USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > A hand book for the Albany Rural Cemetery : with an appendix on emblems > Part 4
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Has built a throne for musing solitude,
Where sunshine scarce finds way to shrub and moss,
And lies the fractured trunk the earth across,
These winding paths that lead the wandering feet, Through minster-aisles and arbors dim and sweet, To soothe thy discord into harmony,
Oh solemn, solemn death, we dedicate to thee.
" Here will his steps the mourning husband bend, With sympathizing Nature for his friend; In the low murmur of the pine, he'll hear The voice that once was music to his ear ; In the light waving of the bough, he'll view The form that sunshine once around him threw. As the reft mother threads each leafy bower, Her infant's looks will smile from every flower ; Its laugh will echo in the warbling glee Of every bird that flits from tree to tree ; In the dead trunk, laid prostrate by the storm, The child will see its perish'd parent's form ; And in the sighing of the evening breath, Will hear those faltering tones late hush'd in death.
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" Through these branch'd paths will Contemplation wind,
And grave wise Nature's teachings on his mind ; As the white grave-stones glimmer to his eye, A solemn voice will thrill him, "thou must die ; " When Autumn's tints are glittering in the air, That voice will whisper to his soul, " prepare ; " When Winter's snows are spread o'er knoll and dell, " Oh this is death, " that solemn voice will swell ; But when with Spring, streams leap and blossoms wave,
" Hope, Christian, hope, " 'twill say, "there's life beyond the grave.
" Music followed from one of the bands on the ground-a solemn, funereal strain-in harmony with the vein of sentiment which ran through Mr. Street's admirable poem.
"The Hon. D. D. Barnard here delivered the Address-an eloquent and finished production. His topics are appropriate, and are handled with his usual vigor and felicity. His vindication of the claims of the dead to a quiet and secure resting place, is admirable in sentiment, as it is strongly fortified by references to the usages and customs of nearly all nations, savage and civilized, and to the religious feelings of every Christian people."
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The most agreeable time to linger here-at least so we think-is just after the evening sun peeps in over the western trees, upon the laughing foun- tain and the limpid lake, and drops a rainbow down to crown the entrancing picture.
Now if you wish to return to the entrance, you can effect your purpose by taking the TOUR east- erly, past the capacious marble vault of HENRY YATES, which, by the way, is one of the oldest and most admirably located tombs in the place.
Another means of exit may be found in the meandering and leafy path called MEDITATION WALK, which leads from the southeast corner of the Lake, and, running high above the road along the face of the southern bluff, forms a most de- lightful, shady promenade.
We notice that the supply of water for CONSE- CRATION LAKE comes through the Ravine which. extends from it westerly. RAVINE WALK pursues this stream and leads into the depths of the hollow pass spoken of, where the intense heat of a sultry summer's day never penetrates. RAVINE SIDE
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WAY runs along its northerly side. This latter we will take, when we commence our examination of the central division of the grounds, of which the Ravine partially forms the southern boundary
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MIDDLE RIDGE.
L EAVING CONSECRATION LAKE behind, and proceeding westerly into RAVINE SIDE WAY, we pass the lot of TAYLOR on the left. It contains a broken column. On the right is the soldier's monument to Col. EDWARD A. SPRINGSTEED, and next is the lot of SPALDING, containing two neat sculptured headstones.
We ascend past the small monuments of J. R. CUTLER, DAVID SMITH, and COBURN and RAW- SON. At the junction of this road, with one di- verging northeasterly, is the WENTZ monument, and and the monuments of J. C. KIRK and C. T. SMYTH.
Advancing still westerly, along the Ravine, we meet Ravine Bridge, and facing it, on our right, the highly polished memorial of the ORR family presents a front view. This is conspicuous, not alone through its generous size, its elegant finish, or its prominent location. Aside from these, the fact that it is the only polished shaft of native granite on the ground, lends to it that attractive-
DORP . LAORR
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Lith of G.W.Lewis 452 Broadway, Albany
TER FAMILY
٢
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ness which any superior object, tending to conserve the ends of pleasing variety, ever possesses for the discriminating observer. This monument, which so admirably decorates its locality, can be seen to fine advantage from the opposite side of the bridge. The lot upon which it stands is also graced by a neat soldier's memorial to WM. EMMET ORR.
Next comes the several headstones in the lot of WILLIAM ORR, and then is seen the large oblong plat of one family of the VAN RENSSELAERS- relatives of that other famous Albany family of the same name, of which we have before spoken. The lot contains four prominent memorials - a handsome free-stone with cross, a rustic cross, and two good sized marble monuments, one of which bears the name of Gen. SOLOMON VAN RENS- SELAER, who was well known in this State and the city of Albany, by his civil and military position and services.
Of all the military heroes who have found sepul- ture here, not one, perhaps, has had a more event- ful career than General VAN RENSSELAER. He 7
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commanded a troop before the age of twenty, and fought under "Mad Anthony" in the historic battle of Miami, upon which occasion he received a wound through the lungs which was declared to be mortal. Notwithstanding this decree, he won a speedy victory over the wound and the doctors, and was soon again ready for service. In the battle of Queenstown he was completely riddled with balls, and again survived. He afterwards held several important political positions, and died aged seventy- eight years.
A little distance west from VAN RENSSELAER is the granite of GEORGE H. THACHER. We pass the monument of BENDER, with Maltese cross, and the names of MCCAFFERTY, CHAPMAN, and WAN- DELL are seen. Ahead is the monument of STE- VENSON and DE WITT. The lot upon which this stands contains the remains of Hon. D. D. BAR- NARD, who delivered the consecratory address when these grounds were formally given to the dead.
We will curve round to the north, and ascending the hill before us, pass HOLMES, HURST, and
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HASTINGS. Here is the neat cottage monument of BARENT SANDERS, and in the lot with it is a monumental headstone to MINNIE and KATIE. A niche in front of this pretty piece of sculpture con- tains two figures. Its emblems are various.
That figure of Grief seen upon our right, a little farther up the hill, surmounts the monument of ALLEN. A child, in the attitude of prayer, occu- pies a place on the front side. Opposite this is a cir- cular lot, with two large brown-stone monuments, one of which displays the following inscription :
LEWIS N. MORRIS, Brevet Major, U. S. A., Fell Sept. 21, 1846, at MONTEREY,
In command of the 3d Regiment United States Infantry, While leading it To the assault.
Erected by the citizens of Albany, to commemorate The gallantry of the soldier, The worth of the man.
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We turn westerly round MORRIS, and advancing, see the substantial marble of FOWLER. Next ahead is OLCOTT'S monument. It will reward a very careful study. That sculptured form which occupies the pedestal deserves our attention ; but do not fail to observe, particularly, those expressive little figures, in relief, upon the front side of the stone. You apprehend their meaning-a mother rising towards her children, who have gone before, and who descend to meet and crown her from their angel home.
The headstone of RANSOM is opposite OLCOTT, and in the same lot with this lies EDWARD C. DELAVAN, the great total abstinence agitator. He was connected with every prominent temper- ance movement in the world from 1832 up to the time of his death, which occurred in January, 1870. His communications upon his favorite hobby have reached nearly all the noted states- men, physicians and philanthropists living. Among the celebrities who were interviewed by him on the temperance question were Louis Phillippe and the
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Pope. After inaugurating his crusade against rum he proved his sincerity by emptying the costly wines in his own cellar into the street. He first became noted as a reformer while residing in Albany, in which city his large fortune was also acquired. That mammoth house, the " Delavan," in the city named, is a portion of the property which has fallen to his heirs.
On the left, again, are the MARVIN monu- ment and sarcophagus, and opposite these is the lot of THOMAS W. OLCOTT, who, as you may be aware, has been President of the Albany Cemetery Association for more than a score of years.
The last statement suggests a digressive look backwards. The events of the last two decades have had their influence upon the affairs of this institu- tion, as well as upon those of the outside world. The Albany Rural Cemetery was founded at a time when the idea of an extensive garden cemetery was comparatively new in this country. It was not always upon as solid a footing as at present, but in 7*
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its infancy was obliged to struggle against the difficulties which, in those days, invariably beset all similar enterprises of any great magnitude. You would, perhaps, be pleased to know something of the details of its progress, and the causes of its existing prosperity; but as we are now ostensibly engaged simply in seeing it as it is, we will leave that subject for its future historian, and pursue our original purpose.
On our left is RAYMOND'S marble, and as we proceed, the granite temple to Dr. MARCH is no- ticed. We will soon take the descending road southerly, and westerly round MARCH; but first let us look about us, and contemplate the scenery on either side.
We are upon the narrowest part of the MIDDLE RIDGE. INDIAN LAKE looks up to us, through a leaf-fringed vista, from the guarded depths of the wild Ravine upon the north. This is the largest lake upon the grounds, and in time, no doubt, will be the finest. Near us, to the south, is TAWASEN- THA-the body of water which furnishes the head
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for the fountain that ruffles the bosom of its sister lake below.
Now we will move along towards TAWASENTHA LAKE, leaving MARCH upon our right. As we descend we notice in the distance, lining the bank south of the Lake, the tombs of PESTER and Os- TERHOUT, CHARLES STANFORD, and BRINCKER- HOFF and PUMPELLY. Near the Lake is the neatly coped lot of APPLETON, and farther east the mas- sive granite monument, with polished tablets, of Gen. JOHN TAYLOR COOPER.
If we look sharply we will see, in the same line with the tombs before mentioned, a low block of marble inscribed "The Grave of the BRIDGENS," and some distance back of it a single undecorated grave. The simple quaint- ness of this inscription has provoked many a query, and yet there is nothing cabalistic in it. The grave contains the reinterred remains of several members of the BRIDGEN family. In its location does it not remind you of the poet's picture-
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" Mine be the breezy hill that skirts the down, Where a green grassy turf is all I crave, With here and there a violet bestrown,
Fast by a brook or fountain's murmuring wave, And many an evening's sun shine sweetly on my grave."
Let us continue our descent to the foot of this slope, and look upon the monument of JOHN C. SPENCER, the illustrious lawyer and statesman, about whom Thurlow Weed tells an interesting political story in his "Experiences." His able revision of the statutes of this State -a task assigned to him by De Witt Clinton, shortly before the death of this remarkable personage - is, in itself, a sufficient monument.
AMBROSE SPENCER, the father of the subject of our previous remarks, also has a memorial in the same lot. He, too, was a distinguished lawyer and prominent politician.
Opposite SPENCER, on our right, and built in the face of the hill, is the Douw vault. Can you decipher that faint inscription above the door - JOHN DE PEYSTER DOUW.
As we move along past Douw, westerly, we see
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to the left a sarcophagus of Quincy granite, sup- porting a large anchor in relief. This is the memorial of "Capt. ROBERT TOWNSEND, of the U. S. N., who died Aug. 16, 1866, at Chin Kiang, China, while in command of the U. S. steamer Wachusett." It is at once elegant, modest and substantial; and, inasmuch as it is entirely differ- ent from any other memorial here, it possesses no little attraction for the seeker after novelties.
Next to TOWNSEND is MARTIN's large, heavy granite, with Grecian urn. We will now round up this steep slope past QUACKENBUSH, and, turn- ing easterly into WESTERN AVENUE, stand before the HAMILTON monument. This is certainly one of the finest specimens of the unapproachable Gothic, of which these grounds can boast. That surmounting figure is Faith. The memorial looks down upon the grave of Col. DAVID HAMILTON, a gentleman of wealth and leisure who was well known among the public men of fifteen years ago, in Albany county and vicinity.
Our next advance will be easterly in the road
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upon which we now stand. If we desired to leave the Cemetery here, we might do so by taking the westerly continuation of this avenue, past DAVIS, WHARTON, ROY and the BOYDS, and on by the cottages beyond to the western entrance. Near the entrance are the church grounds, where lie the re-interred dead of the abandoned grave yards of Albany.
Whenever you feel like devoting a half day to the object, we would advise you-especially if you are a bit of an antiquarian-to go among these transplantations of the great Reaper, and read-if you can-the old inscriptions upon some of the recumbent stones. There you will find samples of the characteristic phraseology and orthography of the last century. You will find hackneyed churchyard epitaphs-some appropriate and affect- ing, in spite of repetition ; some evidently home- brewed and thoroughly unimpressive, and some unequivocally absurd. The many inscriptions in German will recall your historical gleanings of the days of Fort Orange and Rensselaerwyck; and the
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instructive, practical contrast between these crude landmarks of the past and the evidences of the modern innovations of art and taste so near by, will more than reward the trouble of your visit.
But we are losing time. As we have already proposed, we will move easterly from HAMILTON. Here is the lot of JAMES ROY. Its principal adornment is a sarcophagus in marble.
We continue on past JOHN VAN ZANDT, EIGHTS, COBB, SCOTT, BOYD, GRAY and DEAN. To the left, the names of CHAPIN, CAMPBELL and HOFF- MAN appear. Again we see the memorial which preserves the name and features of Dr. MARCH. You remember that we left this on our right but recently, as we descended towards the Lake. If you have ever known the original, you will surely recognize in that medallion the American autocrat of surgery. We only learn from the stone before us that Dr. ALDEN MARCH lived and died. No labored eulogy perpetuates his deeds; nor is such tribute necessary. His fame is self-preserving.
The ensuing portion of this avenue we have
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lately traversed for a short distance. We advance past the objects before seen, and, crossing the intersecting TOUR beyond, leave the high cast iron enclosure and the monument of CHOLLAR and DUNHAM on our left.
To the right, ahead, is the marble mausoleum of MEADS. Here lies the philanthropic JOHN MEADS, an old and respected citizen of Albany, who was conspicuous in many noble public chari- ties. During the latter years of his life he was the most frequent of visitors to these grounds and to this spot.
Now on, still in WESTERN AVENUE, easterly, past BROWN, HARRIS, ALLEN, FASSETT, ROBERTS and DANIELS. To the right is the monument of the WHITE brothers, and in the same lot a sarco- phagus to ANDREW WHITE. We proceed by FORD, SMITH, WHITE and WILSON. This latter is on our right. Look at that pretty little headstone which the lot contains. Near here is an enclosed grave-a singular object.
Let us look to the left, towards GANSEVOORT-
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an old and honored Albany name. The inscrip- tions upon that small stone to Brigadier-General PETER GANSEVOORT and wife, are interesting. Nearly one hundred years ago, General GANSE- VOORT "defended Fort Stanwix against St. Leger, thereby preventing his junction with Burgoyne." " Here Stanwix' chief and brave defender lies." Behind the monument is a recumbent slab, in- scribed to another GANSEVOORT, who in old times was one of the leading merchants of Albany. He died in the year 1800.
We again cross the TOUR, leaving the hedge- enclosed lot of JOHN V. L. PRUYN upon our left, and proceeding past the WALDRON brown-stone to the monument and sarcophagus of EGBERT EGBERTS. Do you know who first harnessed power to the knitting frame in this country, and who was foremost in developing that important American industry, the knitting business? The stone before us preserves his name. Ask any resi- dent of that "City of the Mills," which was the scene of his labors, to whom, more than to any 8
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other one man, the present importance of the place as a manufacturing district is due, and your answer will doubtless be-" EGBERT EGBERTS."
Another advance shows the names of HOWLAND, ROUSSEAU and EASTON, HOLT, BALDWIN, LOB- DELL and MENEELY. Here lies ANDREW ME- NEELY, whose name is known wherever bells are used throughout the world. Through his inge- nuity was effected a complete revolution in the process of bell-making, and a branch of manufac- ture previously precarious was made to yield ample wealth and enviable reputation.
Opposite MENEELY we read the name of HITCH- COCK, and then come TUCKER, MATHER, HAS- WELL, WATERMAN, PLATT, LAWRENCE, WASH- BURN, STEVENSON and CRANE and CROWNER. This portion of the grounds is popularly known as "The West Troy Ridge," for the reason that a great number of the prominent residents of the place named have here formed a sort of commu- nity of their own.
Let us turn sharply to the right, round section
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post fifty-eight, and, leaving WESTERN AVENUE, notice the monuments of CAMPBELL, VIELE, AN- DREWS and McHARG. Now we look easterly along the TOUR, which has just been entered, and see the unpretending low granite monument to WILLIAM L. MARCY. Towards it let us advance. We will not presume to enlighten you upon the public history of the illustrious personage whose name it bears, for with that you are probably familiar; but there is a little narrative most perti- nent to this occasion, which with your permission we will relate.
This central division of the grounds was pur- chased from WM. L. MARCY and others, execu- tors of the estate of Benjamin Knower, by the Cemetery Association. It was then known as the Knower farm. Mr. MARCY was connected with the Knower family by marriage, and was in early life a frequent visitor to this rural retreat. This was some time before the idea of establishing a Rural Cemetery for Albany had taken any definite form. In after life he often alluded to the pleasure
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he had realized amid the quiet shades of this grand conservatory of nature's charms. To the very spot where now stands his memorial, he would regularly repair, alone, to indulge in solitary reflec- tion; or, book in hand, to cultivate the acquaint- ance of a favorite author. The plat of ground which holds his ashes was purchased for him after his death, in consequence of its associations, and in accordance with the frequently expressed prefer- ence of the consummate statesman for this selec- tion.
Before proceeding farther, let us look westerly along the crest of this bluff, and observe the Gothic monument to BENJAMIN KNOWER-the gentleman of whom we have spoken in the pre- ceding paragraph. That was a leading name among the solid men of Albany some years ago. At the time of its erection, that monument was considered one of the finest here. It is yet much admired.
From MARCY we move easterly, past FOWLER and GIBBS. We are about to leave the TOUR
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again, and descend into CRESCENT WAY; but first we will notice on the left the large marble monument of SCHUYLER, and the brown-stone of B. F. SMITH. This last named gentleman was once a celebrated architect of Albany, and fur- nished designs for many of the large and costly monuments here.
As we move on, leaving ROBINSON's free-stone on our left, the marble of OTIS ALLEN is passed, and now we look down from the rear upon BUR- DEN's vault, which we will soon approach in front. At the next turn is a stately free-stone, profusely inscribed. It is in itself an interesting history. Among its inscriptions we read a name inseparably associated with one of the greatest scientific insti- tutions in the land. Who but has heard of that well known public monument which stands an enduring evidence of the munificence of that revered lady, Mrs. BLANDINA DUDLEY ?
Beyond the turn, and opposite DUDLEY, in the VAN BUREN lot, is a chaste marble cross to " Prince JOHN," and a three-sided brown-stone to 8*
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the hardly less illustrious Judge VAN DER POEL. An inscription upon the south side of the cross, reads :
JOHN VAN BUREN,
SON OF MARTIN AND HANNAH VAN BUREN. Born at Hudson, Feb. 10, 1810.
Died at sea, Oct. 13, 1866.
We will next turn from VAN BUREN northerly, and, leaving behind the memorial of this latter-day political celebrity, with whose public history you are probably well acquainted, will pass BAKER and BUCKBEE, and notice the soldier's monument to Col. JOHN WILSON, another of the many martyrs here who died to vindicate a glorious cause.
That exquisite tomb before us, with its watchful canine guardians, may well arrest our attention. It has doubtless called forth more of enthusiastic admiration than any similar architectural produc- tion in this country. Casual visitors by the hun- dred-all unquestionably impartial, and many of
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them fully competent to decide by comparison- have conceded to the Albany Rural Cemetery the possession of the model of side-hill tombs.
It is generally understood that this elaborate sepulchre was, in its essential features, at least, designed by Mrs. HENRY BURDEN, a lady of rare gifts, who has for several years been one of its ten- ants. Look upon the left hand page of that large sculptured book, and read its poetical tribute to her memory.
It is but recently that one of the most remark- able men of the age came here to join his beloved consort in her eternal resting place. We will not undertake to instruct you in detail concerning the history of HENRY BURDEN. If you are familiar with the annals of American enterprise and inven- tion, you must necessarily be aware of his achieve- ments. Of course you have heard of that wonder- ful machine which, as if born to meet a national emergency, poured forth torrents of iron foot-gear for our army horses during the late war. Then there is the "Niagara of water wheels," as it has
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been poetically termed. You know that this mammoth engine of the Wynantskill Valley has been considered a mechanical marvel by tourists and others, from all parts of the world, for nearly a quarter of a century. The talented clergyman of Troy, who delivered the funeral discourse upon Mr. BURDEN, pays him this tribute :
" With intellectual powers of a high order, a benignant providence endowed him with an inven- tive faculty so fertile in resources, and so varied in the practical workings, as to give in the great de- partment of mechanical invention by which the elements of nature are combined, arranged and adjusted, important, new and useful results. The name of HENRY BURDEN will be associated with those of Cartwright and Whitney, Fulton and Morse, the products of whose genius are now found in every quarter of the civilized world."
The structures before us are not the only monu- ments which serve to perpetuate the BURDEN name. Cast a glance easterly, towards those fire- breathing manufactories beyond the Hudson.
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Those are the BURDEN Mills. Less than one score years ago their present site was simply a swampy, unappropriated waste. The " Woodside" Church stands high among those distant eastern hills. If we should pay it a visit we might read, upon an elegant tablet within, this inscription : " Woodside Memorial Church, dedicated to the service of the Triune God, has been erected to the memory of HELEN BURDEN, in accordance with her long cherished and earnest desire, 1869." The church was erected by Mr. BURDEN not long be- fore his death. From the charming villa of " Woodside," the BURDEN residence, which is located not far from the religious temple alluded to, the tomb beside us is plainly visible, although we cannot discern the former from here.
Now let us again advance. If we look northerly from BURDEN, we will notice, upon the ascending continuation of CRESCENT WAY, a very odd-look- ing combination of brown-stone and marble. It is the monument of OZIAS HALL. We will approach it, passing PECK and TRIPP.
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The HALL structure attracts attention princi- pally for the reason that it helps to gratify that human weakness-a love of variety. Because it does so, it should not, perhaps, be unfavorably criticised, for frequent repitition in monumental design is anything but desirable.
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