1868-01 Annual Report of the Trustees of the Cemetery of Mount Auburn, Together with the Reports of the Treasurer and Superintendent. January, 1868.

ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

OF THE

Cemetery of Mount Auburn,

TOGETHER WITH

OF THE

BOSTON: 1868.

J. H. EASTBURN’S PRESS.

TRUSTEES’ REPORT.

It has been an object of the Trustees, for many years, to create, from time to time, new land in central and convenient parts of the Cemetery by filling up stagnant ponds and sunken tracts with gravel taken from adjacent elevations. Many of these changes have been described in former reports. During the last two years it appears, by the Superintendent’s estimate, that about two acres have been thus reclaimed and converted from useless marshes and pools into solid available land. The principal changes of this kind, during the last year, have been made in the low ground between Indian Ridge Path and the upland situated to the northward of this ridge, including a great part of the water and swamp known in the old maps as “Garden Pond,” and through the middle of which Fountain Avenue now passes.

A circular sheet of water laid down in the present map as “Halcyon Lake,” is retained at the eastern end of the old pond. This is in process of being suit&bly bordered, cleansed, and drained to the proper level, having its surrounding banks raised with clean gravel about eight or ten feet.

The amount of earth moved in making these improvements is estimated by the Surveyor at 502,289 cubic feet, and has cost, by reports of the Superintendent, in ali, $7,534.33. Against this outlay is to be offset the value of the mud and decayed leaves taken-out for manure; also the portion of expenses assumed by the Horticultural Society conformably to their contract, and the anticipated early sale of the land at more than remunerative prices.

8

If to the foregoing be added two or three acres formerly redeemed from bogs about Lawn Avenue, Thistle Path, and other places, a great part of which has since been sold at high valuations, it will be seen that four or five acres of important land have been virtually added to the Cemetery.

The main entrance to the Cemetery from the gate through Central Avenue, has been widened to 29 feet, and a portion of the decayed pine trees in that place have been removed and replaced by elms in a healthy condition.

Until this year no provision has been made for warming the Chapel during funeral services which sometimes take place in that building in cold weather. But the increasing number of these ceremonies and the frequent complaints made by friends who find it convenient to use the Chapel for these purposes in winter time, have induced the Trustees to construct an ample heating apparatus for occasional use in the building. As there is no cellar under the Chapel, a large furnace has been placed in the bank north of the building about 48 feet from the wall and 15 feet below the level of the Chapel floor. The furnace is inclosed in a handsome granite structure, with an iron chimney, the upper half of which can be removed in summer: time. From the hot air chamber of the furnace a pipe of galvanized sheet-iron, 2 feet in diameter, inclosed in a brick flue, but not in contact with it, extends obliquely upward and under the Chapel, discharging a current of heated air through a register near the centre of the floor. The effect is found to be perfectly satisfactory in the coldest weather. The cost of the whole construction has been about $2,000.

A part of the curbing wall around the eastern part of Auburn Lake having been undermined by the muskrats, it has been relaid with a more secure foundation. For purifying the water and for regulating its level, an earthen drain pipe has been laid along the bottom of the lower part of this lake, discharging by a ditch into Charles river.

4.

The new Public Lot (St. Paul’s,) is now nearly completed. The sum expended upon it during the last year, including. stone steps, banking, filling, etc.,is $1,400. It will henceforth be a productive property to the Corporation and to the Horticultural Society.

A new Catalogue of Proprietors and their Lots has been published during the year, and delivered to every Proprietor whose address was known. A complete and costly Map of the whole Cemetery has also been lithographed, and is for sale at the Secretary’s Office.

The outlays of the last year have been more heavy than those of some preceding periods. But as most of them are to be regarded as investments rather than expenditures, they must hereafter redound to the benefit of the Corporation.

By the Treasurer’s Report, it appears that, the Permanent Fund, for the future support of the Cemetery,is now $77,979.26. The Repair Fund is $43,828.15; and the estimated balance in cash and invested disposable funds is $46,820.84:

The Office of the Corporation is now removed to No. 16 Pemberton Square.

For the Trustees,

JACOB BIGELOW, President.

Boston, January, 1868.

5 | SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. To the Trustees of Mount Auburn Cemetery, GENTLEMEN,— In accordance with the requirements of the Trustees, I herewith transmit the Annual Report of the Superintendent, fur the year ending December 31st, 1867, as per account of his department. IMPROVEMENTS Number of New Lots graded and bounded with Granite Posts 80 Number of Old Lots Improved by being Newly Graded and Sodded 155 Number of Old Lots bound wtih Granite Posts 16 Number of Lots enclosed with Granite 63 Number of Iron Fences erected 3 Number of Tombs built 4 Number of Monuments erected 33 INTERMENT RECORD Total number of Interments as per last Report 14,242 Number of Original Interments for year ending December 31, 1857 474 Number of Removals of Interments for this year 105 Total number of Interments for this year 379 Total number of Interments in Cemetery to date 14,821 Of the above, there were Deposits in Receiving Tomb 48 Of the above, there were Instruments in Public Lots 33 THE REMOVALS IN AND FROM THE CEMETERY WERE AS FOLLOWS: To the Resolving Tomb 1 To the Receiving Tomb Lots 6 To the Public Lots 9 To the Private Lots 93 109 From the Cemetery 25 Total number of Removals 134 Respectfully submitted DANIEL L. WINSOR, Superintendent Moung Auburn Cemetery Mount Auburn, December 31, 1867

IMPROVEMENTS. Number of New Lots graded and bounded with Granite Posts,- - - - = 80 ”” ”? Old Lots improved by being newly Graded and Sodded,- - - = - 155 » 9 Old Lots bounded with Granite Posts, - - - - - * = 16 ” ?? Lots enclosed with Granite, - - - - mars a & = 63 2” » Tron Fenceserectedj; - - = = ." = 2 = 7. 3 2 aZeTombsibuiltitose ee: (oy sie = es! tt am PE 4 2» 9? Monumentserected,; = - - = =“ = 2 7 © ° 35 INTERMENT RECORD. Total number of Interments as per last Report,- - - - - - - - 14,242 Number of Original Interments for year ending December 81, 1867,- - - 474 7?» Removals from other Cemeteries, - - - - - - - 105 Total number of Interments for the year, - - - - - wink) fe - 579 ey 7» Zs iad in Cemetery to date, - - - - - - - 14,821 Of the above, there were Deposits in Receiving Tomb, - - - - - = 48 Interments in Public Lots, - - - - - - -. 33 THE REMOVALS IN AND FROM THE CEMETERY WERE AS FOLLOWS: TotheReceiingomb;- «= =. == =. 4 =. sor = Receiving Tomb Lot, - - - - - - - - - 6 » Public Lots, - - - - - - - - - - - <n U9; ~ 2» MPrivatedaotee, 9% 9 (= =) 4 ge. rises et a8 — 109 From the Cemetery, - - - - - - . - - - - - - 25 Total number of Removals, - - - - - - - - 2 = 184

Respectfully submitted, DANIEL L. WINSOR,

Superintendent Mount Auburn Cemetery.

Mount Auburn, December 31, 1867.