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7 Sep 2022

Granary Cemetery

Granary Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in the United States. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, it was established in 1660 . It was named Granary because of its close proximity to a grain storage.

 

There are 2,300 markers in Granary Cemetery today. How many bodies are estimated to be buried there?

A. 1000

B. 2300

C. 5000

 

The cemetery was laid out in a public space where people would pass through on their way about town. The grave markers are not marked with religious symbols, such as crosses or angels. The Puritan religion, which was prominent at the time, had rules and traditions about how a grave marker should be. Markers would often have a "death head" and a solemn epithet (or saying). The goal of these things was to create a solemn atmosphere that would cause the person passing by to reflect on their own mortality.

 

Due to changes in the layout of the grounds over the years, there are currently only 2,300 markers, but approximately 5,000 bodies were buried in the cemetery. Many notable Founding Fathers and Revolutionaries are buried in Granary Cemetery. Some of these include John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and the victims of the Boston Massacre. Only one person in the cemetery has two markers: Paul Revere. His original grave marker was very simple and small. Later, a larger monument was added next to his marker to commemorate his role in the Revolution.