Just north of Route 6E in Provincetown, a somber historical site rests quietly, known by several names: the Smallpox Cemetery, Pest House Cemetery, or simply No Names Cemetery. Established in the mid-1800s during a spreading epidemic, this hallowed ground is now facing encroachment from the surrounding wilderness, yet its stories echo through time, especially with its connection to the Winthrop Street Cemetery memorial.
In the 19th century, “pest houses” were designated buildings for isolating and treating individuals afflicted with contagious diseases like smallpox. This particular Pest House in Provincetown, near what is now accessible from Winthrop Street, became the final earthly dwelling for fourteen souls who succumbed to the disease. While their grave markers bear only numbers, their identities are carefully preserved in the town’s “Book of the Dead,” a testament to lives lived and lost during a difficult period.
Their Names and Date of Death are:
| #1 Adam Dyer – May 9, 1855 | #6 Antone Domingo – Nov 1, 1872 | #11 Manuel Terceira – Dec 24, 1872 |
|---|---|---|
| #2 John Roberts – May 15, 1855 | #7 Mary Rogers – Nov 8, 1872 | #12 William H. Butler – Jan 7, 1873 |
| #3 Monson W. Barnard – May 19, 1855 | #8 George G. Hallett – Nov 26, 1872 | #13 John McDonald – Jan 8, 1873 |
| #4 Elizabeth Hill – May 20, 1860 | #9 Tamsin Manuel – Nov 27, 1872 | #14 Thomas Basell – May 28, 1873 |
| #5 Kennis Fergerson – May 20, 1864 | #10 Frank Sofrine – Dec 24, 1872 |
Nestled close to Clapps Pond and at the base of a steep slope within a scrub forest, the location offers a poignant contrast between natural beauty and the grim reality faced by those confined to the Pest House. Today, American Beech trees are gradually reclaiming the cemetery, along with the ever-shifting sands characteristic of Cape Cod, symbolizing the passage of time and the slow veiling of history.
Although smallpox was globally eradicated nearly forty years ago, its indelible mark remains etched in Cape Cod’s history. Recognizing the significance of this site, a simple granite marker was erected in 2015 at the Winthrop Street Cemetery in Provincetown. This memorial serves as a dedicated tribute to those interred in the nearby Smallpox Cemetery, ensuring their memory endures within the community’s historical consciousness. Whether visiting the Winthrop Street memorial, seeking out Thomas Ridley’s hidden grave, or venturing into the woods to find the modest Smallpox Cemetery, each act of remembrance honors those who perished from a once-terrifying illness, now thankfully vanquished.
