the district having voted "to set up a hearse for the convenience of funerals." It was built in town by Ebenezer Smith at an expense of one hundred dollars.

A hearse-house was built, which was not satisfactory in its location; and in 1828 John Williams received permission to remove it under the direction of the selectmen. The cemetery having been recently enlarged by the addition of nearly one acre and a half of land, the hearse-house was probably at that time placed in its present position.

There was probably no sexton in the early time. The grave-digging was done by the family. John Williams. was the first sexton of whom we have any record.

In 1800 it was voted to procure a "new buryingcloth," and that "the stone wall on three sides of the cemetery be taken down and rebuilt."

The enlargement of the cemetery in 1826 was made wholly on the south side. The land was given by the Rev. Dr. Sanger on condition "that it be enclosed with a suitable stone wall," which was estimated to cost twenty-five dollars and fifty cents. Granite posts were erected in 1826, and gates were furnished a little later. The public burial-ground was again a question for consideration in 1843, and it was voted "that citizens have the privilege of taking up lots in the burying-ground not to exceed twenty feet square." Since that time lots have been of an established size and taken by deed. At the same meeting it was further voted to lay out paths and set out trees. Elijah Perry, Calvin Richards, and Luther Eastman were appointed a committee "to beautify and improve the burial-grounds." The stately row of pine-trees in front of the cemetery was set out

at that time, together with other trees bordering on the paths and lots.

This was the beginning of a new era in the care of "God's acre," which hitherto had been allowed to grow up to weeds and grass and brush.

Tombs were erected previous to 1825, the first tomb having been built by Seth Wight.

With the appearance of a bell in the second meetinghouse in 1811, the custom obtained for more than a half century of announcing deaths by the tolling of the bell. The age of the deceased was numbered by the strokes of the bell. Originally the bell was tolled on the occasion of the death of all residents; but after the organization of other churches it was confined to the First Parish, and the practice was altogether given up about 1875.

A committee chosen in November, 1841, "to inspect the burying-ground and devise a plan for its improvement," made various recommendations, which were a little later carried out in building a face wall ten feet nearer the street in front, in constructing a circular road and walks ten feet wide from gate to gate. The grounds were laid out in lots of uniform size, not exceeding twenty feet by twenty, and a record of all sales kept by the sexton. The citizens were invited by the committee to buy lots, make paths, and set trees. A cemetery committee was chosen, and it was made their duty to make an annual report to the town. Elijah Perry was chosen sexton.

An appropriation was made in 1843 to meet the expense of improvements to the extent of one hundred and five dollars and seventeen cents. The com

mittee staked out fifty-eight lots sixteen feet by sixteen, with alleys four feet by two. The circular road was completed in 1845, and new gates put up. At the March meeting in 1846 the cemetery committee reported that they had contracted for a hearse — “similar to the new one in East Needham, except that it be four inches longer"— at an expense of one hundred dollars. In 1847 the cemetery committee caused the old part of the grounds to be dug over, brush and roots removed, and to be seeded down to grass. April 24, 1854, the town instructed the selectmen to procure trees and to set them out in the cemetery.

The spirit of improvement and the tender care of the dead was again manifested in 1864, when the town voted to enlarge and improve the cemetery. An appropriation of four hundred dollars was made; and a committee consisting of Calvin Richards, George E. Chickering, and Hiram Jones was chosen to carry out the wishes of the town. Mr. Richards retired from the committee, and Aaron Bacon was added. The work was taken up in a systematic way, a survey made of the land, appropriate lots laid out, with drives, avenues, and walks. In completing their work the committee made some excellent recommendations to the town to ensure the further improvement of the cemetery by authorizing the cemetery committee to expend each year all moneys received from the sale of lots; and, if this sum was not sufficient to keep the cemetery in good condition, they were authorized to expend an amount not exceeding twenty dollars. They further recommended that all purchasers of lots should put them in a condition satisfactory to the committee within six months or forfeit

all title to the same. A purchase has been made of additional land consisting of two and a half acres, which has not yet been taken into the enclosure. In 1891 an appropriation was made for a new face wall, which was set up during the following year. It is built of Milford granite, and is a fine specimen of substantial masonry.

This old cemetery has passed through all stages in the evolution of funeral customs and feelings in regard to the last resting-place of the dead. At first burials were doubtless made without funerals, as was the early habit of the people; but, as the custom grew of having public funerals, they became universal and were largely attended. The old custom of furnishing gloves at funerals is illustrated by the following entry made by the Rev. Mr. Townsend, the first minister of Needham, on the margin of his almanac:-"April 30, 1750.Mr. Tim. Newell had of me for ye funeral of Benj. Ellis, Jr., of (Springfield) 8 prs. of gloves — one pair returned May 10." The evolution in gravestones and in inscriptions is well illustrated in this burial-place. At first common field-stones were set up with the simplest inscription. Later stones were embellished with the heads of cherubs. These home-made stones "in their rude simplicity are very eloquent, since you can but picture to yourself the survivor in a solitary home, working slowly and patiently to carve the gravestone of the lamented dead."

These field-stones in time gave place to slate, which were followed by marble slabs. Later towering marble monuments were erected, which in later years have given place to more solid granite monuments.