Old Hammond Cemetery in Mattapoisett

For my first foray into the world of cemetery-skulking, I picked the Old Hammond cemetery on River Road in Mattapoisett.

Let's just say, there is no mystery as to why they call the area "Old Hammondtown". Almost every single marker in the cemetery had the name "Hammond" on it. Other common Mattapoisett/Nasketucket names like Bolles and Shaw were also present.

According to the marker at the entrance of the cemetery, 20 people interred at the Hammond cemetery served in the Revolutionary War.

The Hammond Cemetery location was used as a burial ground as early as 1740. There were quite a few stones that were mere nubs at this point.

It's so disappointing to see decay like that, especially for someone like me, who is so obsessed with history. I caught a picture of one stone remnant that just says "Elizabeth" - there was more to the stone at some point, but it's dust now.

This is a really peaceful spot. It's nestled in a bucolic spot in Mattapoisett, right next to rolling fields and stables. To get to the cemetery from Route 6, you have to travel over a single lane stone bridge - this is old New England at its finest, especially in the fall.

One last thing - I'm always amazed at the fungi I see at cemeteries. Check out this monster, phosphorescent fungus growing out of a tree.