Nevertheless, cue Whitesnake and celebrate as the Nerds are back!
Today, we are joined again by historian and blogger Jess Bruce.
Jess has been hard at work examining the history of John Hancock’s burial site and trying to locate the original headstone. Her research findings on the topic can be accessed here.
The story of John Hancock’s burial is more complex and intriguing than most people realize. A recent in-depth examination of the historical record uncovers a mystery hidden in plain sight at Boston’s Granary Burying Ground. Jess’s first post on the topic begins with a bold statement: “After much research and dedication, I’ve finally uncovered the location of John Hancock’s final resting place,” noting that the answer was much closer than expected. This leads to a historical investigation that challenges the assumptions visitors make when standing before Hancock’s imposing granite obelisk.
A central point Jess makes during her historical deep dive into Boston burial ground history is the fate of Hancock’s original headstone. This simple white slab once marked his grave before being replaced by the towering monument that locals and tourists recognize today. A 19th-century photograph from the Boston Public Library offers a rare glimpse of the earlier grave marker, prompting new questions about its placement, accuracy, and historical reliability. Jess uncovers a startling detail found in archival reports: during major renovations, “embedded in the wall that was removed were several tombstones, including that of John Hancock.”
The investigation becomes even more intriguing as Jess analyzes historical maps, photographs, and present-day site conditions to estimate the original location of Hancock’s tomb. A comparison of alignments suggests that the first headstone may have been just 26 inches away from the modern obelisk. A contemporary photograph in Jess’s blog post illustrates this small yet significant discrepancy. For a site that draws thousands of visitors seeking a connection to the past, such a slight change emphasizes how delicate and fluid historical memory can be as landscapes evolve over time.
The most troubling question in Jess’s post concerns not the headstone but the remains themselves. An 1882 newspaper account claims that Hancock’s tomb may have been broken into and that his lead coffin was stolen and melted down. The article starkly states, “There is no proof that even his body remains there,” speculating that the materials may have ended up “in various plumbing operations.”
The blog post does not sensationalize this claim but presents it to demonstrate how easily the physical traces of history can be disrupted, misplaced, or erased. For anyone who loves early American history, the article offers a compelling and carefully researched reminder that even the most iconic figures can become entangled in uncertainty long after their deaths.
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The Nerds highly encourage you to visit Jess’s blog to read the article. And good news, we’ll be posting part 2 of her research findings next week!
The story of John Hancock’s burial is more complex and intriguing than most people realize. A recent in-depth examination of the historical record uncovers a mystery hidden in plain sight at Boston’s Granary Burying Ground. Jess’s first post on the topic begins with a bold statement: “After much research and dedication, I’ve finally uncovered the location of John Hancock’s final resting place,” noting that the answer was much closer than expected. This leads to a historical investigation that challenges the assumptions visitors make when standing before Hancock’s imposing granite obelisk.
A central point Jess makes during her historical deep dive into Boston burial ground history is the fate of Hancock’s original headstone. This simple white slab once marked his grave before being replaced by the towering monument that locals and tourists recognize today. A 19th-century photograph from the Boston Public Library offers a rare glimpse of the earlier grave marker, prompting new questions about its placement, accuracy, and historical reliability. Jess uncovers a startling detail found in archival reports: during major renovations, “embedded in the wall that was removed were several tombstones, including that of John Hancock.”
The investigation becomes even more intriguing as Jess analyzes historical maps, photographs, and present-day site conditions to estimate the original location of Hancock’s tomb. A comparison of alignments suggests that the first headstone may have been just 26 inches away from the modern obelisk. A contemporary photograph in Jess’s blog post illustrates this small yet significant discrepancy. For a site that draws thousands of visitors seeking a connection to the past, such a slight change emphasizes how delicate and fluid historical memory can be as landscapes evolve over time.
The most troubling question in Jess’s post concerns not the headstone but the remains themselves. An 1882 newspaper account claims that Hancock’s tomb may have been broken into and that his lead coffin was stolen and melted down. The article starkly states, “There is no proof that even his body remains there,” speculating that the materials may have ended up “in various plumbing operations.”
The blog post does not sensationalize this claim but presents it to demonstrate how easily the physical traces of history can be disrupted, misplaced, or erased. For anyone who loves early American history, the article offers a compelling and carefully researched reminder that even the most iconic figures can become entangled in uncertainty long after their deaths.
.webp)
The Nerds highly encourage you to visit Jess’s blog to read the article. And good news, we’ll be posting part 2 of her research findings next week!
