1860-01 Annual Report of the Trustees of the Cemetery of Mount Auburn, Together with the Reports of the Treasurer and Superintendent. January, 1860.

ReadAboutContentsHelp

Pages

Untitled Page 1
Complete

Untitled Page 1

ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

TRUSTEES

OF THE

Cemetery of Mount Auburn,

TOGETHER WITH

THE REPORTS

OF THE

TREASURER AND SUPERINTENDENT.

JANUARY, 1860.

BOSTON: 1860.

J. H. EASTBURN’S PRESS.

Last edit almost 2 years ago by Jen_Aaron94
Untitled Page 2
Complete

Untitled Page 2

Blank Page

Last edit almost 2 years ago by Jen_Aaron94
Untitled Page 3
Complete

Untitled Page 3

MOUNT AUBURN CEMETERY.

The favor and approval which have been manifested by the public towards Mount Auburn Cemetery, since the time of its commencement, have continued undiminished during the year which has just expired. The receipts of the Corporation, from new proprietors, have exceeded those of any preceding year ; and although a liberal outlay has been made for the preservation and embellishment of the grounds, the invested and disposable funds remaining to the Institution, have never been in a more satisfactory condition.

During the last year, various improvements have been made in different parts of the Cemetery. The small basin of water known as “Forest Pond,” has been put in repair, by grading, stoning, and turfing its banks, in a manner corresponding to that adopted last year in the repairs of “Auburn Lake.”

The stone culvert or drain which leads from the upper end of “The Lawn,” has been completed about two-thirds of the way from its source to its proposed outlet into “Auburn Lake.” For economy of land, a new avenue, called “ Culvert Avenue,” has been laid out directly over this drain, and coinciding with it to the place where it passes through “ Indian Ridge Path.” The deep cut made through this ridge, will afford a passage for the culvert beneath its floor, while the sides will be occupied with columbaria, forming a large catacomb for separate interments, a structure much needed in Mount Auburn. An ornamental and costly stone front, on the end facing the lake, is now contracted for, and in process of execution.

The iron fence, which had not been painted for eight years, has this year received two coats of durable black paint. It was found that the ends of the transverse bars were much

Last edit almost 2 years ago by Jen_Aaron94
4
Complete

4

[centered top of page] 4

corroded by the action of acid formed from the sulphur cement, and the atmospheric air. To prevent farther corrosion, the sulphur has been carefully dug out, and replaced with Portland cement, by which it is expected to neutralize the acid, and stop the farther access of the atmosphere.

A deep hollow, near the junction of “Indian Ridge” with “Central Avenue,’ and now known as “Hazel Dell,” has heretofore been useless, on account of its depth, and the steepness of its sides. This year, two handsome granite tombs have been constructed by the Superintendent, both of which have been immediately sold. It is proposed to occupy this dell with a circle of similar structures, and a part of them are now under contract.

Nearly five hundred flowering shrubs, chiefly Rhododendrons, have been imported, and set in various parts of the ground, during the last year. Most of them have flowered, and appear in a healthy condition.

It is known to the Proprietors that a statue of John Adams, the only one now wanting to complete the historic series in the Chapel, was lost at sea some years since, on its passage from Europe. A new statue was immediately undertaken, from the same model, by the artist, Mr. Randolph Rogers. This second statue appears to have been completed, and shipped from Leghorn in September last. The vessel containing it, after having been for some time over due, is at length ascertained to have put into Savannah, in distress ; so that a reasonable hope may now be entertained that the statue will ere long arrive at its destination.

A new Catalogue of Proprietors’ Names, is in press, and nearly ready for distribution, by which it will appear that the present number of Proprietors is about 3,000. The Catalogue contains a copy of the By-Laws, corrected to the present time ; also a new Act of the Legislature, obtained last year, authorizing the conveyance of lots, &., to heirs, devisees, trustees, and corporate bodies. It is very desirable that in case of the decease of any Proprietor, the parties in interest should

Last edit almost 2 years ago by RaySchmitt
5
Complete

5

5

' immediately designate to the Trustees a representative, as provided for in the By-Laws.

The Superintendent and Gardener are at all times prepared to do any work required of them by Proprietors, in construction, grading, sodding, and planting upon lots; and, from the facilities possessed by them, they can commonly execute such work at a lower rate than operators from without. In a few instances, complaints have been made by individuals of the charges made to them for services rendered—a circumstance not surprising, among so many proprietors. To prevent future difficulty on this score, specific orders should always be furnished in writing, and the price of executing the same should be affixed by the Superintendent. The arrangement may then be agreed to, or rejected, as the parties shall see fit.

By the Treasurer’s Report, it appears that the Gross Receipts

of the last year have been $43,434.27; while the Disburse- 43/5A7/
The Permanent Fund has this year received an increase
of $5,041; rendering the total present amount of that fund
$14,918.72. That this fund has thus far been accumulated
without inconvenience to the Corporation, is shown by the
fact that a surplus of $29,922.47 over and above the Perma-
nent Fund, mostly invested and drawing interest, remains in
The objects which seem most likely to call for future
an iron fence on the easterly and southerly fronts of the
“Stone Farm”; the removal of a part of the wooden fence
up of ponds and hollows; the making of new roads and
paths, and the keeping in repair of the old ones; and lastly,
thought expedient,—into one or more parts of the Cemetery.|

In behalf of the Trustees, JACOB BIGELOW , President.

Last edit almost 2 years ago by Jen_Aaron94
Displaying pages 1 - 5 of 8 in total