Martha McMullen's Solitary Gravestone

Martha Richards McMullen (c1718-1753)                  

On the northern edge of the hilltop in Old Parish Cemetery stands a memorial marking the grave of a woman who seemingly has no meaningful connection to South Dedham. Very little about her is known for sure.

Martha Richards may have been born sometime around 1718 in Ireland. Around 1739, she married Archibald McMullin (or McMullan, or McMullen) from Maine. They had three children: Francis, born in 1742; James, born in 1747; and William, born in 1751. In January of 1753 Martha died – some sources say she passed away on January 25, others say January 26; her gravestone reads January 14. Martha’s gravestone, which is damaged, was inscribed:

Here lies interrd ye Body

of Mrs Martha McMullen,

 wife of Mr. Archel McMullen,

 who died Janry the 14th,

 1753, aged 35 years.

In June of 1754, Archibald McMullen, who apparently served in the military during the Revolutionary War, married Anna Powell Bacal. Archibald and Anna subsequently had five children. He died in Williamsburg, Massachusetts in 1793.

Volunteers reset Martha’s gravestone in the fall of 2023.

Martha McMullen's damaged gravestone.