USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > Guide to Laurel Hill Cemetery near Philadelphia : with a list of lotholders > Part 3
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be at least six inches within the entire line thereof, and of sufficient and proper depth. The earth in enclosed lots cannot be elevated above the level of the surrounding grounds without consent of the Managers.
VAULTS.
In building vaults, the same rules must be observed in conveying materials to the place re- quired, as is pointed out for the enclosures. Every attention must be observed to prevent, as much as possible, inconvenience to the adjoining lots, throughout the time the vaults are build- ing ; all of these details must be under the direc- tion of the Superintendent, who will be con- stantly on the spot. The walls of vaults shall be confined within the limits of the premises, and they shall be at least nine inches thick ; the inside crown of the arch shall be at least four feet below the surface of the ground, and not less than one foot in thickness; and the entrance to the same shall be covered with a stone, or an iron plate, and these covered with earth, so that the said stone (or iron plate) and earth shall be at least three feet in depth, and on a level with
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the surrounding ground. To prevent confusion from the introduction of a variety of workmen, the Managers have made arrangements to have all the excavating, as well as the building of foundations for enclosures, and for monuments, &c., performed under the directions of the Super- intendent, at moderate prices.
To those who prefer the erection of vaults or catacombs, the Superintendent at Laurel Hill will, when applied to, make such suggestions as to the plan and mode of building as may be deemed valuable, and may influence the builders to the best mode of construction.
LOTS NOT TRANSFERABLE.
The Managers inform persons who may wish to obtain lots in this Cemetery, that they will have the ground they purchase secured to them, and their families and heirs, for a burial-place for ever; and for the burial of such other white persons as they may choose to admit, provided such admission is free of charge, and without any compensation; but owners cannot re-sell or transfer their lots to any other person whatever,
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without the consent of the Managers first had and obtained in writing.
MONUMENTS.
The Managers have no wish to interfere with individual taste in the construction of monu- ments, &c .; but to protect the interest of each separate purchaser, they reserve to themselves explicitly the right to prevent the erection of large improvements which might interfere with the general effect, or obstruct any principal view.
SUPERINTENDENT.
Lot-holders who may wish either to enclose their lots, construct vaults, or to have their boun- daries more fully defined, must first apply to the Superintendent on the premises, who must be present, and whose directions they will conform to on these occasions, as well as in the erection of other improvements, attending at funerals, &c .; and it is to him the Managers look for the enforcement of these rules by visitors generally,
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and for the maintenance of decorum in the Cemetery on all occasions.
PURCHASE OF LOTS.
Persons wishing to purchase lots are referred to the office of the Treasurer, N. E. corner of Chestnut and Fifth Streets, or to the Superin- tendent on the premises, who has the plan of the grounds and every requisite information. No . improvement can be commenced on any lot, or interment made therein, prior to a receipt ob- tained therefor from the Treasurer.
PERMITS.
No interment can take place without a permit from the Treasurer. The Superintendent cannot be responsible for having the grave prepared in time for funerals, unless he has at least eight hours of daylight previous notice thereof.
SINGLE INTERMENTS.
Suitable spots have been appropriated for sin- gle interments, either for strangers or others.
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LAUREL HILL.
A SUGGESTION FOR LOT-HOLDERS.
The Managers very respectfully suggest to the proprietors of grounds in the Cemetery, that, as time rolls on, and the Superintendent is changed, by death or otherwise, cases may occur of the following character :- Deaths may, and will, take place in families which have previously been obliged to use the lot or lots for interment, on former occasions, and it may be desirable that either an infant or a grown person should be interred in a grave already previously opened, and a message may be sent to the grounds to inter in such or such a grave, or adjoining such a relative; now, if no head or foot stone, or any designation whatever is apparent on the surface, it may be impossible for the Superintendent to comply, with certainty, with the wishes of the relatives.
To remedy this is in the power of each lot- holder :- by making a drawing of the lot or lots on the back of the Deed, and being careful to record on it every interment, with name and date, this difficulty may be entirely avoided, and an interesting record in each family will be pre-
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served, obviating, in future, a possible (great) disappointment.
VARIETY IN MONUMENTS.
There is another suggestion which the Man- agers feel it their duty to make to lot-holders; they trust it will be received as an evidence that they are anxious to unite in carrying out the original intention of creating at Laurel Hill a tout ensemble, which shall evince that, with superior facilities, there is growing up an im- proved taste in monumental sculpture. It has been the frequent remark of visitors-our own citizens as well as strangers-that a monotony already begins to be apparent in the style and form of the improvements; obelisk succeeds obe- lisk, &c., with only slight variation, and if this is continued, we shall see, in time, too dull a uniformity to strike the mind with agreeable sentiments. This may be obviated by a little inquiry before ordering a monument, and by not always taking the advice of the stone-mason, often himself willing to suggest the greatest bulk for the least money, and thus allowing marble 6
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to usurp the place of good taste. Drawings, to a great extent and variety, have been made, and may be seen in Philadelphia, whose adoption would materially obviate this too just criticism, and ultimately redeem the character of the place in this respect. A correct idea, expressed in marble, may be very beautiful, so long as it is unique; but by too frequent imitation, and in too close proximity with its original, it may de- stroy the charm of the first, and ultimately raise feelings in the beholder the reverse of those de- sired. This hint, the Managers have no doubt, will strike the friends of Laurel Hill as just, and they feel that, in expressing these views, they have complied with the wishes of many friends of the Cemetery-themselves good judges, and anxious for the perpetuation of the beauty of the place.
MANAGERS.
The Managers trust that the above regulations will be sufficient for the guidance of lot-holders and their friends. They have made, at a great expense, every improvement that can add to the convenience of owners of lots; the only request
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they would make is, that all will observe such a line of deportment as is consistent with the solemnity of the place, and the object to which it is devoted.
Managers' Chamber, March 30, 1857.
Those lot-holders who have not yet obtained their deeds, are requested to make application to the Treasurer, northeast corner of Chestnut and Fifth Streets.
Persons having business at the Cemetery will ring the bell, situated directly south of the Cha- pel, or inquire for the Superintendent. A bell will also be found at South Laurel Hill.
JOHN JAY SMITH, President, Germantown, Pa.
FREDERICK BROWN, Treasurer, Northeast corner of Chestnut and Fifth Sts.
LLOYD P. SMITH, Secretary, Philadelphia Library, South Fifth Street.
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THE ACT OF INCORPORATION BY THE LEGISLA- TURE OF PENNSYLVANIA IN 1837.
An Act to Incorporate the Laurel Hill Cemetery Company, in Penn Township, Philadelphia County.
WHEREAS, The practice of burying in popu- lous cities is becoming more objectionable, and more burdensome and expensive to the commu- nity, by reason whereof it was thought expedient to make some other provision for the decent re- spect which is due to the dead, free from the in- conveniences above mentioned :- And whereas, several citizens of this Commonwealth, herein- after named, have associated for the purpose of establishing a Cemetery at Laurel Hill, in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, intending that so much of the tract known by that name, contain- ing in the whole about thirty-two acres, as lies westwardly of the Ridge Turnpike Road, shall be used only for the purposes of interment, and the part lying eastwardly of said road to be cul- tivated as a garden, with convenient buildings; and have desired that they, and their successors, may be incorporated for establishing and perpe-
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tuating such Cemetery, with such powers as are necessary for that object :- And whereas, it seems reasonable and necessary to provide for the permanence of the establishment, so that those who bury there may be assured of con- tinued protection to the remains of relatives and friends who have been committed to the earth, and of the decent preservation of the ground ; therefore,
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That Nathan Dunn, Benjamin W. Richards, John Jay Smith, Frederick Brown, William M. Meredith, Edward Coleman, George N. Baker, Henry Toland, and Nicholas Biddle, be, and they hereby are made, a body politic and corporate in law, under the name, style, and title of the " Laurel Hill Cemetery Company," and by that name shall be able and capable in law to have and use a common seal, to sue and be sued, to plead and be impleaded, and to do all such other things as are incident to a corporation.
SECTION 2. That the first four persons named above shall be Managers of the said Laurel Hill 6*
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Cemetery Company, and shall have power, (first having the consent of the owners thereof,) to lay out and ornament the grounds; to remove or alter the old buildings, and erect new ones; to dispose of and arrange burial lots; and to make such by-laws, rules, and regulations, relative to the election and duties of managers, and their successors, the appointment of suitable officers and agents, and their several duties and compen- sations ; and to make such rules and regulations, from time to time, for the government of lot- holders and visitors to the Cemetery as they may deem necessary. Provided, That the extent of said ground, to be appropriated under this act, shall in no case exceed sixty acres. And provided, further, That so much of the ground as lies westwardly of the Ridge Turnpike Road, shall be kept and appropriated to the purposes of a public Cemetery alone.
SECTION 3. That the said Laurel Hill Ceme- tery Company shall be able and capable in law, if it shall seem to them expedient, to purchase and hold the said land, and to sell and dispose of the same; and also to have and to hold so much personal estate, and no more, as may be necessary for the purposes of this incorporation,
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or with the consent of those who now are, or hereafter may be, proprietors of the ground not granted for burial lots, to assume the manage- ment, direction, and disposal of the same, accord- ing to the powers hereinbefore given. Provided, That the land westwardly of the Ridge Turnpike Road, as aforesaid, shall never be granted but for burial lots, and that the burial lots so granted shall be subject to the powers of this act.
SECTION 4. That the act for the establishment of Laurel Hill College, in Penn Township, Coun- ty of Philadelphia, passed the thirteenth day of April, Anno Domini, one thousand eight hun- dred and thirty-five, be and the same is hereby repealed.
SECTION 5. That no streets or roads shall here- after be opened through the lands of the said cor- poration, occupied as a burial-ground, except by and with the consent of this corporation.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, ss.
I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of Bill No. 2, of the Senate file of the ses- sion of 1836-7, entitled, " An Act to Incorpo- rate the Laurel Hill Cemetery Company, in Penn Township, Philadelphia County," as the same
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has been passed into a law by both branches of the Legislature, and the approval and signature of the Governor.
Witness my hand, J. WILLIAMS, JR., Clerk of the Senate.
AN ACT RELATING TO LAUREL HILL CEMETERY, PASSED MARCH, 1847.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That if any person shall open any tomb or grave in the lands of the Cemetery of the Laurel Hill Company of Philadelphia, and clandestinely re- move or attempt to remove any body or remains therefrom, such person upon conviction thereof, shall be sentenced to undergo an imprisonment in the prison of the County of Philadelphia at hard labor for a term of not less than one year or more than five years, and pay a fine not less than five hundred dollars, at the discretion of
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the Court of Quarter Sessions for the County of Philadelphia; and any person who shall wilfully destroy, mutilate, deface, injure, or remove any tomb, monument, grave-stone, or other structure placed in the Cemetery aforesaid, or any fence, or railing or other work for the protection or ornament of said Cemetery, or of any tomb, monument, grave-stone, or other structure placed therein as aforesaid, or shall wilfully destroy, cut, break, or remove any tree, shrub, or plant within the limits of the said Cemetery, or shall shoot or discharge any gun or other fire-arms within said limits, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall upon conviction thereof before any justice of the peace, or alderman of the County of Philadelphia, be punished by a fine at the discretion of the justice or alderman according to the aggravation of the offence, of not less than five, or more than fifty dollars, or shall on conviction thereof in the Court of Quar- ter Sessions of said County be punished by a fine as aforesaid, and by imprisonment according to the aggravation of the offence, at the discretion of the Court, for a term of not less than six months, or more than three years.
SECTION 2. That every lot in the said Ceme-
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tery of the Laurel Hill Cemetery Company of Philadelphia shall be held by the proprietor, for the purpose of sepulture alone, transferable with the consent of the President and Managers thereof, and shall not be subject to attachment, or execution, and the said Cemetery shall here- after be for ever exempted from taxation, Pro- vided, That nothing herein contained shall be construed to exempt the said Cemetery from payment of State taxes. And provided, further, That the same exemption from attachment or execution shall not extend to more than four lots, held or owned by any one person in the said Cemetery.
JAMES COOPER, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
CHARLES GIBBONS, Speaker of the Senate.
Approved the eighth day of March, one thou- sand eight hundred and forty-seven.
FRANCIS R. SHUNK.
Pennsylvania, ss.
I do certify that the above and foregoing is a true copy of the original Act of Assembly now
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on file in this office. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said office the day and year above written.
J. MILLER,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
From the Laws of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, passed at the Session of 1852, page 710.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Penn- sylvania, in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That the Laurel Hill Cemetery Company, in Penn Township, in the County of Philadelphia, be and they are hereby authorized and empowered to purchase and hold, and to appropriate to and for Cemetery purposes only, all or any part of the land and ground situate, lying and being between the west side of the Ridge Turnpike Road and the River Schuylkill, and between Alleghany Avenue and Huntingdon Street, in
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Penn Township, in the County of Philadelphia. Provided, That the said land and ground so to be purchased, with that which the said Company now own, hold, possess, and enjoy, shall alto- gether not exceed one hundred acres. And pro- vided, further, That all laws exempting Cemetery property from taxation in the County of Phila- delphia, are hereby repealed.
Chapter U.
THE TREES AND SHRUBS.
"Bring flowers, pale flowers, o'er the bier to spread, A crown for the brow of the early dead ! For this through the leaves hath the white rose burst, For this in the woods was the violet nurst- Though they sigh in vain for what once was ours, They are love's last gift ! bring ye flowers-pale flowers." MRS. HEMANS.
ITHE botanical riches of Laurel Hill being - frequently alluded to, we insert a catalogue of a few of the most remarkable and interesting varieties of the trees and shrubs which have been collected at this spot. The following list em- braces a portion of the most beautiful of those now found on the place; such as are deemed suitable for the adornment of a Cemetery. It is designed to add others as they can be procured. 7
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In short, the Managers desire that one speci- men at least of every valuable tree and shrub which will bear the climate of this latitude, shall be found in these grounds, to form a species of Arboretum.
LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL TREES AND SHRUBS, ETC.,. AT LAUREL HILL.
Clematis Flammula, L. The Inflammatory-juiced Cle- matis, or Sweet-scented Virgin's Bower.
Clematis Vitalba, L. The White-vine Clematis, or Tra- veller's Joy.
Clematis Virginiana, L. The Virginian Clematis.
Clematis Cærulea, Lindl. The Blue, or Violet-flowered Clematis.
Magnolia Grandiflora, L. The Large-flowered Magno- lia.
Magnolia Glauca, L. The Glaucous-leaved Magnolia. Magnolia Tripetela, L. The Three-petaled Magnolia.
Magnolia Macrophylla, Mx. The Long-leaved Magno- lia.
Magnolia Acuminata. The Pointed-leaved Magnolia, or Cucumber Tree.
Magnolia Cordata, Mx. The Heart-leaved, or Yellow Magnolia.
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Magnolia Auriculata, Lam. The Auricled-leaved Mag- nolia.
Magnolia Conspicua, Salisb. The Yulan, or Conspi- cuous-flowered Magnolia, called sometimes the Chan- delier Tree.
Magnolia Purpurea, Sims. The Purple-flowered Mag- nolia.
Liriodendron Tulipifera, L. The Tulip-bearing Lirio- dendron, or Tulip Tree.
Berberis Vulgaris, L. The Common Berberry.
Berberis Aristata, Dec. The Bristled Tooth-leaved Ber- berry.
Mahonia Aquifolium, Nutt. The Holly-leaved Maho- nia, or Ash Berberry.
Tilia Europæ, L. The European Lime Tree.
Tilia Americana, L. The American Lime Tree.
Stuartia Virginica, Cav. The Virginian Stuartia.
Gordonia Pubescens, L'Her. The Pubescent Gordonia,
or Loblolly Bay, formerly the Franklinia Americana, Marsh.
Hypericum, L. The St. John's Wort, a number of species.
Acer, L. The Maple, many species, among which may be noted,
Acer Striatum, L. The Striped-barked Maple.
Acer Platanoides, L. The Platanus-like, or Norway Maple.
Acer Saccharinum, L. The Sugar Maple.
Acer Pseudo-Platanus, L. The Mock Plane Tree, the Sycamore, or Great Maple.
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Acer Opalus, Ait. The Opal, or Italian Maple.
Acer Rubrum, L. The Red-flowering, or Scarlet Ma- ple.
Aesculus Hippocastanum, L. The Common Horse Chestnut.
Aesculus Ohioensis, Michx. The Ohio Horse Chestnut, or the Ohio Buckeye.
Aesculus Rubicunda, Lois. The Reddish-flowered Horse Chestnut.
Pavia Rubra, Lam. The Red-flowered Pavia, or Small Buckeye.
Pavia Macrostachya, Mx. The Long-racemed Pavia.
Kolreuteria Paniculata, Larm. The Panicled Flower- ing Kolreuteria.
Vitis Riparia, Michx. The River-side, or Sweet-scented Vine.
Ampelopsis Hederacea, Michx. The Ivy-like Ampelop- sis, or Five-leaved Ivy.
Xanthoxylum Fraxineum, Willd. The Ash-leaved Xanthoxylum, or Common Toothache Tree.
Ptelea Trifoliata, L. The Three-leafleted Ptelea, or Shrubby Trefoil, or Hop Tree.
Ailantus Glandulosa, Desf. The Glandulous-leaved Ailanto.
Staphylea Trifoliata, L. The Three-leafleted Staphylea, or Bladder-nut Tree.
Staphylea Pinnata, L. The Pinnated-leaved Staphylea,
.. or Bladder-nut Tree.
Euonymus Europeus, L. The European Euonymus, or Spindle Tree.
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Euonymus Americana, L. The American Euonymus, or Spindle Tree.
Celastrus Scandens, L. The Climbing-stemmed Celas- trus, or Staff Tree.
Ilex Aquifolium, L. The Prickly-leaved Holly.
Ilex Opaca, Ait. The Opaque-leaved, or American Holly.
Rhus Cotinus, L. The Cotinus Rhus, or Venetian Su- mac, or Mist Tree.
Sophora Pendula, L. The Weeping Sophora.
Virgilia Lutea, Mich. The Yellow-wooded Virgilia, or Yellow Wood.
Spartium Junceum, L. The Spanish Broom.
Cytisus Laburnum, L. The Common Laburnum.
Cytisus Laburnum Pendulum, L. The Weeping La- burnum.
Cytisus Laburnum Purpureum, L. The Purple Labur- num.
Amorpha Nana, Nutt. The Dwarf Amorpha, or False Indigo.
Robinia Pseud-Acacia, L. The Common Robinia, or False Acacia.
Robinia Viscosa, Vent. The Clammy-barked Robinia.
Robinia Hispida, L. The Rose Acacia.
Colutea Arborescens, L. The Bladder Senna.
Wistaria Frutescens, Dec. The Shrubby Wistaria, or Glycina.
Wistaria Chinensis, Dec. The Chinese Wistaria. Gleditschia Triacanthos, L. The Three-thorned Gled -. itschia, or Honey Locust.
7*
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Gymnocladus Canadensis, Lam. The Kentucky Coffee Tree.
Cercis Canadensis, L. The Common Judas Tree.
Amygdalus Communis, L. The Common Almond. Cerasus Padus, Dec. The Bird-cherry Tree.
Cerasus Avium Flore Pleno, Monch. The Flowering Cherry Tree.
Rosa. A great variety of hardy roses will be found on the grounds, including the best varieties.
Cratagus, or Thorn. A great variety of the most orna- mental.
Cotoneaster Microphylla, Wall. The Small-leaved Cotoneaster.
Cydonia Japonica, Pers. Pyrus Japonica, or the Japan Quince Tree, three varieties.
Calycanthus Fragrans, Lindl. The Fragrant-flowered Calycanthus.
Philadelphus Coronarius, L. The Garland Philadel- phus, or Mock Orange.
Philadelphus Inodorus, L. The Scentless-flowered Mock Orange.
Hydrangea Hortensia, Sieb. The Common Hydran- gea.
Hydrangea Quercifolia, Bartram. The Oak-leaved Hydrangea.
Hedera Helix, L. The Common Ivy.
Hedera Poetica, Bauh. The Poet's Ivy, &c.
Cornus Florida, L. The Florida Dogwood.
Aucuba Japonica, Thunb. The Japan Aucuba. Hardy at Laurel Hill.
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Lonicera. Honeysuckle. All the varieties known to be hardy in America.
Cephalanthus Occidentalis, L. The Western Button- wood.
Rhododendron Ponticum, L. The Pontic Rhododen- dron, or Rose Bay.
Rhododendron Maximum, L. The largest Rhododen- dron, or American Rose Bay.
Rhododendron Catawbiense, Michx. The Catawba Rhododendron.
Kalmia Latifolia, L. The Common Laurel.
Halesia Tetraptera, L. The Four-winged-fruited Hale- sia, or Common Snowdrop Tree.
Halesia Diptera, L. The Two-winged-fruited Halesia, or Snowdrop Tree.
Chionanthus Virginica, L. The Virginia Snow-flower, or Fringe Tree.
Syringa, L. The Lilac. Several varieties.
Fraxinus Americana, Willd. The American Ash.
Fraxinus Excelsior Pendula, Ait. The Weeping Ash, and other varieties.
Sorbus Americana, Willd. The Mountain Ash.
Jasminum Officinale, L. The Officinal, or Common Jasmine.
Vinca Major, L. The Great Periwinkle.
Vinca Minor, L. The Less Periwinkle.
Periploca Græca, L. The Greek Periploca, or Virginia Silk-vine.
Bignonia Capreolata, L. The tendrilled Bignonia, or Trumpet-flower.
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Bignonia Radicans, L. The Rooting Bignonia, or Trum- pet-flower.
Catalpa Syringæfolia, Sims. The Lilac-like-leaved Ca- talpa.
Laurus Sassafras, L. The Sassafras Laurel, or Sassafras Tree.
Shepherdia Argentea, Nutt. The Silver-leaved She- pherdia, or Buffalo Berry.
Aristolochia Sipho, L'Herit. The Siphon-like Birth- wort.
Aristolochia Tomentosa, Sims. The Tomentose Birth- wort.
Buxus Sempervirens, L. The Evergreen, or Common Box Tree.
Buxus Argentea. The Silver Box.
Buxus Aurea. The Golden Box.
Buxus Variegata. The Variegated Box.
Macluria Aurantiaca, Nutt. The Osage Orange.
Ulmus Campestris, L. The English, or Common Elm. Ulmus Glabra, Mill. The Wych Elm.
Ulmus Americana, L. The American Elm.
Juglans Nigra, L. The Black-wooded Walnut Tree.
Juglans Cinerea, L. The Gray-branched Walnut Tree, or Butternut.
Carya Alba, Nutt. The Shellbark Hickory of several varieties.
Salix Babylonica. The Babylonian, or Weeping Wil- low.
Salix Annularis. The Curled Willow.
Populus Alba, L. The White Poplar, or Abele Tree.
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Populus Canescens, Smith. The Gray, or Common White Poplar.
Populus Tremula, L. The Trembling-leaved Poplar, or Aspen.
Populus Trepida, Willd. The American Aspen.
Populus Græca, Ait. The Grecian, or Athenian Pop- lar.
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