Mount Auburn Cemetery

221 [The following is sideways in the left margin] on motion of Isaac Parker, Esquire voted. That the thanks of this Corporation be presented to the Hon. B.R. Curtis for his long and faithful services as one of the board of Trustees -; also to J.J. Dixwell Esqr for his services as member of the same board. [End of sideways text in the left margin]

accepted and referred to the Trustees.

The superintendent's report was also read and accepted.

The President then made an oral report of the present condition of the Corporation and the doings of the Trustees during the past year.

The meeting then proceeded to the election of nine trustees by ballot. The following gentlemen were unanimously elected. Messrs Jacob Bigelow George W. Crockett, Charles P. Curtis, Benjamin A. Gould, George H. Kuhn, Charles C. Little, Isaac Parker, James Read, and Mace Tisdale

No further business coming before the Corporation, the meeting dissolved.

A true record Attest. Henry M. Parker -- Secretary --

Superintendent's Report

George W. Bond. Esqr. Treasurer of the Mount Auburn Cemetery Corporation. Dear Sir, There has been one hundred and twenty lots improved during the past year by being graded and sodded &c. -- one hundred and eight lots enclosed with iron fence and hedges ----------- four tombs have been built and forty new monuments erected. four hundred and ninety four interments during the year -------- Whole number of interments five thousand one hundred and forty ---------- Average number of interments for year from the commencement of the Cemetery two hundred and fifty.

Very respectfully submitted. Mount Auburn. December 31. 1851 Rufus Howe. Sup't -

224

Trustees February 7. 1852.

Pursuant to notices issued in the usual manner the Trustees met at the office of C.P. Curtis Esqr. on the 7^th day of Febreary ^^{A.D. 1852} at 12 o'clock M. Presents Messrs Bigelow, Curtis Crockett, Little, Parker, and Read

Officers. election of

The record of the last meeting was read and approved. The meeting at once proceeded to ballot for officers for the ensuing year. The following named gentlemen were severally elected by ballot to the several offices set against their names.

President. Jacob Bigelow Secretary. Henry M. Parker Treasurer. Geo W^m Bond. Committee on Lots. Jacob Bigelow, C.P. Curtis, Isaac Parker. " [Committee] " [on] Finance. B.A. Gould, Charles C. Little. Auditor of accounts. George W. Crockett.

Report on repairs of the Chapel.

Dr. Bigelow; from the committee on the chapel, made an oral report, that an experiment had been made which it was thought would prove effectual to remedy the leaks, but that it could not be certainly known until tested by driving storms. The subject was recommitted to the same gentlemen. Messrs Bigelow & Tisdale

Jon^a Preston's Claim.

Mr Read, from the committee on Jonathan Preston's claim, reported that they had settled with him in full by the payment of four hundred dollars.

Bryants & Blaisdell's Claim.

Mr Read, from the commiteee on Bryant and Blaisdell's claim, reported that it was still under discussion, but that no definite step had been taken in

225

the matter. The subject was recommitted to Messrs Gould and Read.

Iron Safe. for use of the Secretary _

The Secretary reported the purchase of a large safe by a committee of one, J.J. Dixwell, for the preservation of his records. It is in his office, at 46 Washington St, The safe was stated to be one of Messrs Edwards & Holman's make - styled Improved Salamander Safe. Mr Curtis suggested doubts of its sufficiency to withstand fire, and the subject was recommitted to the President and Secretary for examination on this front.

S. Newall's Claim.

A letter from Mr Samuel Newell was read, asking the gift of a lot in the Cemetery, in consideration of his long continued services in making up the accounts at the Cemetery. Doubts were expressed, and the whole matter was referred to a committee consisting of Messrs Crockett & Little with full powers.

E.W. Williams Legacy. Petition from her Executor.

A petition from D. Watson Jr. Executor of Elizabeth Watson Williams' last will, was presented. It was accompanied by affidavits and other papers showing that the testatrix had determined to reduce a legacy in her will, to this Corporation from $2000 to $1000. to secure the perpetual repair of her lot number 1697, on Spruce Avenue. The sum of $2000. had formerly been fixed by the trustees, at her own request, for another lot, no. 233 -- on Walnut Avenue. (see p.160.1 of these records,) and she had transferred the be-

230

Trustees. April 2. 1852.

Pursuant to notices issued in the usual manner the regular monthly meeting of the Trustees was held at the office of C.P. Curtis Esqr. on Tuesday April 6^th at 12. M. AD. 1852 Present Messrs Bigelow, Curtis, Little, and Parker.

No quorum. Adjourned.

A true Record. Attest. Henry M. Parker. Secretary.

Trustees. May 4. 1852.

Pursuant notices issued in the usual manner the regular monthly meeting of the Trustees was held at the office of C.P. Curtis Esqr. on Tuesday. May 4^th at 12. M. A.D. 1852

Present, Messrs Crockett, Curtis, Parker, Read and Tisdale

Removal of a tree.

Voted. That the Committee on Lots examine the position &c of an Elm Tree, said to be intruding on Elm^^Central Avenue, between the gate and the Bowditch statue, and, if they shall deem it proper, cause the same to be removed. -Adjourned

A true record. Attest. Henry M. Parker. Secretary.

Trustees June 1. 1852.

Pursuant to notices issued in the usual manner, the regular monthly meeting of the Trustees was held at the office of C.P. Curtis Esqr on Tuesday June 1. 1852. at 12 M. A.D. 1852

Present Messrs Bigelow, Crockett, Curits, Gould, Kuhn Little and Parker. The record or the last meeting was read & approved

S. Newell's Claim. Rejected.

The Committee to whom was referred the letter of Samuel Newell dated January 20^th 1852 (see page 225) requesting the gift of a lot, reported another letter from Mr Newell dated May 6. 1852, with the following additional report in writing, vis "That the Trustees ought not to comply with his request and that he have leave to withdraw." Thereupon it was

231

Voted. That the forgoing report be accepted and that the said Newell have leave to withdraw.

Signal Bell. near gate.

The Secretary by request of the Superintendent made a statement as to the apparent necessity for a signal bell to be placed near the gate. The objects stated were to have a bell which could be heard throughout the grounds, for giving concerted signals to workmen, ringing visitors out at sundown, and the like, the present bell at the gate to be used only in summoning the gate keeper.

Thereupon it was Voted. That Mr Gould be a committee of one to consider the matter of the expediency of putting up a bell near the entrance ^^{to the Cemetery} with full powers to carry the project into effect, if he shall see fit to do so.

Tower. Plans & estimates

After some remarks by the President on the subject of the contemplated improvements a the Cemetery, the erection of a tower, coming next in order according to the original scheme it was Voted. That the President, with Messrs Gould & Little be a Committee of three to prepare plans and estimates for a tower at Mount Auburn, to report hereafter in writing.

A large number of the Trustees having withdrawn there for ^and no quorum being present, the meeting adjourned.

A true record. Attest. Henry M. Parker. Clerk.