The Edwards Marker at Copp's Hill

Copp's Hill is the highest piece of land in the north part of Boston. It became a burial ground in 1660. In One April in Boston young Ben Edwards and his Uncle Alex visit the family tomb at Copp's Hill in 1775 and 1776. Edwards Tomb Number 5 was built in 1717 by Ben's grandfather Sea Captain Benjamin Edwards (1685-1751). It is in the first row of tombs that front on Hull Street.

If Ben had looked through his spyglass, 188 years into the future, he would have seen a young child and his father (both named Ben Edwards) standing next to the marker over Edwards Tomb Number 5. He would have also noticed a crack in the lower section of the marker. As the next 34 years passed, Ben would have seen the marker begin to fall apart until only two small pieces remained. In 1998, the small child he had seen through his spyglass named Ben L. Edwards would return to Boston and have the marker replaced.

In 2000, after six years of research and writing, Ben L. Edwards published a book based on his ancestors called One April in Boston. His research and family letters and documents provided evidence of who was buried in the family tomb. In addition to the sea captain, members of the Edwards, Lincoln and Revere families rest in Tomb Number 5. Some of their names are noted below.

Alexander Edwards (1733-1798), patriot, cabinetmaker and member of the Sons of Liberty.

Sally Edwards Revere (1761-1808), wife of Paul Revere Jr. and mother of their 12 children. Those children include Alexander Edwards Revere (1784-1800).

Paul Revere Jr. (1760-1813), silversmith, bell founder and first born son of patriot Paul Revere.

Jedediah Lincoln (1760-1820), Revolutionary War soldier and ancestor of Abraham Lincoln; his wife, Elizabeth (Betsey) Edwards Lincoln (1765-1796), and their son Alexander Edwards Lincoln.

Robert Edwards (1732-1770), tailor, and his wife Mary (White) Clark Edwards (?-1774).

Dolling Edwards (1737-1773), mastmaker, and his wife Rebecca Christie Edwards (1739-1771).

Benjamin Edwards (1765-1808), cooper, and his wife Polly Bangs Edwards (Elliot).

The Edwards marker was reconstructed in 1998 by Nicholas Benson of the John Stevens Shop of Newport, RI, founded in 1705. Each April, on Patriot's Day Weekend, it is decorated with flags and flowers as a tribute to the sea captain and his many relations.