Mount Auburn Cemetery

267

offered to the Corporation

Stone Farm, to this Corporation on certain terms named therein.

After due consideration it was unanimously

Voted. That it is expedient for this Corporation to purchase the Stone estate, now owned and offered to this Board by J.B. Dana Esqr, and adjoining Mount Auburn on the Southerly side, containing about sixteen acres more or less, with the buildings thereon; and that the President with Messrs Little and Bangs be a committee with full powers to carry this vote into effect.

Watriss' estate -

Voted. also. That the same Committee be authorized to negotiate for, and purchase if they think it expedient a piece of land adjoining Mount Auburn on the Westerly side, and now or late belonging to one Watriss.

T. Bulfinch's petition.

A letter from Thomas Bulfinch Esqr was read, asking leave to purchase a lot in the Cemetery at the old rates. The letter stated the death of his father during the last winter, and that the City of Boston had allowed the body to be temporarily deposited in the family tomb under the Stone Chapel to be removed as soon as conveniences allowed a burial place to be procured elsewhere. Visiting Mount Auburn with that view about the 18^th of March last. Mr Bulfinch learned that the price of lots had been raised.

Thereupon Voted. That the application of Thomas Bulfinch Esqr for liberty to purchase a lot at the old price, does not come within the rules laid down as to the prices of lots.

Adjourned without day - A true record - Attest. Henry M. Parker. Secretary.

28

April 8 1873

J. T. Bradlee Esq. Pres^t

Dear Sir,

Enclosed please find a schedule of the cost of Printing Catalogues and Engraving maps of Cem. in 1867.

I have also learned the following facts in connecting with the matters in hand, from Mr. Meisel ^^who appears to have sold out his business to H.W. Longfellow ^^late 89 Franklin St Boston and to be now at work for him as an employee.

Our Stone is at City Hall, in care of the registrar

Probable cost of engraving a stone with

57

(2)

the south side, which has now only a rotten board fence about four feet high and is insufficiently protected from intruders.

Respectfully Yours C.W. Folsom Supt

P.S. I made these enquiriees of Mr. M^cArthur, because he was the man who erected the fence around the Watriss Lot, and I thought he would be the best man to take it down.

Resp'y C.W.F. Supt.

P.S. I also enclose his letter of March 25^th as to the length of time required. CWF

92

April 15 1873

John T. Bradlee, Esq Chair Comm. on Grounds

Gentlemen, Dear Sir

I present herewith my Plan of Contours of the Watriss Lot (A), an original rough draft of Avenues and Paths for same (B), and a Plan of the Avenues as now staked out on the ground (C).

The Lot was Cross-Section in the winter of '71 - '72, stakes being driven down at corners of squares of 50 ft and levels taken at each stake, and from these the Contour Plan (A) was made.

The Avenues were staked out in the summer of '72 under the

(over)

95

(4)

more readily and profitably than the common square lots.

Great care has also been taken to spare all of the few trees now left on this piece of ground.

The ground next South of the Main Entrance to the lot from Elm Avenue, I think, is very well suited to a public Lot. (The only one we have now vacant for use (St. Paul lot) is rather far from the Entrance for those who usually resort to a public Lot, and who come in on foot.)

A summer - house or open place with seats, would also be very appropriate near such a lot. N.B. - The subject of the exit and entrance to the Watriss lot, I will make the subject of future letter.

Yours Truly C.W. Folsom, Supt.