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Burying Grounds, Cemeteries, Gravestones & History of Haverhill, Massachusetts
Cemeteries & History of Haverhill, Massachusetts
Haverhill, MA was established in 1641.
Pronounced "HAY-vruhl," this area was originally called Pentucket
which means "land of the winding river," by the local Pentucket Indian tribe.
It was first settled by Europeans in 1640 and purchased from the tribe in 1641 when the town was incorporated as "Haverhill," after Haverhill, England. It was attacked by Indians on March 15, 1697, when about 39 people were either killed or captured, and about 6 houses were burned. Some of these victims are buried in Pentucket Cemetery and their names are listed below.
Although it began as a farming community, it would evolve into an important industrial center, beginning with sawmills and gristmills run by water power . In the 18th century, Haverhill developed tanneries, shipping and shipbuilding. The mill town was for 180 years home to a large shoe-making industry, which faded with the Great Depression of the 1930s . It also once manufactured hats. Incorporated as a city in 1870, Haverhill would annex part of Bradford in 1897.
Haverhill was the site of the original Macy's store, established to sell dry goods in 1851 by Rowland H. Macy. It was also where Hollywood mogul Louis B. Mayer got his start in show business by operating a chain of theatres . The city has much fine old architecture , particularly in the Victorian style , built during the flush mill era. (Wikipedia)
Cemetery Contact Information:
4 Summer St., Haverhill, MA 01830
978-374-2312
Pentucket Cemetery The Pentucket Cemetery is located on Water Street in Haverhill and was established in 1668. It's located adjoining the Linwood Cemetery. This is a very early burying ground with several interesting early carvings. A few stones here date to the 1600's. See it's location and get directions at Yahoo Maps.
Pentucket Cemetery Status: Very Poor. Grounds are not kept and there are many broken stones. Currently listing 169 individuals. This project is about 80% complete.
Whittier Family Cemetery at
John Greenleaf Whittier Birthplace The Whittier Family Burial Ground is located at the John Greenleaf Whittier Birthplace on Whittier Road and was established in 1696. All of the people listed are ancestors of John Greenleaf Whittier. See it's location and get directions at Yahoo Maps.
Bradford Common Historic District
Also known as Bradford Common Area S. Main St., Haverhill Listed on National Register of Historic Places.
Ephraim Davis House Merrimack Rd., N of jct. with Amesbury Line Rd. Listed on National Register of Historic Places.
Emerson House 5--9 Pentucket St.
Private residence. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Hannah Duston Garrison House 665 Hilldale Avenue
Hannah Duston
was a colonial England woman who, having been captured during an Indian raid, escaped from her captors by killing them in the night and fleeing in their canoe . She is believed to be the first woman honored in the United States with a statue. Hannah, her husband Thomas, and her nine children were living in Haverhill, Massachusetts when in 1697 the town was attacked by Abenaki Indians. Hannah, her baby Martha, who was only days old, and her nurse Mary Neff were captured and forced to march into the wilderness. The Indians took the baby from Hannah and killed her by smashing her against a tree. Hannah and Mary were taken 150 miles to an island in the Merrimack River near what is now Concord, N.H. , where the party stayed some days. Hannah there led Mary and a 14-year-old captive boy in a revolt after all were asleep, using the Indians' tomahawks to kill 10 of the 12 Indians. They escaped in a canoe, taking with them scalps as proof of the incident. They travelled down the river only during the night, and after several days arrived back in Haverhill. The Massachusetts General Assembly later awarded them a reward for killing the raiders (various accounts say 50 or 25 pounds, and some accounts allege that only Duston received the award). The event became well known, due in part to the account of Cotton Mather in his Magnalia Christi Americana . She became more famous in the nineteenth century as her story was retold by Henry David Thoreau. *Src: Wikipedia
Hannah Duston Landing near Bradley's Brook After their escape from the Indian tribe that kidnapped them, they traveled down the Merrimack River by canoe and landed at this spot. The place is marked by a large millstone
set into a memorial.
Hannah Duston Memorial 99 Main Street
Hastings--Morse House 595 E. Broadway
Private residence. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Haverhill Historical Society & Buttonwoods Museum 240 Water St.
Phone: (978) 374-4626
From Native American settlement to the present, the Buttonwoods Museum tells the story of life in the Merrimack Valley. Visit the John Ward House, the Duncan House and the Daniel Hunkins Shoe Shop. Experience our hands-on education and outreach programs that make this unique history come alive for people of all ages. The Historical Society offers a variety of education programs, workshops, lectures, and fundraising events. Check out their online calendar for dates and activities. Closed for tours November 1 - March 15 Open for programs and research Tues.-Sat. 10:00 am - 5:00 pm and also by appointment.
Hazen--Spiller House 8 Groveland St.
Private residence. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
John Greenleaf Whittier Homestead 305 Whittier Road
In 1688, in a small pleasant valley under the shoulder of Job's Hill, Thomas Whittier, the pioneer, built the house which was to be the Whittier family homestead. The family lived there for five generations and it was the Birthplace of the Quaker Poet and Abolitionist John Greenleaf Whittier on December 17, 1807. The Whittier Homestead is an outstanding example of the old New England farm, located on its original site, is substantially the same as when the Poet lived there in 1807 until 1836. The homestead is the setting of his most famous and beloved poem Snow-Bound. Many settings from his poems are recognizable to those who have read them. Open May 1 – October 31 Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 - 11:45 a.m. & 1:45 - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed July 4. November 1 – April 30
Wednesday, Friday & Sunday: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday: 1:45 - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Or by prior arrangements
Main Street Historic District Main, Summer Sts. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Peabody School 170 Salem St. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Peaslee Garrison House 790 East Broadway
Built before 1675, the house
was used as an armory at one time and was constructed with bricks imported from England.
During King Philip's War the home was used as a garrison house where soldiers were stationed and people could run for protection.
Primrose Street Schoolhouse 71 Primrose St. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Rocks Village Historic District East Main Street and River Road
Rocks Village, in Haverhill's East Parish, was settled circa 1643. A ferry was established soon after. East Broadway, one of the oldest roads in Haverhill, leads into Rocks village which then follows along the Merrimack River into Merrimacport. In the 18th century, Rocks Village evolved into a maritime site. Several of Haverhill's shipyards were located here. It was also a center for trade of both imported and exported goods. Comb manufacturing was also carried on here. Haverhill's industrial growth in the 19th century bypassed the East Parish, preserving much of the rural Georgian architecture. Among structures of interest are the hand-cranked drawbridge and the firehouse. Rocks Village is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
School Street School 40 School St. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Washington Street Shoe Distric Washington, Wingate, Emerson Sts. Railroad and Washington Sqs. Italianate, Queen Anne, Romanesque buildings. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Winnekenni Castle 347 Kenoza Ave.
Dr. James R. Nichols, a local physician and inventor, built the Castle in 1873-1875 as a summer home at this farm which he named Winnekenni. The idea for the original castle came from England. The Castle was sold to the city in 1895. In 1967, after a devastating fire destroyed the aging building, a group of citizens formed the Winnekenni Foundation, which is still in existence today. Its goal was to completely refurbish the interior of the building, and make it and its surrounding grounds available to the public for cultural and educational events. Call the Winnekenni Foundation at 978-521-1686 for castle rental charges and policies.
