It was at a Precinct Meeting held on 16 January 1775, "at the residence of Thomas Drury jr,
innholder" that the first steps were taken "to pick upon a burying yard" for the new parish. A Committee of five leading citizens
was chosen to look into the matter: Thomas Drury, William Phips, Daniel Boyden, John Hart, and Benjamin Carter. The Committee
was directed to have its report ready for a meeting to be held at 9 a.m. on January 23rd.
For some reason, the report was delayed until March 14, when it was read before the first Precinct
Meeting to be held in the newly-built Meeting House. Preserved among the "Miscellaneous records", is the original report,
quoted in full below:
REPORT
"Worcester march th 14, 1775 The Report of the following Commity Excepted--
" We the Subscribers being appointed a Commity by the Parish lately made out of Worcester &
the towns ajasent to find a suitable place for a Burying yard for Sd parish Do report as follows
"viz that up on a Diligent & faithfull tryal of ye Ground near the Senter of Sd parish we find the most Suitable
place for a Burying yard in our opinion to be the following
"viz begining at hepe of Stones which we have maid on the Roade leading from the meeting house in Sd parish to Oxford
on the Southerly Corner of Mr Thomas Drurys Cleard Land there thense in breth extending northwesterly to a heep of Stones
made by Sd Drury being as we think near eleven rods thence to Extend in Bredth towards Said Meeting house near eleven rods
wich will make a Square Containing 3/4 of an acre or further as the parish may see meet.
"Thomas Drury ]
Daniel Boyden ] Commity
William Phips ]
Benjamin Carter ]