Previous to the erection of the building adjoining the north boundary of the burying ground by the Massachusetts Historical Society in 1832, there was a passageway which extended from Tremont street to Court square, between the north boundary of the burying ground and an old wooden building, which was occupied by the Boston Athenaeum between the years 1810 and 1824, and farther down this passageway toward Court square was a building occupied by the Columbian Museum. Another passageway was on the easterly boundary of the burying ground and extended from the City Hall yard to Court square. There are thirty-two tombs in the middle of King’s Chapel burying-ground, twenty-five of which have oblong horizontal monuments; these tombs were built at an early date. The tombs on the easterly side number twenty-two, and were built before 1715. The tombs on the westerly side, bordering on Tremont street, were built in 1738, at the time the old wall was erected. In the northeast corner of the ground is a large vault, long used as a charnel house, but was repaired in 1833, and used for many years for the burial of deceased children. There are ten coats-of-arms on these tombs, five being on the horizontal monuments in the middle of the ground, one on a gravestone, and four on the stones in front of the tombs on the Tremont-street side. The earliest fence was constructed in 1642; the old brick wall was built in 1738, and remained standing until 1830, when it was removed, and a fine hammered-granite wall was erected in its place by Daniel Copeland, Jr., by plans made by Isaiah Rogers. The wall was paid for partly by subscription by the tomb owners. In 1854 the granite wall was removed and the present iron fence was erected by Smith, Lovett & Co. This fence was paid for by subscription. On the first of May, 1896, the Rapid Transit Commission gave orders to dig a deep hole some ten feet in diameter in the southwest corner of the burying ground. This spot was a dozen feet from Tremont street, and about the same distance from the chapel. They constructed a ventilating shaft leading down to the subway. Two boxes of human remains were taken from the earth thrown from this excavation, and were again buried. An entrance to and an exit from the vestry of the chapel from the burying ground gate on School street was constructed of granite in August, 1900, the stone steps leading up to a newly constructed doorway, which was formerly a window.

FROM THE TOWN AND SELECTMEN'S RECORDS.

29 day of 6th moneth 1642. It’s Ordered that the Constables shall, with all convenient speed, take care for fencing in the burying place.

*The Book of Possessions.

Thomas Scotto his possessions within the limits of Boston. 1. One house and garden bounded with the burying place on the west; Henry Messenger north; the streete south; and M*. Hutchinson east.

This 31st of 1st mo., 1645.

It's agreed with Thomas Scotto, of this Towne, for his Dwelling howse, and yard, and garden in this Towne, sold and delivered unto the select men afforesaid for the Towne use, with all the appurtennances thereof, and groweths thereupon, and benefits that doe or may arise by vertue thereof, bounded with the Lands of Henry Messinger towards the North; with the Land of Mr. Richard Hutchinson towards the East; with the Comon street towards the South; with the Burying place towards the west, and all for the sume of fifty-five pounds.

NOTE. — Thomas Scottow, #. in February, 1664, was appointed to superintend

the grayes, gate and fence of the old burying-place. His house and garden adjoined the old burying-place on the east.

30: 9: 1657.

Itt is agreed with Capt. Savage that for the preserving the fence aboutt the burying place and maintaining the fence, in good condition from time to time hee shall enjoy the use of said ground for twenty yeares leaving the same in good repayer att the end of twenty yeares.

20. 6. 1660.

Itt is ordered that the old burying place shall nott bee broken up any more withoutt leave of some two of the select men first obtained.

5. 9. 1660.

Itt is ordered that the old burying place shall bee wholly deserted for some convenient season, and the new places appointed for burying Onely made use off.

March 12th. 1676 77.

Lett to Ephraim Sauage the Herbage of the old buryinge place, for 14 yeares he make inge & maintaininge a suffitient fence about it.

15 March 1679.
80

Voted yt the Selectmen agree with & make satisfaction to those to whome the buryinge places are leased out, to take care that the fences of them be kept well repaired & yo noe Cattle be suffred to feed in them.

July 21st 1702.

Mr. Robt. Gibbs, Richd Draper John Barnerd. & Joseph Prout do manifest their approbation of Mr. Henry Dereing's making a Tomb in the Old burying place at the place where his relations are burryed. July 21.

June 30th 1704.

Mesures John Marryon Dan!. Oliver, Thoms. Fitch & Joseph Prout declare their Consent. that in the Old burrying place there be a Tombe made for Coll. Page to burry his deceased wife in.

June 14. 1708.

The Select men have Lett unto James Williams the grass in the old burrying place for this Summer he paying for the Same 30./

July 17 1710.

Voted That. Capt Ephraim Savage is desired to imploy Some meet person to repaire the fence of the Old burying place & to make ye Same next the High way (where it is-nee full.) on foot Higher than now it is.

July 17 1710.

Voted. a grant to Capt Ephraim Savage of the Grass in the Old burying place for this Sumer he paying for the Same the Sume of fifteen Shillings.

p" by his acco" page 291.

The Chapel was enlarged to twice its original size in 1710, and more land from the old burying place on the north and east of the chapel was taken (as shown by the following record), and more graves and more memorial stones removed.

At a Meeting of ye Sel men Aug 7th 1710.

The Select men do agree to Appoint a Town meeting on Monday the 14th of Aug. curt at Nine of ye Clock in ye fore noon to consider of, agree and determine on, what they Shall think proper. and Expedient Relating to a motion or request of the Hon'ble Coll. Francis Nicholson, together with ye minists. Church wardens and others of the Church of England in Boston, desireing a grant of Land in ye old burying place of fifteen foot wide on the North Side of ye Church, for ye Enlargement therof on that Side, and ten foot in breadth on ye Easterly end there of as more fully Set forth by you in writeing.

14th Octor 1710

A motion or Request in writeing being presented and distinctly Read at this Meeting & is as followeth, vizt. “The Request of the Hon'ble Collo Francis Nicholson together with the Ministers, Church Wardens, and others of the Church of England in Boston She weth. That the Church. being too Small to accomodate the congregation and Strangers that dayly Increase. And are desireous to Enlarge the Same with the Approbation of the Select men and Inhabitants, but wanting Ground on the North Side and East End, Request that they may have a Grant of fifteen foot wide on the North Side and Seventy four foot in Length, And ten foot at the East end of the Church in Length which is included in the Sd. Seventy four foot. Resserveing the Same Liberty too all persons who have had friends buryed in Said Ground which they Enjoyed heretofore. Which Request being granted Shall be ever Acknowledged, &c.” Voted. a grant to the S4 Gentlemen of their abovesaid Request.

June ye 18 1711

Voted, That Capt Ephon Savages acco., of eight Shill by him. Ex: pended on fence. &c. at ye Old burying place be accepted in Leiw of ye grass let to him ye 17th July 1710 page 231.