It was founded in 1855 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

The committee chose a plot of land in the town farm, which had been donated by William Coddington and was located just west of the site of Quincy's founding spot, Mount Wollaston.

After consulting with Superintendent Brims of Forest Hills, Luther Briggs of Dorchester was hired to design and build the cemetery.

The first two plots were ceremoniously purchased on May 5, 1856 by Charles Francis Adams, Sr., prominent attorney and son of the late former President of the United States, John Quincy Adams.

[2] An area known as the Veterans Section, located at the main Sea Street entrance to the cemetery, features several monuments honoring members of the military.