Market Street Burying Ground 380 Market Street, Boston, MA 02135

Welcome to Market Street Burying Ground

Located at 380 Market Street, Boston, Massachusetts, the historic Market Street Burying Ground is a testament to the rich history of the Allston/Brighton area, tracing its origins back to the founding of the town of Brighton. Initially part of Watertown in 1630 and later Cambridge in 1634, the area known as "Little Cambridge" emerged as a vital grazing land for the early colonists.

In 1744, a local meetinghouse was constructed near what is now the Market Street Burying Ground, serving as an extension of the First Parish Church in Cambridge. Despite the community's efforts to gain independent status for their church, it wasn't until 1779 that their proposal was finally approved.

Before the establishment of Market Street Burying Ground, residents of Little Cambridge had to travel to Harvard Square for interments. This changed in 1764 when early settler Nathaniel Sparhawke generously donated a portion of his land to create a local burial site. The cemetery served the Third Church of Cambridge until 1807, when Brighton became a separate town, and remained the primary burying ground until the 1850s with the establishment of Evergreen Cemetery. Burials at Market Street ceased in 1872.

Today, Market Street Burying Ground is a serene and historical site, home to the graves of many original settlers of Little Cambridge. Visitors can admire the gravestones carved by the renowned eighteenth-century stone cutter, Daniel Hastings, offering a glimpse into the area's colonial past.

We invite you to explore this historical gem, where the stories of early settlers and the evolution of the Brighton community are etched into the landscape.