Burial-grounds. 377 



called by James S. Lewis, Esq., Justice of the Peace, and interest 

 was again revived in this ancient burial-ground. 



The present " Liberty Plain Cemetery Association " was incor- 

 porated in 1866 ; since when there has been a steady and con- 

 tinued improvement each year in and around the cemetery. 

 Additional land has been obtained and tastefully laid out in 

 lots ; driveways and walks have been constructed, and the old 

 burying-place has put on a more cheerful and modern aspect. 

 The officers of the association are Seth Sprague, President and 

 Treasurer, and John C. Gardner, Secretary. 



A few of the earlier residents of this village had, as was cus- 

 tomary in olden times, private tombs on their own premises ; but 

 there were none of earlier origin than the burying-ground. These 

 have all been removed, and the remains which they contained 

 were placed in the Liberty Plain and High Street cemeteries. 



THE BIER AND HEARSE. 



Prior to the year 1824, the dead were carried to the grave upon 

 a bier, the handles of which were placed on the shoulders of 

 the friends or neighbors who had been selected as " under- 

 bearers." Where the distance was great, two and sometimes 

 three sets of " bearers " officiated by turns for the purpose of 

 relieving those who first started with the body. Many of our 

 elderly people remember this method of burial. 



Another singular feature in connection with the old-time in- 

 terments, as viewed from our modern standpoint, is, that up 

 to the present century it was customary to distribute gifts 

 among the relatives or near friends of the deceased at funerals, 

 such as handkerchiefs, gloves, neckwear, and even ornamental 

 trinkets ; also refreshments, including a bountiful supply of 

 liquors, the latter being freely furnished to all who entered the 

 house of mourning. 



Before the Revolution the price of a coffin lined with cambric 

 and cotton, and having one stationary square of glass at the top, 

 was from 8 to 9 shillings. A winding sheet cost about 3s. or 

 3s. and \d. For tolling the bell, including a passing bell, two 

 shillings ; and for digging a grave, four shillings was the current 

 price. 



A hearse was first used in Hingham at the burial of Miss 

 Martha Thaxter, who died the 6th of Sept. 1824. She was to 

 have been buried the 8th, but, owing to a slight disagreement 

 upon some minor point between the " bearers " and others, the 

 interment did not take place until the 9th, when a hearse was 

 borrowed for the occasion from Weymouth. Shortly after, a 

 meeting of the citizens residing within the limits of the North 

 Parish was held (Sept. 11 and 15) at the north male school- 



