GPS is for historical purposes only

This cemetery was burials of known, and unknown workers that came from out of town, state, and country with their families and worked at the South Boston Iron Mill. The families were housed at the House of Industry and many people died from Marasmas [severe nutritional deficiency]. When there was a Cholera, Typhus, Scarlet Fever, TB, or Smallpox outbreak, it would take off like wildfire killing many. The heads of families came here for work, they knew they were going to work hard, and they many times died for it. There was no way to foresee what devastation lied ahead, for themselves, and their family.

When the undertakers were called, they were told the burial would be at "South Boston Farm Cemetery". There were not headstones for these family members.

There are no persons from the House of Correction buried here, most that died at the House of Correction were buried in mass graves at South Burying Ground.

In 1822, shortly after Boston became a city, a large tract of land was purchased at South Boston Point, comprising all the territory north of a line drawn from the corner of the present L and Fourth Streets to O and Fourth Streets. This was called the City Lands, and soon a poorhouse was erected thereon. In years following other institutions were erected, until there were the House of Industry, a building of brick; House of Reformation; Lunatic Asylum, of brick; and a House of Correction, a little to the east of the Lunatic Asylum.

This remained the City Lands until shortly before 1855, when the stockade fence was removed, a [M Street] park laid out and streets extended to the Point.

This institution was erected on lands set off by the city shortly after South Boston's annexation, being the first of four of the city's penal institutions erected here, and it was first opened July, 1833. It has been in continuous use since that time, both males and females being confined here. Many of the inmates work in the various shops, and as a result of their labor a part of the running expenses of the institution are paid.

COL. JOHN C WHITON,

Master, House of Correction.

WILLIAM A. WITHAM,

Deputy Master, House of Correction