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.
1882
February 6 Standing Committee resolved to recommend to
the board the appointment of Chas. M. Perry as Secre-
tary and Comptroller.
March 1 Revision and amendment of By-Laws.
C. M. Perry elected a Trustee in place of J.A. Perry,
And also appointed Secretary and Comptroller.
April 3 Presentation of Comptroller’s first regular monthly report.
May 1 Purchase of the Welsh burying ground+ c authorized
Perquisites withdrawn from Superintendents.
Salary of Thos Marchant raised from $1350. To $1500.
June 7 Appointment of a Committee by the Board for erection
of a monument to J.A. Perry, and selection of a site for same.
June 12 First used of the Scrimshaw mixing machine.
“ 19 Removal of Lodge from S. Entrance to Ocean Hill gate.
Septem. 13 Comptroller visited Mt. Auburn + Forrest Hills Cemeteries.
October 14 Comptroller visited Mt. Hope Cemetery at Rochester, Oak –
Wood at Syracuse and Rural at Albany.
