, Age 71. His gravestone reads,
"Death is the consequence of sin
But blessed by the lord
For the hope we have be Jesus Christ
According to his word."
188 & 192 James Ball, who died in 1756, and Nathan Ball, who died in 1768, for whom Ball Hill is named.
189 Mrs. Rebekah Fay, who died January 26th, 1807, Age 75. Her gravestone reads,
"In dead of night I had my call
I can longer stay
But tell my friends, I shall revive
at the great rising day."
202 Mr. Josiah Bowker, who died August 15, 1811, Age 76. His gravestone reads.
"Great GOD! Is this our certain doom?
And are we still secure
Still waiting downwards to the tomb
And yet prepare no more."
213 Mrs. Susanna Allen, wife of Mr. Ephraim Allen, who died January 25th, 1762, at Age 64. Her gravestone reads,
"O death thoust conquered me,
I by thy dart am slain
But Christ has conquered Thee
And I shall rise again"
Original map and information prepared by Kyle Vander Poel of Northborough Troop 101 as part of his Eagle Scout Project - 2001. Dedicated to his friend, Brandon T. Santucci 1982-2001.
The Howard Street Old Burial Ground was established in 1749, following an epidemic of "Throat Distemper" among children, during the winter of 1749-1750, according to the "Northborough History", by J.C. Kent.
New installation funded by the Community Preservation Act - 2020.
Erected 2020 by Kyle Vander Poel of Northborough Boy Scout Troop 101.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 42° 19.367′ N, 71° 38.774′ W. Marker is in Northborough, Massachusetts, in Worcester County. It can be reached from the intersection of Church Street and Howard Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Northborough MA 01532, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Quiet Corner and in Greater Worcester. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in 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: Northborough's First and Second Meeting House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Northborough World War I Memorial (about 500 feet away); PFC. Neil R. Ellsworth (about 600 feet away); Cold Harbor Brook Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); John Brigham Saw Mill Site (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Soldiers Monument. (approx. ¼ mile away); Peter Whitney Parsonage Historic District (approx. ¼ mile away); Gulf War (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northborough.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 22, 2024, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 568 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 22, 2024, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
