The northern main entrance gateway to the Green-Wood Cemetery, looking west, ca. 1863.
With the identity of the Green-Wood Cemetery affirmed by its amended charter, the cemetery was an established entity in the City of Brooklyn. However, despite the incorporation of the cemetery in 1838, construction of the cemetery itself was delayed due to issues such as acquiring land and financing construction of new structures (Richman, ed., 2013, page 67). On September 5, 1840, the first burial took place at Green-Wood, but according to Green-Wood historian Nehemiah Cleaveland, it was not until the year 1843 in which “the serious troubles of the cemetery were now over” (Richman, ed., 2013, page 67). During 1841-1842, even though some churches began to transfer their dead to the cemetery, Green-Wood struggled: due to the poor economy that decreased lot sales, and the fact that several families were still not comfortable burying their family members so far from home (a legitimate concern: as there was a case in which a coffin headed to Brooklyn accidentally fell into the East River while it was being ferried from Manhattan Island) (Richman, ed., 2013, pages 43-44). The documents of this period reveal several interesting topics, from meetings with Trinity Church to reserve lots for the burial of its dead in Green-Wood, to the amendment of Green-Wood’s charter to allow the cemetery to acquire more land for burial purposes in 1846.
Item #241: Report on Major Douglass’s Meeting at Trinity Church, May 29, 1840
Shown here is the first page of this report (the second thumbnail scan is of the Appendix C. section of the report). This report signed by committee members Russell Stebbins, J. A. Perry, and A. G. Hammond, explains the meeting of Major Douglass at Trinity Church. In it the committee members explain that they are committed to the citizens to carry out the provisions of the Green-Wood Cemetery’s Charter, that the subscription books should be reopened to churches and individuals. Also, they state that a committee should be appointed to negotiate with churches on the reservation of cemetery lands to these institutions, that the President of the cemetery association should have the authority to receive proposals to create a picket fence for the cemetery and report on this at a future meeting, and that the commissioners of the cemetery be beholden to the cemetery’s President at least $1,500.00 per acre of land as insurance compensation. This report is important because it documents the first time that the Green-Wood Cemetery Association is trying to outline the resolutions that they want the church organizations to agree on before they set aside land at the cemetery for their use. In addition, the committee members voted at this meeting to reaffirm the cemetery’s proposal to work with religious institutions, and to invite plans to encircle the grounds with a large picket fence, establishing the borders of the cemetery (Cleaveland, 1866, page 31).
Shown here is the first page of this report (the second thumbnail scan is of the Appendix C. section of the report). This report signed by committee members Russell Stebbins, J. A. Perry, and A. G. Hammond, explains the meeting of Major Douglass at Trinity Church. In it the committee members explain that they are committed to the citizens to carry out the provisions of the Green-Wood Cemetery’s Charter, that the subscription books should be reopened to churches and individuals. Also, they state that a committee should be appointed to negotiate with churches on the reservation of cemetery lands to these institutions, that the President of the cemetery association should have the authority to receive proposals to create a picket fence for the cemetery and report on this at a future meeting, and that the commissioners of the cemetery be beholden to the cemetery’s President at least $1,500.00 per acre of land as insurance compensation. This report is important because it documents the first time that the Green-Wood Cemetery Association is trying to outline the resolutions that they want the church organizations to agree on before they set aside land at the cemetery for their use. In addition, the committee members voted at this meeting to reaffirm the cemetery’s proposal to work with religious institutions, and to invite plans to encircle the grounds with a large picket fence, establishing the borders of the cemetery (Cleaveland, 1866, page 31).
Types transcription of Item #241:
Report May 29, 1840 Page 34.
The Committee to whom was referred the paper communicated by the President at the Meeting of the Board on Wednesday last—with a view to mature a course of action thereon—offer by way of report the following resolutions viz.
Resolved. That this Board regard with deep and unabated interest the importance of the Institution Committee to their care—and believing that it must eventually commend itself to the unqualified approbation of our citizens, they will use every means in their power to carry out the benevolent objects contemplated in the Charter of Incorporation with the least possible delay.
Resolved. That the Books of subscription for Cemetery Lots, be immediately re-opened, and subscriptions received therein at the following rates viz—For one Lot – one hundred Dollars
For Four or more Lots – taken together Eighty Dollars each—The amount of subscriptions to remain uncalled for, until the number of Lots subscribed by Churches and individuals – including those heretofore subscribed, shall be sufficient – to pay off all existing encumbrances on the ground.
Resolved. That this Board approve the doings of the Committee appointed to negotiate the sale the Cemetery Lots to Churches, including the terms & conditions offered by them, at the meeting of the Delegates of the Churches on the 28th April last [see the annexed paper marked C.] in addition to which the following supplementary provision is adopted. viz. That whenever any Church, - taking one-hundred or more, Lots, shall choose to pay for the same, in money, or in Bonds at five years, bearing interest at six percent annually, they shall be allowed to take the said Lots at the rate of Forty Dollars each. Provided however, that the Books shall not be kept open on the terms here referred to, with, or without this modification, after the number of lots subscribed, by individuals and Churches, shall amount, in the payment, to twelve hundred & fifty, or so many as may be sufficient to pay off the encumbrances.
Resolved. That the President be authorized to invite proposals for enclosing the ground with a substantial Picket-Fence, & report the result at a future meeting.
The Committee further report—that on the presentation made with board that the allowance made the President for his services founded on a Commission on Sales of Cemetery lots having further arriving from unforeseen assessments so that he has not been able to obtain any compensation for his services since 1st Oct. last, they would recommend the following resolution viz –
Resolved. That the Corporation of Greenwood Cemetery guaranty to the President that his Commission shall amount to at least $1,500 per Annum and that they beholden to him for the present year. From 1st Oct. last at that rate whether the Commission allowed him on that argument amount to that sum or not.
R. Stebbins]
J. A. Perry] Committeemen
A. G. Hammond]
Report May 29, 1840 Page 34.
The Committee to whom was referred the paper communicated by the President at the Meeting of the Board on Wednesday last—with a view to mature a course of action thereon—offer by way of report the following resolutions viz.
Resolved. That this Board regard with deep and unabated interest the importance of the Institution Committee to their care—and believing that it must eventually commend itself to the unqualified approbation of our citizens, they will use every means in their power to carry out the benevolent objects contemplated in the Charter of Incorporation with the least possible delay.
Resolved. That the Books of subscription for Cemetery Lots, be immediately re-opened, and subscriptions received therein at the following rates viz—For one Lot – one hundred Dollars
For Four or more Lots – taken together Eighty Dollars each—The amount of subscriptions to remain uncalled for, until the number of Lots subscribed by Churches and individuals – including those heretofore subscribed, shall be sufficient – to pay off all existing encumbrances on the ground.
Resolved. That this Board approve the doings of the Committee appointed to negotiate the sale the Cemetery Lots to Churches, including the terms & conditions offered by them, at the meeting of the Delegates of the Churches on the 28th April last [see the annexed paper marked C.] in addition to which the following supplementary provision is adopted. viz. That whenever any Church, - taking one-hundred or more, Lots, shall choose to pay for the same, in money, or in Bonds at five years, bearing interest at six percent annually, they shall be allowed to take the said Lots at the rate of Forty Dollars each. Provided however, that the Books shall not be kept open on the terms here referred to, with, or without this modification, after the number of lots subscribed, by individuals and Churches, shall amount, in the payment, to twelve hundred & fifty, or so many as may be sufficient to pay off the encumbrances.
Resolved. That the President be authorized to invite proposals for enclosing the ground with a substantial Picket-Fence, & report the result at a future meeting.
The Committee further report—that on the presentation made with board that the allowance made the President for his services founded on a Commission on Sales of Cemetery lots having further arriving from unforeseen assessments so that he has not been able to obtain any compensation for his services since 1st Oct. last, they would recommend the following resolution viz –
Resolved. That the Corporation of Greenwood Cemetery guaranty to the President that his Commission shall amount to at least $1,500 per Annum and that they beholden to him for the present year. From 1st Oct. last at that rate whether the Commission allowed him on that argument amount to that sum or not.
R. Stebbins]
J. A. Perry] Committeemen
A. G. Hammond]
Item #177: The Minimum Cost of Land Bought by the Green-Wood Cemetery, July 1, 1840
This document is a list of all the tracts of land that the Green-Wood Cemetery Company planned to buy as of July 1, 1840. It lists who owned the different lots, how much each will cost, and whether or not the cemetery company had agreed on a contract to purchase each of the lots from their respective owners. This document also reveals a total prospective price for this land: $12,500.00. This document is significant because it is the first time that there is a record of the cemetery company confirming that they have contracts to purchase some of these lands. This makes this one of the first documents that records the formation of the Green-Wood Cemetery through the purchase of land tracts.
This document is a list of all the tracts of land that the Green-Wood Cemetery Company planned to buy as of July 1, 1840. It lists who owned the different lots, how much each will cost, and whether or not the cemetery company had agreed on a contract to purchase each of the lots from their respective owners. This document also reveals a total prospective price for this land: $12,500.00. This document is significant because it is the first time that there is a record of the cemetery company confirming that they have contracts to purchase some of these lands. This makes this one of the first documents that records the formation of the Green-Wood Cemetery through the purchase of land tracts.
Item #179: Expenses of the Green-Wood Cemetery, 1840-1842
This document lists the advances in direct payment and in bonds given to the Green-Wood Cemetery from 1840-1842. This document is important because it records what some of the first expenses paid for by the Green-Wood Cemetery Company. This includes paying their engineer, Major Douglass, paying for fences for the cemetery boundaries, and paying for labor to lay out the cemetery. This document gives an insight into what the cemetery was working on during its first years. It shows that the laying out of the cemetery grounds by Major Douglass, as well as establishing its definitive orders with a fence, were important activities during this period.
This document lists the advances in direct payment and in bonds given to the Green-Wood Cemetery from 1840-1842. This document is important because it records what some of the first expenses paid for by the Green-Wood Cemetery Company. This includes paying their engineer, Major Douglass, paying for fences for the cemetery boundaries, and paying for labor to lay out the cemetery. This document gives an insight into what the cemetery was working on during its first years. It shows that the laying out of the cemetery grounds by Major Douglass, as well as establishing its definitive orders with a fence, were important activities during this period.
Item #281: S. N. Burrill to Joseph A. Perry, May 12, 1841
In this letter Mr. Burrill tells Mr. Perry that he would like to submit his name to act as the groundskeeper, superintendent, and agent of the Green-Wood Cemetery Corporation in Manhattan, New York City. He lists several responsibilities he is willing to do if he is chosen for this position, including acting as an agent for the cemetery to help people select and buy lots in the cemetery, and keep a register of all people buried in the cemetery, as well as keeping the grounds of the cemetery in order. In addition, he also states that he would accept burial lots in the cemetery as compensation for his salary. This letter is important because it documents that S. N. Burrill, a prominent New York undertaker, attempted to be appointed in the employment of the Green-Wood Cemetery during its founding years. On September 25, 1842, Samuel N. Burrill would be appointed by the standing committee of the cemetery as “Superintendant of Internments,” and his compensation consisted of the fees that were accrued from this position (Mr. Burrill would hold this position for around five months) (Cleaveland, 1866, page 41).
In this letter Mr. Burrill tells Mr. Perry that he would like to submit his name to act as the groundskeeper, superintendent, and agent of the Green-Wood Cemetery Corporation in Manhattan, New York City. He lists several responsibilities he is willing to do if he is chosen for this position, including acting as an agent for the cemetery to help people select and buy lots in the cemetery, and keep a register of all people buried in the cemetery, as well as keeping the grounds of the cemetery in order. In addition, he also states that he would accept burial lots in the cemetery as compensation for his salary. This letter is important because it documents that S. N. Burrill, a prominent New York undertaker, attempted to be appointed in the employment of the Green-Wood Cemetery during its founding years. On September 25, 1842, Samuel N. Burrill would be appointed by the standing committee of the cemetery as “Superintendant of Internments,” and his compensation consisted of the fees that were accrued from this position (Mr. Burrill would hold this position for around five months) (Cleaveland, 1866, page 41).
Typed transcription of Item #281:
Joseph A. Perry, Esq
No 1 Hanover St.
J. A. Perry Esq Wednesday May 12th 1841
Dear Sir,
I take the liberty of addressing you a few times on the subject of the “Greenwood Cemetery.” From the many enquires of me respecting it, I am deeply impressed with the necessity of the appointment of some judicious person, to whom application can be made for information, and aid in the selection and improvement of lots. I would suggest, that, a person be appointed as keeper of the grounds, under a sallary of whatever the Trustees may think adequate to the labor performed, or the advantages gained by the Cemetery Corporation. Let him have an office in the City, where he may be found at any time of day, before two o’clock, to answer enquiries made by persons wishing to purchase lots, and accompany them to, or meet them on the ground, after three o’clock, to aid them in their selections, and to lay out the same. Let him superintend all opening of avenues, and improvements on lots, see that all rubbish is removed to a proper place, the whole of the grounds kept in good order, to act as an agent in the sale of lots, and in every way he can, further the object of the Corporation. Let him have the care of individual lots, to protect the enclosures and ornaments, to receive all orders of internments, in vaults or graves, to keep a book of registry of all persons interred, for which, he shall receive a fee from the owner of the lot, when an internment is made, for his compensation for opening the vault or grave, and keeping the same in order. If the Trustees feel disposed to make such an appointment, I wish you to offer them my name, as one willing to enter the work. The sallary they are willing to give, I will take in lots, not to sell again, but for the burial of strangers, and will improve the same in a neat and handsome manner.
Yours most respectfully,
S. N. Burrill
Joseph A. Perry, Esq
No 1 Hanover St.
J. A. Perry Esq Wednesday May 12th 1841
Dear Sir,
I take the liberty of addressing you a few times on the subject of the “Greenwood Cemetery.” From the many enquires of me respecting it, I am deeply impressed with the necessity of the appointment of some judicious person, to whom application can be made for information, and aid in the selection and improvement of lots. I would suggest, that, a person be appointed as keeper of the grounds, under a sallary of whatever the Trustees may think adequate to the labor performed, or the advantages gained by the Cemetery Corporation. Let him have an office in the City, where he may be found at any time of day, before two o’clock, to answer enquiries made by persons wishing to purchase lots, and accompany them to, or meet them on the ground, after three o’clock, to aid them in their selections, and to lay out the same. Let him superintend all opening of avenues, and improvements on lots, see that all rubbish is removed to a proper place, the whole of the grounds kept in good order, to act as an agent in the sale of lots, and in every way he can, further the object of the Corporation. Let him have the care of individual lots, to protect the enclosures and ornaments, to receive all orders of internments, in vaults or graves, to keep a book of registry of all persons interred, for which, he shall receive a fee from the owner of the lot, when an internment is made, for his compensation for opening the vault or grave, and keeping the same in order. If the Trustees feel disposed to make such an appointment, I wish you to offer them my name, as one willing to enter the work. The sallary they are willing to give, I will take in lots, not to sell again, but for the burial of strangers, and will improve the same in a neat and handsome manner.
Yours most respectfully,
S. N. Burrill
Item #7: An Act to Amend the Charter of Incorporation of the Green-Wood Cemetery, Passed May 11, 1846 by a Two-Thirds Vote
This amendment to the original charter of Green-Wood Cemetery by the New York State Government changes the landowning privileges of the cemetery. Section 1 gives the cemetery permission to buy and own more land in the City of Brooklyn and the Town of Flatbush in Kings County, but limits the total land the cemetery could acquire and hold to 125 acres. In addition, all other landowning privileges of the cemetery from the previous incorporation act will remain in effect. This item is important because it documents a significant increase in the amount of additional land that the New York State Government officially allowed the Green-Wood Cemetery could both acquire and hold, but imposed limits on this additional land to 125 acres in order to better control the cemetery’s growth. Indeed, this amendment was passed in order to enable the cemetery corporation to own more land (Cleaveland, 1866, page 53).
This amendment to the original charter of Green-Wood Cemetery by the New York State Government changes the landowning privileges of the cemetery. Section 1 gives the cemetery permission to buy and own more land in the City of Brooklyn and the Town of Flatbush in Kings County, but limits the total land the cemetery could acquire and hold to 125 acres. In addition, all other landowning privileges of the cemetery from the previous incorporation act will remain in effect. This item is important because it documents a significant increase in the amount of additional land that the New York State Government officially allowed the Green-Wood Cemetery could both acquire and hold, but imposed limits on this additional land to 125 acres in order to better control the cemetery’s growth. Indeed, this amendment was passed in order to enable the cemetery corporation to own more land (Cleaveland, 1866, page 53).
Printed Transcription of Item #7 (Cleaveland, 1866, page 184):