steps at each extremity. The entrances to these tombs and the tablets thereon were transferred within the fence. About 1837 the whole western slope beyond Snowhill street was dug away and the existing heavy granite wall erected to protect the burying-ground.

During the period from the Revolution to 1830 the buryingground began to be neglected, until on May 27, 1833, the city appropriated $50 for the purchase of trees to ornament the grounds. To-day there are almost 200 trees in the ground. New walks were laid out in 1838, and many stones were then or since removed or altered in position with the same mistaken efforts at symmetry that have been remarked in the case of King's Chapel Ground.

By 1878 the hill had again fallen into decay, and become subject to all kinds of depredations.

Two hundred and twenty-seven tombs are contained within the burying-ground. Two of the number belong to the City, one for adults near Charter street, and one for children near Hull street, built in June, 1833. Nearby is a large tomb, set aside about 1840 for mariners. The oldest tombs were built in 1717, shortly after the Sewall purchase, and front on Hull street. In 1722 a new range of tombs, running north, was started at the southeast corner on Hull street. The selectmen's records down to 1806 contain numerous grants of permission to erect tombs, almost invariably with the provision that "the brick wall thereof be carried up so as to be a sufficient fence." In 1805 were constructed the tombs on Snowhill street, and in 1807 those fronting on Charter street. We have already recorded the later erection of tombs in 1814, 1819, 1827, and 1832. The latter date practically ends the growth of the buryingground.

During the century to 1760, it is estimated that one-fourth the population of the town was buried on Copp's Hill. The decaying stones form a rude epitome of most of the North End's history.

That part of the ground near Snowhill street was at first reserved for slaves and freedmen. The remainder contains generations of the old North Enders, some of them famous in local history, other simple folk who have left merely a name.

The date of the first interment is unknown, although probably occurring around 1660, and there is some doubt as to the identity of the oldest stone. Apparently it is that erected to the memory of Grace Berry, wife of Thomas Berry, who, according to the inscription, died May 17, 1625, or five years before Boston was settled. The stone is of old Welsh slate, well preserved and with the carving quite distinct; the edges are ornamented with curves and at the top are carved two cherubs and the angel

of death. There is also cut a shield, without quartering of arms. The marks of British bullets are visible, this stone, like many others on the hill, having been a target for the British soldiers during the siege of Boston.

It has generally been held that the true date on the Grace Berry stone is 1695, a boyish freak of Mr. George Darracott having led him to change the figure 9 with his jack-knife into the figure 2; in the same fashion the date on the stone of John Thwing in King's Chapel Ground was altered from 1690 to 1620. In like manner the dates upon the stones of John White and of Joanna, the six-months-old daughter of William and Anne Copp, has been altered to 1625, and that of Abigail Everden's death to 1626. Like vandalism is evident in the old Charlestown burying-ground.

There is little likelihood that the trouble would be taken, in the early days of perilous travelling, to transport the remains of a person of no particular note over the long journey from Plymouth to Boston, and at a date 35 years after interment. Beyond this, moreover, the fact is that Grace Berry, who was the daughter of Major John Jayman, a rope-maker, was living in the flesh with her husband, Thomas Berry, in their house near the Ship Tavern, at the junction of Ship (North) and Clark streets, very many years after her reputed death in 1625.

The oldest stone, accordingly, is one bearing the date 1661, which was found buried beneath the surface in 1878. It stands near the Shaw monument, and preserves the memory of the grandchildren of William Copp in the following inscription:

DAVID SON TO DAVID
COPP & OBEDIENCE HIS
WIFE AGED 2 WEEKS
DYED DEC 22
1661

THOMAS, SON TO DAVID COPP & OBEDIENCE HIS WIFE AGED 2 YEARS & 3 QUARTERS DYED JULY YE 25

1678

Near the centre of the yard is erected the stone commemorating the Kind children, long supposed the oldest stone, but really second in point of age by some six months. It was dug up in the 40's by Mr. Glidden, and reads:

MARY KIND
AGED

DIED YE 15 OF AUGUST

1662

WILLIAM KIND
AGED ABOUT 1 YEAR DYED
YE 14 OF FEBRUARY
1666

THE CHILDREN OF ARTHUR AND JANE KIND.

William Copp, who gave his name to the hill, is buried in this ground, but no stone to his memory is now extant, and not much is known of him. In his will, dated October 31, 1662, and proved April 27, 1670, made after he had become "sick and

weak," he terms himself a cordwainer, or shoemaker, by trade, and leaves his property to his wife "Goodeth," or Judith. The inventory shows property of the respectable sum for those days of almost £10, including houses, outhouses, orchard, garden and land, to the value of £80.

The stone erected in memory of his wife Judith may be found in the northern part of the yard, between the Shaw monument and the Grant tomb. It is small in size, and extends but a few inches above the ground.

Many of the name of Copp were buried here. Beside that of little Joanna Copp, however, and the two grandchildren mentioned above, only eight stones still remain. David Copp was the most notable member of the family. He was an elder in Cotton Mather's Church, and of considerable prominence in the North End, dwelling in a brick house at the head of Hull street. He died November 20, 1713, aged 78. Amy, his second wife, died November 28, 1718, at the age of 82. The stone is left standing to record the name of his first wife, who was Obedience Topliff. At his funeral Judge Sewall notes that there was present a distinguished company, with "a pretty many Men, but few Women."

The Colony record show that William Copp was made a freedman on June 2, 1641, and David on October 11, 1670. The other children of William Copp are recorded as follows: Jonathan, born August 23, 1640; Rebecca, May 6, 1641, and Ruth, September 24, 1643. In later days the Copp family removed to Connecticut.

A long list might be made of the tenants of Copp's Hill who possess claim to mention, as being at least of local note-divines, scholars, and patriots.

Doubtless the most famous tomb in the ground is that near the Charter-street gate, containing the remains of the Mathers, Increase, Cotton and Samuel-the "Mather dynasty," comprising three generations of divines. The tomb is of brick, plainly built, and is surrounded by iron railings. A great slab of brown stone forms the lid, in which are set two squares of slate, of different dates. On the more ancient, in almost illegible lettering, is carved the following inscription: