USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The Albany Rural Cemetery > Part 5
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DESCRIPTIVE.
THIE situation of the Albany Rural Cemetery leaves nothing to be desired. It is in the town of Water- vliet, on the west side of the Hudson river, about midway between Albany and West Troy. Within a radius of ten miles are the homes of not less than 200,000 people, who live mostly north, south and east; and vet this great city of the dead, covering 300 acres, with its steadily increasing population, is retired as well as central, and convenient without being conspicuous. It is far enough away not to be a lounging place for the merely idle, and yet near enough to be easily accessible to those (of whom there are many), who take a mournful pleasure in passing much time within its peaceful borders.
A very pleasant way to reach the Cemetery from Albany by carriage, is over the Van Rensselaer boulevard, leaving the Troy road just north of the patroon's and ascending the hill which affords extended and beautiful views of the city of Albany and the valley of the Hudson. The road runs past the extravagantly built "Fritz Villa," once the home of the late Joseph K. Emmet, the actor, and ends
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THE ALBANY RURAL CEMETERY.
at the southern entrance to the Cemetery, whence Linden avenue leads directly to the South ridge.
The route for funerals, and the one most in general use is over the Watervliet turnpike (known in Albany as the Troy road, and in Troy as the Albany road ), through the toll-gate, past the Old Men's home, in sight of Menands, "the Garden suburb," and of the Fair grounds. The electric cars of the West Troy and Watervliet turnpike pass within less than half a mile of the eastern entrance, the approach to which from where the cars stop and where carriages leave the turnpike, is through a superb arboral archway of majestic elms quite unsurpassed in this part of the country.
The belt line steam cars, running hourly each way from Albany and Troy from 7 a. m. to il p. m. (except on Sundays, when the trains are less frequent ), leave passen- gers within a few rods of the eastern entrance, and consti- tute the most rapid and convenient way of reaching the Cemetery from either city.
As the visitor enters the gateway there is nothing to be seen in the Cemetery itself indicating the purpose to which it is devoted. There is no imposing portal, no notice to all the world that this is the Albany Rural Cemetery, and not a grave or monument is in sight. A simple fence marks the boundary, and a perfect roadway passes through the open gate into what appears to be the admira- bly kept grounds of some country seat controlled by wealth and culture. To be sure, the lodge just inside the gate, is a structure not common to private grounds, and
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Eastern Lodge and Office.
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THE LODGE AT THE EASTERN ENTRANCE.
without being at all pretentious commands attention from the originality of design which elsewhere would certainly excite inquiry. No one would mistake it for a private dwelling, nor yet for a public building. The general style is Romanesque; although the loggia on the south side of the second story, with its arcaded front, is clearly taken from Italian architecture. The material is red Potsdam sandstone and Croton brick, while the irregular roof. broken by dormers, is of red tile. The beautiful ampelop- sis veitchii adds its verdure in summer to what is at once picturesque and in as perfect harmony with the landscape as it is with the purpose for which it was designed. The lodge was erected in 1882, after plans by R. W. Gibson, the architect of All Saints' cathedral.
Just back of the lodge is a tower in which hangs a bell, once used for funerals, but as burials became frequent its tolling was almost constant, and it now serves simply to signal the employees when to begin and leave off work. No reception, therefore, is now given the silent procession as one after another they enter this domain of the dead: no welcome, no farewell, save perhaps that heard by the hermit thrush of New England poets:"
" A train went through a burial gate, A bird broke forth and sang. And trilled and quivered and shook his throat, Till all the churchyard rang.
" And then adjusted his little notes And bowed and sang again. Doubtless he thought it meet of him To say good-bye to men."
* Emily Dickinson.
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THE ALBANY RURAL CEMETERY.
Looking northward, the road by which we have entered is lost to view in a fine growth of trees thirty or forty rods distant, just where is seen the porte cochere of the simple chapel in which services for the dead are often held. This building, much needed for many years, was erected in 1884, after designs by Gibson.
To the left three drive-ways lead to the three natural divisions of the Cemetery, known as the North, Middle and South ridges. The eye rests with delight on the undu- lating lawns and here and there on masses of thrifty shrubs, a bed of foliage plants, a rustic vase of flowers. but nowhere any attempt at elaborate floral decoration. This is not a garden, it is not a park, it is not a pleasance. Its distinct character is maintained at every point. Other grounds for the same purpose may have costhier monu- ments, larger area or more elaborate ornamentation. Some excel in one feature, some in another, but those persons best qualified to judge are free to admit that in no burial place in the world are the characteristics expressed in its name more fully exemplified than in the Albany Rural Cemetery.
It is at once apparent that the important requisite of room is not lacking. There are many acres now the property of the association in which land there is not a single grave, while the adjacent area available by purchase is practically without limit. This obviates the one great objection to interment as a disposition of the dead. No grave need ever encroach upon another in the Rural Cemetery.
The Chapel.
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THE CASCADE. 89
There is hill and dale and grassy knoll ; there are limpid streams and shady nooks; lakes and brooks and fountains, and cascades; two ravines, romantic in their sylvan beauty, divide the ridges one from another. On higher ground the views of the surrounding country, of the placid Ilud- son and the hills which skirt its eastern bank, of the great iron industries pouring forth their clouds of smoke by day and their pillars of fire by night. the slow moving canal boats, the swift moving steam cars, the boats on the river. the distant cities north and south, all form such pictures as words can not paint.
A few steps up the road a once not very ornamental pool of water known as Orient lake, has given place to a murmuring cascade down which ripples the stream that has sung its way through the glen and is now flowing on " to join the rushing river."
Art has concealed art in construction of this mimie water- fall, and few imagine that it represents hours of thought and weeks of labor, so closely has nature been imitated. It was planned and constructed by Superintendent Thomas in 1875. The little lake above, the fountain, the weeping willow. all make a most pleasing picture which one is loath to leave.
But a long and interesting ramble is before us. Let it be said in starting that no one can traverse all the walks and drives, doing each lot the justice of examination, unless several days are devoted to it. Neither is it practi- cable in a book of this kind to mention every memorial that is deserving. More than 36,000 persons are buried in
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THE ALBANY RURAL CEMETERY.
the Rural Cemetery. Over the great proportion of them loving hands have placed some kind of a memento. In some instances the millionaire has drawn upon his ample resources; in others it is the widow's mite that has been expended. The result, of course, is great variety, and as the visitor only stops to look at what is most attractive and interesting, so we are compelled to select only those lots which, for special reasons, are most worthy of notice, or those which serve as landmarks to guide us on our winding way, knowing well that in so doing we shall, in hundreds of instances, leave unmentioned the one spot dearer to some heart than the most beautiful marble or the most massive granite to be bought with money or fash- ioned by the hand of genius.
A glance at the map shows an intricate interlacery of walks and drives, all of which we shall not attempt to untangle, but it will be seen that the sections are marked. The figures which follow mention in the text of lots and monuments, refer to these sections, and it is only by frequent consultation of the map in connection therewith that it will be possible to make clear the location of objects of interest.
The winding ravines which separate the three natural divisions are narrow in places and again spread out into lake areas. The ridges run east and west and with their undulations form numerous hillocks, which frequently lend themselves, very naturally, to terrace effects. Southward the South ridge spreads out into a nearly level plain over which, and the gentle undulations still further south Linden
The Cascade.
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ROADWAYS AND WALKS.
avenue leads to the Menand road and the Van Rensselaer boulevard.
The principal roadway is the Tour which winds in and out for eight miles, over the hills and through the ravines, never crossing itself except at Glen Cross bridge where the road south from Consecration lake through the ravine passes under the road leading from Mount Olivet to Rose- land hill. If the Tour is followed implicitly it will conduct one by all the principal points to be seen from the drive- ways. Western avenue conducts to the western gate, past the Jewish cemetery to the Newtonville road.
Of the principal walks Consecration path and Medita- tion walk lead from the Tour near the entrance to the very heart of the most romantic scenery in the grounds. Pass- ing Consecration lake Ravine walk follows the course of the brook winding around the lakes, through the ravine separating the South and Middle ridges and crossing the rivulet many times by rustic bridges until it connects with the Tour at the head of Tawasentha lake.
Another romantic walk is Woodbine path, which passes over Indian lake by a rustic bridge. Evergreen path on the South ridge is the longest straight path on the grounds and passes many prominent objects. The principal walks are over five miles in extent ; and it is possible to wander for at least thirty miles without traversing all the streets and lanes of this Silent City.
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THE ALBANY RURAL CEMETERY.
THE SOUTH RIDGE.
We are at the eastern entrance. Passing the lodge, and taking the first narrow pathway or the first carriage road to the left (it does not matter which ), we begin the ascent. Very appropriately our first pause is at the Hillhouse lot (Sec. 4), Summerside avenue leading to the left and Mount Way to the right. Here, on a pretty, green, shaded slope, is buried Thomas Hillhouse, to whom belonged a large portion of the land originally bought for the Cemetery. and now known as the South ridge. He had been dead ten years when the Cemetery was opened, and the property was purchased of his heirs. His son John (who is also buried here ) was one of the Cemetery's first surveyors, and this lot was his selection. His father's remains were brought here and the monument to him was the first granite placed on the grounds.
The grade of Summerside avenue is rather steep, but whoever climbs it will find the grave of one man who should not be forgotten as long as Albany remains a city- its painstaking, labor-loving, unrequited antiquarian and historical publisher, a delver among old records, old news- papers and old graveyards, a just man and a good printer- Joel Munsell ( Sec. 4).
Our course, however, is to the right up Mount Olivet. Sec. 3 contains several interesting and note-worthy monu- ments: The brown stone of G. V. S. Bleecker, the granite shafts of Moses Patten ( surrogate of Albany county
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FASHIONS IN TOMBSTONES.
1840-4) near at hand, and of Edward Learned in the corner ; and another ponderous shaft to the memory of Joel Rathbone, one of the founders of the stove firm of Rathbone, Sard & Company, and bearing his medallion portrait (by Palmer), also the inscription:
" He requested that these words might be inscribed on his monument, 'God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.""
We shall find that inscriptions or epitaphs, other than the name and date of birth and death and occasionally a text of scripture, have, of late, ceased to be common. Whether their use went out with the marbles, which were so much easier to cut than granite, and for that reason, we can not sav. But there are fashions in tomb-stones as in other things less ephemeral. The pitiful representa- tions of lambs, and children, and miniature angels are no more called for to-day than are the winged faces found on the slabs of the eighteenth century. Italian marble itself is no longer used much, chiefly because it will not stand the climate. The red sandstone of New Jersey, so largely in demand forty years ago. is obsolete, except " to match." This stone, which comes from near Newark, first was used in the erection of Trinity church, New York, and for a time was ultra-fashionable. It consists of quartz and mica united by an argillaceous cement and slightly colored with oxide of iron. It has not fulfilled the hopes of its admirers. Even Quincy granite has given way in this vicinity to the more beautiful Westerly, which is
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now considered the most desirable of all grades of that stone, although the various shades of Barre are popular with many.
West of the Rathbone lot and near Meditation walk which skirts the glen, stands the simple stone commemorative of Rev. Dr. William B. Sprague, born 1795, died 1876; but with nothing to indicate that he was forty years pastor of the Second Presbyterian church in Albany ; that besides his great work in nine volumes, "The Annals of the American Pulpit," he was the author of more than a hun- dred published sermons, memoirs, addresses, books, etc., and that his collection of nearly 100,000 autographs was probably the largest private collection of the kind in the world. The State library in Albany is enriched by many of his gifts.
The Gazeley stone is a cross and pedestal of Barre granite, bearing the sacred monogram. Higher up the knoll, the other side of the Gregory monument, is the Jared L. Rathbone memorial, designed after the tomb of Scipio. Mr. Rathbone was the first mavor of Albany elected by popular vote ( 1839-40).
Turning to the left up Mount Way we pass the James 11. McClure lot, and next west of it the simple but taste- ful stone to George Curtis Treadwell with a palm gracefully carved on the solid granite. Mr. Tread- well was the founder of one of the largest fur houses in the United States. He died in 1885 after a successful business career in Albany of over half a century. On the left is the Godard monument (4), and when the Tour is
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THIE LEWIS BENEDICT LOT.
reached we come to the elaborately carved marble pedestal in memory of the four children of William H. De Witt, and bearing a figure of Faith with her cross. The pretty little church of the Holy Innocents, in Albany, is another tribute to the memory of these well-beloved offspring, Mr. De Witt purchasing the site and defraying the expenses of building that edifice. Nearly opposite is the lot of Isaac W. Vosburgh (5), for many years a trustee of the Cemetery, as was also Mr. De Witt.
Our way here is to the right and on the brow of Mount Olivet, surrounded by a fence, will be found the Benedict lot (3), in which are buried Lewis Benedict, father and son. The elder Benedict's monument and urn are of Italian marble, with a medallion portrait by Palmer. Ile was an old Albany merchant of high standing and public spirit. He died in 1862. two years before his son and namesake, colonel of the 162d N. Y., was killed in battle at Pleasant Hill. La., while commanding the 3d brigade, Ist division, 19th army corps, in the Red River campaign. A granite sarcophagus of the Roman style. marks the soldier's grave. A sword and wreath of laurel are carved on the top with the words, " Benedictus qui patitur." His rank and the names of the battles in which he participated are inscribed on the sides. Post No. 5. Grand Army of the Republic, is named after this brave and worthy officer.
Following now the Tour to the right we wind along the edge of the ravine where the little brook ripples its never ceasing song, passing many lots delightfully situated. On the left is a pyramid of granite six feet high to the Brown
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THE ALBANY RURAL CEMETERY.
family (5) and a pillar in memory of Matthew I. Hallen- beck.
AAt a sharp curve in the Tour (3) stands a plain, digni- fied, substantial monument of dark granite, erected in 1885 by the trustees of the Cemetery, members of the Emmanuel Baptist church and other friends, to the Rev. Bartholomew T. Welch, D.D., b. 1794, d. 1870. " A Baptist preacher of rare eloquence and a public spirited citizen, to whose zeal this Cemetery owes its existence." On one side of the monument is the quotation: " Proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to them that are bound." This is, no doubt, intended to suggest the love of liberty with which Dr. Welch was inspired, and which he avowed in times and places when and where to do so, was to bring upon his head the oppro- brium of being called "an abolitionist." Very likely the quotation refers to a scene which took place in Philadel- phia about the time of the breaking out of the rebellion; if so, it is slightly inaccurate, the wrong passage having been selected. It was at a national meeting of the Bap- tist denomination held in Chestnut street, about opposite the old Independence hall. Feeling ran high; Dr. Welch had spoken of slavery in terms which were resented by some of the southern brethren, one of whom in reply closed by asking Dr. Welch what he would do with the institution of slavery, if he had the power ? " Do! " ex- claimed the doctor ; " Do ?" (for the third time, then point- ing to the historic old building where hangs the Liberty bell, and quoting with clarion voice its well-known inscrip-
GODFREY
RELIGION CONSOLING SORROW.
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THE GRAVE OF HARMANUS BLEECKER.
tion, ) " Do? Proclaim liberty throughout the land to all the inhabitants thereof," and took his seat amid great enthusiasm.
Dr. Welch was pastor of the First Baptist church in Albany, from 1828 till 1834, when 120 members forming a new church organization, he went with them and was their spiritual head till 1848, thus giving to Albany the best twenty years of his life.
Next west is the Friend Humphrey marble monument, simple and in good taste, keeping alive the memory of a former Albany merchant of high character, who was mavor of the city in 1843-5, and 1849-50. ("One of the best men Hever knew "-Thurlow Weed.) Opposite is the Dr. Van Buren lot (5) and then the MeCammon shaft of marble with wreath and urn ; also the Bruce monument.
The freestone monument to Lemuel Steele commemo- rates a man who was for ten years democratic alderman from the Fourth ward, for many years chief engineer of the Albany fire department, and still longer director in the Mechanics and Farmers Bank.
At the right, on the very edge of the ravine overlooking Consecration lake is seen the simple granite shaft to the memory of Harmanus Bleecker (3) who died July 19. 1849. leaving a legacy of $80,000 "to be applied in some judi- cious way to be permanently beneficial " to his native city of Albany. The will, however, bequeathed all to his widow (afterward Mrs. Coster), there being simply an oral under- standing with her that when she was through with the property, it should be turned over to the city. With this
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THE ALBANY RURAL. CEMETERY.
request she complied in the most honorable manner, on her removal to the Netherlands, placing the estate, mean- time, during her life, in trust with the late Hon. John V. L. Pruyn, who at his death invested the late Hon. Amasa J. Parker with the responsibility, leaving to him in turn, as the widow had left with Chancellor Pruyn, the choice of objects to which the estate should be devoted. The widow died in 1885, the property meantime having amounted to fully $130,000, and Judge Parker, after ma- ture deliberation, formulated a plan which resulted in the erection of the noble public hall which bears the name of a great public benefactor, Harmanus Bleecker. Mr. Bleecker was an eminent lawyer, a successful politician and was at one time minister to the Hague.
Anthony M. Strong, last of the original trustees of the Cemetery who died Nov. 19, 1891, is buried nearly opposite (5). A Gothic brown stone monument stands on the lot, and in the same enclosure will be found a marble lamb, which is interesting as one of the carly efforts of Palmer, the sculptor. The Baker granite shaft is severely simple, and the Schoolcraft-Johnson marble is purely Gothic. It was considered at one time one of the best in the grounds. John L. Schoolcraft, once prominent in public life. is buried here. He was a well-known Albany merchant, a trustee of the Cemetery, and from 1854 to '60 president of the Commercial Bank. He was a warm, personal friend of Thurlow Weed, and his close political follower. He was twice elected to congress.
A rustic cross springing from a pile of stones, and bear-
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REV. HENRY N. POHLMAN.
ing a scroll with Scripture quotation, perpetuates the memory of John Innes Kane who died in Palermo, Italy, and his wife Mary, daughter of Leonard Kip, of New York.
An imposing granite monument bears the life-like medallion of Eli Perry, the large-hearted mayor of Albany, and congressman, who died May 17, 1881. He was also inspector of the penitentiary, and by a coincidence his memorial looks down upon the grave across the way of Rev. David Dver (3) for many years chaplain and the author of a history of that institution.
The tomb of Stillman Witt, a Cleveland millionaire, stands at the head of the bridge crossing the ravine, which for the present we leave at the right and go up Glen Cross way. The Henry Newman and Hugh Humphrey lot (6) occupies a position at this point, and here the Reuel Clapp column, with its Egyptian ornamentation suggesting the lotus flower, will surely attract attention, if not admiration. Just west of it is the grave of Rev. Henry N. Pohlman. "for fifty-three years a faithful minister of Christ." He was one of the clergymen who officiated at the consecration of the Cemetery, being at that time pastor of the Lutheran church in Albany, his native city, to which he had just been called. He held that position, beloved and respected for twenty-five years, and died in 1874. llis grave is denoted by a Latin cross. In the same lot is the grave of Lieut. W. H. Pohlman, who fell at Gettysburg. aged 22. He was a nephew of Rev. Dr. Pohlman, and his father, a missionary, was murdered by pirates in China.
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Young Pohlman was a student at Princeton, preparing for the ministry, when the war broke out ; he entered the army as a private and was adjutant of the 59th N. Y. when he met his early death.
Turning backward to the left and eastward along the Tour, the elaborate Monteith and Howes marbles are seen ; a few steps further on the Davidson marble monument, with its urns and draped casket, appears, and near by Mrs. Kate Hamilton's vine covered vault. In her will this woman directed that after her remains were locked in their last resting place, the lock should be filled with lead and the keys thrown into the Hudson river, which was done by her executors. Absurd rumors got abroad that a large amount of money was locked in with her, and not long afterward an attempt was made to resurrect it. One night in 1868 the lock was blown off and a brick wall, which the burglars next encountered, was broken through ; but when they were inside the vault there was still a brick arch and a ponderous stone coffin to penetrate, neither of which was disturbed. The tomb itself is poorly constructed and will very likely have to be taken down before long. Mrs. Hamilton was the first to leave a fund for the perpetual care of her lot, and for this reason, if for no other, her remains will always receive proper respect.
Opposite is the W. W. Crannell family lot (4) and the Herrington granite shaft. Past the square brown block of S. M. Fish ( 5) we see two tombs, one sandstone, of Artemas Fish, the other, brick, of the Van Benthuysen family. In the latter lie the remains of Obadiah R. Van Benthuysen,
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THE VAN BENTHUYSEN TOMB.
the first man to successfully apply steam power to the printing press in America. When the Cemetery was first laid out the choice of lots was sold to the highest bidder, and he was among the class allowed priority of choice. The last time he went out of the house was to avail him- self of the privilege he had purchased, and he selected this spot. He is surrounded by the representatives of six gen- erations, among them his son Charles Van Benthuysen, who had been State and United States printer and for many years a trustee and secretary of the Cemetery association.
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