Mount Auburn Cemetery

Boston Sept. 12. 1863

Chas. P. Curtis Esq Chairman Comm^ee on Lots

Dear Sir,

I enclosed the Supt^d Rep^t of present condition of lot no 1175, also of lots 1875 to 1878 inclusive for which latter a contract is sought to be made including all the lots in one sum.

You perceive Capt. Winsor's suggestion of 700 or 750 for the whole.-

The by-law (p. 48 of Catalogue sc.) now stands thus - "The Trustees may also guarantee the perpetual repair of lots containing 300 feet & upwards, on payment to the Treas^r of a sum not less than $300, and of lots containing less than 300 feet on the payment of a sum not less than $100."

Each of these four lots contains 300 feet.- hence the by-law would require $1200.-

For lots contiguous and in one enclosure, I am compelled to think the by-law is impracticable. As it stood at first, $300 was the least sum which could be accepted for the guaranty upon any lot. Then came applications for the perpetual care of small lots, lots on which very small expense would be required; and an amendment was tasked on Oct. 3. 1859, providing that for lots of ^^not less than 100 feet a sum not less than $100 should be required.

And now comes another case, where it is obvious that two, three, or more contiguous lots improved in the same manner, and at the same time, can be taken for a much less sum than if situated in different parts of the Cemetery.

The truth is that the number of square feet in a given lot, or enclosure containing two or more lots, is a very poor standard for fixing the requisite amount, because it may cost more to take care of one lot with 100 feet with its appurtenances, than another lot with 200 or 300 feet. Besides, the statement of a sum in the catalogue operates to mislead persons who do not read carefully. They come with $300 fixed in mind, and when $500 or $600 is asked, they appear to be greatly surprised and disappointed.

85

264

June 16, [186]5

Capt. D. L. Winsor

Dear Sir,

Since last October the following contract have been made for the perpetual repair of lot -- guaranteed.

A. J. Coolidge

A

109

Trustees. November 8^t, 1871.

Contracts for Perp. Rep. with Guaranty of Lots 1760, 3472 & 3809.

3472 on Clematis Path, belonging to the Estate of the late Franklin Smith for Four hundred and twenty=five dollars; and of Lot N^o 3809 on Halcyon Avenue, belonging to M^rs Ira Perham for Two hundred dollars; it was

Voted, – that the above mentioned instruments be severally concurred in, on the part of this Board.

Upon the petitions of the parties in interest representatives were designated for Lots as follows; viz;

√ 570 Leonard S. King of Belmont, Grandson of Gedney King, deceased proprietor of Lot numbered Five hundred and seventy.

√ 718 M^rs Emeline Meriam of Allston, Widow of William Meriam, deceased proprietor of Lot numbered Seven hundred and eighteen (& Gdⁿ of minor child _);

√ 1640 M^rs Adelaide Kimball of Boston ^^{16 Chester Park}, Widow of Dan^l Kimball Jr., deceased proprietor of Lot numbered Sixteen hundred and forty.

√ 1878 M^rs Caroline M. Adams of Charlestown, ^^{32 Cordis St} Widow of Edwin F. Adams deceased proprietor of Lot numbered Eighteen hundred & seventy=eight.

√ 1977 Henry B. Mather of Boston, ^^{13 Chauncey St} Son=in=law of Charles Everett, deceased proprietor of Lot numbered Nineteen hundred & seventy=seven

√ 2308 Francis V. Bulfinch, of Boston, ^^{24 La Grange St} Brother of Thomas Bulfinch deceased proprietor of Lot numbered Twenty=three hundred & eight.

√ 2829 John B. Rhodes of Boston, ^^{31 State St} Son=in=law of Thomas J. Leland deceased proprietor of Lot numbered Twenty=eight hundred & twenty=nine.

Adjourned,

Sam^l Batchelder Jr., Secretary.

List of Lots to be kept in repair