Lowell Cemetery

Lowell Cemetery Official page of the Proprietors of the Lowell Cemetery. A Garden Style Cemetery listed on the Natio

The Lowell Cemetery Trustees and Staff acknowledge Flag Day, first proposed in 1861 to rally support for the Union side ...
06/14/2026

The Lowell Cemetery Trustees and Staff acknowledge Flag Day, first proposed in 1861 to rally support for the Union side of the American Civil War. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation that designated June 14 as Flag Day.

Tappan Wentworth died on this day in 1875. He was born in Dover, NH, in 1802 and was admitted to the bar in 1826. He mo...
06/12/2026

Tappan Wentworth died on this day in 1875. He was born in Dover, NH, in 1802 and was admitted to the bar in 1826. He moved to Lowell in 1833 and began a law practice. He was a member of the committee that drafted the Lowell City Charter, and was a member of the City Aldermen from 1836 to 1841. He served for many years in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and then in the State Senate.

On April 16, 1861, “The Lowell Weekly Journal” reported that members of the Sixth Regiment and their families and friends gathered at Huntington Hall in downtown Lowell, MA, before the troops left for Boston to join the Civil War. The paper included the following remarks made by Hon. Wentworth: “(I) witnessed a scene somewhat similar to this in the war of 1812, but (I) never expected to live to see the soldiery called upon to protect their country from internal foes. You live under a free government and he would call upon them to protect it. Remember that the flag of your country was first unfurled in this county, and, protect it. When you return you will be received with honors such as you may deserve.”

His portrait, by Lowell artist Thomas Bayley Lawson, is in the Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth University. Tappan, wife Anne, and their young son are buried on Lincoln Ave. Source for quote: www.actonmemoriallibrary.org/civilwar/

Happy birthday to Zilpah M. Wiggin Wright who was born on June 8, 1861. The family grave is on Washington Ave. She was n...
06/10/2026

Happy birthday to Zilpah M. Wiggin Wright who was born on June 8, 1861. The family grave is on Washington Ave. She was named for her mother, who is also buried here. According to some, the 1880s were the most popular times for the name Zilpah. Our Zilpah and her mother were ahead of the trend.

Adelaide Oleva Baker Cheney died on June 7, 1900. She is buried with her husband, John, on Geranium Path. The striking o...
06/08/2026

Adelaide Oleva Baker Cheney died on June 7, 1900. She is buried with her husband, John, on Geranium Path. The striking obelisk that marks their gravesite is topped by a draped urn. In the mid-19th century, the idea of draping, originally associated with parlor room visits, began to extend to the craftsmanship of stone monuments. The carved urn and drapery serve as a lasting sign of mourning and grief, similar to the physical draperies left to embellish the parlor room after the casket was removed.

Walter Henry Howe was born in Lowell, MA, on this day in 1864. He attended the Edson Grammar School and Lowell High Scho...
06/06/2026

Walter Henry Howe was born in Lowell, MA, on this day in 1864. He attended the Edson Grammar School and Lowell High School and graduated from Harvard University in 1886. After graduation, he worked for his father’s lumber business, Howe Brothers & Company. Later in life, he was director of the Lowell Hosiery Co., a Director of the Traders’ and Mechanics’ Insurance Co., a Trustee of the Merrimack River Savings Bank, and a Director of Wamesit Bank. He was a member of the Vesper Country Club, the Longmeadow Golf Club, and the Yorick Club. Walter died on April 15, 1924, in Aiken County, SC, where he lived during the winter and spring. He is buried in the Howe family lot on Franklin Ave. Sources: Coburn, Frederick W. “History of Lowell and Its People.” Vol. III, p. 277. New York: Lewis Historical Pub. Co., 1920; and “The Boston Globe,” April 17, 1924.

William Leeds North was born in Orrington, CT, on November 3, 1821. He came to Lowell, MA, in 1834 and served as Oversee...
06/05/2026

William Leeds North was born in Orrington, CT, on November 3, 1821. He came to Lowell, MA, in 1834 and served as Overseer of Dyeing at the Middlesex Manufacturing Co. North served on the Board of Alderman, the School Committee, and in the Massachusetts State Legislature. He died on this day in 1882 and is buried with his wife Jeanette and their daughter Laura on Clematis Path.

Last year, thanks to the efforts of anonymous donors, the Lowell Cemetery welcomed the installation of a headstone for L...
06/04/2026

Last year, thanks to the efforts of anonymous donors, the Lowell Cemetery welcomed the installation of a headstone for Lowell artist Thomas Bayley Lawson, who died on this day in 1888. Lawson was born in Newburyport, MA, on January 13,1807. In 1830, he studied at the National Academy of Design in New York City and then went on to Philadelphia to continue his studies. In 1842, Lawson moved his family to Lowell, MA, where he became one of the sought-after portrait painters in the city. He painted many of Lowell’s prominent residents, including John Avery, George Brownell, Jane A Lock, Judge John Look, Rev. Henry Miles, and John Nesmith. In 1844, he was commissioned to travel to Washington, D.C. and paint a portrait of Daniel Webster who was acting Secretary of State at the time.

In 1878, Lawson was instrumental in creating the Lowell Art Association, as founder and first president. The organization is responsible for the preservation of the birthplace of James McNeill Whistler and the creation of the Whistler House Museum of Art.

Lawson’s son Lawrence was buried on Watson Path in 1871, but as the donors heard on a tour given by Lowell Cemetery Trustee Richard Howe, there was no monument for Thomas B. Lawson. The situation was remedied last year with a headstone dedicated to this significant cultural figure. In addition to portraits, Thomas is known for his paintings of “hanging grapes.” Come take a look and note that decorative grapes and leaves bracket the artist’s name and dates. Photos of paintings courtesy of The Whistler House Museum of Art.

The Solon Perkins monument is on Verbena Path. He was born in Lancaster, NH, on December 6, 1836. His family moved to Lo...
06/03/2026

The Solon Perkins monument is on Verbena Path. He was born in Lancaster, NH, on December 6, 1836. His family moved to Lowell, MA, in 1840. Solon graduated from Lowell High School and immediately was engaged in international business, working for several years in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and for several more in Valparaiso, Mexico. During that time, he became fluent in both Spanish and French, skills that became invaluable during his military service in Louisiana. (Source: https://richardhowe.com/2014/01/18/solon-perkins-1836-1863/) He enlisted as a first lieutenant in the Union Army on December 6, 1861, his 25th birthday. Two years later, he died on this day in 1863 in Clinton, LA, from wounds sustained in battle near Port Hudson.

This is the inscription on his monument: “Son of Apollos and Wealthy Perkins. He was killed in battle near Port Hudson. A dutiful son and affectionate brother. Well he performed his duty in life, and died bravely in the defence (sic) of his country and of liberty.” In one of his letters to his Lowell family, he wrote: “I often think it more blessed to die on the battlefield for one’s country, than to live long years in civil life.”

Many in the city feel that there is always a Lowell connection, no matter where you go. Here is an example: Solon Perkins is a direct relative of the actor Anthony Perkins (1932-1992) famous for his role in “Psycho.” Source: https://richardhowe.com/2023/05/12/lowell-cemetery-veterans-tour/

Charles Henry Coburn was born in Lowell, MA, on March 12, 1839. He was a 23-year-old merchant when he enlisted as a Priv...
06/01/2026

Charles Henry Coburn was born in Lowell, MA, on March 12, 1839. He was a 23-year-old merchant when he enlisted as a Private in the Union Army on August 20, 1862. One month later he mustered in Field & Staff MA 6th Infantry. He was promoted to Quartermaster on January 29, 1863, and First Lieutenant on December 4, 1863. The first photo shows officers of the 6th MA Infantry from this time period. The portrait of an older Charles is from the Boston Public Library Collection. Charles died on June 3, 1909 and is buried with his wife Mary on Wisteria Path. Source of Civil War photo: https://www.ebay.com/itm/317725427165

Happy Birthday to John Call Dalton, born on this day in 1795. A graduate of Harvard College, he attended medical program...
05/31/2026

Happy Birthday to John Call Dalton, born on this day in 1795. A graduate of Harvard College, he attended medical programs in Boston, MA, and Philadelphia, PA, and started his practice in Chelmsford, MA. In 1831, he opened his medical office in Lowell, MA, and served the community as a physician and surgeon for almost 30 years. Dr. Dalton was a Trustee of the Lowell Cemetery from 1841 to 1842. He died on January 8, 1864, at his home on Boylston St., Boston, MA, and his body was taken to Lowell, MA, for burial on Narcissus Path at the Lowell Cemetery.

At a meeting of the Railroad Bank in Lowell, MA, on January 10, 1864, those in attendance “resolved that our feelings demand some public expression of the high appreciation of his (Dr. Dalton’s) noble character… Resolved, That we will assemble at the railway station to meet his remains, and unobtrusively follow the to the (Lowell) Cemetery… Voted to meet at the passenger depot, Merrimac (sic) Street, at 1 ¼ o’clock P.M. and join the funeral procession to the Cemetery.” Source: “Boston Evening Transcript,” January 12, 1864

Address

77 Knapp Avenue
Lowell, MA
01852

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 4pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 4pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 4pm
Thursday 7:30am - 4pm
Friday 7:30am - 4pm
Saturday 7:30am - 4pm
Sunday 7:30am - 4pm

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