4 Annual Reports OCR Text Editing

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The granite facade furnished by the contractors for a catacomb or receiving tomb, not proving satisfactory, the Trustees have declined to accept it, and the work of that structure still remains unfinished.

In conformity to the vote of the Proprietors, passed at their last annual meeting, the suit against Mr. Jonathan Mann, late Superintendent, has been discontinued, and the money deposited by him as security, has been refunded to him.

During the past year the Corporation have experienced a great loss in the death of Charles P. Curtis, Esq., one of the oldest and most efficient members of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Curtis came into the Board in 1833, two years after its establishment. During a period of more than thirty years he has served the Corporation with great zeal and fidelity, and has brought to its service his extensive practical experience and great legal accomplishment. He was among the foremost in all useful endeavors to carry out the original design, and to promote judicious measures for the preservation, security and embellishment of the Cemetery. The public buildings and enclosures, the historic statuary, the permanent accumulating fund, and the prudently reserved areas of vacant space, all received from him an active and cordial support. His genial and familiar face had become almost identified with the sittings of the Board, and will long be missed by those who had enjoyed the pleasure of his presence and coöperation.

At different times since the incorporation of Mount Auburn Cemetery, the attention of Proprietors has been called by the Trustees to the important subject of the future preservation and perpetual repair of their individual lots. It will be seen by the By-Laws, that this object may be effected in two ways, either by contracting specially, in the manner there provided for the perpetual preservation and repair of a given lot, or by depositing with the Treasurer a certain sum, the interest of which only will be annually appropriated by the Trustees to such repair and preservation. The common prudence which leads a man to attend to the preservation of his worldly goods during lite, and to the disposal of them after his death, should lead him to a similar care of the place which is herafter to contain his remains, and those of his kindred.

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Whenever the restricted circumstances of an individual prevent him from making the requisit arrangements during life, he should at least make suitable provision to the same effect by his will. The mode of protecting this part of his estate from dilapidation and decay has already been pointed out. If he desires still further to protect the contents of his lot from disturbance or desecration by those who in future time may, as heirs or assigns, become arbiters of this property, he can best effect this object by placing this part of his property in trust, either with the Trustees of Mount Auburn, or with such other parties as he may prefer, with such conditions as he may see fit to dictate. and they to accept.

Various parties have at times expressed a desire that all the lots in Mount Auburn should be kept in repair at the expense of the Corporation. A moment’s consideration will show that such an arrangement would be ruinous and therefore impossible. The lots, after the whole ground shall have been taken up could not by a reasonable computation be kept in suitable order by an outlay of ten or more probably of twenty thousand dollars per annum, an expense which would conduct the institution to insolvency in a short period of time.

By the Treasurer’s Report it will be seen that the financial affairs of the Corporation are in a prosperous state. The Permanent Fund amounts to $43,944.71. The Repair Fund has $24,276.74, and there remains in cash and invested disposable property a balance of $32,734.48.

For the Trustees,

JACOB BIGELOW, President.

Boston, January, 1865.

ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

TRUSTEES

OF THE

Cemetery of Mount Auburn,

TOGETHER WITH

THE REPORST

OF THE

TREASURER AND SUPERINTENDENT,

JANUARY, 1861.

BOSTON: 1861.

J. H. EASTBURN’S PRESS.

MOUNT AUBURN CEMETERY.

During the last year a number of improvements have been commenced at Mount Auburn, and are now in an advanced state of progress, though few of them as yet, are completed.

The introduction into the grounds of fresh running water, and the construction of fountains in suitable parts of the Cemetery, has long been thought a desirable object by the Trustees, and as they believe, by a majority of the Proprietors. Such fountains exist in various Cemeteries in the United States, and are among the highest ornaments in landscape gardening. In the early part of the last year the Trustees made appropriations for such an object, amounting in all to eight thousand dollars, and appointed a committee with authority “to construct one or more fountain jets at Mount Auburn.” The Horticultural Society also, with a liberality which reflects on them great honor, voted to contribute fifteen hundred dollars to the same object. After these provisions, the work was began, and is now in a good state of forwardness. There being no natural head of water to be obtained in the place, a well 26 feet deep and 24 feet in diameter has been dug in the lowest part of the ground, on the eastern side, and secured with a brick curb. It is believed capable of furnishing any amount of water which may be required for the fountains. A reservoir 13 feet deep by 30 feet wide has been constructed on the highest hill near the Tower, about 100 feet above the level of Auburn Lake. A communicating pipe 1740 feet in length, and 8 inches in diameter, made of iron and cement by the Jersey City Water Pipe Company, has been laid about 43 feet under ground, extending from the well to the reservoir, through Magnolia and Mountain Avenues. An engine-house of brick, 28 feet by 22, has been built near the well. A steam engine and pump, capable of easily raismg 300 or 400 gallons per minute, and equal and similar to that now used in Greenwood Cemetery, is about being contracted for from Mr. H. R. Worthington, of New York, to be set up and in operation early in the coming season. The water after beimg conveyed through the reservoir and fountains, will be returned to the well from which it is taken, and thus a constant supply will be kept up, deducting only the small loss by evaporation and soakage, which the springs in the bottom of the well are more than sufficient to supply. It is proposed

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to place the first fountain in the middle of Auburn Lake, and piles are driven for that purpose.

A catacomb, or large receiving tomb, with columbaria forming tight insulated compartments in its sides, is in process of construction under Indian Ridge Path. ‘The stone for its ornamental front is under contract, to be furnished this season. The two granite tombs with hermetic compartments, which were built in Hazel Dell, having been sold, the Corporation proceeded to erect two more of a similar kind, which now remain for sale.

A drain has been completed from Garden Pond into Auburn Lake, 900 feet in length, and 3 1/2 feet in diameter, formed of heavy block stones, and covered with granite. It is a continuation of the drain which has been for many years in process of construction from the Watertown road west of the gate, through the lawn and under Culvert Avenue, and of which 1,250 feet have been laid at different times. The effect of this drain is to prevent inundation, and eventually to redeem for the Cemetery, several acres of central and valuable land.

The Trustees have voted to enclose the two recesses adjacent to the lodges on each side of the gate, with a roof and front of granite, looking toward the Cemetery, and furnished with Egyptian columns in keeping with the rest of the gate. This will afford temporary shelter to persons detained at the entrance in unfavorable weather. The cost of the stone, by contract, is to be $1,600.

An iron covering has been placed over the ‘Tower stairs in lieu of the wooden one, which had been damaged by the knives of visitors. Some expense has been incurred at the Chapel in cleansing the walls from lime wash, and pointing the joints for future security. An entire new floor has been laid of English encaustic tiles, which are harder than marble, and add much to the beauty and permanency of the interior. The statue of John Adams, which was lost at sea, has been replaced by Mr. Rogers, with a successful duplicate. It now fills the only corner which remained vacant, and completes the intended series.

The area in front of the Chapel, heretofore used as a flower-bed, is to be inclosed with a border edging of hammered stone, sufficiently high to keep off carriage wheels. In this area are two trees, a purple beech and a Virgilia, which were planted by the Prince of Wales, on his visit to Mount Auburn, October 19th, 1860.

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of this survey, among other things, is to define accutately the intermediate spaces for the convenience of those Proprietors who may wish to purchase them at the present fractional prices.

A number of quarter lots, measuring about 10 feet by 74, have been this year laid out on Spruce Avenue, at the western side of the Cemetery. The price of these small lots is at present $50.

A new edition, of 3,000 copies, of the Catalogue and By-Laws, has been published and distributed to Proprietors, so far as their addresses could be ascertained. It contains the names of 3,017 Proprietors. A duplicate list of all interments since the beginning, has been prepared by the Secretary, for security in case of the loss or destruction of one of the copies.

Mr. Anthony Apple having resigned his place as Gardener to the Cemetery, the Trustees have appointed Mr. William H. Spooner, Jr., as his successor. His experience and character for punctuality and economy, will make it for the interest of Proprietors to employ him to take care of and embellish their lots. It is earnestly hoped that Proprietors will confine their cultivation to flowers and shrubs, and that as few trees as possible will be planted in the grounds. The dense and increasing foliage of the forest already existing there, in many places excludes the sun, and destroys the grass and the plants cultivated in its shade. Fir trees and other ever-greens are particularly objectionable on this account, and many of those ‘already existing will, at some future day, require to be removed. The Superintendent, if requested, will remove without expense objectionable trees from the lots of Proprietors.

By the Treasurer’s Report, it will be seen that the Permanent Fund, instituted four years ago, for the future and perpetual support of the Cemetery, already amounts to $20,040, besides which the balance in cash and invested productive property remaining to the credit of the Corporation is $29,315.89. Much of this, however, may be considered as pledged to the extinguishing of existing contracts and future necessary liabilities, some of which were noticed in the last year’s Report.

The present price of a common-sized lot in Mount Auburn is $150, or fifty cents for a square foot, being two and a half times the original price, which was $60 for a lot. This sum is less than the cost, with interest, to original Proprietors. But there is still another consideration which demonstrates the extreme cheapness of lots at their present price. The number of Proprietors, by the Catalogue, but little exceeds 3,000. ‘The amount which has been expended during thirty years, for

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the improvement and preservation of Mount Auburn, cannot be less than three hundred thousand dollars, and probably is nearer four. A new Proprietor then obtains not only the land which he purchases, but also acquires an undivided three-thousandth part of all the property of the Corporation. This property includes the unsold land, the iron fence, and other securities of the place, the stone structures and works of art, the roads, paths, and excavations, the artificial water works, the treasury surplus, and the permanent fund for the future preservation of the whole Cemetery. The value of this property at its cost is more than $100 to every Proprietor, and reduces his actual land, as it would be if independent of the rest of the Cemetery, to less than $50 per lot. It is not difficult to foresee that the value and price of land in Mount Auburn must rise hereafter with a rapidity proportionate to its improvement and scarcity.

In Behalf of the Trustees, JACOB BIGELOW, President.

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CEMETERY OF MOUNT AUBURN.

The TREASURER Reports the following Abstract of Recrirts and EXPENDITURES for the 29th year, 1860. He has received : For Income of Investments, $1,602.00 For Sales of Lots 21.177.13 For Deeds, 156.00 From Jonathan Mann, Superintendent 214.95 From Sundry parties, for Labor and Materials used at Cemetery, 1,837.62 There remained in his hands, Jan. 1, 1860, 9,404.08 $34,695.03 He has paid as follows: To sundry parties for Expenses, $2,2972.38 Ro sundry parties for Mateiral &c., used at Cemetery, including those for 2 Tombs, 6,332.38 To M.M. Allen, for his Note, secured by Mortgage of House on Worcester Park, 7,000.00 For statue of John Adams, and Expenses on same, 2,553.20 For Water Works, 5,022. 67 Deposited with Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Company for Permanent Fund, 4,825.00 Refunded Edward Richmond, as overpaid by him for Lot 65.00 To Jonathan Mann, Superintendent, 3,013.28 To Secretary, for Salary and Fees, 458.00 To Geo. Wm. Bond, Treas’r, for Commissions on sales of Lots, 537.25 Leaving a balance in his hands Of, 2,415.89 $34,695.03

GEO. WM. BOND, Treasurer. Boston, DECEMBER 31, 1860.

REPAIR FUND. The Treasurer has also received for the Fund for Repairs: From sundry parties for new Endowments, 1,400.00 From Income of investments, 905.10 2,305.10 He has paid for charge of Lots, 662.13 There was, January, 1860, a balance in favor of Treasurer, 969.76 Leaving now in his hands, 673.21 2,305.10 The Property held by him for this trust consists of : Cash as above § 673.21 30 Shares Atlas Bank - cost 2,970.00 8 Shares Fitchburg Railroad - cost 841.00 10 Shares Western Railroad—cost 1,002.50 Notes receivable, secured by Mortgage, 9,500.00 14.986.71

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This certifies that we have examined the books and accounts of the Treasurer of the Proprietors of Mount Auburn, for the year ending December 31, 1860, and have found them correctly kept and properly balanced, with satisfactory vouchers for all payments charged.

The Certificates of Stocks, and other evidence of property, were found in accordance with the statements in his accounts.

In the Fund for Repairs there appears to be due from him six hundred and seventythree 21-100 dollars; and there is due from him on General Account, twenty-four hundred and fifteen 89-100 dollars.

CHARLES C. LITTLE, } CHARLES G. NAZRO,} Finance Committee.

The Property of the Corporation consists of : Cemetery, cost to Date, $291,956.68 Statuary, 15,365.20 Par Value. Market Value. Notes Receivable, secured by Mortgage, $12,000.00 Stock in Shawmut Bank 15 Shares 1,500.00 1,500.00 Stock in Boston and Lowell Railroad 4 shares 2,000.00 2,060.00 For Stocks in Boston and Providence Railroad 20 shares 2,000.00 2,140.00 For Stocks inAtlantic Bank 20 Shares 2,000.00 2,000.00 For Stock in Western Railroad 30 shares 3,000.00 3,390.00 For Stock in Boston and Worcester R. R....24 shares 2,400.00 2,568.00 For Stock in Fitchburg Railroad 20 shares 2,000.00 2,000.00 Cash, 2,415.89 Superintendent’s House and Lot, 6,892.91 Deposit for Permant Fund 20,040.00 Lot 567, 100.00 Tombs—Two Tombs on Hazel Dell, 3,800.00 Tomb under Park-Street Church, 200.00 $60,348.80 Number of Lots sold 103 Number of Lots added to 33 Received for spaces, about 15 lots, $363.66. All of which is respectfully submitted, GEO. WM. BOND, Treasurer. BOSTON DECEMBER 31, 1860.

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8 SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT.

To the Honorable Board of Trustees of Mount Auburn Cemetery, GENTLEMEN,—

In accordance with requirements of the Trustees, I herewith transmit the Annual Report of the Superintendent, for the year ending December 31st, 1860, as per account of his department.

Number of Original Interments for the year ending Dec. 31st, 1860, have been... 450 Number of Removals from other Cemeteries 110 Whole number of Interments for the year 560 Number of Interments in the Public Lots for the year 38 Number of Interments in the Receiving Tomb for the year 25 Total number of Interments in the Cemetery, to date 10,164 Number of New Lots graded, and bounded with Granite Posts 87 Number of Old Lots improved by being new Graded and Sodded. 68 Number of Lots bounded with Granite Posts, and not otherwise improved, 18 Number of Iron Fences erected 23 Number of Lots enclosed with Granite 37 Number of Tombs built 7 Number of Monuments erected 43

RECEIPTS AND DISPERSEMENTS for the year, as per Superintendent's Account of this Department.

Amount of Cash received of Proprietors and others, for labor and material. $19,576.55 Received of George Wm. Bond, Treasurer 3,013.28 $22,589.83 Amount of Cash paid for labor and material, during the year $22,374.88 Paid George Wm. Bond, Treasurer 214.95 $22,589.82

There are Bills outstanding, due the Corporation, for labor and material 3,500.00 And sundry Bills against the Corporation, for labor, &c., about 700.00

Respectfully submitted, JONATHAN MANN, Superintendent. Mount Auburn, December 31st, 1860.