About Pine Hill Cemetery

In the summer of 1842 Westfield was riding a tide of growth and prosperity fuels by the recently completed canal and railroad. At 3,500 people, Westfield was the largest community West of the Connecticut River. In the previous decade a new town center was developed near the canal terminus. That westward movement of the community had totally surrounded the old burying grounds with houses. In addition, that small plot on Mechanic Street was nearly full. Somewhat more problematic was the fact that the burying ground was the property of a church.  The diversification of the population was creating controversy of the last resting places for those of other faiths and races.