USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Cambridge > History of the cemetery of Mount Auburn. > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13
Prana & Mayor's Each Baston.
VIEW FROM THE LAWN.
57
MOUNT AUBURN CEMETERY.
however, thought it best to go on and complete the Chapel at their own risk. The Trustees refused to accept the building ; but two or three years afterwards they appointed a Committee, consisting of Messrs. Read and Crockett, with power to settle the disputed account. This Committee made an adjustment by paying the claim of the contractors subject to the performance of certain repairs, and the abatement of $1000 from the amount of their bill.
The departures made by the builders from the requirements of the specification and plans, con- sisted not merely in the introduction of stones which became rusty in a few months, but in the employment, in many cases, of stones of such short dimensions, that they did not sufficiently cover or overlay each other, so as to be capable of excluding water. The consequence was a frequent leakage in storms, with a freezing of the water in win- ter, greatly impairing the stability of the walls. After many fruitless attempts in different ways to repair the leaks, the Trustees voted, August 2d, 1853, on the motion of Mr. Gould, " That it is ex- pedient that the Chapel in Mount Auburn be taken down for the purpose of rebuilding it in a more safe and substantial manner." A Committee, consisting
58
HISTORY OF
of Messrs. Bigelow, Little, and Tisdale, were ap- pointed, with full powers to carry this vote into effect. This Committee contracted with Messrs. Whitcher and Sheldon, of Quincy, to take down and rebuild the entire Chapel with certain addi- tional stones and new decorations, conducing both to its stability and improved appearance, for $16,900. In reconstructing the edifice, about two hundred blemished or defective stones were re- moved, and replaced with others of proper size and character. Suitable bonds and joints are everywhere introduced, and large granite ties connecting the clerestory with the outer walls are inserted under the roof. Some of the windows and mouldings have been changed, and the row of leaves beneath the cornice is carried round the buttresses. The Chapel is now a strong and safe building, the decorations are increased, while the aggregate expense for its building and reconstruction, is probably not much, if at all, greater than the sum which such an edifice would cost at the present day. Exclusive of the subscription, the actual cost to the proprietors is still less.
The principal windows of the Chapel are of stained glass, manufactured by Messrs. Ballantyne Allan, of Edinburgh.
Brany & Havers Lich Boston
CHAPEL IN FRONT.
Prany & Tavır's, Lith Bostan .
VIEW FROM CONSECRATION DELL.
59
MOUNT AUBURN CEMETERY.
A well and pump for the refreshment of visitors have stood for many years near the gate. At a meeting July 6th, 1852, " Mr. Tisdale presented drawings and a plan for a pump and pump-house to be constructed near the gate within the grounds of the Corporation, and it was voted that the same be referred to the Committee who have the subject of constructing the tower in charge, with full pow- ers." The Committee proceeded to construct a new well and pump, with a drain, and stone plat- form, covered by a small wooden octagonal building with seats inside, after the plans offered by Mr. Tisdale and designed by Mr. Theodore Voelckers. The cost of this building was about $3000.
THE TOWER.
" At a meeting of the Trustees, June 1st, 1852, after some remarks, by the President, on the subject of the contemplated improvements at the Cemetery, the erection of a tower coming next in order, according to the original scheme, it was voted that the President, with Messrs. Gould and Little, be a Committee to prepare plans and esti- mates for a tower at Mount Auburn, and to report hereafter i writing."
60
HISTORY OF
At the next meeting, July 6th, Dr. Bigelow, in behalf of the Committee, exhibited a model, de- signed by him, and approved by the Committee ; after due examination of which, the Trustees, on motion of Mr. Crockett, voted " That the plan and model, now presented, be adopted by this Board." And, on motion of Mr. Read, it was also voted, " That Messrs. Bigelow, Little, and Tisdale, be a Committee, with full power, to go on and erect the tower now adopted, in granite."
The Committee, above named, contracted with Messrs. Whitcher & Sheldon, of Quincy, to erect the tower, in stone, for $18,500. But the subse- quent addition of stone steps, on several sides, and a broad stone platform about the base, together with the grading of the hill, increased the expense to about $22,000.
The tower is sixty-two feet in height above the summit of Mount Auburn. It is built on the general plan of some of the round towers of the feudal ages, and contains a gallery, battlements, Gothic windows, and a spiral staircase of stone. The stones are smooth hammered on both sides, so that each stone makes a part of both the inside and outside surface of the wall. The horizontal surfaces of all the stones being level and true, it
61
MOUNT AUBURN CEMETERY.
is impossible that any structure, of the same mate- rials, should be more substantial. The summit being above the tops of the highest trees, gives, from its platform, a panoramic view of the Come- tery and surrounding country. A landscape of cities and villages, interspersed with woods, culti- vated fields, and large sheets of water, constitutes this view. Charles River, with its various wind- ings, is seen for seven or eight miles of its course, from Boston to Watertown, traversing the level marsh, which, in the distance, looks like a shaven lawn. In clear weather, the horizon is marked by the remote summits of Wachusett, and other distant mountains.
The tower of Mount Auburn serves farther as a landmark, by which the place of the Cemetery is designated in the distance. It identifies the spot which is already the resting place of thou- sands. It is a centre to which mourning hearts and eyes are daily turned, of those who would fain seck in its shadow for what remains on earth of their children and kindred.
62
HISTORY OF
THE STATUES.
At the meeting of the Trustees, Jan. 3d, 1854, the subject of occupying the interior of the Chapel with historical statues of public men was introduced by the President, in the following Report : -
" The great and progressive demand for burial lots in Mount Auburn, which, in the last year, has increased beyond any former precedent, has been attended with a correspondent increase in the funds of the Corporation. This increase has not only been sufficient to carry to their comple- tion nearly all the great works proposed in the original design, but has left, at the end of the year, an accumulated surplus in the Treasurer's hands, for which no demand has been made. It seems proper, at this stage of affairs, that the Trustees should consider what is likely to be the amount of their future receipts, and what destina- tion can most fitly be made of the same, so as to carry out the original objects for which Mount Auburn was instituted, and to answer the just expectation of its proprietors.
The following estimate may serve as the ground of an approximative calculation of the value of future sales of land at Mount Auburn : -
63
MOUNT AUBURN CEMETERY.
The inclosure of the Cemetery contains about one hundred and ten acres, of which less than ten should be deducted for water and other unavailable portions, leaving one hundred acres. Of this, it is computed that about half is already sold, leaving unsold, fifty acres.
An acre contains 43,560 sq. ft. Deduct half this for paths and spaces,
leaving, say, · · · 21,000 " "
Which, at 33{ cents a foot, the pres-
ent price is $7,000
$ 350,000
And 50 acres are eventually worth . From this is to be deducted about twenty per cent. paid to the Horticultural Society, against which may be offset the premium of twenty per cent. now paid by purchasers, who select their lots. It is apparent that the means of the Corporation are likely to be sufficient for any reasonable improvements, which they may feel themselves justified in undertaking.
The object of the present Report is to submit to the Trustees the expediency and propriety of procuring to be made by competent artists a certain number of marble statues, commemora- tive of men who have been distinguished in the history of the country by their characters and
19
HISTORY OF
public services, with a view to these statues being placed within the Chapel, which is now about to be reconstructed. By the charter of the Cemetery, the Corporation are authorized to expend their funds among other objects, for the 'improvement and embellishment' of the place. And one of the proposed objects for which the Chapel was erected, as expressed in Judge Story's Report, entered on our records, was, that 'the interior sides may become the repository of busts, statues, and other sepulchral monuments, which may, from time to time, be placed there.' The custom of placing works of sculpture, commemorative of the illustrious dead, in the interior of chapels and churches, is not uncommon in Europe, and is occasionally seen in this country. And, as such memorials are, or should be, elaborate works of art, the propriety becomes apparent, that they should be protected from the elements by the shelter of a roof.
But few of the distinguished men of our own country, and especially of this section of it, have received from their posterity those permanent marks of gratitude, to which the importance of their public services has entitled them. Having died, perhaps, during the comparative poverty
65
MOUNT AUBURN CEMETERY.
of the country, their merits and claims to such recognition have been obscured by the lapse of years, and for a time forgotten. There were among them men of high intellect, indomitable courage, and unquestioned patriotism, - such qualities as civilized nations, in all ages, have been prompt to recognize and commemorate by lasting memorials. Is it right that we, into whose hands Providence has thrown the appro- priate means, should withhold from them this late, yet fitting, tribute, in the midst of a prosperity, founded on their efforts and sacri- fices, and which now furnishes us the means to prepare and decorate sumptuous resting places, in life and death, for our own less worthy selves.
If the patronage of genius be permitted to weigh as a collateral consideration, we have artists, resident among us, and others have gone out from our midst, who have already won applause from those who are qualified to judge, and have given proofs that the field, and not the talent, is wanting to their honorable success.
It will be remembered that the Cemetery of Mount Auburn was the first to embody, for its own purposes, a plan, uniting the beauties of 5
66
HISTORY OF
art and nature in a manner, and on a scale, which had not been effected in this country, nor, in some respects, in any other. Its fortunate inception, and well considered arrangements, have caused it to be imitated in almost all the large cities and villages of the United States. It re- mains to be seen whether, from its ample means, it shall continue to take the lead in carrying into effect new forms of grateful remembrance of the dead, or wait to become the tardy imitator of other institutions, to which it has hitherto been an example.
(Signed) JACOB BIGELOW."
On receipt of the above Report, the Trustees voted, " That a Committee of three, of whom the President shall be Chairman, be appointed to con- sider the report on statuary made this day, and report at a future meeting of the Trustees, upon the general subject of introducing statues into the Cemetery at the expense of the Corporation." Mr. Parker requested that his vote, dissenting from the foregoing vote, should be entered on record. The President, with Messrs. Read and Curtis, were ordered to constitute said Committee.
At the meeting, Feb. 13th, 1854, the President,
67
MOUNT AUBURN CEMETERY.
from the Committee on Statuary, made a written report, which was postponed for consideration until the next meeting, the Secretary in the meantime to furnish each Trustee with a copy of the same.
After a discussion of the subject, which was continued through several successive meetings, at length, at the meeting holden Sept. 4th, 1854, the Trustees voted, " That the sum of fifteen thousand dollars be appropriated for the purchase of three marble statues, to be procured and executed under contracts to be made with proper artists ; said stat- ues to be those of persons distinguished in Ameri- can history. But this vote is subject to the follow- ing conditions, viz., 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, Esq., and the Secretary, shall be taken in writing, and found to sustain the legality of such appropriation." Mr. Crockett requested that his name should be recorded as against the passage of this vote.
Finally, at a meeting, Oct. 2d, 1854, it was de- clared that, " The vote passed at the last meeting on the subject of statuary, had received the ap- proval of certain Trustees in writing, as follows : ' On the above named conditions, the subscribers,
1
68
HISTORY OF
Trustees of Mount Auburn Cemetery, approve the appropriation of fifteen thousand dollars as above specified, for the above named object.' Signed, JACOB BIGELOW, JAMES READ, ISAIAH BANGS, B. A. GOULD, CHARLES P. CURTIS, CHARLES C. LITTLE, GEORGE H. KUHN,
Seven in all of the nine Trustees.
The foregoing certificate was annexed to a cer- tified copy of the vote."
About this time, and before the pending ques- tions were definitely settled, a statue of the late Judge Story, destined for Mount Auburn, had ar- rived from Italy, and was temporarily placed in the vestibule of the Boston Athenaum. It was the result of a spontaneous private subscription which had immediately followed the death of that distin- guished citizen and jurist, which happened in 1845, as already noticed on page 52.
As soon as the subscription for this statue had been filled, a meeting of the subscribers was called at the Secretary's office, Nov. 25th, 1845, at which a unanimous vote was passed, " That the Trustees of the Cemetery of Mount Auburn be, and hereby
69
MOUNT AUBURN CEMETERY.
are, appointed a Committee to carry out the views of the subscribers in this matter, and, in case of any exigency, to call another meeting of the sub- scribers as they shall see fit."
Thereupon, the Trustees of Mount Auburn voted, "That the Trustees will accept the commis- sion so entrusted to them by the subscribers to the fund for the erection of a marble statue of the late Joseph Story, and act under the same accord- ingly."
The money subscribed was collected and placed at interest, and a contract was made by the Trus- tees with William W. Story, son of the deceased, to execute a marble statue of his father, deliverable in five years. Owing to various casualties, the statue was not completed in the prescribed time. The contract expired and was renewed, and finally the statue arrived in 1855, about ten years from the time of its being ordered.
The selection of three historical personages to fill the remaining niches of the Chapel, was not an easy task. Much difficulty was felt, particularly in se- lecting from among the great names which cluster about the period of the American revolution. The Committee entrusted with this responsibility con- sulted by letter many of our best historians and
70
HISTORY OF
scholars, without obtaining even an approach to a unanimous result. At last a method was adopted of assuming a representative man for each of four great periods, or important epochs, in the history of Massachusetts. The first era was that of the set- tlement of the colony, and is represented in the person of John Winthrop, its first governor. The second period was that of the first resistance to the aggressions of the British parliament, of which movement James Otis was the leader and imperso- nation. The third epoch comprised the revolution itself and the establishment of a new constitution, a momentous period, fitly represented in the person of John Adams. Lastly, the fourth, or present period, which is that of peaceful fruition under the supremacy of beneficial laws, finds a just embodi- ment in the character of the conservative and eloquent Joseph Story.
The duty of selecting and engaging the artists to execute these works was assigned to a Committee of one, as will be seen in the following votes.
" At a meeting of the Trustees of the Proprietors of the Cemetery of Mount Auburn, holden Nov. 6th, 1854, the following votes were passed :-
Voted, That the President be instructed and authorised in the name and behalf of this Cor-
71
MOUNT AUBURN CEMETERY.
poration, to contract with some suitable artist, to be selected by him, for a statue of John Winthrop, in marble, the cost of which shall not exceed five thousand dollars.
Voted, That the President be instructed and authorised in the name and behalf of this Corpo- ration, to contract with some suitable artist, to be selected by him, for a statue of James Otis, in marble, the cost of which shall not exceed five thousand dollars.
Voted, That the President be instructed and authorised, in the name and behalf of this Corpo- ration, to contract with some suitable artist, to be selected by him, for a statue of John Adams, in marble, the cost of which shall not exceed five thousand dollars.
Attest,
HENRY M. PARKER, Secretary."
In pursuance of the above votes, artists were immediately selected, and contracts signed for the execution of the statues. Considerable progress was made, and as the work advanced, parts of the stipulated price were paid as they became due. In this stage of the business, Mr. Nazro, at a meeting, April 7th, 1856, proposed an inquiry whether these contracts had gone so far that they could not be
72
HISTORY OF
rescinded. A Committee, consisting of Messrs. Nazro, Curtis, and Lawrence, were appointed . " to examine, consider, and report whether the afore- said contracts can be rescinded." At an adjourned meeting, April 21st, this Committee reported ad- versely to the measure, and a minority report was also made by Mr. Nazro in favor of rescinding. Both reports were ordered to be put on record. On a final vote by yeas and nays, on a motion of Mr. Gould to accept the report of the Com- mittee, the Trustees decided in the affirmative as follows: Yeas, Messrs. Curtis, Gould, Lawrence, and Read ; Nays, Messrs. Crocker, McKean, Nazro, and Tisdale, - the President giving his casting vote in the affirmative. Messrs. Bangs, Cheever, and Little, were absent.
The artists selected for these different works, in pursuance of the votes heretofore stated, were Richard S. Greenough, by whom the statue of Governor Winthrop was finished in Florence, and placed on its pedestal in little more than three years ; - Thomas Crawford, who had modelled, and nearly completed, in Rome, the majestic figure of James Otis, when the untimely death of the pre-eminent sculptor left the work to receive its last finish from other hands ; -
73
MOUNT AUBURN CEMETERY.
and, lastly, Randolph Rogers, by whom a spirited statue of John Adams was promptly executed, but, unfortunately, lost at sea, on its way from Italy. A duplicate of the statue was immediately undertaken, and finished by Mr. Rogers. These artists are all Americans, - natives of Massachu- setts and New York.
At a meeting, Sept. 4th, 1855, the Trustees voted, that the Committee on Lots be authorized to lay out such number of quarter lots, containing seventy-five feet each, and in such places as they may deem expedient, each such quarter lot to be sold for fifty dollars.
April 5th, 1858. The need of a Special Police on the ground having been occasionally felt, Mr. Bangs was appointed a Committee to request the Mayor and Aldermen, of Cambridge, and the Selectmen, of Watertown, to appoint the Super- intendent, the Gate-keeper, and two other suitable men, to be nominated by the Superintendent, as Special Policemen in and around the Cemetery of Mount Auburn, without compensation. The Committee reported, May 3d, that this appoint- ment had been made, agreeably to the request.
The water courses in Mount Auburn consisted, originally, of a series of small ponds, apparently
74
HISTORY OF
stagnant, but communicating with each other by filtration through the sand or gravel. In rainy periods, the water in these ponds stands at differ- ent heights ; but, in times of drought, the surfaces approach more nearly the same level. Formerly, a continuous flow of water took place from Wyeth's Meadow, lying north of the main road, across the road into what is now called the Lawn, and thence across what is now Central Avenue, into Garden Pond, - the upper portion of which, next the avenue, is since filled up. To Garden Pond there was no outlet ; but the water escaped, by percolation, through Indian Ridge into Auburn Lake, formerly Meadow Pond. Twenty years ago, this beautifully situated little lake was a bog meadow, covered with grass and bushes. It has been gradually excavated, without expense, by the removal of mud, which is mostly composed of decayed leaves and other decomposed vegetable substances, and is used to enrich the soil. In 1857, a generous purchase was made by Miss A. M. Loring, of two thousand feet of land, at the head of this lake, for $1000, - the land to be forever kept open for ornamental purposes, and the money to be expended in repairing and stoning the edges of this lake. The Trustees,
75
MOUNT AUBURN CEMETERY.
after expending this sum for the purpose required, proceeded, on the following year, to finish the inclosure in the same style, at the expense of the Corporation. The whole bank is now stoned and sodded ; a path is completed round the upper half, and a carriage road round the lower half, crossing the water by a small bridge, designed by Mr. Mann, at its narrowest part.
The "Lawn " was evidently, in former times, a continuation of Wyeth's Meadow. As it is too low for cemetery purposes, an excavation was, at one time, begun, for the purpose of converting it into a lake. But this purpose was changed ; and it is now decided to raise the surface one foot, and to cover it with loam and grass, with a view to its being always kept open for orna- ment, and for affording a prospect of the Chapel from the road.
Living springs exist at the bottom of all the principal ponds, and are seen discharging, when- ever the water is drawn off for the purpose of deepening the ponds, or removing the mud. In the course of time, it is probable that most of the smaller ponds will be filled up, and the larger ones contracted, by raising, and symmetri- cally repairing their banks with edgings of stone.
76
HISTORY OF
In this way the small pond, in Consecration Dell, was repaired in 1854, and Forest Pond in 1859. The west end of Garden Pond was filled up with gravel to the height of six and a half feet above the water in 1855-6, for the sum, by contract, of $850. The land thus created has been laid out in lots, and a part of these are already sold.
A deep and abrupt hollow, contiguous to the west side of the Chapel, though desirable in situation, had been unsaleable, on account of the character of the surface. The Trustees voted, August 4th, 1856, to cause this hollow to be filled with gravel taken from the bank east of the gate. The land thus made has since been sold at advanced prices, - a part of it for $2 per foot.
A house for the Superintendent had been voted to be made, originally, by repairing an old building, which was found standing within the premises when the land was purchased. Afterwards, Oct. 18th, 1832, a Committee was appointed to erect a cottage for the Superin- tendent, at an expense not exceeding $2000. A small house and barn were erected, which were used by the Superintendent for more than twenty years. At a meeting of the Trustees, Oct. 1st,
77
MOUNT AUBURN CEMETERY.
1855, it was voted, that the Committee on Grounds be authorized to remove this house and the adjacent buildings from the Cemetery, if they shall think it expedient. The removal was accordingly made. A new house for the Super- intendent was built on the side of the road opposite the gate, on a lot of land purchased by the Trustees a few years before, from Mr. Rufus Howe, Superintendent. The gravel was first removed from the surface of this land, and used, in part, in filling up the west end of Garden Pond. This house, with the outhouses and appendages, cost in all about $5000.
For many years after the establishment of the Cemetery, the office of Gate-keeper was dis- charged by a laboring man. In 1854, a new office was created of Superintendent's Clerk, - which office, since that year, has been held by the same person who officiates as Gate-keeper.
In 1857, a new By-Law was introduced, pro- viding for the appointment of a GARDENER, who shall be charged with the care and repairing of lots for those proprietors who may desire that service ; and who shall keep for sale shrubs, trees, and flowers, at the Cemetery. Mr. An- thony Apple having been appointed to that office,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.