USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > The Monument Cemetery of Philadelphia (late Pere la chaise) : containing several scientific essays on the subject of rural cemeteries with a lithographic plan > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
THE
MONUMENT CEMETERY
OF
PHILADELPHIA.
(LATE PERE LA CHAISE.)
CONTAINING
SEVERAL SCIENTIFIC ESSAYS
ON THE SUBJECT OF
RURAL CEMETERIES,
WITH
A LITHOGRAPHIC PLAN.
PUBLISHED BY JOHN A. ELKINTON, M. D. PROJECTOR.
PHILADELPHIA:
1837.
Digitized by the Internet Archive
This project is made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries in 2018 with funding from
https://archive.org/details/monumentcemetery00elki
References
7.50
1154
UPPER
AVEE
AVES
CAMAC
50
+
AVEE
int. 712 on Surfarr
ST
JOHN A. ELRINCON M. D. PROPRIETOR.
FH EDITION.
411
145
..
1.60
201
413
316
220 224
CIA 213
278
CAR
NORTH
=
13
4
314
387
511 468. 541
318 398
.!.
146
534 35
N
E
1.500
91. 441
N
.00
178 173
175 16
345 211
.4
: 13 41
180
174 57}
304|305
sa 173
S
R
U
A
616 511
704 193
132 134
131
115 145
114
CENTRAL
481
$#1
344
110
E
19%
555
315
#21 113
403
131
315
115
1t4
+39 660
664 UP
477
50
WASHINGTON
98 403 on Surface
13.749 on Surface
AVES
-
4
+
==
98.548 OIL
11
1
RUSH
256 262
AVE
214 415
₱
398
170
908 194
41/ 315
931 553
339 546
583
388
LOWER
AVEE
144
50
LA FAYETTE
15 =
MIDDLE
18
M
10
:
121
1.57
195
211
337
128 163
BROAD
Content of Baarle bounded by the 20 feet wide Carriage Road 120768211" Content of circular Carriage Read
Drumetce of Carele 16kg! Area about half an . for
=
334- 315
549 314 540 311
319 37
90 301
14:
SEFFE5
Chapel.
Shrubbery
116 999
115 515
10# 300
ST
194
391
E
$331843
8-55 841
...
376
184
1521713
763 153
7BL 783
116 93
795
130 065
MM
S+
2
1
-
50
4
30
117
124
131
154 11
LLÉ
12
144
281 102
AVEC
AVE!
U
M
THI
35
TURNERS
Ou Stone Doar Bill 109.968
MONUMENT
CHAPEL
5
5
150
319 340
143 361
363
38.3 304
410
148 131
124
314
#14 735
794
#31 311
144
118 115
MONUMENT
1955
-
4
:4
#
=
4
=
=
AF+ 185
194 291
344
1:41 325
153
E
498 698
1495
ETL 193
175
318 311
616 519
445 1+1
113
200 1:4
24 228
131
214 265
150 291
259 245
251-619
SOUTH
Note The small Mera ar a alla are all & feet wide.
PLAN OF THE
MONUMENT CEMETERY
( Late Père la Chaise Cemetery:)
.
-
# FRANKLIN
NORTH WEST GATE
101.523 on Surface
AVES
14
72
134|115
1:12 231
0, 50
2 + 1
AVEC
Lt
315 585
154 187
159
251
314
844
Ma
P
=
115 136
340 319
#1 Tie
Scale of Post.
Content of Conndery 19 A. 2R. JOP.
H
Surface bore Tile Water
43
=
947
355
SID 451
103
173
1:36
269 210
608 114
160 370
85₺
43
445
196
*+3
530 511
5081511
310|311
281
18
13
ST& SET
651111
104
351
413
LANE
RACKLIFF & KING, PRINTERS, South-West Corner of George and Swanwick Streets.
COMMISSIONERS.
The following gentlemen acted as Commissioners for the sale of Stock in the Cemetery.
GEORGE CADWALADER, WILLIAM M. CAMAC,
BENJAMIN MATTHIAS,
JESPER HARDING,
JOHN NORTHROP, Jr. JOHN BOSLER,
ANDREW D. CASH,
SAMUEL J. CURTIS,
GEORGE W. TRYON,
JOHN THOMPSON, P.
MATTHEW WALKER,
JOHN S. CASH,
JACOB F. HOECKLEY,
JACOB FRICK,
THOMAS HART,
LAWRENCE SHUSTER,
JAMES S. CALDWELL,
THOMAS MATLACK,
P. L. LAGUERENNE, JOHN TROUBAT,
JAMES M. BOLTON,
A. BORIE,
JOSEPH JOHNS,
JOHN SWIFT,
JOSEPH SHARP,
WILLIAM STEVENSON,
PHILIP RICKETTS,
J. COFFEE, GEORGE W. SOUTH,
JOSEPH SMITH,
CHARLES J. WOLBERT, NATHAN R. POTTS,
HENRY BOND, M. D.
BOARD OF OFFICERS.
At an election for officers of the " Pere la Chaise Cemetery," held at the Merchants' Exchange, on Saturday, the 29th July inst., the following named gentlemen were duly elected, viz .:
Trustees.
JOSEPH TROTTER, CHARLES J. WOLBERT, SAMUEL J. CURTIS.
Treasurer.
GEORGE W. SOUTH.
Managers.
GEORGE W. TRYON,
JACOB GILLIAMS,
JOHN A. ELKINTON,
JONATHAN COFFEE,
NATHAN R. POTTS,
JACOB F. HOECKLEY,
BENJAMIN MATTHIAS,
ISAAC MEYER,
JOSEPH PLANKINTON, ROBERT C. MARTIN,
-
JOSEPH SHARP,
THOMAS F. GOODWIN, GEORGE H. BURGIN,
JOHN L. WOOLF,
JOHN LINDSAY.
Attest- ROBERT C. MARTIN,
JOHN L. WOOLF, T. M. FEMINGTON,
PETER A. KEYSER, JOHN S. CASH, ISAAC BOILEAU,
JONATHAN COFFEE. Committee to superintend the Election.
INTRODUCTION.
EVERY man who is not wholly indifferent to what is passing around him, must have witnessed the distress and excitement which encroachments upon grave-yards have frequently occasioned in our city. The practice of trespassing upon the hallowed spot, which they were accustomed to venerate as the resting place of the bones of their fathers, has more outraged the feelings of the good people of Philadelphia, than any other circumstance with which I am acquainted. Always respectful to the laws, the ordinary quiet of our community has been proverbially acknowledged, save when the ruthless hand of man, has desecrated the grave-yard, and promiscuously buried in utter forgetfulness the remains of our ancestors, under the very bricks which modern improvements have ordered for our footpaths.
A recollection of scenes like those to which I allude, is known to most persons in Philadelphia, who have arrived at years of discretion. Such occurrences are too frequent in every city, and the melancholy remembrance of them, has proved a strong incentive in the establishment of public rural Cemeteries-a custom, which has recently met with such general encouragement and sanction from all classes of citizens.
The importance of rural burial places, to a large city, has appeared to me to be a subject of the first magnitude ; not merely from the satisfaction we derive in knowing that our friends would rest more securely in a ground specially appropriated for that purpose, but also because there are higher considerations, which operate with greater force in a more extended view of the subject.
6
Among the most prominent of these, might be mentioned, the influence of thickly crowded grave-yards upon public health. But as the application of this principle is ably argued in one of the . ensuing extracts, I shall merely refer to the more popular sentiment on the subject.
The first object of a Cemetery is to furnish a place for the bodies of the dead, where they may repose free from the insults of the living-where they may not offend the 'senses in their progress of corruption, and where they may return quietly to their mother earth, in conformity with the great and universal law of nature, and the ordinance of nature's God ! In former times, as we read, human ingenuity and skill were engaged exclusively in providing means against the decomposition and decay which speedily dissolves all inanimate organic matter. But as the minds of men became enlightened, and the dark cloud of ignorance and superstition fled away, these antiquated notions of giving perpetuity to the dead remains of mortality, gradually yielded to the more rational dictates of a sounder philosophy. Now, no longer does human ingenuity tax itself to perpetuate the lifeless corpse; no longer do dead nations slumber in awful silence wrapped in the tissues and embalmed in the gums of human devices ; no longer is the lifeless body preserved from destruction when the vital spark has deserted its mansion. No catacombs now receive new subjects to prolong the process of corruption ; for
"Why should the worthless teguments endure, When their undying flame is lost forever ?"
The present more enlightened age of the world, consigns at once, earth, to its parent earth, after it has fulfilled the great designs of the Creator in an organized form ; and men now neither hope nor seek, to arrest the loathsome operations of the charnel-house. True, indeed, while the features are preserved, it is chastening to the heart to look upon those we have loved in life ; and in the simple vault, sacred to the bodies of friends, may we thus contemplate the sad ravages of death.
'The great purpose of a Cemetery is to remove from the view of such as remain in life, all those upon whom the world has forever closed ; and that when the spirit has winged its flight to the God
7
who gave it, the tenement may dissolve again into the dust from which it sprang.
The next object of a Cemetery is to procure a place in which natural beauties, and conveniences may be combined with the labours of art, to render it a spot that the living may look upon with feelings of melancholy delight. In its fairest form, death is appalling to the mind; but how much are its terrors increased, when we know that our earthly remains will be consigned to a place that affection cannot consecrate. In the crowded grave-yards of a great city, this is indeed most lamentably the case. No stately tree, no shrub nor flower, can there find room to flourish. The prospect is only one of utter and hopeless desolation. Friends fulfil the last rites of interment, and see that the sod is placed over the hasty grave, and then go back to the world, to forget the place of repose, and almost the name of him they have conveyed to the tomb. Is not this strictly true in every sense ? Let those who doubt, but visit a burial ground in the limits of this city, and then judge for themselves. They will find in many of them, graves crowded upon graves, while the sculptured marble is frequently seen torn from the head of the one it was intended to commemorate. But worse than all this, it too often happens, that when a new tomb is dug, an old one is laid open ; and one body that has been slumbering a few years in peace, is removed from its resting place to make room for another, that has also ended its earthly career. For such and many other reasons, the country is better adapted for interment than the narrow confines of a city. In the one, room is abundant for all the purposes of burial; in the other, bodies are necessarily piled upon each other, until every particle of earth is displaced by human remains.
It is, however, not a matter of interest in this point of view alone. Its moral and religious advantages are not the least among many considerations. Here Piety and Affection may pour forth their offerings, and feel new emotions warm and revive them when they begin to grow cold. It is good for the heart to muse over the melancholy mementos of those who have lived, and to contemplate the uncertainties of existence. It is profitable for every man sometimes to commune with the spirits of the departed ; for like the closing year which is breathing its valedictory admonitions in our
ears, with every autumnal blast, it reminds him of the fact, that the period of his own existence is shortened with every passing zephyr ; and that he too, must soon be numbered with the clods of the valley.
Such are some of the views which suggest themselves to popular comprehension, in preferring rural Cemeteries to city grave-yards for interments. The inquiry is no less interesting to the philosopher, the philanthropist, and statesman, than to the man of fashion and taste. From the time of the patriarch's of old, to the present day, a decent curiosity has been shown in matters of sepulture.
Men of science, more especially they whose aim for practical benevolence characterized all their public as well as private acts, have recommended rural Cemeteries for interment. Of these I may merely refer to the article No. 24, from the Philadelphia Gazette, in the succeeding extracts, which quotes the authority of Franklin and Rush-than whom no higher could be named in any country. The first principles of sound philosophy suggest, that we should inquire into causes, with a view of understanding effects. Hence it has fallen to the lot of medical men more particularly, from their frequent intercourse with disease, to trace out the causes which produced it. A medical philosopher, in the progress of his reasoning on pathological effects, does not confine his researches to the proximate cause alone, but more effectually to ward off a recurrence of similar consequences, searches out all the remote occasions which may have contributed to the disorder. Will it be denied that an accumulation of putrifying animal matter- dead bodies piled upon one another, almost to the surface of the earth ; where both solar heat, and summer rains operate together to produce effluvia and poisonous miasmata, are not a prolific source of disease ? It does not require argument to prove it. We challenge the most sceptical to refute it .*
With such convictions, and such sentiments, did I regard the subject, before disclosing my views of a new Cemetery to my fellow-citizens,-fully satisfied that the undertaking would commend itself, both on account of its absolute importance to the public, and its relative value as one of the embellishments of Philadelphia.
*See Professor Dunglison s essay, No. 21. Also article No. 24.
9
To find a location adapted to the purpose, was a matter of no ordinary difficulty and solicitude. It is not a little embarrassing and hazardous, for one man to decide upon a point involving so many nice considerations, as well in matters of fact, as in peculiarities of taste.
Some persons prefer the showy summit of a rising hill, on which to display the tribute of their homage to the dead ; while others love to mourn over the grave alone, in the solitude of a valley, or in an unfrequented dell. With a population like that of Philadelphia, prudent and cautious in every thing they under- take, it became more a question of expediency and utility than of romantic speculation. After several years experience with the peculiarity of soils in the vicinity of Philadelphia, the result of extensive transactions in real estate, I finally decided on the beauti- ful country residence on Broad street, formerly known as "Sydney Place," about one mile and a half from the city, as the best situation, and combining in itself more natural advantages than any other for a Cemetery. The correctness of my anticipations and predictions respecting this elevated piece of ground, has been fully confirmed by subsequent developements, and a more thorough examination of the premises. It contains nearly twenty acres on the highest part of Broad street, about equi-distant between its intersection with Coates' street and the Germantown Rail Road ; and overlooking the whole city, with a gradual slope in every direction, it is always dry, picturesque, and inviting. In addition to occupy- ing the very summit of this fashionable and spacious street, the soil consists principally of red gravel, a ridge of which, ex- tending from Bush Hill, as the trunk, and branching off in a north- easterly direction, passes completely through it. Such are the prominent considerations which induced me to determine on the establishment of a Cemetery in that situation. How far my opinions were well founded, a generous and discerning public have already furnished abundant proof. Before submitting the extracts which are to follow, I may be permitted to indulge in a brief retrospect, which is at all times flattering to my own feelings, and no less creditable, I have reason to believe, to the good sense, and foresight of my fellow-citizens.
Having prepared the plan, I announced to the citizens of Phila-
2
10
delphia, at the close of June, 1837, my intentions of establishing a Cemetery on Broad street. A prospectus was issued, stating terms, &c., when hundreds of citizens at once came forward, almost spontaneously to obtain lots ; and hundreds more have since taken an interest in the ground, which renders its triumphant completion no longer problematical. But a few short months have elapsed, since it was submitted to the public for their consideration and approval ; and in this brief space of time, not only have all the preliminary arrangements been settled, and a thorough organization effected, consisting of a Board of Managers, Trustees, Treasurer, &c .; but the mortal remains of several individuals have been deposited in it, as their last earthly home.
In presenting the extracts which follow, it may not be improper to state, that they have at various times appeared in the public newspapers of Philadelphia, and also of other cities ; and com- prehend in a condensed form, public sentiment on this important subject, as well as furnish accurate information of the soil, location, distance, elevation, &c., &c., of the site selected. The authors of these articles, it will be perceived, speak in the most encouraging language, and express in an unequivocal manner, their approbation of the project. The whole community of Philadelphia, so far as I am aware, expressed but one sentiment; and that was the hope, that the scheme might be prosecuted to a successful termination. Judging from the indications furnished by the press of our sister cities, there was also the same commendable spirit of emulation among them to establish rural Cemeteries.
Disclaiming any invidious feelings or intentions, I have now the gratification of believing, that the Monument Cemetery of Philadelphia will speedily become a distinguished ornament to our metropolis, where pilgrims, eager to behold the quiet resting place of the dead, will be attracted by the instructive lessons it will teach ; and where crowds of inquisitive visitors will throng, in quest of the monuments of the taste of our city.
The plan of the Monument Cemetery contemplates improvements of the most extensive kind, in which the skill of the architect, and the taste of the gardener will be equally called into requisition. Trees will wave their shady branches, and flowers will scatter their richest fragrance over the whole scene .. The weeping willow
11
and the dark cypress will mourn in unison over the graves around ; and the modest blossoms that expand and perish, will forever remind man, that like them he is passing away. The unostenta- tious and silent lessons of mortality, will be taught by every thing that meets the eye. The winds will sigh a requiem among the foliage of the trees, while the birds singing in their branches will render adoration and praise to the great disposer of all events-the supreme arbiter of life and death.
JOHN A. ELKINTON, M. D.
Philadelphia, Dec. 1, 1837.
1
-
THE MONUMENT CEMETERY OF
PHILADELPHIA.
(LATE PERE LA CHAISE.)
No. 1.
From the Pennsylvania Inquirer of June, 1837.
A NEW CEMETERY.
It seems that the establishment of Laurel Hill, has stimulated one of our public spirited fellow-citizens to make arrangements for opening another public and beautiful Cemetery, on Broad street, between Poplar lane and Camac street. We have seen a plan of this proposed American Pere la Chaise, and must say that it is distinguished by elegance and taste. The location of the Cemetery will be the same in reference to Philadelphia, as that of Pere la Chaise to Paris, while the ground is exceedingly verdant, dry, and finely situated, being one hundred feet above tide water.
No 2.
From the American Sentinel of June 26.
NEW CEMETERY.
We had an opportunity of examining the plan of our enterprising fellow-citizen, Dr. JOHN A. ELKINTON, for a proposed Pere la Chaise Cemetery, similar to those in the neighbourhood of Paris, located on Broad street, near Turner's lane. The ground selected is admirably adapted for the purpose, being one hundred feet above tide water, and within a short distance of the city. It is proposed by the proprietor to form a Stock Company, to carry the plan into
14
-
effect ; but if that does not succeed, it is his intention to carry it out by his own enterprise. We wish him success in his under- taking. The plan may be seen at the Merchants' Exchange for a few days.
-
No. 3.
From the Pennsylvania Inquirer.
THE AMERICAN PERE LA CHAISE.
We invite attention to a card in a subsequent column, in relation to a new and eligible site for a cemetery, after the plan of the celebrated French Cemetery of Pere la Chaise. We had an oppor- tunity, a day or two since, of viewing the spot which has been marked out for this purpose, and also to examine the plan of the projector of this scheme ; and without any wish to disparage any similar undertaking, we state unhesitatingly, as our impression, that no more desirable spot of ground could possibly be fixed upon, within the same distance from the city .. Indeed, it seems admirably adapted to the design, and located as it is, within a few squares of the populous part of Philadelphia, upon an elevated and dry ground, all that is required, is, that the public should become acquainted with the position and advantages of the undertaking, to render it successful, and alike creditable to the enterprise of the proprietor, and the taste and judgment of our citizens. . The site of the intended new Cemetery, is on Broad street, near Turner's lane, one hundred feet above tide water, and commanding a' view of the city, of a similar character to the prospect of Paris, from the elevated parts of Pere la Chaise.
No. 4.
From the Philadelphia Saturday Chronicle of July, 1837.
A NEW CEMETERY.
LE PERE LA CHAISE DE L'AMERIQUE.
Among the numerous judicious improvements that have recently been submitted to public notice, we know of none possessing more
15
attractions than the plan of a Cemetery, on Broad street, just prepared by an enterprising citizen of the Northern Liberties. Most of our city readers doubtless remember having seen, a short distance from Turner's lane, a large yellow Mansion House on the left of the road, overlooking the whole country around, being one hundred and nine feet above tide water. This Mansion House is nearly in the centre of the proposed Cemetery, in the plan of which it is described as the "Chapel," it being the design of the pro- prietor to devote it to the purpose of burial ceremonials. The idea is undoubtedly a good one, and as the house is very spacious and conveniently arranged, a large funeral procession can enter, in rainy weather, during the performance of obsequies.
Not far from the chapel, and between the east and west gates, about half an acre of ground is handsomely laid out, and appro- priated for ornamental purposes. In the centre of this it is contemplated to erect a Fountain. Within the periphery of the circle which encloses the fountain, a space is allotted as a carriage way, so that persons riding may enter at the east gate on Broad street, pass along the main avenue to the chapel, drive around the fountain, and without incommoding foot passengers, pass out at the west gate on Turner's lane. The shade and solitude of the place will be charming.
This new Cemetery is at a convenient distance from the city, and will undoubtedly become an agreeable place of resort for reflection and contemplation, particularly in the spring and fall, and on moon- light summer evenings. There the bereaved orphan may water, with tears of affection, the grave of the parent ; and there the hand of friendship may strew flowers over the tomb of departed worth. The place is admirably adapted to the purposes of a Cemetery, and as the plan for its improvement is closely copied from Pere la Chaise, of Paris, it will undoubtedly soon become a place of coveted beauty.
-
* * " A something of strange loveliness, Should mark the place where Earth's fond children, come To sleep within her all embracing arms."
We trust that an early opportunity will be afforded our citizens to purchase lots in this Cemetery.
1
16
-
No. 5.
From the Pennsylvanian.
THE NEW CEMETERY.
The new Pere la Chaise Cemetery, about to be established on a high and beautiful spot out Broad street, has received such encour- agement from the citizens of Philadelphia, that the necessary preparations to complete it will doubtless be commenced immediately. The books for subscription to the stock were opened on Monday last, at the Exchange, for one day only, and the desire to procure shares was so great that a very large number of names were at once put down. We understand, likewise, that many others are anxious to obtain lots, and the commissioners, therefore, would do well to accommodate them by having the books again opened for a short time. Our principal hotel keepers, too, might avail them- selves of the opportunity, and follow the example of the proprietors of the Tremont House in Boston, who have a place at Mount Auburn for the interment of strangers. This new Cemetery, when the ornamental plan is completed, will be a great embellishment to the city, being conveniently situated immediately on the outskirts, and having a location of remarkable beauty.
No. 6. -
From the Philadelphia Gazette.
CORRESPONDENCE.
The subjoined correspondence presents several new features of attraction, for the proposed new Cemetery of Pere la Chaise. There seems to be little doubt that this burial ground will yet offer to the eye of the mourner and the lover of nature, a most tranquilizing scene ;- not less pleasant as a place of resort, than a place of repose.
H. S. TANNER, Esq.
Dear Sir :- Will you have the goodness to examine in your new plan of the city and districts, the relative position the proposed
17
Pere la Chaise Cemetery on Broad street, bears, to the densely settled portion of the city and surrounding districts ?
And oblige your obedient servant,
JOHN A. ELKINTON.
Philadelphia, June 30, 1837.
Philadelphia, June 30th, 1837.
Sir :- In replying to your note of this morning, relative to the settled parts of the city and adjoining districts, I regret that the means within my reach, of forming a correct judgment in this particular, forbid the definite reply to your inquiry, which I would desire.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.