My Genealogy Hound

Concord, Massachusetts, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Tombstone and Grave, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, photo

Concord, Massachusetts, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Tombstone and Grave, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, photo

The family plot of the Hawthorne family which includes the grave and tombstone of the author, Nathaniel Hawthorne. Hawthorne's tombstone is the smaller marker at the left simply marked, HAWTHORNE.

Nathaniel Hawthorne was born July 4, 1804 at Salem, Massachusetts. His surname at birth was spelled Hathorne (no W). Hawthorne is a descendant of one the judges involved in the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692-93. Some believe that Hawthorne changed the spelling of his surname as result of his shame and as a means of distancing himself from his ancestor.

Hawthorne was a prolific writer of a wide variety of literature; his most well known works include The Scarlet Letter and The House of Seven Gables. While traveling with his old friend, former President Franklin Pierce (U. S. President 1853-57), Hawthorne died in his sleep at Plymouth, New Hampshire on May 19, 1864. He was 59 years old. Hawthorne's body was transported back to his home of Concord, Massachusetts. He was buried on Author's Ridge in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery at Concord. Near the grave of Emerson are also the graves of other authors including the Alcott's (Louisa May Alcott and Bronson Alcott), Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.

Additional Graves and Tombstones: Famous, Infamous and Otherwise

View additional Massachusetts historic photos, images and vintage postcards

View additional historic photos, images and vintage postcards for other topics and locations

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of family biographies, vintage maps and vintage postcards.

Follow My Genealogy Hound on Facebook: Follow me on Facebook