Copp's Hill Burying Ground
Copp's Hill Burying Ground is a colonial cemetery at 45 Hull Street in Boston's North End, and it is a stop on the Freedom Trail. It was laid out in 1659, which makes it the second oldest burying ground in Boston, and the City of Boston counts more than 10,000 burials here. Cotton Mather, Prince Hall and Robert Newman, the Old North Church sexton tied to the lantern signal, are among them. You may also see the name written as Copps Hill Burying Ground, Copp's Hill Burial Ground or the North Burying Ground. This page covers the history, the famous graves, hours and visitor tips, nearby sights and how to reach the North End with Boston Sightseeing. We checked the details on October 28, 2026, so confirm hours with the City of Boston before you go.
History Of Copp's Hill Burying Ground
The ground was laid out in 1659, and Boston's first burying ground, King's Chapel Burying Ground, is the only older one on the peninsula. Old records call this one the North Burying Ground. It took its later name from William Copp, a shoemaker and early North End settler who lived near what is now Prince Street and died in 1670. A few sources date the opening to 1660, so you may see either year.
Today the burying ground covers about two acres, made up of four parcels the city added over time, and the original ground was about half as wide as it is now. Burials ran until about the 1850s. The graves belong to ministers, merchants, shipbuilders, soldiers and many Black Bostonians, both free and enslaved.
The hill also has a place in the Revolution. On June 17, 1775, British troops set up artillery here and fired on Charlestown during the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the town burned. British generals, including John Burgoyne, followed the battle from this hill, where the British had built their North Battery. That is why this stop pairs well with our Charlestown guide, since the fighting took place in the neighborhood across the water.
Famous Graves At Copp's Hill Burying Ground
Who is buried on the hill matters as much as the date. The City of Boston lists the Mather family, Edmund Hartt, Robert Newman, Prince Hall and Captain Daniel Malcolm among the notable burials, and each tells a different part of the story.
The Mather Family
Increase Mather (1639 to 1723), his son Cotton Mather (1663 to 1728) and Samuel Mather are buried here. Increase and Cotton were Puritan ministers, and both were involved in the Salem witch trials. The family graves sit near the Charter Street gate, which makes them an easy first stop if you enter from that side.
Robert Newman
Robert Newman (1752 to 1804) was the sexton of the Old North Church. He is traditionally credited with showing the signal lanterns in the steeple on April 18, 1775, the night of Paul Revere's ride. The church is about a two minute walk from the burying ground, so you can see both in one outing.
Prince Hall
Prince Hall (about 1735 to 1807) was an antislavery activist, a Revolutionary War soldier and the founder of the first Black Masonic lodge. He is buried here, in a ground that holds many of the North End's Black residents.
Edmund Hartt
Edmund Hartt built the USS Constitution, the warship now berthed at the Charlestown Navy Yard. His grave is one reason a North End hill connects so neatly to the Charlestown side of the Boston and Charlestown ticket.
Captain Daniel Malcolm
Daniel Malcolm, a Boston merchant and member of the North End Sons of Liberty, died in 1769. His headstone is known for round scars that many visitors link to British soldiers' musket fire. The stone's inscription praising his opposition to the Revenue Acts is said to be why soldiers singled it out.
Black Bostonians And The New Guinea Community
More than a thousand free African Americans are buried here, and the City of Boston points visitors to the northwest section set aside for Black Bostonians, both free and enslaved. Many lived in the nearby community known as New Guinea. This part of the ground tells the story of the North End beyond its colonial ministers and merchants, so it deserves a slow walk.
Location And What To Do
Copp's Hill Burying Ground is at 45 Hull Street, Boston, MA 02113, on a hill above the North End waterfront. Historic gates open onto Hull Street and near Charter Street, and the City of Boston publishes a site map that shows where the main graves sit. Most visitors walk the rows of markers, find the Mather graves, look at Daniel Malcolm's stone and then head to the section for Black Bostonians.
Two neighbors are easy to confuse with the burying ground. Copp's Hill Terrace is a separate small park between Commercial and Charter Streets, just north of the cemetery. The Skinny House at 44 Hull Street stands across the street. It is a private home about 10.4 feet wide at the street, so enjoy it from the sidewalk.
Hours, Entry And Visitor Tips
Check these points before you go:
- Hours: The City of Boston lists Copp's Hill among its burying grounds open daily from about 9 AM to 4 PM. The City's general burying grounds page also says they cannot be opened on Sundays, while the page for Copp's Hill itself does not mention Sundays. Call or check the City's page for the day you plan to visit.
- Cost: Visitor listings describe entry as free.
- Season and weather: The City's page does not list seasonal hours or weather closures, so check it before a winter visit.
- Accessibility: The City's page does not describe accessibility. If you need step-free access, contact the City of Boston first.
- Timing with the bus: The grounds close around 4 PM and our buses run until about 5 PM, so visit in the morning or early afternoon.
- Respect: This is a burial place, so keep voices low and treat the stones gently.
Nearby Attractions
Copp's Hill is on the Freedom Trail, so several other stops are close. The Old North Church is about 0.1 mile away, roughly a two minute walk, and it is where the lantern signal for Paul Revere's ride was shown. The Paul Revere House is also in the neighborhood. If you want to compare Boston's colonial burying grounds, walk on to King's Chapel Burying Ground and the Granary Burying Ground, where John Hancock, Samuel Adams and Paul Revere are buried. Our Freedom Trail guide lays out the full route.
Most visitors finish with a meal. The North End neighborhood is Boston's Italian-American district, so a late lunch or dinner fits right after a visit. If you are still on the trail, USS Constitution is about 0.9 mile from the burying ground, an 18 minute walk, and the Charlestown Navy Yard is where the ship is berthed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Copp's Hill Burying Ground?
Copp's Hill Burying Ground is a colonial cemetery at 45 Hull Street in Boston's North End and a stop on the Freedom Trail. It was laid out in 1659 and holds more than 10,000 burials, including the Mather family, Prince Hall and Robert Newman.
Where is Copp's Hill Burying Ground?
Copp's Hill Burying Ground is at 45 Hull Street, Boston, MA 02113, on a hill above the North End waterfront. Historic gates open onto Hull Street and near Charter Street.
Is Copp's Hill the oldest cemetery in Boston?
No. It is the second oldest. King's Chapel Burying Ground is Boston's first burying ground, and Copp's Hill followed in 1659. The Granary Burying Ground dates from 1660.
Who is buried at Copp's Hill Burying Ground?
The City of Boston lists the Mather family (Increase, Cotton and Samuel), Edmund Hartt, who built the USS Constitution, Robert Newman of the Old North Church, Prince Hall and Captain Daniel Malcolm. More than a thousand free African Americans from the nearby New Guinea community are also buried here.
Is John Hancock buried at Copp's Hill?
No. John Hancock's tomb is at the Granary Burying Ground, which is also the resting place of Samuel Adams and Paul Revere. Copp's Hill is known for the Mathers, Prince Hall and Robert Newman.
What is Copp's Hill Terrace?
Copp's Hill Terrace is a small historic park between Commercial and Charter Streets, just north of the burying ground. It is a separate place from the cemetery and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
What are the hours for Copp's Hill Burying Ground?
The City of Boston lists Copp's Hill as open daily from about 9 AM to 4 PM. Its general burying grounds page adds that they cannot be opened on Sundays, which the Copp's Hill page does not mention, so check the City's page or call before you go.
Is Copp's Hill Burying Ground free?
Visitor listings describe entry as free, and the City of Boston page does not mention a fee. Confirm on the City's page if you are planning a group visit.
Why are there bullet marks on a gravestone at Copp's Hill?
Captain Daniel Malcolm's headstone has round scars that many visitors link to British soldiers' musket fire. Soldiers were stationed on the hill in 1775, and the stone's inscription praising his opposition to the Revenue Acts is said to be why it was singled out.
How do I get to Copp's Hill Burying Ground with Boston Sightseeing?
Take the Orange route to Stop 9, Historic North End, at 561 Commercial Street, then walk to 45 Hull Street. Stop 9 is covered by the Boston and Charlestown ticket and the 2 day ticket, not by the 90 minute or All Day tickets. Check the tour map for the route.
What is there to see near Copp's Hill Burying Ground?
The Old North Church is about a two minute walk away, and the Paul Revere House and the North End's restaurants are close. Our North End guide lists more.
Planning A Tour with Boston Sightseeing
Copp's Hill Burying Ground is not a bus stop, so the way to reach it on a Boston Sightseeing bus is Stop 9, Historic North End, at 561 Commercial Street on the Orange route. From there the burying ground at 45 Hull Street is a walk through the neighborhood, so check the tour map for the route. Stop 9 is covered by the Boston and Charlestown ticket and the 2 day ticket, which cover Stops 1 to 11. The 90 minute and All Day tickets cover Stops 1 to 8 on the Blue route and do not reach the North End stop.
Our buses run about 9:30 AM to about 5:00 PM and come roughly every 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic, and the ride is narrated. Because the burying ground closes around 4 PM, plan to get off at Stop 9 in the morning or early afternoon. Check the route and stop notice before you ride, since schedules can change by season.
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