USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > A hand book for the Albany Rural Cemetery : with an appendix on emblems > Part 5
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Let us call your attention to a lot opposite HALL, containing a rustic cross and three soldiers' headstones. Here lie the VAUGHN brothers- a Colonel, a Captain and a Private-three victims of the late rebellion, out of one household.
A little farther ahead, on the same side, we stop to glance at a small, but very pretty monument, to Capt. JOHN A. MORRIS, who fell mortally wounded, at the head of his command, near Spott- sylvania Court House, on May 19, 1864.
We move ahead, curving and gradually ascend- ing towards the top of the hill, without meeting any memorial of note. On our right is the rugged Ravine, which separates us from the NORTH RIDGE. As we accomplish the ascent, and strike the ubiquitous TOUR again, the nicely decorated
ALEXANDER
J.SILLIMAN
Lith of G.W. Lewis 452 Broadway, Albany.
ALEXANDER.
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lot of J. W. MORANGE is seen upon the left, and back of this the cross-crowned marble of FITCHETT. In the same line with the last are the monuments of LINEY and DANN, and then, as we proceed westerly along the Ravine, the headstones of BEN- NETT are observed.
Now several lots are passed before we reach the monument of SILLIMAN, ALEXANDER and FINCH. In the lot upon which this stands, there rests a former wealthy and honored citizen of West Troy. He was familiarly known as " Captain " SILLIMAN. His high-toned estimate of what constitutes integ- rity, and whole-souled abhorrence of the modern tricks of trade, were his distinguishing character- istics. Although not injudiciously benevolent, he was always prompt to help those who seemed dis- posed to help themselves. He proved, by amassing an easy competence, always keeping in view the rights of his fellow man, that trickery was not essential to worldly success. He believed that a man's word ought to be his bond, and he left a record in accordance with that doctrine.
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Before advancing much farther, we see Dell Cross Bridge, which spans the Ravine to the right, and opens communication from here with the NORTH RIDGE. But let us postpone our inspec- tion of that portion of the grounds for the present, and turn sharply to the right into DELL WOOD AVENUE-the alluring road which runs easterly along the south side of the Ravine.
Now a pleasant five minutes' stroll will bring us to the eastern limits of the Cemetery. As we move along, we will narrate to you an interesting inci- dent concerning that division of the grounds which we have just reviewed.
The commission appointed to locate the State Lu- natic Asylum, once visited what is now the MIDDLE RIDGE of the Albany Rural Cemetery, and decided that here should be the site of that Institution. A prominent New York gentleman, named Wilber, who was one of the commission, was particularly enthusiastic in his praise of the location; and his associates, among whom was the present President of this Cemetery, unanimously concurred in the
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opinion that the site was surpassingly eligible. Had it not been that some insuperable obstacle prevented the purchase of the grounds at that time, these lofty hills around would now answer back a mocking echo to the discordant shrieks of the madman, instead of listening in quiet sympa- thy to the whispered prayer or stifled sigh of those bereaved.
But we have emerged from the Ravine. As we reach the point where DELLWOOD AVENUE joins the TOUR, we see the Receiving Vault to the right. We have looked upon nearly every noteworthy object upon the MIDDLE RIDGE, and will now turn our attention to the Northern Division of the grounds.
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NORTH RIDGE.
A S we stand near the Receiving Vault and glance northerly, we observe, upon an elevation be- yond, the prominent edifice of JOHN F. WINSLOW. The TOUR will lead us to it. Let us advance and ascend. Moving along past the memorial of the MAYELL family, we proceed by COLBURN, SLA- SON, AGNEW, DANKER, MCCALL and SCHWARTZ.
We have reached WINSLOW's Gothic chapel. This is by far the most costly structure, of any kind, which these grounds contain, and its loca- tion is certainly one of the most desirable here. Its owner, as you may be aware, is a king among the great iron manufacturers of the country. Its material is of different varieties, but the enduring granite prevails. It has stood here now for many years; but you see, from the well-kept pebbled paths, the clean, close shaven sward, the general neatness of its surroundings, that with the lapse of time its interests are not forgotten.
You will probably commend this laudable pride ;
RECEIV
Lith of G.W. Lewis 452 Broadway, Albany.
VAULT.
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but you may also ask how the future preservation of this, or of any similar costly structure, can be assured ? Who will jealously guard it against decay after its present owner shall have been "resolved to earth again," and the nearest descend- ant of the third or fourth generation hence shall have become apathetic as to the wishes of the for- mer regarding it? We answer, that all deplorable contingencies are forestalled by the Trust Fund system, which places the remedy in the hands of the original owner.
There are now in this Cemetery quite a number of "funded " lots. A certain sum of money is de- posited with the President of the Association, the interest of which, or such portion of it as may be necessary, is applied to the keeping the lot and its accessories well preserved. The unexpended inter- est is allowed to accumulate to meet extraordinary repairs-such, for instance, as the replacing of any portion of a structure. This system is rapidly gaining in favor, and its advantages will yet be embraced by many lot owners here, who now, in
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the flush of health and vigor, prefer to take care, personally, of their own cemetery property.
Again let us proceed. The TOUR curves west- erly as it approaches the WINSLOW edifice upon the south. We will leave this structure upon the right, and pass JOHN M. PECK and MOORE. Oppo- site is the oval pillar of CHAMBERS, and as we cross the Dell ahead, we pass COBB's vault and approach that of VISSCHER. Here the TOUR winds suddenly towards the east, and, turning with it, we pass FISHER, SMITH, SLACK, MCBURNEY and MUR- DOCK.
Now the TOUR describes a regular curve, and we soon look upwards towards two monuments upon the northeast corner of the high bank to the left. One of these-the marble-bears a very sug- gestive inscription. It belongs to the STRAIN family. We will soon reach it.
Turning westerly, we skirt the bank of another, and the most northerly of those deep ravines, in the possession of which these grounds differ so favorably from the majority of cemeteries. We
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soon see section post seventy-eight upon the right. Here the direction of the TOUR is again suddenly reversed, and turning abruptly to the left, we pro- ceed easterly towards the STRAIN monument, to read that significant inscription before spoken of : " FIRST INTERMENT AND MONUMENT IN THE CEMETERY."
The first interment here perpetuated, was that of DAVID STRAIN, aged twenty-one years, who was interred in May, 1845. The population of this place has increased wonderfully since that time. If this person had lived on until our day - and remember, he had already crossed the dividing line between man and boy-he would be scarcely beyond the meridian of life. He would still be engaged in pursuing "his favorite phantom," as we now pursue ours-would think the intervening time merely a swift-winged shadow-would believe his life only well begun-would anticipate new triumphs, and would look forward, perhaps, to many years of health and happiness; and yet how very many have been garnered into this granary 9*
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of death in the short period that has elapsed since his burial. One solitary mound here then-now, thousands upon thousands.
You will observe that the STRAIN monument well stands the wind and weather. Other succeed- ing memorials have completely succumbed to their destroying influences. Some have been rebuilt or repaired; but this still remains intact, without crack or flaw to vitiate its durability. It was erected by JOSEPH STRAIN, an old and prominent Albanian, who has since made his bed beside it. And in this connexion would it not be interesting to know who built the first monument here ? That man was JOSEPH DIXON, who now lies upon the SOUTH RIDGE, and who was once an extensive marble manufacturer of Albany.
Now let us turn from this pioneer of the " Silent City," and observe the brown-stone of HIRAM PERRY. This variety of stone was once very pop- ular here, and the place is adorned by some very fine free-stone monuments among the older erec- tions. But human tastes change, like all things
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in this changeable world, and now a free-stone is seldom introduced.
Next to PERRY is the tall marble of MESICK, and on our right are the elegant structures of GOULD. That sarcophagus will probably bear comparison with any similar memorial here. Mark well the artistic excellence of that small winged figure.
This swelling knoll is called LANDSCAPE HILL. Now round GOULD, westerly, and on by LITTLE, BORN, WESTERLO and the lot of JOHN DISNEY. Farther on is the draped marble of LOCKWOOD, and just beyond, the TOUR turns southerly, bring- ing us past the slender granite obelisk of JOHN THOMAS.
On the left is one of the most neatly decorated lots we have yet seen. Let us move to the front, and upon the marble steps read the name of J. W DUNHAM. That urn-guarded entrance we will admire. Those pure white headstones are richly wrought in emblematic flowers; and, better still, real, living flowers, most scrupulously tended by
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some careful hand, are lining the enclosure, and crowning that central mound. We do not often see a prettier picture.
Upon our right is a fine granite vault, and in front we look upon that sacred memento of our late national tribulation, the Soldiers' Ground. We will defer our observations upon this until we approach it on the other side.
Let us move ahead in the TOUR, crossing PINE GROVE AVENUE, until we stand beside section post seventy-four, and directly north of the sol- diers' monument. Here BUENA VISTA TURN runs into the TOUR from an easterly direction. We will leave the latter and take the first named road, because there is a monument at the turn below, to which we would direct your attention. A short walk brings in view BURT's large mar- ble-the object in question.
BURT's was considered a noble structure once ; and so it was-in appearance. You observe that it is giving out in all directions. That die is the weak point. It is fast crumbling away, and must
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soon fail to support the heavy shaft above. It is not a solid piece, as you discover at a glance, but consists of four frail marble tablets, surrounding an inner block of masonry. Those corner scrolls have involved considerable labor in their execu- tion. Pity that so much good work should have been sacrificed to a single oversight!
We are on ARBOR HILL. Let us be sure and not lose the strikingly picturesque view spread out below and beyond. Not an elevation upon these grounds lends to the vision greater scope, or pre- sents a scene of rarer beauty. There is the tur- reted iron mart of the Upper Hudson, visible to its northernmost limits, with its dim background of climbing peaks "buried in air" beyond. A closer view brings within range an animated pan- orama of smoke-wreathed steamers and multiform sailing craft, upon the bosom of that grand estuary of the Atlantic, made famous years ago by the achievements of a Fulton. The eye now droops from those distant glories, roves over cultivated fields, or, nearer still, looks down upon the sloping
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carpet of verdure, stretching away to the eastern limits of this last estate of man.
Now before advancing farther, permit us to give you our opinion of the merits of this part of the Cemetery. We believe it to be the finest division of these wonderfully diversified grounds. Where else can be found such alluring curves-such lofty, precipitous banks, and undulating roads- such deep ravines and swelling knolls-such charming vision of hill and dale-such a combi- nation of the requisites that go to make up the grand and beautiful in landscape scenery.
After noticing the large granite below, of J. B. JERMAIN, we turn westerly, around BURT. Now the road gently rises, and passing BANCROFT, AL- VORD, THOMAS, LEDDY, MCDUFFIE and GILLES- PIE, we again approach the Soldiers' Ground.
This great repository of the patriotic dead is marked by nearly one hundred and fifty mounds. That unfinished monument was intended to sup- port a bust, in bronze, of Abraham Lincoln, and to be clothed in metallic tablets, which were to
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display the names of those who rest beneath those grassy heaps. For some unexplained reason it has never been completed, although that pedestal has stood there since February, 1870.
If those who were commissioned to rear a fitting memorial to Albany's bravest and best, have for- gotten to pay an honest debt, the general public, certainly, have not forgotten the respect due their memory. Once a year these mounds are bestrown with floral offerings. Once a year the merchant leaves his counting room, the clerk his desk, the artisan his bench, the man of leisure his trifling employments, the servant her kitchen drudgery, the dainty lady her home comforts, and all join in doing homage over the turf that covers this silent colony of martyrs.
In approaching the Soldiers' Ground upon this side, we have again struck the TOUR. We follow on, westerly, for some distance, without meeting any object of note. But now the large marble obelisk to HENDRICK HALLENBAKE attracts the eye. There are a number of other monuments in
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the same lot, and their inscriptions show a diversity of names. This is one of the most noticeable private plats in the Cemetery. Noticeable, not on account of any excess of artistic display, but because of an indescribable something in its appearance which tells us that it has a history. The name which that large shaft bears is prominent in Albany an- nals, principally in consequence of the very cir- cumstance which has here induced a number of persons to make common cause. During the first half of the last century, a portion of his farm was appropriated by HENDRICK HALLENBAKE to the purposes of a family burial ground. The ground then set apart is now in the heart of Albany city, although the removal to this Cemetery of the old remains, some of which had been there for more than a century, occurred as recently as the year 1860. Previous to this, for obvious reasons, the ground had become undesirable as a burial place, and, with the concurrence of the Legislature, the property was sold for taxes by the order of John 0. Cole, Lewis Benedict, William Austin and
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Alexander McHarg, who had been appointed trustees. It was purchased for these trustees for a period of a thousand years. They sold a portion of the property, and with a part of the proceeds bought this lot and that monument to HENDRICK HALLENBAKE. The above named trustees, with others, now own this lot.
From HALLENBAKE the TOUR bears northerly, and in it we proceed by the marble of FONDA to the brown-stone of JOHN BRIDGFORD. You have heard of this noted builder before. His name has frequently been mentioned, of late, in connexion with that gigantic State enterprise, the Capitol, at Albany. Next to BRIDGFORD is the slender brown- stone of A. M. WHEELER, and opposite stands JONATHAN KIDNEY'S small monument.
Here we are at ARBOR WATER, which we will leave on our left as we move on. This little lake- let is an artificial reservoir for the convenience of those lot owners in the vicinity who give personal attention to their own plants and flowers. The facilities afforded by it for procuring water, as 10
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compared with the former lack of such an accom- modation, will cause this little improvement to be highly appreciated.
Now we leave the TOUR, turning northeasterly into UNION AVENUE, past section post eighty-six on our left. On every side are graded sections of eligible ground, which have recently been prepared for sale. We turn westerly round section eighty- six, into VERNAL AVENUE. We observe that the roads here are superior to those of any other por- tion of the grounds. They are broad, smooth, hard and gracefully curving.
Passing the SHAEFER monument, we turn north- erly into ELM WOOD AVENUE, past section post eighty-five, to our right. Let us move straight ahead, by section post eighty-four, and just beyond turn westerly. We pass CONLY, and move on, still westerly, by the next section ahead to the left, which we will turn round southerly. But first let us glance to the north and observe the Public Lots. You understand that these lots are laid out in portions of a sufficient size to admit of a single
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interment. This arrangement is intended to accommodate those who either do not desire, or are unable to purchase a burial plat of greater dimensions. A portion of the public ground is specially designated the " Home of the Friendless." But very few of the graves in that monotonous plantation are distinguished by memorials. Occa- sionally a simple headstone tells the name of the sleeper beneath; and sometimes, too, a modest shrub, a small bouquet, or a few fresh flowers, bear testimony to the fact that the tenant of this grave, or that, is fondly remembered.
We turn now, to the left, leaving section post ninety-six on our right, and moving easterly into and along WILD ROSE AVENUE. The lot of G. W. KILBURN is passed, then the monument of the DOLE family and the memorials of ALEXANDER, LANSING, SIMPSON, HUGHES, TOWNSEND and BRAYTON.
To the left, on the corner, we see section post ninety-three. We turn in the opposite direction, southerly, and reach a portion of the TOUR, which
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we pursue easterly, past WILBER, HINKLE, HET- RICK and STORRS. That isolated lot, and monu- ment in front, belong to WILLIAM SAWYER.
We again turn southerly, this time to the right, and cross past the marble of PHILLIPS to still another portion of the TOUR. The road slopes easterly, and we descend by ANDERSON, COURT- NEY, and the six-sided shaft of CHAPIN.
Here is Dell Bridge again. We will cross and take DELL WOOD AVENUE once more, through the Ravine, for we cannot finish our survey of these grounds more delightfully than by moving down this shady, sinuous passage towards the en- trance. Before leaving the Bridge, however, let us turn to the west and peer downward, through the envious foliage, for a glimpse of INDIAN LAKE.
We have now traversed the avenue last named, and will move round to the front side of the Re- ceiving Vault. This is not the original structure. The old vault was located near the entrance, in the centre of the foregrounds. Although while it stood it was found fully adequate to the demands
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upon its capacity, it was unfavorably situated. This fact, together with the prospective necessity for a larger place of temporary deposit, to meet the fast increasing wants of the Cemetery in this direc- tion, hastened the event of its demolition; and the structure before us was erected to supply its place, in the year 1858. In the selection of the present site of the Vault, the best of judgment was evinced. It is convenient to the entrance, and yet not too near. Although not an elegant structure, it is solid and substantial. It was constructed by John Bridgford, the noted Albany builder of whom we have previously spoken.
As we continue our progress towards the en- trance, we see upon that hill to the right the large marble monument of SUMNER, CLARK and COR- NELL, and then the oval memorial of VERNAM. Farther on, the stables are passed, and we look down upon the most easterly of the lakes. It is appropriately named ORIENT LAKE. That pretty, rustic house, which furnishes a home for the water fowl that animate the reservoir below, is neat 10*
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enough for a rural cottage. But we can scarcely say as much for that uncouth vault of brick, above. If not a positive eyesore, it is far from being ornamental, and it is consolatory to know that the rules of this institution, as now adminis- tered, prohibit all additions to the present number of such unsightly erections upon these grounds.
We have succeeded in pretty thoroughly explor- ing the Albany Rural Cemetery, and now, before reaching the end of this little manual, a few gene- ral observations, perhaps, will not be considered obtrusive.
As far as the native merits of the "Rural" are concerned, we will hazard the assertion that it is not excelled in any one feature by any cemetery in the country. On the other hand, it possesses all those advantages which, individually or in pairs, seem to form sources of congratulation to persons interested in other institutions of the kind.
There are grounds devoted to the same purpose,
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that combine all its diversity of topographical out- line with a rocky, barren, uninviting exterior, which this has not. Some are blessed with its diversity and natural verdure, but lack its copious, clear, perennial streams. Others, again, have its abundance of water, its verdure, its unobjection- able soil, but are without that charming combina- tion of hill and dale, of scene and prospect, for which it is pre-eminently distinguished. Many like institutions may boast of their particular advantages, but here is that approximation to in- herent perfection which fully satisfies even the most fatidious lover of the sublime and beautiful in nature, and leaves nothing to be desired in the way of adaptedness to the requisites of a burial place.
As a general thing it is difficult-especially in the case of a person who is a lot owner in Greenwood or in some similar place of equal pre- tensions-to meet a stranger who is willing to admit that the second oldest town in the Union may possibly bury its dead in the first of Rural Cemeteries-first in well founded claims to a lead-
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ing place, we mean. There are exceptions, how- ever, and now and then a visitor from a distance appears, who voluntarily sacrifices his home par- tialities to his honest convictions, and expresses himself accordingly.
We consider it a suggestive fact that a great number of the lot owners here are non-residents. Among these are persons living in New York, Chicago, Cincinnati and other localities, which, as far at least as this class of institutions is con- cerned, have no affinity whatever for Albany.
Now, how many persons go from this vicinity to New York, Chicago or Cincinnati to select a burial site ? And why is it that proprietary interests are held in our Cemetery by those who would certainly purchase nearer home if personal convenience alone was consulted ? We believe that the anom- aly finds its explanation in the attractions of the place itself-in the irresistible allurements of its ever-varying landscape-in the many beauties that unite to make up the sum total of its expressive scenery.
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EPITOME OF THE ROUTE.
TOUR, between 1* and 2, to MOUNT WAY. MOUNT WAY, between 3 and 4, to TOUR. TOUR, between 3 and 5, to GLEN CROSS WAY. GLEN CROSS WAY, between 5 and 6, to TOUR. TOUR, between 6 and 7, thence round 39, to PROS- PECT AVENUE.
PROSPECT AVENUE, by 37, on left, to WILD FLOWER AVENUE.
WILD FLOWER AVENUE, between 34 and 35, to TOUR.
TOUR, between 31 and 32, to PROSPECT AVENUE. PROSPECT AVENUE, between 30 and 31, to TOUR. TOUR, between 30 and 33, thence between 26 and 43, to SPRUCE AVENUE.
SPRUCE AVENUE, between 25 and 43, to TOUR. TOUR, between 25 and 44, thence between 21 and 24, thence between 21 and 22, thence between 18 and 21, to LAWN AVENUE.
* The figures denote the sections on the map.
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LAWN AVENUE, between 20 and 21, thence be- tween 15 and 21, thence between 14 and 15, thence between 13 and 15, to GREENWOOD AVENUE.
GREENWOOD AVENUE, between 8 and 12, to ROSELAND WAY.
ROSELAND WAY, between 9 and 12, to TOUR. TOUR, between 11 and 12, to OAK FOREST WAY. OAK FOREST WAY, between 12 and 19, thence between 17 and 18, to GREENWOOD AVENUE. GREENWOOD AVENUE, between 16 and 18, to TOUR.
TOUR, between 16 and 20, thence between 15 and 16, to GREENWOOD AVENUE.
GREENWOOD AVENUE, between 8 and 13, to TOUR.
TOUR, between 6 and 8, thence between 6 and 9, thence between 3 and 10, by CONSECRATION LAKE, to RAVINE SIDE WAY.
RAVINE SIDE WAY, between 56 and 57, to TOUR. TOUR, between 54 and 56, to WESTERN AVENUE. WESTERN AVENUE, between 53 and 54, to TOUR.
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TOUR, between 52 and 54, to HEMLOCK AVENUE. HEMLOCK AVENUE, between 45 and 52, to WEST- ERN AVENUE.
WESTERN AVENUE, between 50 and 52, thence between 53 and 54, thence between 55 and 56, thence between 58 and 59, to TOUR. TOUR, between 59 and 62, thence between 61 and 62, to CRESCENT WAY.
CRESCENT WAY, between 61 and 62, thence be- tween 60 and 61, to TOUR.
TOUR, between 59 and 60, thence between 53 and 60, to DELL WOOD AVENUE.
DELL WOOD AVENUE, between 60 and 65, thence between 64 and 65, to TOUR.
TOUR, between 65 and 66, thence between 71 and 72, thence between 70 and 73, thence between 70 and 76, thence between 76 and 77, thence between 76 and 80, thence between 73 and 175, to BUENA VISTA TURN.
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