Freedom Trail, Boston, MA. 7/6/14, Post # 5

Well we have climbed the hill from Old North Church and have arrived at Copp's Hill Burying Ground. I always wonder why or how a location got the name we call it. In this case it is named after  William Copp who owned the property. William Copp was a shoemaker who lived in the 17th century and he sold the land to the the town. This is the oldest landmark in the North End. Typical of any one of these old landmark locations they have seen many changes and many different uses. For example this land being some of the highest in the North End the Puritans erected their windmills here and at that time it was known as Windmill Hill. It became a burying ground in 1660. The British soldiers fired their big guns from here in the Battle Of Bunker Hill. During that time the British soldiers made their camp ground among the grave markers. Except for few rare people buried here most are just common North End citizens. Over the years this burying ground had its share of vandalism including the British troops using some of the grave stones for target practice. I will show you one in particular later. In the not too distant past people were found to be using headstones for various reasons. For example, being used for roofing slates, various uses in basements, and the floor in a bakery as the floor for an oven. The most interesting things to view are the various carvings on the head stones and the epitaphs and especially the spelling and abbreviations.

 Copp's Hill Burying Ground

 Copp's Hill Burying Ground 

 History Of Copp's Hill Burying Ground

Enlargement Of History Of Copp's Hill Burying Ground

 Enlargement Of History Of Copp's Hill Burying Ground

 History Of Copp's Hill Burying Ground

Enlargement Of  History Of Copp's Hill Burying Ground

 We Will Be Going To Charlestown Tomorrow To Continue To Follow The Freedom Trail. This Tells How Area Letters Were Assigned.

 Gravestone Art, Skulls, Wings, And Other Symbols. This Was A Very Interesting Items.

  Gravestone Art, Skulls, Wings, And Other Symbols.

 Enlargement Of Gravestone Art, Skulls, Wings, And Other Symbols.

Enlargement Of The Winged Skull Or Death 's Head . Notice It Just Simply Says Here 
Hes Buried.

Enlargement Of The Winged Winged Face Or Cherub

Urn - And Willow Design 

Enlargement Of Urn - And - Willow Design

Enlargement Of Urn - And - Willow Design 

Information About Stone Cutters Who Carved Headstone  

 Burial Spots Sold Multiple Times

Facts About Cobb's Hill

The next four photographs are of the grave stone of Captain Daniel Malcom. Please note the dark circular indentation. Theses are marks left from British soldiers using this headstone for target practice. The story also goes that he was a major thorn in the side of the British troops and the wording on the headstone would seem to back that up. Note it indicates he was " a true son of Liberty a friend to the publick an enemy to oppression and one of the foremost in opposing the Revenue Acts on America. " I overheard one of the tour guides telling his group that the British hated him so much that they took out their spite on him by shooting his head stone.  I am not sure the dates and events match up.

 Enlargement Of The Winged Skull Or Death 's Head

Enlargement Of The Winged Skull Or Death 's Head

Enlargement Of The Winged Skull Or Death 's Head

Enlargement Of The Winged Skull Or Death 's Head

African Americans At Copp's Hill

African Americans At Copp's Hill

Enlargement Of African Americans At Copp's Hill

Enlargement Of African Americans At Copp's Hill

Enlargement Of African Americans At Copp's Hill 

Enlargement Of African Americans At Copp's Hill

Enlargement Of African Americans At Copp's Hill

 Enlargement Of African Americans At Copp's Hill

The Oldest Gravestone At Copp's Hill

 Note The Spelling And Abbreviations

Enlargement And Expansion Of Above

Very Old Grave Stone

Old Grave Stone. Note Abbreviations And Size Of Lettering.

Thus ends today's walking of the Boston Freedom Trail. We are three tired individuals full of amazement at what we have seen, read and heard about today. Each of us finish the day with totally different sites that imoressed us the most and in different ways. We catch a cab for the ride back to our motel where we have a wonderful dinner and settled down for a good nights rest. Tomorrow we will catch a cab and go pick up the Freedom Trail in Charlestown in and around the Charlestown Navy Yard. Until then remember what I always say-- God loves you and so do I.

Grandpa Bill