Mount Auburn Cemetery

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April 13^th [18]69

Mrs S.A. Post, 15 Washington Place N.Y. City

Dear Madam,

I have had occasion through several recent calls made upon me for the purpose which is hereinafter stated, to examine the will of the late W^m Pelby: and a more involved piece of legal lore I have rarely met with -- speaking from a lawyer's standpoint. I have studied it severely, and learned what I could from the other sources of the parties in interest and can only say -- "It's a pity that Mr Pelby could not have looked through the maze of history of his family, and seen what it would come to -- and all but a few sentences would have been saved of this long document.

So much for preamble. I am informed that Mrs Julia Hague, and Mrs Sophia Roby -- the half sisters of Mr Pelby -- are the only surviving heirs. If I am right in this, then my business is with these two ladies alone, through you (if you please) as a friend.

When a proprietor dies, by the provisions of the Charter of our Coporation, the Board of Trustees are required to designate which one of his heirs (if he leaves more than one) shall represent his lot in the

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Cemetery -- and this designation generally lasts for the lifetime of the person so appointed. -- If Mrs you Hague and Mrs Roby are the only heirs they should both sign a petition to the Trustees to appoint one of them to represent the lot. Where there are but two they should both agree, as neither constitutes a majority. I have heard it intimated that there is but little intercourse between these ladies, but know nothing about it, and only refer to the matter to say that in a matter of this kind it is important that they should waive differences, so that the lot may not go unrepresented. If, however, parties will not concur, the Trustees are authorized to appoint a person -- one or the other heir. I trust this will not be necessary. It has hardly ever been resorted to, without the and should be avoided, as no fair opportunity can be given for a hearing.

I therefore send you a blank made out as far as it can be for signature. I am half inclined to think W^m R. Pelby had died before his father -- if so the pen should be drawn across that line.

If you get the concurrence of the ladies -- that is -- their signature in favor of one of them -- so much of the work will have been done. It is a pity that this tomb should be left without heirs: and the Corporation cannot recognize

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any but those of record; and this is the only way now to get on record-

If Mrs. H. declines to confer with Mrs R., you had better state how I can find her, or who here knows, if you don't know her address.

I presume this; some friend of Mrs Sarah Hodges, now 86 yrs old & very feeble- has written you that Mrs S. expects soon to die, and wishes burial in this tomb, under a promise from Mr Pelby himself. I know nothing of the propriety of the request - it is a matter for the heirs to decide. But as the case standa today, no one has any right to order the tomb opened, or to give any direction about anything on the lot --

Although the request of Mrs. Hodges may have been the immediate occasion of my writing you, through a promise to do so to quiet the mind of the old lady -- yet you perceive that my part of the errand more particularly relates to the matter first stated -- the resolution of the lot.

Hoping soon to hear from you, I am

Respectfully your Ob^t Serv^t

A. J. Coolidge, Secretary & Treas^r

Apr. 20^th [18]69

Mrs S.A. Post

Dear Madam,

I am sorry for the brevity of your communication in reply to mine respecting the Pelby lot. I must suppose either that Mrs Hague is indifferent to the matter, or regards me as soliciting some favor -- which is certainly not so. If Mrs H. disclaims all connection with and ownership in the tomb, it is very proper to say so, and if her sister does the same, the Trustees will then understand what course to pursue. They will order the tomb closed and regard everyone as barred from exercising any authority in regard to it. But if, on the other hand, Mrs Hague desires to retain her interest in and right over the lot, I think she should answer more particularly the questions I asked. She has indeed signed the paper sent, but has not indicated her wishes in case Mrs Roby refuses. But I first wish to know where Mrs Roby is, before I can ascertain whether she refuses. You say -- "the last she knew of her, she was living at her daughter's in Portland Maine". What is her daughter's name -- to whom married, if a married woman. I must be able to address some one, particularly in so large a place.

Now, although this is not my duty, I am willing to assist so far as you desire.

Respectfully yours

A.J. Coolidge

Did W^m R. Pelby die before his father?

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Trustees April 12, 1871. were designated for Lots as follows;

46 Elizabeth B. Palmer of Boston, Daughter of Alice Gragg, deceased proprietor of Lot numbered Forty=six.

65 Julia Hague of New York City, Half sister of William Pelby, deceased proprietor of Lot numbered Sixty=five

220 John W. S. Marshall of Boston, Son of William Marshall, deceased proprietor of Lot numbered Two hundred and twenty.

1220 John M. Griswold of Newton ^^{husband of Widow} of Joseph G. Stearns deceased proprietor of Lot numbered Twelve hundred and twenty.

1329 Lebbens Stetson of Somerville, Son of Lebbens Stetson deceased proprietor of Lot numbered Thirteen hundred and twenty=nine.

1763 Joseph B. Tilton of Boston, Son of Stephen Tilton deceased proprietor of Lot numbered Seventeen hundred & sixty=three.

2723 Warren P. Adams of S. Boston, Son of Orison Adams deceased proprietor of Lot numbered Twenty=seven hundred & twenty=three.

3601 George D. Clark of Boston for heirs of James Clark deceased proprietor of Lot numbered Thirty=six hundred and one.

Adjourned to Monday, 24^t inst. at half past Three P. M.

Sam^l Batchelder Jr., Secretary.