CLICK HERE to explore the lives of several historic individuals, such as those below, who are buried in Dorchester North Burying Ground. ​

BELCHER / Brother and sister, you share a grave.  You died first, Polly, and were not quite five months old.  Three months later your older brother died, before the age of three.

HALL / A cabinet maker, selectman, town treasurer and assessor, you also served as the president of the Mattapan Bank and director of the Dorchester Mutual Fire Insurance Co.

BETTY / A young servant girl, you are one of few African Americans of your time to have a marked grave stone.  You were loved.

ATHERTON / An early immigrant to Dorchester, you arrived from England in 1635 and began a successful military career, achieving the highest rank in the Massachusetts colony.  Although known for your courage, you also had a reputation for harsh treatment of Indians and opposition to Quakers.  You suffered a violent death when your horse stumbled over a stray cow in Boston Common, throwing you to the ground with such force that you are said to have died instantly of severe head wounds.  Your critics believed your death to be an act of Divine vengeance.  

You were a pious woman, devoted school teacher, and beloved by all your neighbors.

TAILER / In addition to being an active member of the military and provincial defense, commanding a regiment during Queen Anne’s War, your uncle groomed you for a career in politics.  You were twice lieutenant governor of Massachusetts and also served as acting governor. 

MATHER / You served as judge during the Salem Witchcraft Trials

SOLDIERS IN THE  WAR OF INDEPENDENCE / You died fighting in the War of Independence.  The United States is, because you helped make it so.