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.
1883
January 8 Mr. Ges. Granger’s resignation accepted and the position
of Consulting Landscape Gardener offered him at a
salary of $150.00 per month which he accepted.
February 28 J. Thomas Sturgis’ wages advanced to $35 pr. Month.
March 31 J. Granger’s wages advanced to $100 pr. Month from Mch. 1.
“ 21 By-Laws amended.
“ 29 Final legal opinions received maintaining the right
of The Green-Wood Cemetery to aquire land.
April 3 Adjustment of the Blade Crusher suit.
“ 10 Two lots bought of Mr. A.M. White on 24th st.
“ 11 Death of Mr. Fred’k H. Wolcott.
“ 20 Bought brown horse for $350 + sold old horse for $50.
“ 26 “ two black horses for $650. + sold “Dan” for $100.
May -- Removed 13 Silver Maples at Northern Entrance.
“ 22 Planted Spruce Hedge around Cemetery.
“ 21 Heavy rain-fall at night – 2.41 inches.
“ 26 Lot bought of W.M. Dunigan [sp?] on 21st st. near 10th ave.
