Mount Auburn Cemetery

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ion before the said time of meeting, the Proprietors of the Cemetery of Mount Auburn met at the time and place therein designated A quorum having assembled, the President Dr. J. Bigelow took the chair.

Annual Reports.

The treasurer presented and read his own annual report, and that of the Superintendent, and it was unanimously Voted, that the same be printed and sent by mail to each proprietor.

The President, on behalf of the Trustees, made an oral statement of the condition and prospects of the Cemetery the improvements of the past year, and those now in contemplation of the Trustees, or in progress. Some general discussion followed, after which the meeting proceeded to the election of nine trustees for the ensuing year, by ballot.

Trustees elected

The Committee appointed to collect, count and sort the votes reported that the whole number of ballots thrown was seventy three (many of which were by proxies) necessary to an election thirty seven. Messrs Jacob Bigelow, George W. Crockett, Charles P. Curtis, Benjamin A. Gould, George H. Kuhn, Charles C. Little, Isaac Parker and James Read had each seventy three votes and were elected. Isaiah Bangs had sixty-two votes and was elected. Mace Tisdale had eleven votes and was not elected.

After some further discussion as to the general interests of the Corporation, there being no further business before the meeting the Proprietors adjourned, without day. Attest. Henry M. Parker. Secretary.

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Trustees. February 13. 1854.

At a special meeting of the Trustees holden in conformity with an order of the last board, of which I gave due notice to all the Trustees for the current year, all of the members were present. The record of the last meeting was read & approved.

Officers elected.

The following officers were unanimously elected by ballot.

President. Jacob Bigelow Treasurer. Geo. W^m Bond. Secretary. Henry M. Parker. Com^ee on Lots. J. Bigelow. C. P. Curtis. Isaac Parker.

The following officers were also elected. Com^ee on Finances B.A. Gould. C.C. Little. Auditor. Isaiah Bangs.

Gate Keeper's duties.

Messrs Read Parker & Bangs were appointed a Committee to confer with Mr Wyeth, the Gate Keeper, and fix his duties. -

Mr Kuhn here retired from the meeting.

Messrs Bigelow, Crockett and Little were appointed as a committee on the Chapel, and the taking down and rebuilding of the same.

Statuary.

The President, from the Committee on Statuary made a written report, which was postponed for consideration until the next meeting, the Secretary in the mean time to furnish each trustee with a copy of the same.

Committees to have same powers.

Voted. That the building and ^^all other Committees shall have the same powers conferred on them which have been conferred on the same Committees in previous years.

Accounts of the Trust Fund. how kept.

Mr Parker from the Committee on the subject of the fund for the care of lots reported orally, and upon his motion the following votes were passed

Voted.That the Treasurer, under the direction of the same committee, be authorized to separate from the

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Trustees. March 7. 1854.

The first monthly meeting of the Trustees was holden on the 7^th day of March A.D. 1854. Present Messrs. Bigelow Gould Kuhn Bangs, Crockett, Curtis, Little and Parker.

The record of the last meeting was read and approved.

Transfers to two grantees not to be recorded.

The Secretary presented a deed of lot no 603. from William Black to two grantees, and the request of the grantees that it might be recorded, he having declined to record it, as the charter does not contemplate two tenants of one lot except by inheritances or devise, lots being indivisible [See Section 8^th of the Charter] Such has been the uniform usage of the Secretary, but the grantees in this deed refuse to acquiesce in it without first appealing to the Trustees -

Voted. That the Secretary be instructed to adhere to the existing usage.

Statuary.

The Report of the Committee on Statuary was taken up and considered seriatim and thereupon it was

Price of Lots increased.

Voted. That the price of lots of 300 square feet in future be one hundred and fifty dollars, without any additional payment for the right of choice.

Tomb Lots may be sold.

Voted. That Lots for tombs properly secured against nuisance may be sold for two hundred dollars for 300 square feet; subject to the approval of the Committee on lots, both as to the location of the lots and the mode of construction of the tombs.

A letter for The remainder of the report was postponed.

Mr Howe tenders his resignation

A letter from Mr Howe, the Superintendent, was read tendering his resignation to take effect on or after April 1^st as the trustees should direct. Referred to a Committee of two consisting of Messrs Parker & Bangs.

The same letter suggested the payment of the

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salary of the late gate keeper, Mr Hyde, less to January 1^st to his daughter - Mr Hyde having died in November last.

Salary of Mr. Hyde late Gate keeper.

Voted. That the amount due to Mr Hyde at the time of his death be paid to his administrator, and the balance of the salary for the quarter when which he had entered, (beginning October 1^st) be paid to his daughter.

Adjourner to meet at the same place in two weeks from this day at 12 M.

Attest Henry M. Parker. Secretary.

Trustees. March 20. 1854.

The Trustees met pursuant to adjournment at 12 M. March 20^th Present Messrs Bigelow Curtis, Parker Bangs and Crockett.

The record of the last meeting was read and approved.

Mr Parker, presented the following report in writing

Report.

The Committee when the duties and compensation of the gate keeper. Report.

Gate keeper's duties & compensation

That it be his duty to attend the gate from sunrise to sunset, every day in the week, personally, except that in the forenoon of the Sabbath he may substitute another person, approved by the superintendent, at his own expense, and that he be paid for that service a salary of four hundred dollars per annum payable quarterly.

Superintendent's clerk

The Committee recommend that Benjamin F. Wyeth be appointed Clerk to the Superintendent and be required, to keep the books and do all the duties as such required by the superintendent or indicated by him and under his direction, and that for such service he receive an annual salary of two hundred and fifty dollars per annum payable quarterly.

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Gate keeper's duties.

That all the duties be performed except as specifically stated above under the direction of the superintendent who may require of him the performance of any other duties not incompatible with the foregoing

Isaac Parker} Isaiah Bangs} Committee.

March 16. 1854.

Voted That the foregoing report be accepted, and the proposed regulations therein set forth be adopted.

Mr Bangs submitted the following report in writing.

The Committee appointed to confer with Mr Howe on the subject of his letter to the Trustees resigning the office of superintendent, also to consider the expediency of build a house for the superintendent, have attended to the duty assigned them and submit the following report.

Mr Howe's resignation withdrawn his salary and compensation

They have conferred with Mr Howe and he has consented to withdraw his letter of resignation and continues to discharge the duties of superintendent occupying the same house and enjoying the same privileges as heretofore, with a salary of eight hundred dollars $800. per year - subject however to such additional consideration as the Trustees at the termination of the year may consider just in consequence of the increased cost of boarding the men.

Superintendent's house.

And that the Trustees proceed as soon as practicable to build a house for the superintendent's use on the lot of land belonging to the Corporation adjoining Mt Auburn. All which is respectfully submitted.

Boston March 20, 1854 Isaac Parker} Isaiah Bangs} Committee-