By Courtney Yates
Title: GWC Memoranda Ledger, c. 1863-1897
Extent: 1.0 Boxes
Arrangement: Topical arrangment
Subjects: Brooklyn--New York, N.Y., Cemeteries--New York (State)--New York--History, Green-Wood Cemetery--New York, N.Y.
Languages: English
Transcribed section of hand written record log from 1863-1897 of various events at Green-Wood Cemetery including comings and goings of workers, trustees and elected officers. Mentions of salaries - increases, requests of denied increases, and the occasional workmen’s strike. Dates of new guide maps, rules + regulations and amendments to by-laws. Expansion and improvements of infrastructure like landscape grading, pipes and road work. Introduction of various plant and animal species and reports of extreme weather and natural damages to the cemetery. Visits to contemporary cemeteries like Mount Auburn and Woodlawn recorded, as well as acquisitions of land, offices and equipment for cemetery, the changing prices of vaults and burial lots. Interesting mention of bones, coins and military buttons from the Battle of Brooklyn found on Battle Hill in 1865. Additional folders with loose papers inserted into log book.
Handwriting fairly consistent but could be multiple authors, formatting, spacing and abbreviations of diary kept in typed transcription. The recording of date/events is occasionally unchronological - example pg 14. The begining of the book has an index of paths, avenues, hills, other eminences, dells, waters and lawns. The end of the book includes information about trustees ranging from 1838 to 1848
Brooklyn--New York, N.Y.
Cemeteries--New York (State)--New York--History
Green-Wood Cemetery--New York, N.Y.
1880
January 5 Resolution passed prohibiting the interment of
Brute animals in the Cemetery.
March 3 Jas. M. Brown elected in place of Pliny Freeman.
“ Sections 9 and 14 of by-Laws amended.
April -- New bell placed at Shelter House.
May 3 Petition of Workmen for 25 cents [symbol for cents] pr. Day increase of wages
refused by the Committee.
“ Gate at Ocean Hill opened on Sundays.
June 9 Mr. A.M. White appointed President, pro term. During
absence of Messers Pierrepont and Low.
September Monument erected to Major Douglass.
“ 30 Fire in Engine House.
October 4 T.H. Muir’s salary increased from $1200 to $1500.
November Inventory taken of the number of Grave-stones,
Monuments and vaults.
