USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford Connecticut, 1863-1903 > Part 1
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Cedar Hill Cemetery
F 104 H3 C35 1903
Hartford Connecticut
1863-1903
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Cedar Hill Cemetery
Hartford Connecticut
1863-1903
Published by Cedar Hill Cemetery 1903
FICH H3C 35 19.03
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MAIN ENTRANCE TO CEDAR HILL CEMETERY.
Officers of Cedar Hill Cemetery
PRESIDENT JONATHAN B. BUNCE
VICE-PRESIDENT
GEORGE G. SUMNER
SECRETARY AND TREASURER
WARD W. JACOBS
SUPERINTENDENT
ROBERT SCRIVENER
Directors
JONATHAN B. BUNCE
EDWARD M. GALLAUDET
FRANCIS B. COOLEY
HENRY C. DWIGHT
GEORGE A. FAIRFIELD
WILLIAM B. CLARK
WARD W. JACOBS
ATWOOD COLLINS
AUSTIN C. DUNHAM
WM. E. A. BULKELEY
PLINY JEWELL
CHARLES L. GOODWIN
GEORGE G. SUMNER
EDWARD W. HOOKER
DRAYTON HILLYER
EDWARD D. ROBBINS
JAMES B. MOORE
FRANCIS PARSONS
EDWIN P. TAYLOR
GEORGE W. BEACH
OLAND H. BLANCHARD
WILLIAM L. SQUIRE
Office of the Secretary : - Mechanics Savings Bank, 44 Pearl Street, Hartford. Telephone number 1876. Connected by private telephone line with the Superintendent's office at Cedar Hill.
" Kings have no such couch as thine, As the green that folds thy grave."
Historical and Descriptive Sketch of Cedar Hill Cemetery
T
HE purpose of Cedar Hill Cemetery is to pro- vide a place of sepulture in harmony with the promise of rest and peace for the dead, satisfac- tory to the most cultivated taste of the living and made forever secure as a sacred trust in the care of a perpetual corporation.
This ideal the modern cemetery has sought to realize. It can only do so under certain conditions. A tract of land must be purchased, having a considerable extent, located near the city and convenient of access, but protected from all encroach- ments of the future, amid rural surroundings, with proper soil, and offering in its natural advantages an opportunity for the landscape architect to produce with earth, rock, water, and wood those beauties which have ever made nature the temple of God. These are essential elements. If, in addition to them, the place affords those extensive scenic effects of hill and valley which awaken a sense of vastness and sublimity, the highest results can be attained. Such a tract of land cannot be found in the neighborhood of all cities, and could not be secured except through legislative authority which is justified by the public benefit. The work of developing it requires means. It demands, moreover, a plan carefully considered and intelligently, continuously, and patiently pursued through- out the course of years which are necessary for its perfection. There are trusts also to be fulfilled in providing special care of grave markers and monuments, or the perpetual disposal of cut flowers upon the resting places of friends, or the like, which may be a pleasure to the living and an honor to the departed. The experience of the past has proven that all
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CEDAR HILL CEMETERY
these various ends can only be attained when the place of sepulture is committed to a corporation created for the pur- pose, and having no other aim than to secure to the lot-owners all the benefits which the funds accruing from the sale of lots may provide. These are the reasons for the modern cemetery, in which the wisdom, taste, and forethought of our age have found expression.
The rural cemetery has been a gradual development and has reached a pre-eminence in our American life. The reawak- ening of civilization in Europe found customs prevailing which were offensive to the sentiments of cultivated people, danger- ous to public health, subject to the vicissitudes of time, and inadequate to the necessities of interment. The mausoleums of the nobility were erected to some extent within their parks, where taste could be amply gratified; but, for the most part, the ancient practice of burial in or near Christian churches held sway. This, in the beginning, arose out of the erection of shrines or temples over the remains of martyrs. A burial within sacred walls was harmonious with their faith. It was thought also to render the resting place secure in the future. The history of many famous cathedrals, such as St. Peter's at Rome, Notre Dame at Rouen, and Westminster Abbey at Lon- don, has seemed to justify this expectation. Some burial places, however, once as highly esteemed, have been swept away like that of Iona, "the blessed isle". Interments within the parish churchyard could not hope for the perpetual pro- tection afforded by a cathedral. As time passed there arose the necessity of using the limited area for other generations. More especially was this true within the crowded city. Some- times even the church. which had other ends to serve, thought itself justified in abandoning the graveyard to the habitations and business of man. Instances are not unknown where these sacred acres were ruthlessly taken from the church. Hence there was occasion for a new method which would obviate these evils.
Sanitary reasons also were a great force in urging forward this development, especially in large cities. The vast number of intramural interments in Paris was thought to be danger- ous, especially when contagious diseases were prevalent. In 1790 the National Assembly of France passed a decree prohib-
HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE SKETCH
iting all burials within churches in Paris. It was this action which led to the establishment of the cemetery of Montmartre, the oldest burial ground of modern Paris, and the more famous "Cimetière du Père Lachaise", consecrated in 1804. Well known, however, as this latter cemetery is throughout the world as the resting place of many celebrated men and a field of costly monumental art, its area is only one hundred and ten acres, and it must not be thought to represent the highest idea which now prevails among the American people.
The early settlers of New England made their burials in the churchyard. It was the custom they had known in the mother country, and which has been nowhere else so well maintained as under the English parish system. This was soon modified by the relations which the church sustained to the town. The result was that all burial places came under the jurisdiction and care of the civil authorities. It was a natural sequence and spread with the extension of the country, so that it became the plan generally received. The only ex- ceptions were the family burial places, which may still be seen here and there, and a few graveyards owned by ecclesiastical bodies. In the small homestead enclosure a valuable idea was expressed. The generations were gathered together, and the spot was convenient for visitation and care. As the family decayed, however, the defect of the plan was evident. The homestead passed into other hands who had no interest in the dead of former owners. The church graveyard was subject to the same changes, especially in cities. Around the sacred edifice the activities of men naturally gathered, and business made demands for the room which the dead could not defend and the living were induced to sell. The placing of cemeteries under the civil authorities was, of all, the most unpromising system. It was liable to all known evils. The town officers had other cares which overshadowed this. Such sentiments then prevailed as made the graveyard no pressing concern for any one. The consequences were everywhere apparent in burial places which had been desecrated, neglected, encroached upon, and even swept away by the changes of time. Our modern revival of interest in them has been largely due to the refined sentiment and practical wisdom which have produced
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CEDAR HILL CEMETERY
the beautiful rural cemetery. In this the experience of the past has finally reached a conclusion, which provides the fam- ily with a place of sepulture amid the beauties of nature and under perpetual care.
An early example of such a cemetery, if not the forerunner of all, is found in our own State of Connecticut. In 1797 the General Assembly, upon the petition of James Hillhouse, Jo- seph Drake, and Isaac Mills, granted a charter to the " Propri- etors of the New Burying Ground, so called, in New Haven." These parties had purchased the year before ten acres of land for their purpose, which they thought would be " for the larger and better accommodation of families, and by its retired situa- tion be better calculated to impress the mind with a solemnity becoming the depository of the dead." It is said that "the Hon. James Hillhouse, then in the United States Senate, was a gentleman of great energy of character, and endowed with a love of nature and taste for rural culture rare for his time." The sentiments these gentlemen entertained did not become general for many years. A few examples, however, were suffi- cient to spread them throughout the country. Mount Auburn Cemetery, near Boston, was incorporated in 1831. It is said to have been the first of any note in this country. Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, was incorporated in 1836, Greenwood Cemetery, New York, in 1838, Spring Grove Cemetery, Cin-
cinnati, in 1845. Within a few years several States made provision for the incorporation of cemetery associations. The plan was generally received with the favor which it merited ; but its most convincing argument was the beautiful, park-like appearance of such burial places, so harmonious with refined sentiments. A new interest was awakened in monumental art when the care of such works was assured. The civil war also frequently turned the minds of the people toward such matters. During those years many rural cemeteries were established in various parts of the country.
The first action in the history of the Cedar Hill Cemetery was taken in the summer of 1863. A number of prominent citizens had for some years been interested in the sentiments above noted. At that time, however, local considerations en- forced the necessity of in refiere action. The Existing action-
SECTION ONE, LOOKING SOUTHWEST.
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HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE SKETCH
modations were limited and imperfect. The extension of the city northward promised to bring them at no distant day within the habitations of the living. As there were then no outlying parks the people were tempted to frequent the burial grounds more than was desirable, and the street railway fur- thered these habits. Vandalism was not unknown, as the newspapers of the time testify. Moreover, a decided demand had arisen for the proper care of graves. It was said that "a neglected burial lot is a stigma upon surviving friends, while a lot that is carefully trimmed and attended to reflects credit upon the living as well as the dead." Moved by these consid- erations, a meeting was called to discuss the subject. It was held at the residence of James C. Jackson, M.D., and was composed of those most interested, one or more gentlemen having been invited from each ecclesiastical society in Hart- ford. Mr. William L. Collins was chosen chairman and Dr. Jackson clerk. After full discussion, "it was unanimously decided that in order to meet the desire prevailing among our citizens, the enterprise should be inaugurated as soon as practicable." Several gentlemen of ample means guaranteed its feasibility. A committee consisting of Dr. Jackson, Hiram Bissell, and Jacob Weidenman were accordingly appointed to select a location,-"one sufficiently removed from the city, possessing suitable soil and the largest number of other desirable characteristics, such as variety of surface, beauty of landscape, and running water."
The work of this committee was most important. Several locations were suggested and carefully examined. One was the territory lying west of the present Spring Grove Cemetery, and between it and Vine street, through which Gully Brook runs. The soil of this tract was thought to be too clayey and wet, and withal the expense of purchase and improvement would be too large. Another location considered was the property lying along the eastern slope of Blue Hill Ridge to the west of the present Keney Park. The obtainable area was found to be too small and costly. It was, moreover, then con- sidered "quite inaccessible with the general condition of the roads leading to it." A third tract was the farm of the late George M. Bartholomew on Park street, then more heavily
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CEDAR HILL CEMETERY
wooded than of recent years. The subsoil was found to be largely of clay and gravel, and therefore inappropriate. This location is now occupied in part by Pope Park, and the growth of manufacturing interests in that vicinity has proven the wis- dom of its rejection as a proper place for a rural cemetery. The location which had most considerations in its favor was that finally selected, lying principally within the town of Hartford, and extending southward over the line into the towns of Wethersfield and Newington. It was situated on the southern arm of the ridge which runs through the city, and was about three miles from the center. On the east was the New Haven turnpike road, and on the west the road to New Britain. On the south it was bounded by the Hillhouse road climbing westward to the summit of the ridge. It had very desirable landscape features, affording opportunity for an in- expensive and beautiful future development. There was water at hand which could be utilized with great effect. It was the natural arboretum of all evergreen trees, more so than any tract within convenient access of the city. The soil was exam- ined and found to be a coarse, gravelly loam, much better for interment purposes than is common in this region. Moreover, the tract was sufficiently extensive to provide for the needs of many generations, and was without any dangers of encroach- ment. For these reasons the committee decided to recommend this location as most desirable for a rural cemetery. After several meetings held in the autumn of 1863, at which the subject received careful consideration, the gentlemen interested accepted the committee's choice.
This decision having been made, a committee was appointed to negotiate for the purchase of the desired property. It was found to belong to nine different individuals or estates, some of whom were unwilling to sell at a reasonable price, or could not convey their land on account of entailments. A commit- tee was therefore appointed, consisting of Messrs. William R. Cone, James G. Batterson, and James C. Jackson, to draft, present, and advocate a bill, to be submitted to the Legislature, asking for a charter with power to sequestrate such lands as could not be otherwise secured for cemetery purposes. This measure was brought before the Legislature at its May session
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in 1864, and resulted in the act of incorporation elsewhere printed, which was duly accepted. The association was thus enabled to obtain a desirable tract of land for its purpose, -at present comprising two hundred and sixty-eight acres. It was given authority to select its own name, and was constituted a corporation with all powers necessary for the perfection of its designs and the future management of its property. The plan set forth in the act was to organize the corporation with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, - five hundred shares of one hundred dollars each, - to be expended in establishing the cemetery; the several subscriptions to the same to be paid back to the stockholders, with interest, when funds should accrue for that purpose, leaving the cemetery property to the final ownership of the lot-holders under the care of their Board of Directors. This provision has now been fully carried out, one-half of the par value of the shares having been repaid January 1, 1895, and the remaining one-half January 1, 1897. The five hundred shares of stock, originally held by seventy-six subscribers, have therefore ceased to exist, and the present cor- poration is composed of the lot-owners.
The first meeting of the stockholders was held at the American National Bank, June 8, 1865. At this time by-laws were adopted and directors were chosen. The corporate title selected was Cedar Hill Cemetery, -a name suggested by the grove of red cedars which crowns the summit of the western ridge. On the 12th of June the directors met and elected officers. The enterprise moved forward from this time as speedily as the circumstances would admit. The desired lands were acquired, and cost about fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). A portion of these was purchased at once, so that on the 11th of September the Committee on General Plans was authorized "to proceed to develop, lay out, and grade the grounds of the Cedar Hill Cemetery." The work was begun the next day, and was done under the superintendence of Mr. Jacob Weiden- man, who entered into the service of the corporation on the 1st of August. During the seasons of 1865 and 1866 about fifty thousand dollars were expended in improvements. The needed maps and plans were prepared. The grounds were drained, laid out in sections, surrounded by broad and well-
1
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CEDAR HILL CEMETERY
built avenues, and much was done toward their ornamentation with trees and shrubs. The receiving tomb was also con- structed. So far had the work advanced in the summer of 1866 that on the 16th of July lots were offered to the public. Interments were made during that season, the first being on the 17th of July.
The original purpose of the directors was to have the cem- etery consecrated for burial uses in 1866, before any interments were made. The ceremonies were, however, postponed on account of inclement weather from the 26th of September to the 9th of October, and from that date for the same reason to a more favorable season. The day finally fixed was June 24, 1868. In the waning afternoon light of a beautiful summer day many interested people were gathered about a stand, which had been erected near what has since been known as Consecration Avenue, to attend upon the services of the occa- sion. The president of the corporation, George W. Moore, presided, and the exercises were as follows: Invocation Hymn, "Summer breezes gently sighing"; Invocation, Rev. Joseph H. Twichell; Historical Address, Rowland Swift; Hymn, "I would not live alway"; Reading of Scripture, Rev. J. Aspinwall Hodge; Ode, "Beneath this sod"; Oration, Rt. Rev. John Williams, D.D .; Consecration Hymn, "Who shudders not his grave to find"; Consecration Prayer, Rev. Edwin P. Parker; Hymn, "Shall I fear, O earth, thy bosom"; Benedic- tion, Rev. Francis Goodwin. The music of the service was rendered by a choir of ladies and gentlemen under the leader- ship of Dr. J. G. Barnett. Thus was Cedar Hill Cemetery established. The years which have elapsed since its consecra- tion have witnessed constant improvements, and the growth of trees and shrubs has added greatly to its beauty. The original design, however, has been followed in the portion developed, which at present comprises, with the extensive ornamental fore- ground, one hundred and sixty-five acres of the tract.
The total cost of improvements and maintenance from the inception of the enterprise to November 30, 1902, has been $304,509.60, which, with the original cost of the lands, makes the total outlay $355,129.17.
The visitor to Cedar Hill Cemetery approaches it from the
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north through Fairfield Avenue, which follows the height of the ridge running through the city of Hartford. This broad and sightly avenue has been designated as the parkway con- necting Pope and Goodwin parks, thus assuring for it an appro- priate treatment. Through it also the electric cars bring visitors in twenty minutes from the city hall to the cemetery gates. The main gateway is located at the northeast corner of the grounds. At this point the avenue is intersected by the New Haven turnpike road, which bounds the cemetery on the east. Opposite the gates is the main entrance to Goodwin Park. This tract of land recently acquired by the city, with its peaceful meadows, picturesque watercourse, and giant trees which remain of the primitive forest, brings into the fore- ground of the eastward view a charming landscape. An opportunity is thus afforded also for ornamental treatment on both sides of the roadway, mutually beneficial to the park and the cemetery. Turning toward the west the visitor faces the group of buildings which guard the cemetery entrance. On the left is the Northam Memorial Chapel, so situated on the height of the slope as to present a dignified appear- ance and be convenient of access from the highway upon which it fronts and from the cemetery grounds in the rear. In the center is the Gallup Memorial Gateway, through
which the road passes into the main entrance avenue.
The
chapel and gateway, substantially built of granite and in harmony with each other, give the entire front an appro- priate character and are at the same time suitably arranged for their purposes. A detailed description of these buildings is given elsewhere. On the right is the Superintendent's cottage, planted round about with evergreen trees and with ornamental flower beds in its spacious lawn. At present this is a frame building, but the design contemplates one more substantial and in keeping with the chapel and gateway. It is to be hoped that some time in the near future some person will be moved to contribute the amount necessary to carry out this purpose.
One who passes through the gateway into the cemetery finds himself facing Inway Avenue, which leads across the intervale foreground, between picturesque sheets of water to
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the hills beyond. On both sides tall spruce trees flank the approach. The avenue itself lies between rows of overhang- ing maples. The roadway to the left is that by which the receiving tomb is reached. This structure, south of the chapel and near at hand, is well built of quarry stone under the brow of the hillside. It is well ventilated and has ample accommo- dation for sixty caskets, with a separate apartment for each. Modern electrical apparatus connects it with the Superintend- ent's quarters and affords perfect protection. An ornamental front of granite with a receiving hall has been recently con- structed, and this essential feature of the modern cemetery is now unsurpassed. A small area is laid out in front of the tomb, the trees round about making it a secluded and quiet spot.
The ornamental foreground of the cemetery embraces seventy-three acres, and constitutes one of its most attractive features. Aside from the beauty of its landscape, it serves a useful purpose in facilitating proper drainage of the higher slopes and removes the burial lots to a retired distance from the entrance and highway. As one follows the inway west- ward, a massive stone bridge is crossed which has a width of forty feet and is one hundred and twenty feet in length. This spans the stream which connects the twin waters of Cedar Lake. On either side the lake can be seen through the grow- ing shrubbery. Still further on to the left is Llyn Mawr Lake, thought to deserve its old British name, meaning "Great Lake", because of its extent. It covers eight acres and has a depth of about fifteen feet. Although it is entirely artificial it lies naturally in the midst of the landscape, and receives its waters by a winding brooklet from Lotus Lake, located in the extreme southwest of the foreground. These in turn it dis- charges into Cedar Lake, through which they pass out of the grounds by the natural watercourse. This lake feature of the landscape is singularly beautiful, with the clumps of alders here and there and the view encompassed about with many varieties of trees. The extensive tract thus treated makes the impression that one is entering a natural park, which was the end desired.
The portion of the cemetery at present laid out for burial
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SECTION TWO, LOOKING WEST.
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HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE SKETCH
purposes contains ninety-two acres. It rises before one at the western end of the inway in two ridges, running north and south, and is divided into twelve sections by broad ave- nues, which climb in all directions over the extensive hill in the center of the cemetery. Along each avenue on both sides a wide border is reserved by the corporation, giving additional breadth and offering an opportunity for plantings here and there as may be necessary for the general effect. Each sec- tion is laid out on the modern style of landscape architecture, without copings, fences, or hedges, which are not allowed to inclose any lot. The endless variety of such devices, besides the cost of erection and need of constant repairs, would be very unsightly and spoil the harmonious effect. They are moreover wholly unnecessary, as the boundaries of every lot are defined by corner-marks of cast iron, flanged and pointed, having the lot number in raised figures on the top. These corner-marks, being driven down flush with the ground, are no obstacle to the lawn mower. Each lot also is surrounded by an open space or grass walk, belonging to the corporation and entirely within its control, reserved for such planting or ornamentation as may be deemed best for the beauty of the whole plot. The sections thus treated have the appearance of extensive lawns, with trees and shrubs interspersed among family monuments and adding greatly to their advantages.
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