Nemasket Hill Cemetery is located in historic Middleborough, Massachusetts. It was set aside as a burial ground in 1662 by 26 men who purchased the land from the Indians, and is the oldest and largest (33 acres) in Middleborough. The oldest engraved headstone in Middleborough is located here and is that of Elizabeth Vaughan, who died on June 24, 1693.
On March 24, 1885, an act passed by the General Court of Massachusetts was approved to incorporate the 'Nemasket Hill Cemetery Association'. This established elected trustees to oversee the cemetery operations and established that all owners of burial lots are members of the Association.
We are proud of the more than 800 veterans in our cemetery who served in wars and conflicts dating back to King Philip's War.
The Nemasket Hill Cemetery Association holds Annual Meetings in April at the Middleborough Public Library or at the Nemasket Hill Chapel. The meeting is open to all association members (lot/niche owners).
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'Nemasket Hill Cemetery-Middleborough, MA'
1661 / 1662
First parcel of land in Middleborough purchased from the Indians on March 7, 1661, the purchase named the "Twenty-six Men's Purchase". In 1662, land was set apart for the cemetery, formerly known as the "Old Burial Hill". The Deed was signed May 24, 1669 and recorded July 17, 1670. The deed currently located at the Plymouth County Registry of Deeds.
Plan of the 26 Men's Purchase (The 'Burying Hill" is located lower left on map.)
1684
Two Mayflower passengers, Francis Billington (b.1606) and Samuel Eaton (b. Apr. 1620) resided in Middleborough. Both died in 1684 and were buried at Nemasket Hill Cemetery. The exact locations of their graves have been lost to time.
1885 / 1886
It was 223 years after Nemasket Hill was established when it became incorporated on March 24, 1885. At its first meeting on April 10, 1886, Joseph T. Wood was chosen chairman pro tem and Joseph E. Beals clerk pro tem . April 24, 1886, the first five trustees were chosen: Joseph T. Wood, William B. Wood, George F. Bryant, William R. Peirce, and George R. Sampson.
3/24/1885 Act to Incorporate the Nemasket Hill Cemetery Association in Middleborough
1891
The 1891 purchase of the Driggs farm, easterly side of the cemetery, increased the land area to 20 acres, more or less.
1910 / 1911
At the April 23, 1910 annual meeting, it was voted to build a chapel not to exceed $1,500. The chapel was erected in 1911, largely from funds donated by the Nemasket Cemetery Sewing Circle that regularly met across the street. Citizens of Middleborough also contributed funds through subscriptions.
1919 / 1944
A footbridge was erected over the Nemasket River. Where Peirce Lane meets the river, the bridge connected to the cemetery, and wooden stairs were built to ascended the hill to access the cemetery. Total cost to build: $570.44.
In 1944, the footbridge was rebuilt. With Peirce Trustee approval, the Peirce Lane path from North Street to the river was improved. New concrete step were installed on the hill to the cemetery.
1921
The beautiful iron arch was surmounted at the entrance gateway. This improvement was also financed by the Nemasket Cemetery Circle.
2009
In 2009, the Nemasket Hill Cemetery added a columbarium. This is a structure made up of individual compartments called niches to hold cremation urns.
2014
In 2014, the "Babies Section" of the cemetery was dramatically improved. Over 70 babies, many with unmarked graves, are located here. Memorial stones were erected. A large granite monument with dates and names of the babies was dedicated on December 6, 2014.
2022-2025
After nearly three years, the Chapel renovation and restoration is nearing completion and will be soon open to the public. Generous CPA funding grants from Middleborough's Community Preservation Committee along with citizen donations made this project possible.
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Historical Resources and Materials
Sketches of the Early History of the Town of Middleborough, Massachusetts, Contributor Boston Public Library, 1849.
Celebration of the Two-Hundreth Anniversary of the Incorporation of Middleborough, Massachuestts, October 13, 1869.
Historic Sketches of Hanson, Lakeville, Mattapoisett, Middleboro', Pembroke, Plympton, Rochester, Wareham, and West Bridgewater, Ebenezer W. Peirce, Boston, MA: E. W. Peirce, 1873.
Indian History, Biography and Genealogy: Pertaining to the Good Sachem Massasoit of the Wampanoag Tribe, and his Descendants, Ebenezer W. Peirce, Published by Zerviah Gould Mitchell, 1878.
History of Middleboro in The History of Plymouth County, Massachusetts, with Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men. D. Hamilton Hurd, Philadelphia, PA: J. W. Lewis & Co., 1884.
Annual Report of the Town of Middleboro, Massachusetts, Middleborough Public Library, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895
Resident and Business Directory of Middleboro, Middleborough Public Library, 1895
History of the Town of Middleboro, Massachusetts. Thomas Weston, Boston, MA: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1906.
Middleboro Marriage Intentions and Registers of Births 1837-1911, Town of Middleborough, Massachusetts
The Mayflower Descendant, Volume XV, Records from the Nemasket Cemetery dated prior to 1850 with a few later dates, Ma Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1913.
Historical Address Delivered on the Occasion of the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Town of Middleborough, Massachusetts. Albert H. Washburn, 1919.
Gravestones of Early New England and the Men Who Made Them 1653-1800, Harriette Merrifield Forbes, 1927.
Recollecting Nemasket: Newspaper column and blog devoted to the history of Middleborough and Lakeville, MA. Michael Maddigan. Since 1997.
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