Patriots, Pioneers, Preachers, and Teachers: Discovering Nashua’s Colonial Past at the Old South Burial Ground
- The Nashua Historical Society
- Jul 15
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 16
Tucked beside the hum of modern traffic on Daniel Webster Highway lies one of Nashua’s most sacred and overlooked historical treasures: the Old South Burial Ground, also known as the Old Dunstable Cemetery. To the casual passerby, it may look like a quiet, timeworn patch of land. But step on to the property and you’re entering the resting place of some of the region’s earliest settlers—people who laid the foundation for what would become the city of Nashua.
Long before Nashua existed, this area was part of Old Dunstable, a vast colonial township established in 1673 by the Massachusetts General Court. Back then, the Merrimack River was the lifeline of a rugged frontier community, and danger—whether from nature, war, or isolation—was a constant companion. Life was hard, faith was strong, and community was everything. The Old South Burial Ground, with gravestones dating as far back as 1687, is a living archive of those early days. It is the city’s oldest cemetery and it features many expertly crafted stones.
Historical Names
Watananock: The earliest known name given to the area by the Native Americans.
Dunstable Township, Massachusetts: 1673 - 1746
Dunstable Township, New Hampshire: 1746 - 1790
Indian Head Village: 1790 - 1803
Nashua Village: 1803 - 1836
Nashua Town: 1836 - 1853
Nashville Town (included territory north of the Nashua River): 1842 - 1853
City of Nashua: 1853 - to present
Through its weathered stones and etched epitaphs, we glimpse the struggles and values of 17th- and 18th-century life. Here lie veterans of the French and Indian War, families who endured the upheaval of the American Revolution, and individuals whose names still echo through Nashua’s street signs and neighborhood histories. The cemetery isn’t just a graveyard—it’s a testament to endurance, belief, and beginnings.
Another highlight of the Old South Burial Ground is the 1841 Suburban Red Brick Schoolhouse No. 1, which still stands on the cemetery grounds. Built just as Nashua was coming into its own as an industrial town, the one-room schoolhouse has been carefully restored to reflect a mid-19th century classroom. During the upcoming cemetery tour, visitors will meet a schoolmaster and schoolmarm in period attire who will offer a lively glimpse into 1800s education—complete with slates, recitations, and strict discipline. For many guests, it’s a chance to experience firsthand the kind of schooling early Nashuans received just a few generations after the colonial and Revolutionary periods. The schoolhouse is a powerful reminder that history isn’t only buried beneath our feet—it also lives in the stories we share.
Colonial Dunstable Comes to Life — Join Us for a Tour Like No Other
To bring these powerful stories to life, the Nashua Historical Society invites you to a special living history event:
Colonial Dunstable’s Sacred Ground: Old Souls of the Old South Cemetery Tour
Saturday, September 6, 2025 | 10:00–11:30 AM
Old South Burial Ground, 217 Daniel Webster Highway, Nashua, NH
This one-of-a-kind guided tour allows visitors to literally walk in the footsteps of Nashua’s founders. Led by costumed reenactors, guests will move from grave to grave, hearing the true tales of the people buried there—stories of patriotism, hardship, craftsmanship, and courage.
Among the featured historical figures is Rev. Thomas Weld (1653–1702), Old Dunstable’s first settled minister, portrayed by Nashua Historical Society President Dean Shalhoup. Weld’s leadership helped guide a fledgling community through its earliest years, and his voice will rise again to reflect on the challenges and faith of his time.
Other reenactors will share the voices of Revolutionary War soldiers’ families, veterans of the French and Indian War, and even a colonial stonecutter and his apprentice, shedding light on the artistry and meaning behind the gravestones themselves.
And the experience doesn’t end at the headstones. Guests will also be welcomed into the beautifully restored 1841 Red Brick Schoolhouse No. 1, which stands on the cemetery grounds. Inside, a schoolmaster and schoolmarm will transport visitors to a 19th-century classroom—an unforgettable educational encounter for children and adults alike.
“This event is one way we are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution,” says event organizer Paula Lochhead. “History isn’t just in books—it’s buried right here. Come stand where the patriots once stood, walk among them, and hear their stories of sacrifice rise from the ground beneath your feet.”
Event Details:
Tour Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM (arrive 15 minutes early)
Walking Notes: Uneven ground; not wheelchair accessible
Tickets: $20 per person— Buy online at https://www.nashuahistoricalsociety.org/event-list (credit card fees apply)— In person at the Florence H. Speare Museum (5 Abbott St, Nashua)— Limited cash-only tickets may be available at the gate
Special event t-shirts: $20 (limited supply; cash only)
Parking: Available next to the cemetery at Bank of America (across from BJ’s Gas) and Royal Ridge Mall
Rain Date: In case of severe weather, check our website or Facebook page
Questions? Call (603) 883-0015 or visit nashuahistoricalsociety.org
Whether you’re a longtime local, a newcomer curious about Nashua’s roots, or a history buff drawn to the stories beneath the stones, the Old Souls of the Old South Cemetery Tour offers a rare chance to connect with the past in a profoundly personal way.
Join us this September as we honor the legacy of Nashua’s earliest residents—not just by remembering them, but by meeting them.