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

The Burying Point

1637

— The Oldest Burying Ground in the City of Salem —

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 3, 2018

1. The Burying Point 1637

The marker was updated with only minor text changes.

Inscription.

Here are buried
Capt. Richard More Mayflower Passenger · Justice John Hathorne of the Witchcraft Court · Samuel McIntire Architect · Gov. Simon Bradstreet · Chief Justice Benjamin Lynde · Rev. John Higginson

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites.

Location. 42° 31.255′ N, 70° 53.541′ W. Marker is in Salem, Massachusetts, in Essex County. It is on Charter Street 0.1 miles west of Hawthorne Boulevard (Massachusetts Route 1A), on the right when traveling east. Located in Charter Street Historic District. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Salem MA 01970, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Massachusetts’ North Shore,

in Greater Boston,

and in the Merrimack Valley.

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: Charter Street Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); Graves of Greatest Historical Intrest (within shouting distance of this marker); Yin Yu Tang A Chinese Home (within shouting distance of this marker); The Salem Witch Trials Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Salem Witch Trials Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The London Coffee House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); East India Marine Hall (about 300 feet away); Peabody Museum of Salem (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salem.

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sectionhead>Other markers no longer nearby. The Burying Point (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); This Ground (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . .
1. Welcome to Salem Massachusetts. Salem.web homepage (Submitted on January 23, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

2. John Hathorne. Wikipedia article on Magistrate John Hathorne (Submitted on January 23, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Additional commentary.
1. Accused Witches
Although Salem is infamous for the witch trials, there are no graves in this cemetery where "accused witches" were buried. Most were hanged, burned or killed by some other form of punishment and their remains discarded.

— Submitted January 23, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The Burying Point Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, September 16, 2005

2. The Burying Point Marker

The Burying Point image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, September 16, 2005

3. The Burying Point

Oldest grave in The Burying Point image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 29, 2015

4. Oldest grave in The Burying Point

The oldest grave reads, "Here lyes ye body of Doraty wife to Philip Cromwell aged 67 years Decd. Septr. ye 27 1673"

Simon Bradstreet grave image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 29, 2015

5. Simon Bradstreet grave

This grave is mentioned on the marker.

Map of The Burying Point image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 29, 2015

6. Map of The Burying Point

This bronze map of the cemetery is near the Burying Point marker.

Typical Stone in Graveyard image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, September 16, 2005

7. Typical Stone in Graveyard

Sidewalk at Entrance to Graveyard image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, September 16, 2005

8. Sidewalk at Entrance to Graveyard

One of many stones, depicting famous quotes by accused witches during the trials, making up the walkway at the entrance to the graveyard.
This one reads: "Oh Lord Help Me, I am wholly innocent of sin!"

Credits. This page was last revised on April 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,209 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 9, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 2, 3. submitted on January 23, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 23, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 7, 8. submitted on January 23, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.