I will be in Portsmouth sometime this summer coming from Florida. I am looking for a family plot in Proprietor's Burying Ground in Portsmouth. I'd like to contact someone there in advance of arriving to find out apprx. where the plot is located. I can't find an exact address or info of a caretaker in that cemetery. Is there anyone locally who can give me the info (address or phone number) on who to contact? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Hi,
The Proprietor's Burying Ground is one of 5 cemeteries that look like one very large cemetery, on South Street. (You are wise to find someone help you locate a grave because there are no obvious cemetery divisions and it covers a very large area.) There is a caretaker's office across the street, but I don't have contact info - try calling the Portsmouth City Clerk for that info. I got lucky the day I went looking for a particular grave to find a crew there cutting grass, including the head caretaker who took me to the office/garage, looked in his plot book(s), and then drove me to the lot I was seeking in the Harmony Grove Cemetery, 1 of the 5.
Further, these cemeteries have been cateloged and those books are available at the Portsmouth Public Library. If you have time for research, you might visit the Portsmouth Public Library in their relatively new building on 175 Parrot Ave. They have a lovely, spacious research room just above the entrance, which contains quite a lot of very good Portsmouth research books. 603-427-1540
Good luck,
Mary Ellen Moulton
Plaistow, NH

Thank you, I'll try the city clerk's office. I've spent lots of time trying to find some contact info on this large cemetery.

Hello,

If you look up information about the South Street Cementery, South Street & Sagamore Ave, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, you will most likely find the information that you are seeking.
South ST. Cementery is made up of 5 cementries, one of these cementeries is the Proprietor's Burying Ground.

The Proprietor's Burying Ground was founded by the South Church about 1831.I believe the church has a lot of records concerning the cementery and membership/history.

Happy hunting,
Beth

I've tried that-I can't find a contact phone number or e-mail listed. I'll keep searching....

Hello,

This may be a long shot, but you could try contacting South Church at (603) 436-4762.

There is an organization that maintains the cementaries called South Church Charity Fund.

Good luck,
Beth