South Burying Ground
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South Burying Ground

Also known as South End Burial Ground , South End Burying Ground

Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, USA

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  • Get directions Washington Street
    Boston, Massachusetts 02118 United States
    Coordinates: 42.33826, -71.07410
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When the South End Burying Ground was opened in 1810, it initially served as a potter's field and was located on the narrow strip of marshland called Roxbury Neck, which connected the peninsula of Boston to the mainland. The gallows stood at the east edge of the burying ground, near the tidewaters of South Boston Bay, leading to the persistent myth that primarily hanged pirates and other criminals were buried here. In fact, it is difficult to know exactly who is buried here. In the nineteenth century, people of modest means were buried in recorded but unmarked graves in the cemetery and usually could not afford elaborate headstones or other types of monuments. While there are only 20 grave markers, records indicate that more than 11,000 individuals are buried at this site. Successive filling of the marshy grounds permitted burials in several tiers. It has been reported that South End Burying Ground contains the graves of paupers from the Alms House and inmates from the House of Industry. Mostly, though, this site is known as a working man's burying ground, where families paid a small fee to the City for burials. Interments ceased in this graveyard in 1866.

The burying ground is locked but can be opened if you call the Cemetery Division at Mount Hope Cemetery in Mattapan at 617-635-7361. At least 24 hours notice is required and the burying ground cannot be opened on a Sunday.

The cemetery is referred to as BOS.825 South End Burial Ground in the MACRIS survey of Massachusetts Cemeteries.



When the South End Burying Ground was opened in 1810, it initially served as a potter's field and was located on the narrow strip of marshland called Roxbury Neck, which connected the peninsula of Boston to the mainland. The gallows stood at the east edge of the burying ground, near the tidewaters of South Boston Bay, leading to the persistent myth that primarily hanged pirates and other criminals were buried here. In fact, it is difficult to know exactly who is buried here. In the nineteenth century, people of modest means were buried in recorded but unmarked graves in the cemetery and usually could not afford elaborate headstones or other types of monuments. While there are only 20 grave markers, records indicate that more than 11,000 individuals are buried at this site. Successive filling of the marshy grounds permitted burials in several tiers. It has been reported that South End Burying Ground contains the graves of paupers from the Alms House and inmates from the House of Industry. Mostly, though, this site is known as a working man's burying ground, where families paid a small fee to the City for burials. Interments ceased in this graveyard in 1866.

The burying ground is locked but can be opened if you call the Cemetery Division at Mount Hope Cemetery in Mattapan at 617-635-7361. At least 24 hours notice is required and the burying ground cannot be opened on a Sunday.

The cemetery is referred to as BOS.825 South End Burial Ground in the MACRIS survey of Massachusetts Cemeteries.



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  • Added: 26 Mar 2007
  • Find a Grave Cemetery ID: 2211477