1835 Trustees Meeting Minutes, Volume 1, 1831.005.001

279

with proper artists, said statues to be those of persons distinguished in American History.

After some discussion this subject was specially assigned for action at the next meeting.

Lot 417.

A letter from Mr Curtis on the subject for a contract for the perpetual repair of lot no. 417 - belonging to W. S. Fearing was read and referred to the Committee on lots

T.J. Lee's Petition

A letter from Thos. J. Lee on the subject of the price of lots. Spoken for last year, was referred to the Committee on Lots with full powers.

Lilac Path

Messrs Bangs & Crockett were appointed a Committee of two with full powers to make a change in the location of Lilac Path

Adjourned without day - Henry M. Parker. Secretary.

LETTER. C.P. Curtis to W W. Story.

-- Copy of letter --

W.W. Story Esqr Paris. Dear Sir -

I have your letter of May 25 & have communicated it to the Trustees of Mt Auburn. They are pleased to learn that your statue of Mr Justice Story is so nearly finished. By the tenor of your and their contract of Oct. 1851. the statue is to be delivered at the door of the Chapel in 3 years from 1 Oct 1851 -- I am instructed to mention this inasmuch as you state the hope that you may find a vessel [so?] that the statue may arrive in Boston in November next. In regard to a pedestal the Trustees desire me to thank you for your offer to procure one -- but they will attend to it themselves. The President thinks a suitable pedestal can be made here as reasonably as in Italy.

I beg you to present my respects to Mrs Story and to believe yours faithfully? -- C. P. Curtis. Boston July 11. 1854.

280

Trustees. Sept^r 4. 1854

At the regular monthly meeting holden September 4. 1854 there were present Messrs Bigelow, Bangs, Crockett, Gould and Read.

The record of the last meeting was read & approved.

T J Lee's Petition.

The Committee on the petition of Thos. J Lee, presented at the last meeting, reported in writing that they had granted the prayer of the petition. Report accepted.

Lot 417.

The Committee, to whom was referred the letter of George Curtis on behalf of the heirs of W. S. Fearing as to the perpetual repair of lot no 417. reported in writing "that in their opinion it will be expedient to undertake the care of said lot, if now closed and no further interments made therein, for the sum of three hundred dollars." Report accepted, and Voted that this Corporation will contract on those terms to keep the lot in perpetual repair.

Purchase of more land.

The Committee appointed to consider the subject of the purchase of more land adjoining the Cemetery on the West, reported in writing that they were unanimously of opinion that it was inexpedient to make the purchase. The Report was accepted.

Lawn Avenue

Voted. That the new avenue in the rear of the Chapel be called Lawn Avenue, and that the land thereabouts be laid out as per plan by Mr Wadsworth now presented to the trustees.

Tombs construction of

Voted. That no tomb shall hereafter be constructed in the Cemetery, in which the door, or any part of it, or any part of the structure shall be less than two feet below the surface of the earth.; and all tombs built shall be sub ject to the provisions of the vote passed March 7. 1854. p. 263.

281

and shall be in all parts covered with earth to the depth at least of two feet.

Proposed Sale to J Richardson

Voted. That in conformity with the request of Jeffrey Richardson and friends, this Corporation will sell to them five to seven lots on or near Lawn Avenue at the rate of two hundred and fifty dollars for the same number of feet if the privilege of constructing tombs therein be granted. Such privilege may be granted to them subject to the terms of the last vote and the one therein referred to as passed March 7. 1854 [p. 263.] and to the approval of the Committee on lots as therein provided.

Statuary in Chapel.

The motion made at the last meeting on the subject of the Statuary for the Chapel was taken up and discussed and finally it was Voted. That the sum of the fifteen thousand dollars be appropriated for the purchase of three marble statues, to be prepared and executed under contracts to be made with proper artists; said statues to be those of persons distinguished in American History. But this vote is subject to the following conditions viz: first, that it shall be approved in writing by five at least of this board of trustees; and second, , that the professional opinions of C. P. Curtis Esqr and the Secretary, on the subject of the legality of this appropriation by this board, shall be taken in writing and found to sustain the legality of such appropriation.

Mr Crockett requested that his name should be recorded as given against the passage of the last note.

Iron Settees'

Voted. That the payment of the sum of one and ninety five dollars for iron settees, purchased

282

by the Treasurer and placed in the Cemetery be approved.

Lot 376.

Voted. That Mr Crockett be a committee of one to confer with Mr Pierce about the condition of a tomb on lot no 376. near Forest Pond, owned by said Pierce

Pyrola Path Bellwort Path

On motion of Mr Bangs. Voted. That a committee of three be appointed with authority to extend Pyrola Path from Orange to Walnut Avenue; also Bellwort Path from Orange to Walnut Avenue.

Messrs Bigelow Bangs & Gould were appointed to constitute said committee.

Well near Yarrow Path

Also Voted. That the same committee consider the expediency of constructing a well with a pump on Spruce Avenue near where Yarrow Path intersects it.

Privies near Gate

Also Voted. That the same committee consider the expediency of erecting privies near the Gate.

Side Gate.

Voted. That Mr Bangs be a committee of one with power to take such steps as he shall see fit to prevent improper entrances into the Cemetery at the side gate.

Adjourned. A true record. Attest. Henry M. Parker. Secretary.

Trustees. Oct . 2. 1854.

At the regular monthly meeting of the Trustees holden October 2. 1854 there were present Messrs Bigelow, Curtis, Bangs, Gould, Little and Read. The Secretary being absent, and engaged in court. G. W. Bond was chosen Secretary pro tem.

The record of the last meeting was read and approved.

Statuary

Mr Curtis and the Secretary presented to the board their opinion that the Trustees are lawfully authorized to appropriate monies for the purchase of comemorative statues for the embellishment of the Cemetery, whereupon it was voted that the same be entered at length in the records of the Board.

Mr Curtis communicated to the trustees a letter to himself from

283

Story Statue.

W.W. Story Esqr on the subject of his statue of Mr Justice Story which is stated to be ready for shipment. It was then Voted. that Mr Curtis be a committee with full powers to agree with Mr Story as to extending the time of the importation of said statue and also as to the disposition of it on its arrival for public exhibition, provided that the final acceptance of the Statue be reserved to the Trustees.

Lawn Avenue.

Voted. That the recorded vote of the last meeting in relation to Lawn Avenue be amended by striking out the words "to them five to seven" lots so that the authority may be given thereby to sell all lots on or near Lawn avenue, at the rates mentioned in that vote.

Pyrola Path.

The Committee on extending Pyrola Path, - reported that it was expedient; - and in favor of the extension. Accepted.

Well near Yarrow Path

The Committee on the proposed well &c. on Spruce Avenue, near Yarrow Path, reported that it was expedient, and that the Corporation will subscribe twenty five dollars, if lot owners will subscribe the rest of the requisite sum for this purpose. - Report accepted and vote passed in conformity therewith

Privies near Gate.

The same Committee, to whom the subject was referred, also reported that it was inexpedient to erect privies near the Gate.

Nuisances in the grounds.

Mr Bangs was appointed a Committee to have all nuisances removed forthwith at the expense of the Corporation.

Stone Farm.

Messrs Little & Bangs were appointed a Committee to decide what shall be done with the Stone Farm to report at a future meeting

Assistant Superintendent

Voted. That Mr Bangs be a committee of one to confer with Mr Howe on the propriety of appointing an assistant to the superintendent, and to report to this Board.

Voted. That when this meeting adjourns it shall be to meet at this place on this day week at 12 M.

Fountain Path

Voted. That a new path be made around Meadow