Pages That Mention Bigelow Chapel
1835 Trustees Meeting Minutes, Volume 1, 1831.005.001
Trustees Records, Vol. 1, 1835 (page 099)
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one. After deducting all the expenses hitherto incurred, including the expense of the granite gateway, there will remain at the end of the present year in the Treasury, according to a statement made to the Committee by the Treasurer the sum of about Twenty Six thousand Dollars applicable to the general objects contemplated in the Act of Incorporation -
It is well known that among these objects there are some, which have always from the beginning of the Cemetary [sic] been deemed of primary importance & to which the funds of the Corporation were designed to be applied - as soon as any adequate Surplus shld exist. Indeed these objects were held out to the orig= inal Subscribers as the main inducements for their patronage & encouragement of the Enterprize; & without them little or no success could have been hoped for - The Committee therefore deem it their sacred duty to recommend that these objects should be put in a Train to ensure their entire accomplishment as early as the funds of the Corporation shall enable the Trustees to do so - The Committee beg leave to state that the objects to whih they have allowed, are
(1) The erection of a permanent Stone or Iron fence upon the front grounds of the Cemetary [sic] & a hedge fence on the remaining three sides thereof for their
Draining water.
due protection & security. (2) The draining of the low grounds & the introduction of pure water which should run into the grounds & through the ponds within the same, into Charles River --
(3) The Erection of a suitable Granite Chapel ^where the religious services for the Dead may be
Trustees Records, Vol. 1, 1835 (page 102)
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into the Cemetery & thence to Charles River -- To accomplish this object some Legislative Action will probably be neccessary as well as the consent of the proprietors, through whose land the water must pass - A survey of the ponds & of these lands has been already made, & an estimate of the probable expense will be found in the Report of the former Committee which has been recommitted to this Committee & to which reference is to be had for a more full understanding of the project & other incidental matters -
(3) the Erection of a Chapel - The committee deem this is a very desireable object - The Chapel ought in their opinion to be built in a chaste style & taste & of the most durable materials, & upon a plan which will admit of great additions & enlargements at a future period, without injury to the symetry & proportions of the original building when the religious services & the erection of monuments therein Shall require Such additions & enlargements - If the chapel Should be now erected of a Suitable heighth of Ashlar Granite it may be lighted by a dome or Lantern or Skylight on the Top, & the four sides be reserved for Busts & Statues & Monuments - The accommodations for the religious Services may be by a moveable pulpit & movable Seats, to be placed in Such prositions as the occasion may require - The Chapel when built, may if it is thought best, constitute the Nave or part of the Nave of a future Church which Shall become with its future transepts a Latin or Greek cross - - as had been already suggested private subscriptions may probably be obtained to aid in the accomplishment of this object - Probably the
Trustees Records, Vol. 1, 1835 (page 103)
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whole expense of such a Chapel for the present purposes of the Cemetery would not exceed 5000$
(4) the Erection of a Tower or Observatory - It is believed by the Committee that this may be accomplished at a very moderate expense & yet be built of the most permanent materials, & it will be at once a great convenience & an Ornament to the grounds A round Tower of Ashlar Granite may be built fifty feet high & of a proper diameter suitable for an easey ascent & decent [sic] at an expense not exceeding - 7000$
Incidental Expenses.
The Committee are also of opinion that it is wholly unnecessary to reserve out of the present funds of the Corporation a sum exceeding 3000$ to meet any incidental expenditures of the Cemetery before new funds will accrue - ; & it is but a just compliance with the known Intention of the Proprietors to apppropriate the residue to one or more or all the objects already indicated -
The Committee beg leave to add that in making the appropriation of the funds of the Corporation for the purposes aforesaid, they have not lost sight of their duty to reserve out of the funds which may arise from the sales of the Lots a sum sufficient to insure in perpetuity the due Improvement & Preservation & Ornament of the Cemetery & the payment of the incidental expenses thereof - They are aware that the number of Lots which will remain on hand will be every year diminishing & therefore that it will be necessary to make suitable provision to
Trustees Records, Vol. 1, 1835 (page 105)
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drain the grounds of the Cemy & to make contracts accordingly.
Voted. That the Trustees agree to appropriate the sum of 5000$ toward the erection of a suitable chapel on the grounds provided the same sum shall be raised by subscription for the same purpose within one year
Hedge. Trees
Voted. That the Comee on Lots be authorized to cause a Hedge to be planted on the East, South & West lines of the Cemetery & trees to be planted on the vacant lands according to the recommendation of a Comee accepted
Voted that the consideration of the two subjects of of an observatory & the introduction of pure
Water
water into the Cemy. be postponed to a future meeting of the board.
Voted. That a Comee of 3 consisting of Messrs Brimmer, Bigelow & Story, be charged with the duty of obtaining subscriptions & a plan for the Chapel -
Voted. To adjourn - A true record attest B.R. Curtis Secy.
Trustees
Pursuant to the notice issued by the Secretary the Trustees of the Proprietors of the Cemetery of Mount Auburn meet at the office of the Secretary on the - Present Messrs Bigelow Crockett C.P. Curtis B.R. Curtis & Story & Gould & Read = Parker
Trustees Records, Vol. 1, 1835 (page 108)
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The Treasurer reports the following Abstract of Receipts & Expenditures for the Twelfth Year ending .
He has received for dividends on Stocks for | ___ | ||
---|---|---|---|
Interest from Sundry parties | ___ | 1775.99 | ___ |
Less dis. & brokerage on 20 shares Granite Bank | ___ | ___ | ___ |
resold | 12.30 | 15.75 | 1760.24 |
Int. allowed on borrowed money | 3.25 - | ___ | ___ |
For Sale of Lots | ___ | ___ | 8007..74 |
" [For] Interments in the Public Lot | ___ | ___ | 120.- |
" [For] Donations for Chapel &c of Dr Parkman | ___ | ___ | 100 |
E. F. Bunnell on a/c of Lot purchased | ___ | ___ | 25 |
___ | ___ | ___ | 10012..98 |
There was due the Treasurer on the 1st Jan last | ___ | ___ | 375.06 |
For current Expenses | 1932.18 | |
---|---|---|
Loan to Portland Saco & Portsmouth R R | 157.90 | |
O.T. Rogers &c in part for Gateway | 4785. - | |
Mass. Horticultural Society's portion | 1646.94 | 8522.02 |
Balance in Treasury to Recd a/c | ___ | 1115..90 |
___ | ___ | $100129.8 [sic] |