USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The Albany Rural Cemetery > Part 8
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The Gregory granite shaft, tall and shapely ( 109), com- memorates among others, the promising young lawyer, George Stuart Gregory, who died in 1888 at the beginning of a career full of hopeful anticipations. He was the son of Daniel H. Gregory, and a partner of his brother Clifford.
At the very edge of the cemetery's occupied ground,
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THE GRAVE OF FRITZ EMMET.
let us stop at a single unmarked grave, the farthest of any at present writing, on Linden avenue, leading to the southern gate. Look about you, listen, and look again ! How still the landscape ! llow silent the hour! How far away the world ! Farthest of all the mimic world we call the Stage ! We hear no laughter, no applause ; the smell of the footlights is not in our nostrils; the orchestra is hushed ; the buzz, the vitality, the magnetism of a great audience is lacking ; yet in that lonely grave sleeps one at the sound of whose cheery voice, at the sight of whose merry, handsome face, the lives of millions of his fellow- creatures in this broad land of ours, have brightened into the sunshine of harmless laughter, have grown harmonious and tuneful to the rhythm of sweet sounds, have become gentle and tender in the companionship of children and dogs, and a man who loved them. No actor, the critics say, with no play worth remembering, and no company worthy of the name-only "Fritz," Fritz Emmet, who dances and yodels and plays with babies, and talks in broken English, and in some way touches the popular fancy in a measure unknown to the art of Bernhardt, or the power of Booth. For twenty years his life was one holiday of success and excess; of adulation and extrava- gance, of liberality and self-enmity. He created a popu- larity which even he himself could not destroy, and which, after he is dead and buried, descends upon his son and namesake.
Alas! poor Fritz :
" Has he gone to the land of no laughter, This man who made mirth for us all?"
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Not long hence a solid sarcophagus will take its place where thou art sleeping. It may perpetuate thy memory as long as the granite maintains its form, but thy best, thy most touching memorial will be the " Lullaby " which ten thousand mothers croon over their sleeping babies, dream- ing, as they sing, of the golden days when life was young, and Joseph K. Emmet was playing "Fritz, Our Cousin German."
A lofty shaft of polished granite, which no one who visits this part of the Cemetery (109) will pass unobserved. next commands attention. As a reproduction of the Egyptian monoliths of two thousand years ago, without initial, without ornamentation, correct in proportions, dig- nified, stately and imposing, it is unexcelled. It is the Weed-Barnes-Alden monument, and admirably serves its purpose in keeping alive the memory of those to whom it was erected, particularly of the great politician and journal- ist who, although he never held public office, influenced public affairs to an extent rarely equalled by any man in any station. For fifty-seven years a journalist, thirty-five of which he controlled the Albany Journal, of which he was the founder. Thurlow Weed was active and influential in the nomination of John Quincy Adams, William Henry Harrison, Henry Clay, Gen. Scott and John C. Fremont for the presidency, and in state politics was a power for nearly half a century. The anti-Masonic party of sixty years ago was largely a child of his parentage; and the republican party leaders owed much to his advice and
WEED-ALDEN-BARNES.
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THURLOW WEED.
counsel from the foundation of the party up to the time of his death in 1882. His home in later life was in New York city, but he always entertained an affection for Albany, where his daughter Emily, the wife of Hon. William Barnes, resided till her death ; and for many years he had expected to be laid at rest in the Rural Cemetery.
The following verses, cast in bronze, will be found on a headstone in this lot :
As children wearied with their play Throw down their toys and long for rest Fly to a mother's arms away And fall asleep upon her breast,
Thus, Tawasentha, will my soul Aside its earthly playthings cast, Thus will it own thy soft control, And slumber sweetly here at last.
EMILY P. WEED. SUNSET, Sept. 8, 1845.
The lofty Frederick Cleveland monument ( 108 ) has a child standing on a pedestal at its foot, and an angel carry- ing a child, on the top.
On another of the six corners is the lot of the late Daniel Manning ( 27), appropriately marked with a massive, but plain, light granite sarcophagus, emblematical of the quiet, unassuming. but thoroughly substantial and trust- worthy man who was for many years president of the Argus company, president of the National Commercial Bank, and afterwards secretary of the treasury, under the administration of President Cleveland, at whose earnest
THE ALBANY RURAL CEMETERY.
request he left the city of Albany to take so important a part in the national government. While in the discharge of his duties in Washington, his rather delicate health gave way, and a city and a nation, as well as family, were com- pelled to mourn his loss. Mr. Manning was born in Albany, which city had always been his home. Early in life attached to one of its influential political newspapers. he became in time not only the head of the Argus, but a leader of the democratic party in this state. More to him than to any other man did Mr. Cleveland owe his first nomination for the presidency, and his subsequent election as well. Mr. Manning died December 24, 1887. aged 50.
Near by, on the right, looking toward the lake, in section 28. will be noted the lot of ex-Judge and Congressman Thomas J. Van Alstyne, on which is a large sarcophagus of dark granite, simple, but well proportioned and effective. a model of good taste, wholly devoid of ostentation. This monument is cut from the best of Quincy granite, a pure sienite rock composed of quartz, feldspar and hornblende. three of the hardest mineral substances known. Its delicate bluish-gray tint, slightly mottled with black, equals the finest porphyry, and harmonizes with the solemn scenes of the place where it stands. It is large in proportion, its base stone being nine feet four inches by six feet four inches, its cap-stone five feet four inches by four feet four inches, its height eight feet four inches. The plinth and cap-stone are so highly polished as to reflect surrounding objects like a mirror. The intense hardness of the stone
YAN ALSTYNE
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THE MASONIC PLAT.
renders the monument comparatively imperishable and impervious to the effects of the weather.
The Walter R. Bush Corinthian pillar is conspicuous in section 28, but its effect is injured by the urn which should have no place upon it.
On the left, in section 27, is the Albany Masonic burial plat, a circle seventy-six feet in diameter, containing 4,536 superficial fect, nearly eighteen lots. It was carefully laid out by Supt. Jeffrey P. Thomas, according to the accom- panying diagram, and the chart has been adopted by the board of trustees. There is room for 129 graves.
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The walk surrounding the lot is five feet wide, slated. The outer circular line indicates the lot proper, and the inner portion is at present plain sod, the lines drawn indi- cating two feet margin next the path ; then six feet length of graves, with three feet margin at head ; then six feet for graves, and three feet margin; then six feet for graves, with three feet margin ; leaving an interior circle eighteen feet diameter, giving ample space for a monument, which will, no doubt, some time be erected.
Going back to Cypress Water, we take Hawthorn avenue westward, passing the Belknap shaft of dark granite (27), the Milwain shaft of red (26), the Regan granite cross, the Jacobson and Romeyn shafts ( 27) and the Hogan solid monument ( 26).
We next come to the granite monument recently erected by order of George C. Cook to his father, Adam Cook, long a respected merchant in Albany. It is solid and well proportioned, and bears what is quite uncommon in mort- uary sculpture, a life-sized male figure, that of St. John as a young man, with book and pen, looking upward. Nearly all the statues in the cemetery are of women, angels or children, so that the exception is quite remark- able. It is of Barre granite and was designed and erected by the Empire Granite Company.
The Matthews monument has a small angel. The John Akin lot to the left (27) has a large block of unhewn granite with polished panels. The Pitkin monument ( 107) is on an attractive corner lot, and is surmounted by a female figure looking downward and carrying a wreath.
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GEORGE C. COOK.
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JOIN G. PARKHURST.
The Elnathan Sweet and the Converse lots are passed ; the Clute-McDowell-Greene monument is a sexagon of red granite ; the Laut-Rehlaender is five-sided. Here is the mon- ument of George B. Hoyt, an Albany coal dealer, and for many years member of the Albany board of public instruction.
The Fearey monument is a block of unhewn granite, seven feet high, and nearly square. On the side is carved in bold relief a cross, with passion flower and vine. On one side enough space has been polished to allow names to be inscribed. On the back ivy grows.
Near here is the simple monument erected by the sculp- tor, Charles Calverley, to the memory of Mrs. Calverley, and bearing her medallion portrait in bronze.
We are now at the western end of the ground occupied on the South ridge, the farthest grave at present writing, October, 1892, being that of Slauson ( 107).
Turning castward again by way of the Tour, after trav- ersing some distance we come in sight of a polished granite column (107) crowned with a lyre, erected to the memory of John G. Parkhurst, by his musical friends. Prof. Parkhurst was director of the Albany Musical Association from 1879 to 1887, and did much to stimulate a love of choral music in this vicinity. On one side of the base is the quotation, " Sleeper, awake ! a voice is calling, it is the watchman on the walls."
The Roraback and Brace M. Gallien stones are near here. Turning to the right through Oakland avenue the Cramer and Murphy lots are passed, and we come to the
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THE ALBANY RURAL CEMETERY.
rather striking cottage monument of dark granite with vase in the centre, belonging to Michael Schrodt.
This brings us again to the tall Pitkin monument, and passing the Wolcott sarcophagus ( 26), on the opposite corner, we re-trace our steps along Hawthorn avenue and to Cypress Water, then to the left. keeping to the right of the LaGrange monument (43) which is approached by handsome steps and bears a granite cross on a high pedes- tal of the same material, both highly polished. In the same lot is also a handsome marble monument with classic urn.
Next will be found the grave of Michael K. Bryan (43) who fell at the head of his regiment. the 175th N. Y., at Port Hudson, June 14, 1863. Hle was the first to take a regiment across the Long bridge into Virginia. The spot where he lies is marked with appropriate emblems. a cannon, sword, accouterments, and the flag. Opposite (42) is the grave of another soldier. Lient. James Williamson. 177th N. Y., who also fell before Port Hudson, May 27th, of the same year.
The William Russell monument with draped urn ( 42 ). and the Rossman granite octagon (43) are in this vicinity. The Jacob Leonard circular plat is surrounded with granite coping, but has no monument. The Dr. Stephen Munson lot opposite ( 42) is also without a monument.
Turning to the right into the Tour. we note the Fraser cottage monument ( 42) and opposite the modest head- stones of Squire Whipple (41), the first practical con- structor of iron truss bridges. The Mills shaft of dark granite is passed. In the rear is the lot of Gen. John G.
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THE LEARNED LOT.
Farnsworth, a trustee of the Cemetery ; also a headstone to Stephen C. Ilutchins, for many years connected with the Albany newspapers in an editorial capacity.
The large granite in section 42 is to the memory of Gen. James C. Rice, who was killed May 10, 1864, at Spottsylvania, in his twentieth battle. His last words writ- ten to his mother upon the opening of the campaign were : "One cannot fall too early, if, having Christ, he dies for his country." And when dying : "Turn me over; let me die with my face to the foe."
Opposite the Roessle granite shaft (41) is the Jenkins Van Schaick lot, and next to it that of Judge William L. Learned (one of the trustees of the Cemetery ), having upon it some beautiful headstones. One is to the memory of Phebe Rowland Marvin, the first wife of Judge Learned; another to the memory of his daughter, Mary Marvin Learned, wife of John DeWitt Peltz; another to the memory of Philip Peltz, a son of John DeWitt Peltz. Sarah S. Anderson, a faithful nurse of the family, also rests beside those who were her constant care.
Near here also is the granite shaft erected by the congre- gation to Rev. John N. Campbell, D.D., pastor of the First Presbyterian church in Albany for thirty-four years (1830 to 1864). He was chaplain to congress in 1820, and for some time was pastor of a church in Washington. For twenty years he was a regent of the university of the state of New York, and wrote a good many of their annual reports. " As a preacher he was pungent, logical, eloquent ; as a minister of Christ, faithful unto death."
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The expensive Fowler granite (41), the Bogart marble and the Talcott cottage monument ( 42) are seen.
Turning sharp to the left through Forest avenue, we pass the Henry Il. Van Dyke red granite (40) commemo- rating a state superintendent of public instruction ( 1857-61); the Martin Vosburgh and Sternbergh lots; then the plat of Philip Phelps, born 1789, died 1876, and Hannah Mascraft, his wife. Mr. Phelps was deputy state comptroller for nearly fifty years, receiving his first appointment from Gov. Marcy. Here is also a slab to John S. Phelps, a soldier of the revolution, born in Hebron, Connecticut, August 10, 1779, died June 15, 1812; his wife born in Coxsackie, November 11, 1761, died April 27, 1841.
Now we reach the last resting-place of one who loved books and Howers, who was the best of friends, the gentlest of gentle-men-a cultivated mind, a sensitive nature, a noble soul ; a skilled physician who died too soon - Dr. Cornelius Duel Mosher.
" Green be the turf above thee! "
A little beyond is the Gansevoort-Melville-Hoadley lot, the Hoadley stone bearing that apt quotation from Mrs. Barbauld:
" Say not ' Good night,' but in some brighter clime, Bid me . Good morning!'"
John Chipman Hoadley, whom this stone commemorates, was a civil engineer and inventor who ranked high as an
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DR. SAMUEL STRINGER.
expert in all relating to mechanical and engineering questions. He died in Boston, October 21. 1886. Allen Melville was secretary to the American legation in Lon- don, and died there in 1832. lle was a brother of Her- man Melville, the author and traveler who died recently. and their mother is also buried in this lot. Their maternal grandfather was Gen. Gansevoort, the hero of Fort Stanwix.
In this same section, near Evergreen path, will be found the lot of Dr. John W. Bay, where are buried six generations, among them Dr. Samuel Stringer, and his wife who was Rachael Vanderheyden. These bodies, prior to 1869. lay in the Stringer or Treat vault on Swan street near Washington avenue. Dr. Stringer was AAlbany's most prominent physician in the 18th century. He was a
native of Maryland. In 1755 he was appointed by Gov. Shirley an officer in the medical department of the British army. Ile accompanied Abercrombie in 1758, and was present when Lord Howe fell at Ticonderoga. He settled in Albany, marrying into the old Vanderheyden family. and when the revolution began was appointed by congress director-general of hospitals in the northern department. He is believed to have been the family physician of Gen. Philip Schuyler. He was the first master of Masters Lodge, F. & .A. M. in 1768, '9, '70 and '71. He died July 11, 1817, aged 82.
The Lemon Thomson monument (41) is in imitation of a tree on which is nailed a scroll. Where the branches are cut off are the names of the children.
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The Thomas McCredie ( 40) granite shaft, with its Scotch thistle, is a notable landmark. Mr. McCredie, who died recently, had been a resident of Albany for over fifty years, during which time he came to be one of the leading malt- sters of the United States.
Back of the William P. Irwin marble shaft (41) will be found a lot marked with the evidences of culture and good taste, and containing several graves, among them that of Rev. Cortlandt Van Rensselaer of Burlington, N. J., born 1 So8, died 1860, son of Stephen and Cornelia Van Rens- selaer. He was a missionary to the slaves in Virginia in 1833-5, and secretary of the Presbyterian board of educa- tion in 1846-60. Capt. Cortlandt Van Rensselaer, who died in the service of his country (1864), is buried here ; also the wife of Gen. Edward Burd Grubb. The Cuyler V'an Vechten sarcophagus of marble is in this section.
Passing the Wendell Scotch granite shaft (40), and going nearly back to Cypress Water, turning around the La Grange plat and passing that of Gansevoort-Ten Eyck (43), we see, a little way to the left, the lot of St. Andrews society ( 26 ) marked by the St. Andrew cross of granite on a substantial granite pedestal, erected in 1891, and given by Thomas McCredie, "a native of Glasgow." It bears conspicuously the Scotch thistle and other appropriate emblems.
Passing the Griswold lot ( 26 ) and keeping along the Tour to the left past the Bradt and the Gage lots we come in full view of the monument of Rev. Mr. Schwartz ( 102 ), a former rector of Grace Episcopal church, Albany, a
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WOOSTER.
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THE WOOSTER MONUMENT.
Celtic cross of Barre granite, twelve feet in height and well-proportioned, standing in what may be called a cler- ical section, as back of the Schwartz lot is a headstone to the Rev. Selah W. Strong, pastor of the South Reformed or Jermain Memorial church in West Troy for fourteen years. On the left is the grave of Rev. II. L. Starks, forty- eight years a minister of the Troy conference, who died June 20, 1882.
Turn now to the right and the Sill, the Burgess and the George W. Luther (102) lots are noticed as we pass to that of Rev. Rufus W. Clark, D.D., on which stands a red gran- ite monument on a gray granite pedestal. surmounted with a marble angel. Rev. Dr. Clark was pastor of the First Reformed church in Albany from 1862 till 1883. He was an eloquent preacher and the author of many religious books.
Turning to the right we see the monument of B. W. Wooster, on a circular lot (24) ornamented with many handsome trees. This has long been regarded as one of the most noteworthy marbles in the Cemetery. It is an octagonal pedestal richly ornamented with vines. On the pedestal stands a figure of Hope, looking and pointing upward, while at her side is the anchor sure and steadfast. The figure was made in Genoa, Italy.
The grave of Robert L. Johnson ( 25), a well known business man and trustec of the Cemetery, is denoted by a simple sarcophagus. We pass the Aiken granite shaft near by (44) and we also note the Simcox (25), the McBride and the Slack memorials.
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THIE ALBANY RURAL CEMETERY.
Once more at the Leonard circular lot we turn north- ward to the left, through Roseleaf avenue, and leaving the McCredie shaft on the right, come at once to the Tibbits- Pratt (44) lot with its massive headstones of dark granite. The monument on this lot to Col. George W. Pratt is a granite cross on an uncut granite pedestal, upon which, at the foot of the cross is carved a sword. He was colonel of the 20th N. Y., and died at the age of 32 from a wound received at the second battle of Bull Run. Bleecker Tibbits is buried here.
The A. R. Gray uncut granite block (40) is opposite this lot and next is the granite shaft to William N. Strong, a well known wholesale dry-goods merchant, who died in 1889. A dainty bit of marble also adorns this lot ( 13).
Looking to the right, down Lawn avenue from this point, is seen George A. Woolverton's imposing monu- ment of dark granite (15), the E. D. May marble, and in front of us the granite shaft to S. H. Ransom, who died in 1889. He was for a long time one of the leading stove manufacturers of Albany, having begun as a clerk for Joel Rathbone in 1833. Ile was a Cemetery trustee for twenty-four years.
Turn now to the left and there, on the corner (14), enclosed in a hedge are the graves of the direct descendants of Killian Van Rensselaer, the first patroon, who in the seventeenth century acquired title to land in this vicinity extending twenty-four miles up and down the river and twenty-four miles from the river each way, east and west. The last patroon, Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer, born 1764,
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THE VAN RENSSELAERS.
died January 26, 1839, is buried here, as are his son and namesake, born 1789, who died May 25, 1868; Stephen Van Rensselaer, born 1824, died 1861 ; Bavard Van Rens- selaer, born 1833, died at Pau, France, January 12, 1859. Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer married a daughter of Gen. Philip Schuyler. He was state senator in 1791-6 ; lieutenant-governor in 1795-1801, served several terms in the assembly and in congress. He took an active part in the war of 1812; was one of the first to advocate a canal between the Hudson and the lakes; was chairman of the canal commission for fourteen years ; was chancellor of the university, and founder of the Rensselaer Polytechnic institute in Trov.
On the right are the Edson marbles (15), two sarcoph- aguses with crosses, and a headstone is to the memory of the wife of John L. Worden, Jr., commander of the Monitor in her great fight with the Merrimac. The Sidney Alden sarcophagus and the Richard J. Story monument are passed and then we come to the Scotch granite with urn, erected by the eccentric Mary McPherson in memory of her father, mother and brother. Mary also lies here, after making provision in her will by which the beautiful statue to Robert Burns was erected in Washington park. She died in 1886, aged 82. Opposite is the queer little sandstone to Capt. J. Cooke.
Keeping to the right we pass, in section 21, the Jeffer- son Collins, Knowlton, David Mattoon, J. R. Frost, Sam- uel Rankin, Chester Packard and (on the right ) the Watson monuments, and notice particularly the large granite monu-
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ment with angel and anchor, to J. J. Austin (a Cemetery trustee), and the marble with urn to Jeremiah Austin, the lots being surrounded with coping. The James D. Jones red stone is passed; the Cowell lots are here (20), the Feltman marble, and the Dalton block of red sandstone (21) around which we keep to the left and come to the grave of Gen. John S. Dickerman, the genial, witty, public-spirited auctioneer and hall-manager whose death was all too soon. He fought death bravely and cheer- fully till the last. "General," said a friend to him one day, " you are not looking well ; why don't you go south for the winter?" " No." was the reply with a sad smile, and pointing towards the Rural Cemetery, "I'm going north."
Next to him lies John Elmendorf, for many years the agent of the Day line of steamers, and part proprietor of the once famous Windsor restaurant in Maiden Lane.
Around the curve is the Lewis marble, and here lies Col. Henry M. Galpin, 121st N. Y .. (18) his monument an imitation of a pile of stones on which are the names of battles in which he fought, and cannon, flag and sword.
Going straight ahead we see in section 21, the marble cottage monument of Theodore M. Amsdell and beside it the granite shaft of George I. AAmsdell, his brother. Thomas P. Way, a Mason of high degree, is buried oppo- site (22). The Dr. Van Vranken polished granite and the John G. Treadwell lot are on the corner.
We now turn towards one of the most interesting and artistic monuments (24) in the Cemetery, erected to the
ARTHUR
The Angel of Sorrow.
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PRESIDENT ARTHUR'S MEMORIAL ..
memory of Chester Alan Arthur, twenty-first president of the United States, born October 5, 1830, died November 18, 1886. The lot is not a large one, neither is it con- spicuous. It was purchased by the president's father, Rev. William Arthur, and there he and the president's mother, wife and son are buried. It was right and best, of course, that Mr. Arthur should sleep among his kindred, and his grave was made there before any testimonial was projected. This is the free, cheerful, almost unasked for contribution of his friends, resident largely in the state of New York. With few words, with little publicity, and no solicitation, a handsome sum of money was promptly raised, sufficient to pay for the monument and also for a statue in New York city. The whole proceeding was conducted in the generous, gentlemanly way so much in accordance with the life and manner of the man whom it was thus sought to honor.
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