Newell Burying Ground
1502 West Street
South Attleboro, MA 02703

The first burying ground in town, where the first settlers are buried, is the "Old North Burying Ground" or "Hatch's Burying Ground" located at the northern end of North Attleboro across from the Historical Society's little red schoolhouse. This was the result of an accident. Nathaniel Woodcock was slain here during King Phillip's War and was buried on the spot where he fell. This parcel was set aside by his father, John Woodcock, for his family and his neighbors. No stones or mounds were raised at first to keep the number of deaths from the Indians. As the settlement increased ( and the enemy became less) it took on the appearance of a cemetery. The next burying ground to be laid out was the one in South Attleboro, then known as "the City". It originally consisted of about two acres given to the town for the purpose on July 21, 1715 by the North Purchase. According to the cemetery records, one of the earliest stones is plainly cut with the initials 'I. G.' and dated 1712. The choice of the site was natural, being central and rising ground, and here all the inhabitants of the west and south parish were buried. In 1854 the Probate Court of Bristol County ordered the proprietors to assemble and see what action should be taken in regards to the bequest of Jabez Newell. On October 7, 1854, Lemuel, May and A. H. Robinson voted to accept the bequest which then amounted to $2,100.00. In honor of the liberal spirit that actuated Jabez Newell, the old ground was named the Newell Burying Ground in his honor. Milton Barrows was elected Treasurer and well fulfilled his duties of the office until 1860 when he was succeeded by Asabel H. Robinson. The section on which the tomb was erected in 1828 by fifteen subscribers was purchased off Samuel Tingley on April 22, 1869. On July 23, 1891, more land was purchased from James Orr, so that the cemetery now comprises about ten acres of land, and contains the remains of about 40 Revolutionary and 30 Grand Army soldiers. The highest area has the oldest remains. Among the remains are First Congregational Minister and Pastor Rev. Habijah Weld, his wife, various family members, Rev. John Wilder and his family, as well as Rev. John Whitehill and some members of his family. Here is a quiet, restful spot where the past and the present merge together as a sacred place. Many times visitors to the area who are seeking historical information about their past visit the Newell Burying Ground and wander amongst the stones. Much of this information was taken from Daggett's History as well as a sheet published by the Directors of the Burying Ground.