The following work presents the results of a research of grave stones in the Hancock Cemetery at Quincy, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. The city of Quincy is already known for its historical backgrounds especially since it was the birth place of two former Presidents, John Adams and John Quincy Adams. Not only is Quincy their birth place but it is also where they were put to rest. A nickname for the city of Quincy is “The city of President”. The cemetery was incorporated in 1640 and was the only burial place until 1716 when additional cemeteries were added. The Hancock Cemetery then became the designated cemetery for the North Precinct of Braintree and the Town of Quincy. Around 1844 more land was purchased allowing more burial ground for the Hancock Cemetery. This cemetery was Quincy’s main cemetery until 1854, when they opened the Mount Wollaston Cemetery (Interment).
The main subject of this work is the examination of the grave stones concerning their motifs and stone types.
Table of Contents
1. Site Selection and Historical Context
2. Field Data Collection Methodology
3. Hypothesis and Motif Analysis
4. Material Durability and Environmental Factors
5. Evolutionary Trends in Cemetery Design
6. Conclusion and Summary of Findings
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary research objective is to analyze the correlation between cemetery headstone characteristics—specifically motifs, material composition, and size—and social status or historical trends within the Hancock Cemetery in Quincy, Massachusetts.
- Historical evolution of burial site designs from the 17th century onwards.
- The relationship between headstone material (granite vs. slate) and long-term condition.
- Social implications of headstone sizing for children compared to adults.
- Analysis of iconography shifts, specifically the transition from cherubs to urn-and-willow motifs.
- Validation of archaeological theories regarding the Great Awakening's influence on funerary art.
Excerpt from the Book
Time in the Cemetery
For this assignment I chose to conduct it at the Hancock Cemetery at Quincy, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. This was perfect place to do my experiment because it was built before the 1800s. The city of Quincy is already known for its historical backgrounds especially since it was the birth place of two former Presidents, John Adams and John Quincy Adams. Not only is Quincy there birth place but it is also where they were put to rest. A nickname for the city of Quincy is “The city of President”. The cemetery was named after Rev. John Hancock, a minister of the United First Parish Church and father of John Hancock, one of the founding fathers of this country. The cemetery was incorporated in 1640 and was the only burial place until 1716 when additional cemeteries were added. The Hancock Cemetery then became the designated cemetery for the North Precinct of Braintree and the Town of Quincy.
Summary of Chapters
1. Site Selection and Historical Context: This section provides an overview of the Hancock Cemetery's history, its establishment in 1640, and its significance in relation to historical figures in Quincy.
2. Field Data Collection Methodology: Describes the systematic approach used to gather data, focusing on row-by-row analysis and the selection criteria for legible headstones.
3. Hypothesis and Motif Analysis: Examines the initial hypothesis regarding the importance of children in society based on iconography and tests this against collected data samples.
4. Material Durability and Environmental Factors: Discusses the observation that granite demonstrates superior durability compared to slate when exposed to environmental wear and tear.
5. Evolutionary Trends in Cemetery Design: Explores the shift from cherub motifs to urn-and-willow patterns in relation to the religious changes observed during the Great Awakening.
6. Conclusion and Summary of Findings: Synthesizes the final observations regarding the consistency of stone shapes, the impact of material on condition, and the overall social significance of headstone design.
Keywords
Hancock Cemetery, Quincy, Headstone Motifs, Cherub, Urn and Willow, Granite, Slate, Burial Archaeology, Social Status, Great Awakening, Funerary Art, Historical Demographics, Preservation, Cultural History, Cemetery Data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this study?
The study focuses on the archaeological analysis of headstones within the Hancock Cemetery to understand historical trends in funerary art and their social implications.
What are the primary thematic fields examined?
The fields include physical durability of materials, iconographic transitions in religious art, and the social representation of children through funerary monuments.
What is the central research goal?
The goal is to determine if historical changes in headstone design and the selection of materials reflect broader societal changes or specific cultural attitudes toward the deceased.
Which scientific methodology was utilized?
The author utilized an empirical field survey method, collecting data directly from the cemetery site and performing a comparative analysis against established archaeological theories.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers site history, the correlation between material and condition, the influence of the Great Awakening on design types, and the sizing of monuments as a metric for social importance.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include Cemetery Data, Iconography, Burial Archaeology, Material Durability, and Historical Demographics.
What was the observation regarding granite versus slate?
The author observed that granite is significantly more durable and less prone to environmental damage compared to slate, which tends to weather and crack more easily over time.
How does the Great Awakening relate to the findings?
The author identifies a shift in motifs—moving from cherubs to urn-and-willow designs—following the Great Awakening, which matches theoretical expectations regarding a shift in religious views.
Was the initial hypothesis regarding children's headstones supported?
No, the hypothesis that children were considered "less important" due to a lack of motifs was disproven, as the data showed most children's headstones did feature specific designs.
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- Kenny Chan (Autor:in), 2010, Time in the cemetery. An examination of gravestones at the Hancock Cemetery at Quincy, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/276725
