If you grew up in New England, there’s a good chance you know a Kimball, have met a Kimball, or have at least heard the name Kimball. It’s a common surname in these parts. It has also been said that any given Kimball could potentially be related to the same two brothers who immigrated to Boston in 1634: Richard and Henry. I am related to Richard. And although my surname is not Kimball, my mother’s is.
I have been researching my Kimball family line for years. On one particularly beautiful day in 2020, my mother and I visited local cemeteries to see if we could locate every gravestone for each of our Kimball ancestors. Thankfully, the early graveyards in the Haverhill, Bradford, and Ipswich areas are fairly well documented. We had to circle the area before finding the Kimballs, but we were quite successful! For the purposes of this blog, I am only going to show markers of my second great-grandparents and go backward in time for personal privacy.
At the end of this article, I have included some resources for the cemeteries listed, and a helpful database on AmericanAncestors.org. I hope that this convinces you to spend some time outside getting to know your long-lost relatives (and maybe have some fun with some livings ones as well!).
1. Elbridge G. Kimball, b. 1834-1900 and Emma K. Hanscomb, 1854-1926 Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill, Massachusetts
2. Benjamin Kimball (1790-1867) and Clarinda E. Eaton (died 1883) Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill, Massachusetts
1. Benjamin Kimball (1756-1833) and Betsey (1763-1857) Second West Parish Cemetery, Haverhill, Massachusetts
2. Richard Kimball (1732-1780) and Sarah Harriman (1731-1797) West Parish Cemetery, Haverhill, Massachusetts
This grave was interesting because the grave for Richard and his wife is no longer visible. However, I was able to locate a transcription of this grave in the Essex Antiquarian, volume 12 (1908), No. 2, pg. 63 (available on FamilySearch). His wife was not transcribed.
Benjamen/Benjamin Kimball (1695-1752) and Pricilla Eames (1698-1782) Bradford Burial Ground, Bradford, Massachusetts
Benjamin’s grave inscription was very difficult to read, but at an angle, I could see most of the name and the date. His wife was buried close by, although she had remarried. I am grateful that they put the name of her first husband on the stone!
1. Richard Kimball (1664-1710/11) and Mehitable Day
2. Benjamin Kimball (1637-1695/6) and Mercy Hazeldine 1640-1707 Bradford Burial Ground, Bradford, Massachusetts
Mehitable, if buried here, was unmarked.
Richard Kimball (1595-1675) and Urusla Kimball (died 1659)
There are no markers for these graves at the Ipswich Burial Ground in Ipswich, Massachusetts. However, at this time period this is where Richard and his wife were most likely buried. This Richard Kimball is well documented in many places including the Great Migration Series, 1634-1635, Volume I-L. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society)
Kimball Family Resources:
If you believe that you have a Kimball in your family, there is a great book to get you started entitled History of the Kimball Family in America, from 1634 to 1897 : and of its Ancestors the Kemballs or Kemboldes of England; with an Account of the Kembles of Boston, Massachusetts, by Leonard Allison Morrison, Stephen Paschall Sharples (Damrell & Upham, Boston, 1897). There is also a Kimball Family Association that also has many resources for following your Kimball line: https://kimballfamilyassociation.com/
Cemeteries Mentioned:
Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill, Massachusetts:
This is still an active cemetery. It’s address is 41 John Ward Ave, Haverhill, Ma 01830, https://www.linwoodcemeteryonline.com/
Second West Parish Cemetery, Haverhill, Massachusetts:
This cemetery is no longer active, and is a little difficult to locate. It is on Broadway, in Haverhill, Massachusetts. If you are familiar with the area, it is just after the entrance to the Target. FamilySearch.org does have a database entitled “Haverhill inscriptions. Second West Parish Cemetery,” available in their catalog, as part of the Essex Antiquarian that was referenced above.
West Parish Cemetery, Haverhill, Massachusetts:
This cemetery is no longer active and is located on Carleton Street in Haverhill, Massachusetts. In the text "Vital Records of Haverhill Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849, Volume II - Marriages and Deaths" this Cemetery is referred to as GR3 Ancient West Parish Cemetery. There are transcriptions prior to 1800 available in the Essex Antiquarian.
Ipswich Burial Ground, Ipswich, Massachusetts:
This cemetery is no longer active and is located at the intersection of High Street and Rt 133/1A. It is referred to as “The Old North Burying Ground.” The website for Historic Ipswich has a fantastic database for this cemetery. There are maps, guides, a list of burials and even photos of the graves: https://historicipswich.net/ipswich-old-north-burying-ground/
Resources and Databases at American Ancestors:
On Demand Course: The 17th Century Great Migration to New England and Beyond
The Great Migration Book Series
Database: “Essex County, MA: Early Probate Records, 1635-1681”
