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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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History of Northampton, Massachusetts
from its settlement in 1654;
by: Trumbull, James Russell and Pomeroy, Seth
pub: 1898


         pg 125-126
         
         First Burial Place - Bridge Street Cemetery
         
         The first death in Northampton occurred in 1655. JAMES, infant
       son of JAMES BRIDGMAN, died on the 14th of June. During the next
       three years five deaths were registered. Where these dead were
       buried is not known. In February, 1659, the town voted "that the
       burying place shalbe upon the meeting house hill," and it is prob-
       able that all interments to that time had been made there. The
       selection of this place so near the meeting house, was undoubtedly
       in accordance with the system of parish church yards that prevailed
       in their old English homes. Three years after, when the new meeting
       house was located upon another site, it was concluded to change the
       position of the burying ground (1). But eleven deaths had been re-
       corded up to the commencement of the year 1661. A committee, chosen
       in that year "to finde out a convenient place for y't vse," reported
       April 23, 1662, in favor of a position on Bridge Street, "at the
       furthest corner of the Sequestered Mynisters Lott wher Mrs. Jeanes
       was buried." MARY, wife of WILLIAM JANES, died April 4, 1662, and
       was probably buried there in anticipation of the determination to
       use this lot for such a purpose. The portion of the minister's lot
       selected was at the north-east corner of the present cemetery, and
       is still known as the "old part." The quantity of land set apart 
       was not defined, but in after years, when it became necessary to
       fence the plot, its bounds were established. Since that time it has
       been several times enlarged.
       
       (1) "Their burying place is stated to have been on the meeting
            house hill until the end of October, 1661. I mention this
            as proof that burying in the centers of towns by the side
            of their churches, was originally the common custom of New
            England. This custom plainly had its origin in the super-
            stitions of the Romish Church, which attributed a kind of
            sanctity to a cemetery consecrated by a cleryman. - 
             Dwight's Travels in N. E., 1821, vol. 1. p. 345."
             
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