Mayflower Pilgrims Burial Ground

Today we're going to tour one of America's oldest cemeteries. Burial Hill in Plymouth Massachusetts is on the register of historic places and is a beautiful old graveyard full of early American history. Many of the Pilgrims who survived the voyage on the Mayflower ship are buried here.
#cemetery #cemeteryphotography #cemeterylovers #cemeterywandering #cemeterybeauty #cemeterytour #cemeteries #cemeteryexploration #graveyards #grave
Cemetery Walking Tour
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[@calamityjenn]

Bless those people repairing the stones. Such a rewarding job.

[@lugwrench9832]

My 11th great-grandparents are buried there --- Edward & Mrs. Fuller, Mayflower passengers.

[@incog99skd11]

Interesting. Samuel Fuller is my ancestor born in 1608 who was the infant son of his brother. His parents died shortly after arriving on the Mayflower. His daughter Hannah Fuller Bonham, b. 1667, is where our line starts.

[@lugwrench9832]

@@incog99skd11 Per my records, Hannah (Fuller) Bonham was the eldest of 9 children. Next born after Hannah was Samuel Jr., and to me he is a 9th great-grandfather. And with that, you and I are 1st cousins distantly removed.

[@incog99skd11]

@@lugwrench9832 How fun!! It's amazing what you can find when you look.

[@bridgetsummerfield9283]

Edward Fuller is my 12x Great Grandfather and Samuel is my 11x Great Grandfather. Hi cousins! 😆

[@phoffeld]

Top Line - Died V (5) December MDCXCI (1691) LXXXIV (84) years. His wife - Died XXVIII (28) November MDCXIX (1699) Aged XC (90).

[@schatzsucher]

Thank you!

[@Gumsly32]

I have been looking into my ancestry and wanting to find more history of my family, Thomas Cushman was my 9th great grandfather. Thank you for sharing this history for me or others to see. Maybe one day I’ll take a trip to visit in person!

[@BeccaDowdaBriscoeMoorehe-gg4qv]

There were actually 3 mayflower voyages to the new world. My ancestors came over on the first and third voyage. An older couple was on the first, but died that winter. Their kids decided to fulfill their wishes and came over on the third voyage.

[@Sunflower8587]

To add to this, if you remember these few letter/number associations, you can read all Roman numerals. easily. 🙂 M = 1,000 D = 500 C = 100 L = 50 X = 10 V = 5 I = 1 *Any number with a 4 or a 9 in it always has one lower # BEFORE the higher #. Ex: IV = 4 (5-1), CD = 400 (500-100), XL= 40 (50-10), IX = 9 (10-1), XC = 90 (100-10), CM = 900 (1,000-100) * If there are lower #s AFTER the higher #, it's just a matter of counting/adding. Ex: VI = 6 (5+1), VII = 7 (5+2), VIII = 8 (5+3) & XII = 12 (10+2), LXXX = 80 (50+30), DC = 600 (500+100), XXIII = 23 (20+3 or more simplified 10+10+1+1+1). So this year, 2024, would be written as MMXXIV. I hope that makes sense. 🙂

[@laurie66]

@@BeccaDowdaBriscoeMoorehe-gg4qvthat’s awesome, my Ingersoll ancestors came on the second.

[@nunyabiznez6381]

12 of my ancestors were buried there in 1620 and 1621. Fun fact, the oldest part of the cemetery is under a road. The first few graves didn't get stones and after a while nobody was exactly sure where they were buried. The road kept getting closer and closer to the cemetery until it ended up on top of the cemetery. Ground penetrating radar found bodies under the pavement about 20 years ago. Presumable some of them my ancestors.

[@kc8ueu]

In the beginning, especially after "the sickness" that took so many of the Mayflower passengers, the graves were not marked to protect the survivors from hostile Indians. The survivors were afraid that if the Indians knew how depleted the Pilgrim population was, they would attack.

[@TubeRadiosRule]

@@kc8ueu The Jamestown settlers nearly 2 decades earlier were told by the Virginia Company to hide their casualties for pretty much the same reason. Quite a few graves have been found within the perimeter of the original 1607 fort.

[@virginiastanley8178]

First burials were on Coles Hill ?

[@Kingspeakbackcountry]

Who were your ancestors?

[@kc8ueu]

@@Kingspeakbackcountry I have Alden, Mullins, Standish on my mother's side and Brewster on my father's. Possibly others that I can't remember right now.

[@shirkuh7125]

They have such a nice resting spot, hats off for the little fella at the end

[@NanaAmySpectreSeeker1111]

I live in , was born in, Plymouth. Related to 17 "Pilgrims"... It's said the original Pilgrims are buried in the hill on Water St. (Not Burial Hill) Markers long gone.

[@Gamble661]

My wife is from Plymouth, we live a few towns away now and spend a lot of time around the harbor, it's a beautiful spot. She went to high school with Bradford's and Allerton's and other direct descendants of the original Mayflower passengers. Many of the families live in a part of town called Chiltonville which is about a mile from the harbor. It has always struck me as a bit funny that their ancestors came all this way, thousands of miles from England to a new continent but then never made it more than a mile or so inland before they decided that was far enough.

[@bookwormsurfer]

We are Allertons descendents still here in Massachusetts!

[@NanaAmySpectreSeeker1111]

@@Gamble661 My family founded Ellisville, so I know that feeling. I was born in Plymouth, tried moving away, had to come home. When our families found their idea of perfection, it was far enough. The next generation is growing wonderfully. I have a Spirit Communication channel, through which Priscilla Alden has been contacted, when I said I'm a descendant living in then, 2023, she responded "Think on it!" ❤️

[@julievanderleest]

I just love history so much. I long to visit the east coast and just tour the historical locations up and down the east coast for as long as I desire. Your channel is very interesting and you have an amazing narrative voice too.

[@nunyabiznez6381]

You could spend the next thousand years doing that and not visit all of them. I recommend make a list of topics and people that interest you then look up where places related to them are and visit those first. New England also has a lot of little local history museums and tons of libraries with rare and often unique books and by unique I mean the author only made one copy and left it at the library. Plymouth is an amazing place from a historical standpoint. The two most famous things in Plymouth are fake. The ship is a reproduction and not an accurate one and the village is also a reproduction though somewhat more accurate. But you can learn a lot from visiting both. Pilgrim Hall is where all the real artifacts are. Plymouth Rock is 99% myth and 1% truth. The location is approximately where the Pilgrims first came aground but there is no way to know for sure which rock they stepped on first. The cemetery is probably one of the most interesting places and where you can make a real connection with the people. On any given day, half the people you see wandering the cemetery are the living descendants of the people buried there. Probably more than half and it is one of the least visited places there. Oh and if anyone tries to sell you an authentic antique that came over on the Mayflower, don't waist your money. It's either a fake or simply not from the Mayflower. I actually have something that came over on the Mayflower passed down in my family and I would never part with it. My ancestor's signature has been authenticated. Outside of Plymouth is the John Alden House in Duxbury which was built by the son of that famous pilgrim who was also named John Alden. There are dozens of houses in Plymouth built in the 17th century. Next to Plymouth, Boston would be the interesting historically. You can visit buildings that were visited and frequented by founding fathers including George Washington. The site of the Boston Massacre, Bunker Hill and the U.S.S. Constitution come to mind. The Constitution was built in 1797 and is the oldest continuously commissioned ship in the United States Navy. It is still in the Navy and the sailors on board are actual U.S. Navy sailors but wearing period uniforms. Only members of the crew of that ship are permitted to wear that particular uniform. The guns are still fully commissioned (last time I was there) and last I heard they could still fire them. Imagine being the captain of a Russian war ship entering Boston Harbor and encountering a 226 year old tall ship and taking a dozen abroad side cannonballs by surprise. Pretty sure they'd be surprised. Tons of other things to visit. But Boston is just dripping in history. Salem is another very interesting place. But the best place there is the Peabody & Essex Museum. They have had old tall ships there too but not sure about today. Mostly it's witch related tourist things but the Peabody & Essex Museums has an amazing collection of period artifacts mostly related to the China Trade. Rhode Island has a lot of interesting historical places as well. In fact all of New England does but I lived in Rhode Island for years so I am more familiar with their things. Edgar Allen Poe spent some time in Providence and left pieces of himself in various locations, metaphorically so to speak. There are three different cemeteries in Rhode Island where documented vampires are buried and possibly the inspiration of some of Bram Stoker's works. It is not unusual to wander out into any random forest in southern New England and stumble upon a random grave stone all by itself marking where some person was simply buried on the spot and then forgotten. I have found half a dozen such graves over the years. The oldest was from 1726 "HERE LIES THE MORTAL REMAINS OF JEDIDIAH WOODBRIDGE STRUCK DOWN ON THIS SPOT IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1726 AND DECLARED ""THIS SPOT WILL DO"" AND PROMPTLY DEPARTED." Presumably old Jedidiah's friends were not inclined to disagree. The closest sign of any humans is a 300 year old stone wall about a quarter mile away. Other than that nothing but undisturbed virgin woods.

[@markpalmer6760]

Just have to enjoy exploring old cemeteries, they are full of history, especially that one. Thanks for sharing.

[@schatzsucher]

Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching

[@elainebrown874]

Such great history. Thank you for sharing.

[@schatzsucher]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@yeahletsunpackthat]

This is way cool!! Thank you for sharing!

[@schatzsucher]

Glad you liked it!

[@rodolfoayalajr.8589]

Beautiful old will kept cemetery. Thank you for sharing friend. All rip Amen 🙏.

[@gothicshadowstgg]

I really enjoyed this video, thanks so much.

[@schatzsucher]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@victorcontreras9138]

The great video that I hoped someone would film! I heard of this cemetery from a commenter and wanted to know more since many Pilgrims are buried there.👍👍👍

[@robertajeanaldrich7281]

I enjoyed this very much. I am a descendant of William Bradford , and 5 others off the Mayflower too. Bradford, Priest, Eaton, Hopkins, Steele, Smith. many that were buried near by, aldrich.

[@elim7124]

What a great tour especially of my hometown that I have not visited.

[@schatzsucher]

I always love visiting Plymouth, lots of history and great Dentist too :)

[@bookwormsurfer]

So many of my Mayflower kin here. Visited them today.

[@John-rz4cu]

My 11th great grandfather John E. Prentice Turner was a Mayflower passenger. Died in early 1621, the winter of starvation. Doubt that he would be buried here. If so, there would be no marker.

[@templeviewgate]

Immaculately preserved headstones is worth appreciating ...old as much as 1771 if a tombstome mentions what feeling one would have to stand and figure out what he is seeing in 2023. Times than those days and present and as living person knowing that every one has destiny ...looking at these passed away souls can imagine what must be the feeling.

[@cyndij.5382]

William Bradford is my 1st cousin twelve times removed. And Isaac Allerton was my 10 Great Grandfather. In all I had 12 relatives on the Mayflower!

[@schatzsucher]

Oh wow!

[@paulettemayo8272]

My relatives are buried in the Howes family cemetery in Dennis/ Barnstable, Massachusetts. Thomas and his wife( maiden name Burr)

[@80aj]

Thomas Cushman, Son of Robert, Died 10, December, 1691, Aged Nearly 84 years, For more than 42 years he was RULING ELDER Of the first church in Plymouth, By whom a table was placed, to mark his grave, on this spot, Now consecrated a new by a more enduring memrial. MARY Widow of Elder Cushman and Daughter of Isaac Allerton, Died, 28, November, 1699, aged about 90 years, The last survivor of the first comers in the Mayflower.

[@virginiastanley8178]

A later monument by descendants.

[@ccrum1127]

Isaac Allerton was my 13th GGF, Mary his daughter was my !3th Half Great Aunt..as Allerton had 3 wives…I am related to Fear Brewster who is my 13th GGM…his 2nd wife…

[@robertreisner6119]

I found your video interesting and gave you a like and subscribed.

[@schatzsucher]

Awesome, thank you!

[@johnzangari3432]

Thomas Cushman Dec10, 1691. A plaque on the church below says something like: on this site is the oldest continus congregation in America. The fort was where they first held church service. I'm assuming "site" in this case includes the cemetary and hill as well.

[@92Begbie]

As a Bradford descendant, I would contribute that Major William Bradford was the son of the original governor, also named William Bradford. Major Bradford was a participant in “King Philip’s War” in 1675-76 where the relations between the English and local sachems went sour.

[@tlcooper2.0]

My 10th GGF.

[@92Begbie]

@@tlcooper2.0 Hi Cousin You are also a distant cousin of Clint Eastwood

[@thexalon]

I'm another Bradford descendant. Hi, very distant cousins!

[@JonathanGalvan-ff8se]

It’s so interesting about how cool our people were born here and buried here what I’m actually Mexican but still very interesting to see how people from long time memories are still around

[@annelefevre9457]

It makes very much sense. Jerusha was a popular name in those days. He was married to two women whose name was Jersusha.

[@schatzsucher]

Apparently it was, one of his daughters was named Jerusha as well. I think that would be weird to have 2 wives and a daughter with the same name.

[@annelefevre9457]

@@schatzsucher yes real weird…..especially for now-a-days. But in those days people died so young. In family histories if a child died, the next one born was often named the same name. But it is interesting . I enjoyed your video of the Mayflower cometary.

[@robertajeanaldrich7281]

I have a ancester in the 1700s in that area that had that name also

[@willowlily165]

The name is pronounced "Ig-nay-shus" (Ignatius). I enjoyed the video. Thank you very much

[@schatzsucher]

Oh thank you!

[@MarlinWilliams-ts5ul]

That's where it all started. Well, there and in Jamestown.

[@joanpellillo2981]

Picture Going on a Burial tour through the town and ending in the Cemetary - walking with a 1600 year old lantern. It was very cool...

[@scubaseppy]

The dead mouse probably rode over on the May Flower as well.

[@MarlinWilliams-ts5ul]

My great grandfather had a dairy farm in Plymouth. But he was from the Azores.

[@1Hopeinhim]

Would a flashlight help illuminate some of the headstones?

[@marielailer4237]

No, but using a mirror to deflect sunlight on to the stone will make them more readible

[@meowsthree]

It certainly would! The light creates shadows that bring out the letters.

[@Quantrills.Raiders]

i have ancestors that came over in 1630 and helped form the massachusetts bay colony, still havent been over to see their graves yet but i want to

[@aracoixo3288]

🎧

[@marielailer4237]

Many of these stones have been cleaned, and keep the readible. I take a picture, dampen stone with water, spray D2. Repeat each stone. 1 month later come back and see the results. These cemeteries do require maintenance. Groups receive grant to have stones repaired. Most places use carbon rods to secure to to bottom. Some of those show early attempt to repair. Definitely clean, but have skilled stone mason in to do this work.

[@gordonvincent731]

I'm supposed to be related to Degory Priest. He was my 12th great-grandfather, a Lieden separatist. It's my understanding that his marker is long gone and no way off knowing where he is buried.

[@robertminicksr3450]

Thank you .MyGreat Grandfather William Brewster.

[@tbolt2948]

I have Plymouth settler Ancestors who are buried there. I live in Hannibal Missouri. The other America's Hometown.

[@richblake3491]

If you’re ever in Wellfleet take a look at Moses full grave stone in duck creek cemetery it’s strange in some ways

[@schatzsucher]

Will do! Duck Creek is on my list of upcoming videos. Hopefully this spring I will go there it’s freezing here right now. I sell at the wellfleet flea market sometimes. I love it out there!

[@user-gx1fy5uq9c]

GOD BLESS THEIR SOULS

[@schatzsucher]

Help Support My Channel! Visit My Personal Amazon Store: www.amazon.com/shop/schatzsucher Books Gifts Movies T-shirts Metal Detectors Hobbies Science (I earn commission on each sale)

[@rev.stephena.cakouros948]

Is there a burial site for Bradford's first wife who died on reaching America?

[@Mylife19792]

My 12th generation grandfather is buried there. Edward Doty.

[@DriveswithJillie]

So much history www.youtube.com/@DriveswithJillie

[@virginiastanley8178]

The oldest graves at Plymouth were on Coles hill. The bones were uncovered in later years and are now in the memorial sarcophagus there. Most pilgrims moved out of Plymouth to other new towns. The earliest marked grave on Burial Hill is 1683. Edward Gray. The earliest gravestone in New England is in Boston. 1653? I think. It was found reused in a later building. Gravestones were not common until later on. Wooden markers or rails around the grave were used. Sometime fieldstones. None of my 5 Pilgrim ancestors has a marked grave.

[@momplusfive]

With 3D printers why aren't they recreating and replacing those and put the old one in historical archives?

[@Kingspeakbackcountry]

My ancestors: William and Mary Brewster

[@m.asquino7403]

How about the old burial grounds around se Massachusetts!

[@meowsthree]

We have SO many in New England.

[@chrystalc]

The one that’s got the wooden sign next to it must be the original grave marker

[@dianefiske-foy4717]

The two Samuel Talbot and two Jerusha Talbot stones are probably father and son with their wives, both named Jerusha.

[@indiana-florida2479]

They should put those stones under a giant housing/museum and under glass. To preserve them forever. Out of the elements.

[@hettro-cv6082]

That roman numeral date is1691. Age 84. Interesting video!

[@lindawoody8501]

Simple - Samuel Talbot married two ladies who had the same first name. Commonly the married ladies' graves were inscribed with surname of their husband but not always. Also some had the term consort which was like saying "Wife of".

[@EarlyMusicDiva]

Yes. Also, some have the term "relict of", which means "widow of".

[@leatonyaking1]

Skull ☠️ and bones 😮

[@JosefGerhard-jx3y]

Recently discovered I am a descendant of George Soule on my Grandmother’s side.

[@abayless3816]

William & Mary Brewster are my ancestors.

[@micjam1986]

Hello cousin😊

[@Deidra74]

William Brewster is my 11th great grandfather and I’m also a descendant of Issac Allerton and the priest family.

[@caitlynmayrandcaitlynmayra5596]

Have you been to Salem Mas ?

[@schatzsucher]

I was just there but didn't make a video, it was freezing cold. I will do so in the spring though :)

[@d.l.l.6578]

Please don’t blip between pictures. This is impossible to watch. Transition smoothly. Thank you.

[@darnesss7777]

Did you see John Carver grave site there

[@schatzsucher]

I believe I remeber seeing the Carver name but I can't remember. I will make sure to add it to my next video if I find any. Thanks for watching :)

[@NanaAmySpectreSeeker1111]

Have you been to the Howland House? I'm a descendant, soon to be exploring with a GoPro too!

[@NanaAmySpectreSeeker1111]

Went to the Howland House, their little Spirit Bethiah, came through my Spirit Box as "Beth" ❤️

[@jefferyparris1999]

Very few dates from the 1600's are covered.

[@maryfrump7937]

Isaac Drewe my family!

[@OvertheGarage-wv1wn]

They didn't have modern medicine, but they also didn't have processed foods.

[@ihave35cents95]

Most of those guys on the ships died from the soldered food cans with lead.

[@HBC423]

It’s weird we learned so much about the English settlers in school, but there were already European cities in America way before them

[@brendanokeefemusic-]

Not any that lasted

[@robertallmark248]

Not to keen on the english are you

[@GwenGoodrich-wf5oj]

The Roman Numeral stands for 42. So Thomas Cusman was 42 years old at the time of his death. As for Mary she either died on the 28th of November or she was 28 years old.

[@schatzsucher]

Thank you!

[@MAMUNKHA67]

From Bangladesh 🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩

[@dogyerf21]

My great grandmother in laws cousin

[@BonitaHighley-el4ed]

Brewster is my family ancestor

[@kathleengarvey4634]

Ig-nay- shush is how it's pronounced. Ignatius is one of those old names no longer favored. Rather like those Puritan favorites, I called" morality names" like Prudence, or Makepeace, meant to be direction to the child's life. You can find some real oddities in old records.

[@TubeRadiosRule]

One of my 11x great-grandfathers was a Puritan, Dr. Comfort Starr, who was one of the founders of Harvard College. He had a son and grandson who were both ALSO named "Comfort". The grandson bought a house in Guilford, CT, which was built in 1695 and is STILL being used as a home to this day. Supposedly it's the oldest frame-built house in the USA that is still being lived in.

[@Miapetdragon69]

My 13 or 14th great-grandfather was William Billington.. please don't hold that against me😂

[@SOMBREROSUE11562]

Jerusha Talbot: Mr Talbot married the 1st Jerusha and when she passed he then married another wops enojyed this very much.

[@kevinhixson3157]

Priscilla Mullins is my great x 5 or 6 Grandmother.

[@shawnstephens1251]

The Roman Numerals are 1741 and the second one 1699.

[@mikemyers3382]

Thomas Cushman died in 1691.

[@alneal100]

1691 in Roman numerals.

[@darsco2290]

"The first English settlers, know as the Pilgrims", Wrong- Roanoak island NC Was first, Jamestown Virginia was the first surviving English settlement.

[@jucadvgv3449]

the stones (wives' names) you had such a problem with is really quite simple. when my parents divorced my father turned around and married a women wuth the same name as my mother. we laughed and claimed that he did it that way so he wouldn't make a mistake in a moment of passion. in the case of your tombstones, though, it's pretty obvious that the guy married another woman of the same name after his 1st wife died.

[@robertclary1718]

The pilgrams were NOT the first English settlers.

[@rossrossa7596]

im a great descendent of Edward Winslow through my Dads side of my family tree(his mother born Christina Winslow!)...fun fact!!

[@broadband01]

all real british names :O)

[@maryfrump7937]

George Morton? Patience Faunce?

[@sandymiller1907]

My relatives as well.

[@maryfrump7937]

​@@sandymiller1907Hello Cousin

[@sandymiller1907]

Hello!

[@sandymiller1907]

My GMA was Dorothy Morton.

[@kjeans]

They were probably twins and one went by middle name. When one sister died the twin sister married the husband. It was common back then.

[@thurstn967]

The real problems for American society, especially for younger generations, the educators at many education institutions grossly neglected to carry on national histories moments- should be reminding how, when and where American became today. All and all, once could see on social media or tele-broadcasting are about advertising, promotions, endless spending on campaigns to destroying each other’s party. Everyone should love the country, dedicating to national security and interests, not the party that going for sabotaging other party which hurting the nation as whole.

[@user-oc1bq2mf3q]

I’m descendant of the Fullers

[@bridgetsummerfield9283]

Same!

[@edracette5644]

oh wow, the 1st settlers, colonized occupied land, rip

[@azariahisrael5632]

You must be a millenial wussy.

[@claudiaclaudia936]

STOLEN LAND = CURSED

[@markherron1407]

The REAL Mayflower Pilgrims ARE BLACK 🖤 Blessings and Hugs 💖💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕!

[@hsmd4533]

No, they’re not.

[@MichaelMike-ob2gb]

If they had been this country would be in worse shape, faster then has happened. You have been blessed by dilusion.

[@anntrope491]

THIS LAND IS OUR LAND...THIS LAND'S NOT EUROPEAN LAND, NOT ASIAN LAND, NOT MIDDLE EASTERN LAND, NOT AFRICAN LAND. ..THIS IS NATIVE AMERICAN LAND !!!

[@MichaelMike-ob2gb]

*WAS your land. Your kind had it awhile but lost it do to fate. You should try to have better character and alittle more maturity by realizing this and making the best of it, however life is easier as a perpetual victim.

[@theaccidentalsenior]

I guess I should go to Europe and try to reclaim my ancestral land. Wait, it was Poland, then Ukrainian, then Russian, and at one time the Holy Roman Empire. Where do I start,or end? I guess my point is societies evolve.

[@junglesuperstar9270]

@@theaccidentalseniorwhich was that I wonder ?

[@Tom-tk3du]

No. All peoples in the Americas originally came from somewhere else. We don’t really own the land, we just use it for awhile during our lifetime. There was plenty of land for everyone when the Pilgrims arrived. Share and share alike.

[@WinstonSmithGPT]

😂😂😂😂😂 lol. Get a job.

[@thegreenbaron6439]

My Mayflower ancestor was Dregory Priest