USA > New York > Onondaga County > Syracuse > Memorial history of Syracuse, N.Y. : from its settlement to the present time > Part 18
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Whether this may be considered as having been a spot set apart in the days of earliest settlement, as a burial place, or was known by Ephraim Webster to have been used by the Indians for that purpose and he, there- fore, deposited the body of Nukerk there; or whether it was an Indian burial place and Nukerk's interment was a coincidence, cannot be answered now. The story of those decaying bones must forever remain untold.
The first burial in the village of Salina (and the first, therefore, in what now constitutes the city of Syracuse) was made near the intersection of Free and Spring streets. There were not many burials made there and they ceased in 1794 and a new ground was used on a part of what is now Washington Park, near the former site of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Mary T. Gilchrist was buried there in 1794 and a number of members of other families. This site was soon judged too near the business and resi- dence part of the little hamlet, and it was abandoned and burials were next made, and continued down to 1801, on the ridge in rear of the residence of the late James Lynch.
When this spot was given up, in 1801, Sheldon Logan, then Superin- tendent of the Salt Springs, laid out a new burying ground on State land. This ground was on block No. 59, (see map herein,) and most of the remains interred in the Washington Park ground were removed thither. This was used as a public burying ground until 1829, when by an act of Legislature the land on block 43 (see map) was substituted for the other. The trustees of the village, as directed by law, removed the bodies from the old ground to the new, and it has ever since been used as a public cemetery. The old ground was sold at public auction.
The first burial ground within the original corporate limits of the vil- lage of Syracuse, was at the intersection of Clinton and West Fayette
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streets, now partly covered by the Hotel Burns and contiguous buildings. Burials ceased here before I819, not more than thirty interments having been made. (See map of the village, 1834, on another page.) When the village was laid out and mapped by Owen Forman and John Wilkinson, provision was made for a burying ground. It was on the west end of block 77 and extended north from Church street to the Walton line. We cannot learn that it was ever used for burial purposes, and from 1819 to 1824 burials were all, or nearly all, made at Salina, Onondaga Hill, and Onondaga Valley.
What was afterwards known as the "Old Cemetery," located on West Water and Franklin streets, was laid out by John Wilkinson and Owen Forman when they surveyed the Walton Tract. The first person interred there was Eliza Spencer, the first wife of the Hon. Thomas Spencer, who died April 2, 1824. The second burial was the body of a Mr. West, a circus rider, who was killed by being thrown from his horse while riding in the old Circus House, on Church, now West Willow street. This ground was used for burials until 1851. On the com- pletion of the Northern railroad this cemetery was chosen as the place for a station. What remained of those who had been buried there was carefully gathered and removed to other cemeteries, and the ground appropriated for purposes little thought of when the first interment was made there.
The village of Lodi was incorporated with Syracuse in 1835 (Act of Legislature, chapter 160). In 1834, previous to this change, the inhabitants of Lodi established a small burial ground on the hill bordered by Beech street. The late Oliver Teall offered for the purpose an acre of ground there, or more, if desired, with the provision that the people of the village should clear and fence it. About half an acre was thus prepared and it was largely filled with graves. This site was long ago abandoned for burial purposes, and most of the remains were removed.
On the first of July, 1841, the grounds for Rose Hill Cemetery, contain- ing a little over twenty-two acres, were purchased of George F. Leitch by the Trustees of the village in compliance with a vote of the citizens. The purchase of this tract and its use as a cemetery met with considerable opposition on account of its proximity to the center of the village. A second vote was taken, but it resulted, like the first one, in favor of the purchase and it was made. At a succeeding meeting Gen. Granger made a motion, which was adopted, appropriating $200 for the improvement of these grounds, and the Trustees proceeded to lay out the tract. The first person buried in this cemetery was Ambrose S. Townsend, who died on the 24th of August, 1841. Between 7,000 and 8,000 burials have been made in this cemetery, but interments have substantially ceased. In 1863- 4-5 a great many bodies were removed to Oakwood and since the opening of Woodlawn cemetery the removals have exceeded the interments. About 1845 one-half acre in the north-west corner of the ground was set off for a
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Jewish burial place. It is now used by the Reformed Jews exclusive- ly, who bury all their dead there. Between 2,000 and 3,000 bodies have been buried in the Potters' Field which occupies about three acres on the north side of the tract, but no burials have been made therein since 1855.
Dissatisfaction with Rose IIill Cemetery increased as time went on, rather than decreased. It was said to be not easily accessible, nearly des- titute of natural beauty, and did not seem adapted to artistic improvement. Moreover, it soon became apparent that in a few years it would be much too near the business center of the village (soon to be made a city), and its vicinity would be covered with dwellings. Accordingly, many prominent men interested themselves in projects looking to the establishment of a new cemetery which should be exempt from all the objections of this one, and remain forever a beautiful and appropriate spot for the burial of the dead. Prominent among those who first agitated the matter were the late E. W. Leavenworth and John Wilkinson. In 1852 and the few succeeding years several meeting were held for consideration of the important subject. Committees were appointed to carefully examine proposed sites and all the questions entering into the matter, resulting in the final recommendation of the one hundred acres which constituted Oakwood Cemetery as first laid out, as the most available and appropriate tract to be had for the purpose. By this time such leading citizens as Henry A. Dillaye, Charles B. Sedg- wick, John B. Burnet, Hamilton White, E. W. Leavenworth, C. T. Long- street, Robert B. Raymond, Charles Pope, A. C. Powell, Israel Hall, Allen Munroe, and others had became deeply interested in the project.
For vorious reasons, however, the enterprise was delayed until the sum- mer of 1857, when the subject was again revived and with more enthusiasm than at first. Hamilton White, E. W. Leavenworth, J. L. Bagg, Lewis H. Redfield, C. T. Longstreet, John Wilkinson, A. C. Powell, and H. A. Dil- laye particularly interested themselves in the movement. Papers were drawn up as a basis for organizing an association, and terms of purchase of the grounds were verbally agreed upon. Now came the severe financial stringency of that period, which for a short time delayed the consumma- tion of the plans. But in 1858 the final and successful effort was made for carrying out the project, Messrs. White and Leavenworth being foremost in the work, which continued with energy until the summer of 1859. Ar- rangements were made for the purchase of the first twenty acres of Charles A. Baker, and with Henry Raynor for the remainder of the tract. The Jamesville Plank Road ran through the grounds and it became necessary to secure the consent of a majority of the stockholders of the road to the necessary change in its course ; also of a majority of the inhabitants along the east and west road, crossing the Plank Road near the toll gate, to which the Plank Road was to be changed ; and also of the Commissioners of Highways of the town of Onondaga, in which the road is embraced, and
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finally the right of way across the lands of Charles A. Baker and Dr. David F. Colvin had to be obtained. These obstacles and their removal seemed interminable and required a great deal of time during the year before the object was finally and entirely accomplished. The necessary fund was raised by subscriptions, payable in one, two and three years, with interest.
On the 15th of August, 1859, the subscribers to the fund met at the Mayor's office and organized the Association of Oakwood, and elected the following trustees: Hamilton White, J. P. Haskins, John Crouse, John Wilkinson, E. W. Leavenworth, Archibaid C. Powell, Austin Myers, Allen Munroe, Timothy R. Porter, Robert G. Wynkoop, Thomas G. Alvord, J. Dean Hawley. On the following day a meeting of the trustees was held at the office of E. W. Leavenworth and the following officers were chosen: E. W. Leavenworth, President : A. C. Powell, vice-President ; Allen Mun- roe, Secretary, and Hamilton White, Treasurer.
At the same meeting a resolution was adopted, on motion of Mr. Alvord, instructing the officers of the association to purchase of Messrs. Baker and Raynor the lands first embraced in Oakwood on the terms theretofore agreed upon, viz : $9,500 for the twenty acres in front, bought of Mr. Baker, and $15,000 for the seventy-two and seventy-nine one hun- dredth acres, bought of Mr. Raynor. Agreeably to such resolutions, the purchase was made and the papers exchanged on the 5th of September thereafter.
The trustees made immediate preparations for the improvement of the grounds, and early in October, Howard Daniels, an accomplished land- scape gardener from the city of New York, with the aid of fifty or sixty men, commenced work and continued it till the month of December.
The first person buried at Oakwood was Mrs. Nellie G. Wilkinson, who died on the 6th, and was buried on Tuesday, the Sth day of November, 1859. The first monument of any kind erected within the bounds of the cemetery, was that of James Crouse, esq., on Section No. 13, during the winter of 1859-60.
Oakwood Cemetery was dedicated with public ceremonies in the 3d day of November, 1859. Since that time there have been purchased thirty acres additional lying on the south side of the orignal tract, and twenty-five acres extending across the rear of the previous tract. There purchases cost about $22,600 00.
A beautiful mortuary chapel with vault was erected at a cost of about $20,000 and dedicated on the 24th of November, 1886. It occupies an at- tractive site on Midland avenue, near the entrance and affords convenience for services in inclement weather and for temporary reception of the dead. The number of burials made in Oakwood down to May, 1891, is 7,600, and there are 2,100 lot owners.
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CEMETERIES.
Oakwood, as its name indicates, was originally almost an unbroken oak forest, interspersed with a few pine, ash, maple, and many hickory trees, and filled with underbrush, logs and stumps. But the many diversities of gracefully rounded hillocks, sweeping slopes and spreading valleys, all gashed with deep ravines and long winding gullies, were there, and they caught the sagacious eyes of those to whom we are so deeply indebted for its present condition, years before any steps were taken towards its purchase and improvement.
Generally speaking, the whole cemetery grounds face the west, rising with a gradual ascent to the eastern boundary on the hill-top, which com- pletely overlooks the valley, city and lake. There is, however, a sharp, for- est-covered ascent, to the southward from Midland avenue, from the top of which the land stretches away to the south. It is this southern portion which comprises the purchase of thirty acres, made in 1869. Many beauti- ful lots crowning the knolls, or reaching far down the fair lawns, have been cleared of the natural forest, except here and there a specimen of more than ordinary beauty, and their places supplied with trees, shrubs and flowers of rare varieties and foreign nature. Sprinkled thus among the deciduous trees, are seen many symmetrical, upright cones of evergreen, their dark colors making a delightful contrast with the lighter foliage and verdure sur- rounding them, while they also help to relieve the dreariness of the winter landscape.
In his dedicatory address, Gen. E. W. Leavenworth thus spoke of this beautiful town of the dead : "Within its one hundred acres is embraced a combination of attractions which, if anywhere equaled, are nowhere sur- passed. Placed most fortunately, not too near the city, nor too remote from it, mostly covered with young, thrifty woods of the second growth, so abundant as to allow great opportunity for selection, its surface diversified by the most beautiful and varied elevations and depressions presenting views unrivaled in their extent and their magnificence-rendered already attractive by lawns, and the most picturesque scenery, it is all that the high- est judgment and taste can demand, or the liveliest fancy paint. And the careful hand of improvement will, each successive year, develop and height- en the charms with which nature has so liberally adorned it."
In this lovely enclosure have been erected many beautiful examples of memorial tombs and monuments, and the number is being added to each year. Nearly every family of prominence in the city has purchased as their taste directed from among the innumerable beautiful lots and expended lav- ishly from their means in the erection of memorials to their "loved and lost."
The burial grounds at Salina and at Geddes are sufficiently described in the earlier chapters devoted to those villages.
St. Mary's Cemetery .- The purchase of the old Episcopal church by Rev. Michael H-Iaes, in 1843, which long served as St. Mary's church, at
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the corner of Montgomery and Madison streets, was very soon followed by the purchase of the burial lot facing on what is now Renwick avenue, for a Catholic cemetery. The cemetery remained under control of the Bishop, together with other church property, until the passage of the law requiring all Catholic cemeteries to be incorporated, when this one became an incor- porated institution. The present Board of Trustees are : Bishop Ludden, Vicar-General Lynch, Father John Grimes, ( pastor of St Mary's church,) John A. O'Reilly, and Eugene Mack.
This old burial ground is nearly filled, and its use has been a great deal curtailed since the establishment of St. Agnes Cemetery.
St. Cecelia (Round Top) Cemetery .- This cemetery is now in disuse, and its history is very brief. The tract of land comprising about fifty-five acres was purchased by the late Father O'Hara in September, 1864, the purchase price being $11,000. A subscription was circulated and about $2,000 col- lected, which was applied on the payment for the land. Owing to a differ- ence of opinion as to with whom the future title to the land should lie, the Bishop interdicted the use of the cemetery for Catholic burials in 1877 and it has not since been used for that purpose. The tract of land has greatly increased in value.
St. Agnes Cemetery .- This beautiful burial ground is on the road lead- ing to Onondaga Hill, where it lies on the hillside facing the east and pre- senting a variety of landscape which renders it a most attractive and ap- propriate spot for a "city of the dead." It comprises a tract of about forty acres, which was purchased in 1872, largely through the efforts of the late Rev. Dr. O'Hara. It is incorporated under the State law, the following persons being the incorporators: Robert McCarthy, Matthew Murphy. Dennis B. Keeler, Patrick Phelan. Thomas Nesdall, Thomas Brazelle, Rich- ard Clancy, Patrick Hall, John McCarthy, John McGuire, John O. S. Lynch, Patrick Corbett. Robert McCarthy was elected the first president and still holds the office, and John McCarthy, secretary. The present officers, aside from president, are Matthew Murphy, Secretary and Treasurer. Directors, Robert McCarthy, Matthew Murphy, John McCarthy, Patrick Lynch, John McGuire, Rev. Jaimes S. M. Lynch, Rev. John F. Mullany, Wm. Kearney, Edward Lewis, Edward Joy, Patrick Slattery, James Lighton, Rev. J. J. Kennedy, John Moore.
The grounds of this cemetery have been greatly improved and embel- lished by graded roadways, ornamental trees and shrubbery, and many beautiful and costly memorials grace its knolls and dells. Down to the present time there have been a little more than 3.000 burials made here.
Woodlawn Cemetery .- This cemetery association was incorporated April 7, ISSI, with the following trustees: Irving G. Vann, Frederick Miller. Thomas Ryan, Amos L. Mason, George P. Hier, John F. Voshall, Lyman
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Stevens, James Barnes, Charles Simon, Charles Schlosser, and Nathan F. Graves. These were elected as officers: Irving G. Vann, President ; Charles Simon, Vice-President ; James Barnes, Secretary and Treasurer. These officers have all been continued to the present time.
At the date mentioned the cemetery grounds were in the town of Salina, but the extension of the city boundaries brings them within the city limits. They cover 105 acres and front on Manlius street. The first interment was made in May, 1881, and the number now exceeds 2,600, with 1,025 lot owners. A large receiving vault has been erected, and many beautiful monuments ornament the enclosure.
The present trustees are as follows : Irving G. Vann, President ; Thomas Ryan, Amos L. Mason, Charles Listman, George Schieder, George P. Hier ; James Barnes, Secretary and Treasurer ; Lyman Stevens, Charles Simon, Vice-Presidents ; Charles Schlosser, Newell E. Loomis, William Rhode. William Rhode is Superintendent and resides at the cemetery.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Free and Accepted Masons-The First Masonic Lodge in Syracuse -- Its Location in Salina -- Syracuse Lodge, No. 501 - Other Masonic Lodges-The First Odd Fellows Lodge -- Present Lodges and their Officers.
T THE first duly authenticated body of Free and Accepted Masons organ- ized within what are now the limits of the city of Syracuse was Salina Lodge, No. 327, located in the village of Salina, now embraced in the First and Second wards of the city, which was warranted, or chartered, on the 2d day of September, 1819, and for a time held its communications in what was then known as Beach's, afterwards Sanger's, tavern, located on the corner of Salina and Wolf streets. Its existence must have been brief, as no papers can be found, either at the former seat of the lodge or on file in the Grand Secretary's office, in the city of New York, touching its member- ship or duration.
On the 2d day of January, A. L. 5826, A. D. 1826, a dispensation was granted for the organization of Syracuse Lodge, No. 484, and on the roth of June, following, a warrant was issued, by the Grand Lodge, em- powering Henry Newton to act as its first Master; Joseph Slocum as its first Senior Warden; and William Malcolm as its first Junior Warden. Its meet- ings were held in the then new Syracuse House, in rooms fitted up for it 73
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
(according to a custom which then generally prevailed among the lodges of holding their meetings in public houses), until about the year 1831, when it ceased work, owing to the influence of the great tidal wave of anti-Masonry which was sweeping over the country at that time. The original warrant, together with the tin case containing the same, made over fifty years since by one of its earliest members, Mr. Isaac D. Lawson, are in possession of Mr. George J. Gardner, of this city, to whom they were given by the late Russell Hibbard, who was one of the last officers of the lodge.
On the 23d day of July, 1844, a warrant was granted constituting and re-establishing Syracuse Lodge, under No. 102, naming Luther M. Tracy for Master ; Henry Newton for Senior Warden ; and Hiram Judson for Junior Warden. This lodge held its meetings in Masonic Hall, Empire Block, being the north wing of the present Empire House, until August, 1849, when it removed to Frazer Hall, in what is now known as the Courier Building, corner of East Genesee and Montgomery streets, where it remained until January, 1850; it then removed to New Masonic Hall, in the Alvord Block, on South Warren street, now a part of the Remington Block. Here it remained until November, 1852, when it removed to the Stanley Block, No. 38 South Warren street, on the site of the Snow Building. Thence it was again removed, in 1856, to No. 63 South Salina street, New Masonic Hall, leasing the rooms there in connection with Central City Lodge, No. 305, which had expended several thousand dollars in fitting up, preparing, and beautifying the same. This lodge continued to work until February, 1860, when, " on the request and complaint of the members of that lodge," its warrant was demanded and surrendered, together with all its properties, and on the 8th day of June, following, it was declared forfeited by the Grand Lodge.
On the day last mentioned, June 8, 1860, a warrant was granted by the Grand Lodge, then in session, and issued under date of July 5, 1860, to Syracuse Lodge, No. 501, authorizing the following named brethren to act as its first officers : Lewis E. Joy, Master; John Frary, Senior Warden; and Edward S. Dawson, Junior Warden.
This lodge held its communications at Masonic Hall, on South Salina street, for a number of years, and then fitted up and removed to rooms in the Bastable Arcade. It subsequently removed, in 1876, to Nos. 37 and 39 South Clinton street, where it remained until May, 1886, and then re- moved to its present quarters in the Y. M. C. A. Building. Its present officers are as follows : H. W. Greenland, W. M .; A. Richard Phillips, S. W .; A. D. Soule, J. W .; Joseph Walier, Treasurer; B. F. Stevens, Secretary ; W. F. Relyea, S D .; F. D. Helmer, J. D .; S. L. White, jr., S. M. of C .; E. M. Raynor, Chaplain ; J. P. Gardner, Tyler; Geoorge E. Pabst, Organist ; Charles H. St. John, Marshal.
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Central City Lodge, No. 305, never worked under dispensation, like w:ost lodges, but commenced Masonic labor under its warrant direct, re- ceived from the Grand Lodge on the 7th day of June, 1853. Its first war- ranted officers were George N. Williams, Master; Joshua G. Bigelow, Senior Warden ; and Robert M. Richardson, Junior Warden. Its communica- tions were held in Masonic Hall, Stanley Block, South Warren street, occu- pying it jointly with Syracuse Lodge, No. 102, and Syracuse Royal Arch Chapter, No. 70, until 1856, when, having fitted up new and more appropriate rooms at an expense of several thousand dollars, at No. 63 South Salina street, it removed thereto and occupied the same for about ten years. A favorable opportunity offering, by the erection of a new building, now known as 85 and 87 South Salina street, to secure more eligible and commodious rooms, it again spent a large sum in appropriately decorating and furnish- ing them, and christening its new quarters " Central City Masonic Hall"; it removed thereto in 1871, where it is still located. Its present elective officers are as follows, viz .: E. B. Covert, W. M .; O. L. Browneli, S. W .; !I. E. Plaisted, J. W .; D. W. Peck, S. D .; C. E. Billington, J. D .; L. F. Weaver, S. M. of C .; A. Weidman, J. M. of C .; George J. Gardner, Chap- lain ; Chas. A. Weismore, Tyler ; Geo. E. Pabst, Organist ; J. D. Beswick, Marshal ; R. H. Parker, Treasurer; L. D. Burton, Secretary.
Salt Springs I.odge, No. 520, received its dispensation and held its first regular communication, by virtue thereof, on the 17th day of September, 1861, at the office of Harry Gifford, in the First ward of the city. On the roth day of June, following (1862), it received a warrant from the Grand Lodge authorizing it to hold its communications "in the First ward of the said City of Syracuse," and appointed John F. Sherwood the first Master, Henry F. Greene the first Senior Warden, and Peter Smith the first Junior Warden thereof. At the annual communication of the Grand Lodge, in 1867, the restriction in regard to location in the First ward of the city was withdrawn, and on the 11th day of November, succeeding, the lodge re- moved to No. 27 North Salina street, where it remained until its removal to the White Memorial Building, on the 22d day of May, 1877.
The present officers of this lodge are : George M. Babbitt, W. M .; J. W. Carrick, S. W .; R. A. Landon, J. W .; H. O. Pratt, Treasurer; Henry Youell, Secretary ; George Derby, S. D .; S. Blanthin, J. D .; James A. Wheelock, S. M. of C .; M. Knauber, J. M. of C .; A. Abrahams, Chaplain ; L. Witneben, Tyler ; George E. Pabst, Organist.
Cryptic Masonry. - Central City Council, No. 13, Royal and Select Masters, was granted a warrant by the Grand Council, R. and S. M., of the State of New York, on the 5th day of June, 1860, constituting the follow- ing named companions the first officers thereof, viz .: T. I., Seymour H.
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