Mount Auburn Cemetery

Boston, Dec^r 17, 1863

Capt. D. L. Winsor Sup^t Mt. A. C.

Dear Sir,

Mr Curtis - Mr Shedd's surveyor -- gives me as the contents of Mrs Mary Hemenway's lot - inside measure of the curb, & taking into account the curvature - 790 Square feet. He says the posts are some 18 or 20 inches, which is rather a large allowance - but it is perhaps you did not intend to include any portion of them in the survey.-

Mrs. H. bought lot of Lewis F. Merrill, which with her own made 600 feet.-

Will you therefore please report 190 feet in addition to her lot 1463.

We shall probably receive the transfers, & convey where all in one deed.

Yours truly

A.J. Coolidge Sec.y

Boston, Dec^r 18, 1863

Dear Sir,

Not knowing from whom the deed to Mrs Hemenway came to Mr Bond, but knowing that all the negotiations with her were through you, I take the liberty to return the deed to her through you, it and a copy of the place having been duly recorded by me.

Very respy. yours

A.J. Coolidge Sec.y

Dr J. Bigelow

105

33 School St Boston, Dec^r 31, [186]3

Messrs Shedd & Edson

Gentlemen,

I have searched for a little plan of Mr Colburn's lot without success - but find that the lot was reported as containing 792 square feet - dimensions 24f x 33 f. the longest way southward & northward. - Please plot the same as suggested by you so as to bring it within five feet respectively of Eagle Av^e. and Raven Path: and so as to show how the land to the northward between it and Magnolia Av^e. lies, or will cut at.

Also please make duplicate of plan for W^m. Appleton Esq. as requested.

Truly yours

A.J. Coolidge Sec.y

Boston Dec^r 31, [186]3

Dear Sir,

Mr Shedd has mislaid the office plan of your lots - but will no doubt find it.

Meantime, if you will loan me yours, I will endeavor to push your business respecting the lots forward one stage at least.

I have requested him to make the duplicate plan for our portfolio as you state you had ordered - but which they appear to have overlooked.

Very respectfully yours

A.J. Coolidge Sec.y

To W^m Appleton Esq^r

112

agents, and have no right to involve the Corporation in obligations which are attended only with lots.

For the guaranty contract the Trustees decide in each case the amount according to the value of the lot & its appurtenances. I notifed another gentleman on the same day that I did you. The amount in his case was $800. Your lot, if there was no monument or fence, could not be taken for less than $300. The measure of the Corporate obligation is for all time, and independently of any depreciation of money, and to the extent of the value of everything upon the lot. If the monument is struck by lightning or broken by a tornado, or the fall of a tree, or by malicious mischief or from any other cause, the Corporation is liable to replace it. --

I think now you will perceive the difference between the two clauses. -- To give one, two or three hundred, as you please, is practically safe, and under it you get the full benefit; but many prefer the guaranty there whatever expense is required is borne by the Corporation.

The amount necessary for the annual care is a poor criterion. Every few years extra repair, as new grading, sodding, i.e, are needed, and these have been but little, if any, accumulation, under any of the contracts.

I am very happy to explain, & only re-- gret that you should be been misled in your information.

I am very respy yours

A. J. Coolidge Sec.y

March 30 [186]4

Mr W^m H. Safford

Dear Sir,

I saw Dr Bigelow for you yesterday. He has no objection to the use of the plate of the little map by you, if you will have the corrections & additions made upon it. Mr Shedd can give you a sketch of the changes in a suitable form for transfer to the copper. - I have the plate.

You will be at the expense of the improvements, and can print 500 impress-- ions & return the plate. --

There are some 200 copies of views of chapel & Tower, but they must be too large for such a book as your intend, aside from their being wanted to accompany the remaining copies of the his-- tory.

Yours truly

A.J. Coolidge

141

it will cost you nothing for ^^an additional plan. If you prefer a duplicate of the finished plan shown you last week, Mr Shedd informs me that the cost will not exceed $6. They will furnish you a tracing on prepared cloth not to exceed $3. --

I presume he could furnish you a copy for each of the lot owners at $2.50 each.

I am very respy Your Ob^t Ser^t

A.J. Coolidge Sec.y

P.S. I think it may be well to put the figures representing size of the monuments and their distances from side lines of the lots, which you notice on the sketch, on to the plan to be filed. --

July 7 [186]4

Edward Austin & Otis Norcross Esq^s Com. on Lots

Gentlemen,

Article 13 of the By-laws of this Corporation invests the Committee on Lots, among other duties, with "the general supervision" x x "of all questions of right -- between individual proprietors, or between proprietors and the Corporation." --

Messrs Stickney and Poor, who are the proprietors of lots 3118 & 3119 situated upon Rosebay Avenue, con-- taining 2000 square feet, a year or two since contracted with a granite man for a curb around their lots and last year employed the Superintendent to set the work up. -- After the work had been commenced, a difference of opinion arose between the Superintendent and

159

Nov^r 10 [186]4

Capt. Winsor

Dear Sir,

Please return me the list of lots of which the fences need painting -- which I left with you -- corrected.

Please also make up a list of the lots ready for Mr Shedd's survey.

I send you an order from Sam. Eliot for a headstone.

Complaint was made to me two or three days since that the boundary posts ordered, and paid for, on lot of Thos. Hall, 641, Willow Av^e Dec^r 11, 1863, are not yet set. -- $8.00 was paid. You will find it among your orders. Please look to this.

Yours truly

A.J. Coolidge

Nov. 29, [186]4

J.H. Shedd Esq

Dear Sir,

I have made a careful list of all lots sold since no. 3000 not on the Sectional Sur-- vey, and have gone over this list with the Superintendent, and noted all lots ready for survey, and have duplicate lists of the same, one of which is at your service for making the survey. The danger of bad weather is now so great, I should like to have you proceed at once. --

Please inform me on what day you will commence. -- There are no less than 103 lots ready & per-- haps there will be others before it is com-- pleted. Some of these, like Laurel Hill, you may have already. --

Yours truly

A.J. Coolidge

186