Tour #1: Old Burial Ground
Corner of Main and Kendall Streets

The Walpole Historical Society is sponsoring walking tours of the town’s historic cemeteries. This year marks Walpole’s 300th anniversary, but it also marks the Society’s 125th anniversary, and to mark these special occasions, we are hosting several walking tours of our unique cemeteries. We are lucky enough to have nine historic cemeteries in town, and each one is special and holds Walpole’s unique history. Each tour will have a topic to highlight Walpole’s history. It is our hope that through these tours participants will learn more about Walpole’s early history and the people who contributed to the town’s growth.

Old Burial Ground
”Early History of a Town: Sleeping on a Hill”

The Old Burial Ground has been in use since 1704, some 20 years before this part of Dedham was set off and became Walpole. At that time, the nearest cemetery was in Dedham Village! At that time Walpole was part of Dedham, and families who lived here there were members of the Dedham Church, so would have been buried there.

On April 2, 1705, a “half-acre” of land was set off from the farm of Eleazer Clapp, in exchange for three acres of land on Major’s Plain, for the express purpose of using this land for a “Buryal Plas.” This is a small cemetery. It is approximately 70’ by about 70’. There are approximately 152 headstones. Most still have their footstones. There is one burial tomb in this cemetery, which has fallen in on its self, from age, officially burying its occupants. There are just under 200 people buried here. The majority of the headstones are slate tablets, and they are in very good shape. There are a few marble tablets, and one marble family pilaster stone.

In this cemetery are of many of Walpole’s earliest settlers and their descendants; Allen, Robbins, Clapp, Hartshorn, Smith, Fales, Blake and Kingsbury are buried in this cemetery. Also, two of Walpole’s early ministers are here, as is an Arcadian refugee from Canada, and about 20 Revolutionary Soldiers.

It is our hope that through this tour you will have a good understanding about Walpole’s early history and the people who contributed to its growth.

For more about the historical society:
Walpole Historical Society