The First Burying Ground of the Settlers, Newbury, 1635 is also known as the First Burying Ground. It is located on Route 1A (238 High Road), near the border of the town of Rowley. You will find it on the left as you head north on Route 1A. The original meeting house was located nearby. When the meetinghouse moved closer to the Merrimack River, another burial ground was established near the new building (now known as the First Parish Burying Ground.
This burial ground is not very visible from the road, and is set back quite a way from Route 1A. The white sign is easy to miss. The GPS coordinates are latitude 42.7703, longitude 70.84379.
This burial ground is cared for by the organization known as The Sons and Daughters of Newbury. Memorial stones can be installed in memory of first settlers by contacting the Sons and Daughters of Newbury for approval. All memorial stones must have the wording "In Memory Of". The public is always welcome to visit this little cemetery.
The bronze plaque on the right post reads:
FIRST BURYING GROUND
NEWBURY
NEWBURY
This burying ground was
laide out in 1635 by the first town
selectmen and restored in 1929 by
William and Jane Dole Moore
in memory of Richard Dole
and the first settlers
My 11th great grandfather, Edmund Greenleaf, who married Sarah Moore. I descend from two of his children - Judith (1625 - 1705) who married Tristam Coffin and Henry Somerby, and also from Stephen Greenleaf (1628 - 1690) who married Elizabeth Coffin and Hester Weare.
In memory of
CAPTAIN
EDMUND GREENLEAF
Born Jan. 2, 1574
Died Mar. 24, 1671
A ship detail on the tombstone for Edward Woodman
In memory of
Mr. EDWARD WOODMAN
who came from England and
settled in Newbury in 1635.
"A man of talents, influence,
firmness and decision."
He served faithfully for man years
as Selectman, Deputy to the General
Court and Commissioner.
He died about 1690.
This is my 11th great grandfather's memorial tombstone erected by descendants.
In memoriam
PERCIVAL LOWELL
Born 1571 in
Somerset Co., England
Merchant of Bristol,
came to Newbury 1639
Died Jan. 8, 1665
In memory of
Anthony Somerby
Died July 31, 1636
AEt. 76 yrs.
For the Truly Curious:
The Sons and Daughters of Newbury webpage for this burial ground: https://www.sonsanddaughtersofnewbury.org/the-burial-ground
A short tour of the Burying Ground of the First Settlers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Froy-qpsRt4
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To cite/link to this blog post: Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Burying Ground of the First Settlers, Newbury, Massachusetts", Nutfield Genealogy, posted October 25, 2022, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2022/10/burying-ground-of-first-settlers.html: accessed [access date]).
