Cows graves and manure The Old Burying Ground was founded back in 1710 and quickly grew into the town's main graveyard. Since land was at a premium around the center of town and people wanted the cemetery to look nice, farmers were allowed to have their cows graze within the cemetery. However the cows owners were expected to pick up the manure. Although nobody has any idea how many people were actually buried here, at present about 125 gravestones are visible with about 80 having legible inscriptions. Some of the stones are just nubs and others are obviously in pretty rough shape. The legible dates that I could find range from 1744 to 1975. Most of the memorials are small and some are just wooden crosses that have probably been replaced over the years. The cemetery has a lovely and massive stone wall around it and many flowers grow wild in and around the graveyard. The Old Burying Ground is also known as Rhode Island Historical Cemetery No 2 and is a fascinating glimpse into the history of the rustic and interesting Island of Jamestown. read more

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