Rumney Marsh Burying Ground
Why it's listed
Rumney Marsh Burying Ground is a small cemetery of roughly half an acre on Butler Street in Revere, Massachusetts. Burials began around 1693, and it stayed in active use through 1930. Although mid-20th-century ranch houses now surround it, the burying ground keeps its rolling ground, irregular rows of stones, brick perimeter paths and a granite wall added in the late 1930s. Most markers are dark slate, and the collection includes an unusually high number of 18th-century stones carved with winged skulls and cherubs. Two early slates are attributed to the carver Joseph Lamson. Later urn-and-willow designs from the 19th century also appear. Among those buried here is Deane Winthrop, son of Massachusetts Bay Colony governor John Winthrop. The ground is believed to be the first established north of the Mystic River and served what are now Revere, Chelsea and Winthrop. Its stones form a visible chronology of New England gravestone art.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is a well-preserved early Massachusetts community burying ground, with its natural topography, irregular stone layout and perimeter paths intact. Its gravestones, notably an unusually high concentration of 18th-century slates with winged skull motifs, illustrate the history of American gravestone art. It is also believed to be the first burying ground established north of the Mystic River and served present-day Revere, Chelsea and Winthrop.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 04000025, listed February 11, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Butler St. at Elm and Bixby Sts., Revere |
|---|---|
| County | Suffolk County |
| Listed | February 11, 2004 |
| Reference number | 04000025 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Areas of significance | Art, Religion, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as well maintained and in generally good condition, though some stones are broken, eroded or tipping and volunteer trees are damaging walls and stones. It remains a cemetery. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.40762, -71.00579 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 04000025.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7379324
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.