USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The Albany Rural Cemetery > Part 10
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THE ALBANY RURAL CEMETERY.
1855, afterwards holding no office except as mem- ber of the constitutional convention of 1867-8. although twice receiving the democratic nomination for governor. Ile was a regent of the university and hell many positions of honor and of trust, not the least being the custodian for twelve years of the Harmanus Bleecker fund, which was devoted by Judge Parker to the erection of the public hall in Albany. Ile died May 13, 1890, aged 83. His wife, Har- riet Langdon Roberts Parker, died June 27, 1889, aged 75.
In the Delavan-Ransom lot ( 53) is interred Edward C. Delavan, famous throughout the country in the early half of the present century. He was originally a wine mer- chant and acquired quite a fortune, but becoming con- vinced of the evils of intemperance, turned his own costly wines into the street, and devoted himself to the temper- ance reform, speaking, writing and publishing. At one time he owned much real estate in Albany, including the Delavan house, which he erected and ran for a time as a temperance hotel. He died January 15, 1871, aged 78.
The William Fowler cottage marble monument (54) next attracts attention. It commemorates also Rev. Philemon 11. Fowler and others. Keeping to the right we see one of the few memorials here erected by other than the family-that to Lewis N. Morris, brevet major U. S. A., who fell September 21, 1846, at Monterey, in command of the Third regiment, U. S. infantry, while leading it to the assault. The monument is of sandstone and is a cannon
170
DANIEL D. BARNARD.
standing on its mouth upon a pedestal, with flag draped and hanging from it; and other national and military insignia. " Erected by citizens of AAlbany to commemo- rate the gallantry of the soldier ; the worth of the man." The Ford sandstone is in the same lot.
To the left rises the Dunham marble shaft with cross (55) ; and next to it a shorter one on which is inscribed among many other names that of Carleton Edwards who died September 20, 1862, aged 33. He was from 1853 to 1856 editor of the Albany Express, and subsequently connected with the New York press.
We turn down the hill to the right, following the Tour, leaving at our left the Mead canopy monument of marble enclosing urn (56). Near by is a marble seat. John Meads is buried here. The Cemetery had few more constant admirers. For years, when the weather was fine, he was an almost daily visitor.
We note the Allen marble cottage monument (55), and to the right the Barent Sanders lot (54) crowded with monu- ments in marble of various designs. Near by sleeps William Hurst, after whom Hurstville is named.
In this little valley into which we are now come (56) rests the Hon. Daniel D. Barnard, the orator of the open- ing of the Cemetery. He died in 1861 ; his wife, who sleeps beside him, in 1876. The headstone is of granite and there is a cottage monument of marble to Barnard- Walsh-De Witt-Stevenson. Mr. Barnard was a native of Sheffield, Mass., was elected district attorney for Monroe county in 1826, subsequently was elected to congress,
1 80
THE ALBANY RURAL CEMETERY.
went abroad, returned and settled in Albany, served in the state legislature and again in congress from 1839 10 1845. From 1850 to 1853 he was United States minister to Prussia. For thirty years he occupied a prominent posi- tion in this state.
Further along is the Bender lot and back of it, the Addison Low headstone of polished granite and bronze lettering of antique pattern, and then we come to the granite octagon shaft on a massive pedestal to George 11. Thacher, mayor of Albany, 1860-2, 1866-8, 1870-4. Mr. Thacher for many years was one of the sub- stantial men of the city, having risen from a poor boy to both honor and riches. He died in 1887. He was the father of Ilon. John Boyd Thacher who was also mayor of the city, and is now a Cemetery trustee.
The Green and Black granites are noticed, and back of them the gothic tablet of sandstone to Leonard Kip, born 1778, died in Hartford, 1846.
Several lots along this lovely road by the ravine are occu- pied by members of the Van Rensselaer family: Solomon, died 1852; Richard, born 1797, died 1880; William, died 1855; Bernard, died 1879; G. W., lost at sea 1857. Marble shafts and granite sarcophaguses mark the different spots.
Gen. Solomon Van Rensselaer was a brave and dashing soldier, who, raising a volunteer company of cavalry joined Mad Anthony Wayne in the Miami campaign, and in a fight with the Indians in August, 1794, at Maumee Rapids, was shot through the lungs. A litter was sent to take him off the battle-field, but he would have nothing to do with it.
181
GEN. SOLOMON VAN RENSSELAER.
"How do you expect to go, you young dog?" roared Gen- eral Wayne. "I am an officer of cavalry," was the reply, " and I am going on horseback." " You will drop by the roadside," said the general. " If I do," said this stripling of 20, " just throw a blanket over me and let me die." But he didn't drop, and he didn't die. Riding his own horse, on which he was lifted, and with one of his own company on each side, he was supported five or six miles to a place of safety, and in due time recovered from what was sup- posed to be a fatal wound, to lead the assault on Queens- ton Heights, October 13, 1812. Being the first of 225 men to spring ashore he formed them under a heavy fire, climbed the bank and drove the enemy, at the point of the bayonet, but finally fell with several wounds. He lived to be a member of congress, and from 1822 to 1839 was post- master of Albany. His daughter Catherine, wife of Rev. S. W. Bonney, who died June 29, 1891, is buried here.
Opposite the bridge crossing the glen is a high polished granite shaft to Alexander and William Orr. Leaving the bridge down the hill and keeping to the right we pass the granite cross of Joseph B. Taylor and of John Taylor (57), names long associated with the brewing interests of Albany. John Taylor was mayor in 1848-9.
The Spalding-Robbins light granite (62), tall and grace- ful, is at the left ; and here is buried Col. Edward A. Springsteed of the 7th N. Y. artillery, killed in battle at Ream's Station, Va .. August 25, 1864. On the right in the hill-side, is the E. C. McIntosh marble vault (62) with winged hourglass.
182
THE ALBANY RURAL CEMETERY.
We are now on the borders of Consecration lake, so called because the ceremony of the consecration of the grounds took place here.
Passing downward to the left we note in solitary loneli- ness the Yates-Satterlee tomb (62).
The pretty road soon leads us out into sight of the world again, and the chapel, whence we take Bower Hill Way up the hill, noting on our left the E. L. Pasco gran- ite cross and the Charles Melntosh marble images (62). The Draper lot has no monument. The William C. Smith light granite sarcophagus is handsome. The Cowell- Clark shaft of marble is passed and we arrive at one of the most notable objects on the ground -the Burden vault (61)- erected in 1850. Its elaborate marble tracery and its dogs of marble have long been subjects of much comment. In front of the tomb a great marble book lies open upon a marble desk or pulpit with marble cushion and tassles. On the right hand page of this book we can read, by ascending two steps, the following:
Sacred to the memory of HENRY BURDEN. HIe was born in Sterling Shire, Scotland, April 22, 1791 ; died in Troy, Jan 19, 1871. Endowed by Providence with an intellect marked by strength and originality, he early formed a taste for the study and application of the laws and forces of Nature, and became the author of several mechanical inventions which have served to lighten human toil and
183
THE BURDENS.
promote human happiness The Results of his Creative Genius are known in all parts of the civilized world and have secured for him a high place among the benefactors of the race. Commanding in person, honest in his dealings with his fellow man; affable in social life, liberal in his benefactions, Refined and loving in his family, with a simple faith in his Redeemer he closed his useful life on earth, and has entered into the rest which remaineth for the People of God.
On the left hand page is the following comp mion inscription:
Sacred to the memory of HELEN, wife of Henry Burden. She was born in Sterling Shire, Scotland, Feb 13, 1803, died in Troy. March 10, 1860. Noble in person, refined in manners, prudent in counsel, faithful in friendship. generous in benevolence, sincere in religion,2 With all the virtues in happy combination she beautifully adorned the relations of Daughter, Sister, Wife and Mother, and has left an example worthy of study and imitation.
" A perfect woman, nobly planned, To warn, to comfort and command And yet a spirit still and bright With something of angelic light."
" Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband, also, and he praiseth her."- Prov. xxxi.
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THE ALBANY RURAL CEMETERY.
Mr. Burden chose to be an inventor before he came to this country, and prepared himself therefor by a thorough course in Edinburgh. Ile began with agricultural imple- ments, and was fairly successful, patenting the first cultiva- tor invented in this country. In 1840 he invented a machine for making hook-headed railroad spikes, without which it is difficult to see how the progress of railroad building could have been so great, for spikes could not have been made by hand fast enough to supply the demand. His greatest success, however, was a machine by which a rod of iron could be turned into complete horseshoes at the rate of sixty shoes a minute; that is, a day's labor of two men accomplished in sixty seconds. Mr. Burden obtained patents for this invention from nearly every government in Europe. The works at Troy, which can be seen from the spot where he lies, became among the most extensive in the world.
The Shibboleth B. McCoy vault is at the right, and in this direction is the grave of Capt. John A. Morris, of the 7th N. Y. Ileavy Artillery, killed while leading his men into action at Spottsylvania, May 19, 1864; also the graves of two brothers, Ashley T. and Augustus Vaughn who died in the war; and of Ilugh McDonald (60), for many years emploved in the State hall.
A monument much criticised is that of Ozias Hall (61). It is of marble with sandstone trimmings of an umbrella shape giving it the effect of a Chinese pagoda. Just
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THE ANNEKE JANS MONUMENT. 185
beyond is the simple sarcophagus to Edward Newcomb, an Albany lawyer still well remembered.
Turning back, and to the left of the Burden lot, we note the military monument to Capt. John Wilson, 434 N. Y., who died in 1864, of wounds received while repell- ing a charge of the enemy in the battle of the Wilder- ness.
Opposite, on the hill (61), are the granite monuments to Townsend and Isaac Fondey ; one of them almost an exact copy of the Marcy monument which we shall see further on.
The octagonal sandstone, tall and shapely, erected by Blandina Dudley to Charles E. Dudley in 1863, is inter- esting for several reasons. Mr. Dudley, who died in 1841. aged 60, was mayor of Albany in 1821-4 and 1828-9. He was also state and United States senator. His wife, Mrs. Blandina, daughter of Rutger Bleecker, from whom she inherited great wealth, founded the Dudley observatory. in 1852, giving $105,000 to that object, which also found a warm friend and earnest helper in Mr. Thomas W. Olcott.
This monument has a special interest to the Anneke Jans claimants, who, at one time, were active in their efforts to obtain untold millions from Trinity church, in New York city. Among several inscriptions are the following, the one in relation to Anneke Jans having been care-
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THE ALBANY RURAL CEMETERY.
fully copied many times as part of "the celebrated case:"
Under the
Jan
Jansen
Middle
Bleecker
Dutch
came
church
from
Meppel
in lludson st.
Province
are
of
deposited
Overyssel
the remains
llolland,
of our
to America
taken
A. D.
from the
1658
old church
in State st.
Married Margaret daughter
Among them
of Rutger Jacobson
are those of
& grand-daughter of
Anneke Jantz
Anneke Jantz Bogardus
Bogardus,
-1667- Mayor of Albany, A. D., 1700
Bleecker
Ilis son John
& Rutger Jacobson
succeeded him as
who laid the
Mayor of Albany, 1701
Corner-stone
Ilis and son Rutger
of the old church
was Mayor of Albany
above-named, .1. 1). 1656.
A. D. 1726-27-28.
Charles Edward Dudley born May 23d, 1780 at Johnson's Hall Stafford Shire England, Baptised in the parish church of Eccles hall by the Rev. Dr. Catlow, Departed this Life Jan 23 1841 at his resi- dence in the city of Albany with the Christian's blessing. Beloved and Honored by all. lle has exchanged his mansion on Earth for a more enduring one in Heaven in the hope of a blessed Immortality.
Blandina Bleecker relict of Charles E. Dudley born Oct 1, 1783 died March 6, 1863 aged So years & 5 months.
Mary Ann only sister of Charles E. Dudley died Dec 12, 1806 at New York Aged 23 years Her remains were placed under the old Dutch Church now Post-office N. York.
ancestors
Jan Jansen
187
MARTIN VAN BUREN'S LOT.
Opposite the Anneke Jans monument, as it is popularly called, is seen in the Vanderpoel-Van Buren lot (62) an Italian marble cross with sculptured ivy, in memory of John Van Buren, son of Martin and Harriet Van Buren. born February 10, 1810: died at sea, October 13, 1866, on the voyage from Liverpool to New York. " Prince John," as he was called, played an active part in politics for a time: was popular and handsome, and held high rank as a lawyer. He was attorney-general in 1845-6.
It is not generally known that a lot in the Cemetery stands in the name of Martin Van Buren himself. the eighth president of the United States, but such is the case, and it may be found just east of the Van Buren cross (62), a small triangular plat on which a tree is growing and beside it a cedar post about two feet high. Nailed to the top of the post is a coffin plate of copper on which is engraved:
Roger Skinner Died 19 Aug, 1825 Aged 52 ys & 2 mos.
This is said to be the grave of a law partner of Van Buren's for whose last resting place he made provision by purchase of the lot and removal thither of the remains.
We now climb Bower hill, noticing on the Burton lot (61) a monument to Otis Allen. The B. F. Smith sandstone occupies a commanding position (59), around which we keep the Tour to the right, past " the family of the Soul- dens" with its row of seven marble urns at the head of seven marble slabs (61). Rev. Rodman II. Robinson, D. D.,
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THE ALBANY RURAL CEMETERY.
who died in 1886, is buried on the right, and A. P. St. John who died April 23, 1875, on the left (59). Near by is the lot of J. W. Morange approached by marble steps and containing two simple crosses. Next is the Mounsey lot full of unmarked graves. The Cobee and the Dennis granites, the Gibbs, the Witbeck and the Silliman-Finch lots are the most notable along here until we come to a lot sloping towards the ravine, on which are horizontal slabs of polished granite over the graves of Mr. and Mrs. Gorham A. Worth (60). Mr. Worth was both a banker and a man of letters. He was at first teller in the Mechanics and Farmers' Bank, afterwards cashier of the United States Bank in Cincinnati, and for the last thirty years of his life presi- dent of the New York City Bank. He died in 1856; his wife in 1861.
The lot of Gen. John F. Rathbone (60), a trustee of the Cemetery is yet without a monument.
We keep to the left, passing around the Trotter lot (59); leaving the Waldron sandstone and the Egbert Egberts marble (58) at the right. Mr. Egberts was the father of the knitting business as carried on to so great an extent in Cohoes, and in other parts of the country. He, with Timothy Bailey, started the first mill at Cohoes in 1832, the invention of the machines being kept guarded for some time under careful lock and key. To-day there are twenty- five of these mills in that city alone, giving employment to over 4,000 hands.
We soon come to the James Goold and Samuel Vail and Cutler lot with its heavy granite; then the Jared Holt
189
WILLIAM L. MARCY.
marble shaft; the granite to Rev. Oscar H1. Gregory, D. D., died 1885; on the left a monument and urn to William T. Rudd; on the right the Lobdell, the Meneely, the Fraser, the Tucker and the Mather marbles; on the left the Hitchcock shaft, the Haswell cottage monument of marble, the Platt granite shaft, the Lawrence and the Washburne marbles, the George L. Jones granite and others, including one to Capt. A. M. Hitchcock who died in 1883 (all these in 58 and 59). Then we come to the oval lot in which is interred Ezra Ames, a portrait painter, who died in Albany February 23, 1836. He attained considerable local celebrity as an artist, and was also at one time president of the Far- mers and Mechanics' Bank. Ilis son Angelo Ames, who died in 1886, is buried here.
At the right is the Rufus King Viele family lot with a marble cottage monument. East of the Ames lot are the Fitch-Cusack-Salisbury marbles, and the Schuyler lot filled with many graves around a tall marble pillar (59).
Close to the ravine on the south (62) is the grave of William L. Marcy denoted by a large granite stone with urn. No man filling a larger place in history sleeps in the Rural Cemetery. Soldier, editor, lawyer, politician, adju- tant-general, state comptroller, justice of the supreme court, United States senator, governor of the state of New York for three terms, secretary of war under Polk, secre- tary of state under Pierce, he was regarded not only as an expert tactician, but as a statesman of rare administra-
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THE ALBANY RURAL CEMETERY.
tive ability. Ile died in Ballston Spa, July 4, 1857, being found lifeless in his library with an open book before him. Mr. Marcy was the son-in-law of Benjamin Knower who formerly owned the Middle ridge, and his executor, and it was from him that the Cemetery association acquired title to the land. In early life Mr. Marey was a frequent visitor to this particular spot, and he often alluded to the pleasure he had taken here. After the Cemetery was established he frequently expressed the wish to be buried in the spot where he had spent so much time in reading and in contemplation, and this desire was accordingly fulfilled. His funeral procession was over two miles in length, twenty-seven military and seventeen fire companies participating in the obsequies. The monument to Governor Marcy was designed by his friend Palmer, the sculptor. It is simple, solid and enduring. It is among the first granite memorials erected here, and there was a serious question at the time whether granite would ever be accepted for that purpose, so firmly then was marble established as the favorite.
A little further west is the Gothic marble to Benja- min Knower. Mr. Knower was a resident of Albany for nearly forty years. His trade was that of a hatter, but he engaged in important financial enterprises, and from 1821 to 1824 was state treasurer. He died in 1839. The lot overlooks Consecration lake with its ever playing fountain. The medallion portrait of Mr. Knower might easily be taken for the first Napoleon whom he was said to resemble. It will long have a special interest because of
191
REV. RAY PALMER, D. D.
the fact that it was the first piece of marble into which the sculptor, Mr. E. D. Palmer, ever put a chisel. He was an intimate friend of the family, and there is also a classical urn upon this lot with an ideal head representing Sleep, which is his work.
Turning back we pass again to the left by the Henry Kimberly urn (58) and the Isaac A. Lawson lot (56), and in a little while come to the cottage granite monument to Rev. Ray Palmer, D. D., for sixteen years pastor of the Congregational church in Albany, and widely known and loved as a hymnologist, as such holding first place among American writers. His hymn, " My faith looks up to Thee," has been translated into more than twenty languages. Others best known are:
" Fount of everlasting love."
" Thou who roll'st the year around."
"Away from earth my spirit turns."
" Stealing from the world away."
' Before Thy throne with tearful eyes."
" Wake Thee, () Zion; Thy mourning has ended."
" When downward to the darksome tomb."
"And is there, Lord. a rest?"
"() sweetly breathe the lyres above."
" Eternal Father, Thou hast said."
"Jesus, Lamb of God, for me."
"Take me, Oh my Father, take me."
" Thou, Saviour from Thy throne on high."
" Lord, Thou on earth didst love Thy own."
Dr. Palmer died in Newark, N. J., in 1887.
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THE ALBANY RURAL, CEMETERY.
We pass the Watson, the Ross, the Andrew Douw Lansing and the Annesley granite (58), turning to the left around the Wilson marble.
The Gansevoort lot contains two monuments. To the right, is one in white marble, erected in 1812, at the grave of Brig .- Gen. Peter Gansevoort. Junr., and replaced here, afterwards, when Gen. Gansevoort's remains were, on the opening of the Cemetery, reinterred in this lot. It bears this inscription:
" To the memory of Peter Gansevoort Junr a Brigadier-General in the army of the United States, who died on the ed day of July 1812 aged 62 years, 11 months and 16 days. Ile served under Montgomery in Canada in 1775: in 1777 defended Fort Stanwix against St. Ledger, thereby preventing his junction with Burgoyne, and died in active command, at the beginning of the war of 1812."
To which are added the words:
" Here Stanwix's Chief and brave defender sleeps."
It is also inscribed with the name of Catherine Van Schaick, wife of Peter Gansevoort Juni, and the record, Died December 30 18.30. Aged 78 years, 4 months, 14 days.
On the left, is a monument, in granite, on which are inscribed the following names and records:
Peter Gansevoort, Born December 22, 1789. Died January 4, 1876.
Mary, daughter of Nathan Sanford, wife of Peter Gansevoort, Born March 20 1814. Died February 5. 1841; and their infant children Mary. Isaac, and Herman.
Susan, daughter of Abraham G. Lansing, wife of Peter Ganse- voort ; Born December 12, 1805. Died October 28, 1874.
Henry S. Gansevoort, U. S. Army. Born December 15, 1834 Died April 12, 1871.
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195
THE GANSEVOORT LOT.
Headstones also mark the graves of those whose names are recorded on the granite monument, notably, that upon which the inscription is to Henry O. Gansevoort, Captain U. S. Artillery, Brevet Lieut .- Col. U. S. Army, died April 12, 1871. Other mural stones of more ancient date bear records as follows:
In memory of Maria Van Schaick relict of Wessel Van Schaick, who died January 31, 1797 aged 79 years & 7 months.
In memory of Harme Gansevoort of the city of Albany, merchant ; who died on the 7th of March 1801: Aged 88 y. 7 m. 17 d. and of Magdalena, his wife, who died on the 12th of December 1796. Aged 78 y. 2 m.
In memory of Maria W. Van Schaick eldest daughter of Wessel and Maria Van Schaick deceased who died the 16th day of August 1813. Aged 67 years & 22 days.
Sacred to the memory of Henry Sanford son of Nathan Sanford Born 16th of February 1816. Died 29th of July 1832.
Wessel Gansevoort Died August ; 1862 In the Soth year of his age.
The W. C. Young oblong block of polished granite bears date November 25, 1799. On this lot is a remark- able old słab with the following inscription:
Here lyes interd Here lyes interrd
the remains of John
ve Remains of David
Young who was born
Young who was born
in the ist of Bert
in the parish of Tahboyn
near Londonderry
County of Dongall
in the kingdom of
Kingdom of Ireland.
Ireland He departed
lle departed this life
this life June 20
Dec 24, 1776. Aged 94 years.
1730, Age 107.
Cenotaph
Removed from Worcester, Mass 1873.
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THE ALBANY RURAL CEMETERY.
The Israel Smith marble monument with inverted torch. comes next, and then the very tasteful sarcophagus of pink westerly granite, to the memory of Jesse C. Potts (55). Jesse C. Potts was a life-long resident of Albany. From a poor boy, without aid from others, he became a man of wealth, honored and respected.
The Shear granite shaft is passed and we come to the White lot which has several handsome stones, including a large marble monument to John G., William and Andrew White. a sarcophagus and several granite pieces. We note the Allen red sandstone, the Edward Todd monument and the Dunham lot, around which we pass into the Tour; also the lot of Theodore Olcott with its beds of myrtle. A number of old slabs will be found on the Fassett lot. At the left, just above Indian lake, is a tall marble to Dr. R. Il. Thompson (53) who died in 1884. Next to him is a lot owned by the late ex-Speaker Littlejohn of Oswego.
Surrounded and secluded by tall Norway spruces stands a cross of granite to the memory of one, who for more than a generation was a notable figure in Albany life and Albany society -John Van Schaick Lansing Pruyn. All three names are prominent among the early settlers from Hol- land, and of their descendants there is perhaps no one who better represents what is most praiseworthy in the race from which he sprang than did he who sleeps beneath those solemn shadows. Ile was a regent of the university for more than thirty years, fifteen of which he was chancellor.
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