By Alex Vastola, Intern, Pratt Institute, School of Information
Title: Founding Documents, 1837-1899
Predominant Dates:1838-1842
Extent: 4.0 Boxes
Arrangement: Arranged by Series.
Subjects: Abstracts of Title, Act of Incorporation, Bergen, Cornelius, Business--Records, Cemeteries--New York (State)--New York--History, Cemeteries--Recording--New York State, Cemeteries--United States--History, Cemeteries--United States--History--19th Century, Cemetery Development, City Council of Brooklyn, Deeds, Douglass, David Bates, Fences, Gates and Railings, Green-Wood Cemetery--New York, N.Y., Henry Evelyn Pierrepont, Land contracts, Land Development, Land Sales contracts, Landscape architecture--New York (State)--New York--Designs and plans, Legal Documents, New York (N.Y.)--Politics and Government--to 1898, New York State Senate, Real estate transactions--New York(State)--Brooklyn--History
Forms of Material: Correspondence, Newspaper Clippings
Languages: English
By the 1830s, New York City and the surrounding area had a pressing need for a large, rural burial ground. Before 1838, burial procedures were carried out various churches, which caused unsanitary conditions for the city’s water supply and its people. Most churchyards were terribly overcrowded by this time, and there were few regulations to ensure sanitary and respectful disposal of human remains. In late 1837, a committee was formed to seek land that could be developed for a large burial ground. An area of Gowanus, Brooklyn was soon identified, selected for its beauty and for the availability of the land. The committee turned its attention to the organization of Green-Wood Cemetery, and crafted the first regulations and procedures under which the cemetery would operate.
In 1838, the New York senate passed an act of incorporation granting Green-Wood Cemetery the status of a corporation. The cemetery had been in planning for some time, largely under the direction of Henry Pierrepont and Major David Bates Douglass.
The Founding Documents collection contains a large array of documents related to the founding of Green-Wood, including rare correspondence, legal documents, financial records, and minutes and resolutions of the founding committee, detailing the process by which Green-Wood was developed as New York’s first large rural cemetery. Also included are maps, charts, and news articles relating to the incorporation and development of the Green-Wood Cemetery between the years of 1837 and 1899.
This collection is divided into eight series: Legal Documents, Land Development, Financial Records, Committee Reports and Resolutions, Committee Minutes, Henry Pierrepont Correspondence, Miscellaneous Correspondence, and Printed Materials.
The Founding Documents collection and its contents are important for providing insight into the proceedings of the physical and legal establishment of the Green-Wood Cemetery and how such developments have had a lasting effect on the policies of the cemetery in the present day. This collection is contained within four boxes, most of which are designed for oversized materials. Many documents are in embrittled condition, and the worst have been encased in Mylar. All materials are organized by subject and are original to this collection. Please refer to the container list for further information.
Researchers may also wish to consult the following collections: The Henry Pierrepont Papers, which contains more information on Pierrepont’s role in the founding of the cemetery; Farm Conveyances and Deeds, for information regarding the purchase of the land that would become Green-Wood Cemetery; Cemetery By-Laws and Act of Incorporation, for later information on committee procedures and changes to the charter; Minutes of the Standing Committee, for information on later committee procedures; and Reports of the Board of Trustees for more records regarding the development of the cemetery and its early operation.
Abstracts of Title
Act of Incorporation
Bergen, Cornelius
Business--Records
Cemeteries--New York (State)--New York--History
Cemeteries--Recording--New York State
Cemeteries--United States--History
Cemeteries--United States--History--19th Century
Cemetery Development
City Council of Brooklyn
Deeds
Douglass, David Bates
Fences, Gates and Railings
Green-Wood Cemetery--New York, N.Y.
Henry Evelyn Pierrepont
Land contracts
Land Development
Land Sales contracts
Landscape architecture--New York (State)--New York--Designs and plans
Legal Documents
New York (N.Y.)--Politics and Government--to 1898
New York State Senate
Real estate transactions--New York(State)--Brooklyn--History
Repository: The Green-Wood Cemetery
Original/Copies Note: For more information please see http://thegreen-woodcemeteryfoundingdocumentsexhibition.weebly.com/.
Related Materials: For more information please see http://thegreen-woodcemeteryfoundingdocumentsexhibition.weebly.com/.
Processing Information: Accession #: 009-2013
Item #262: Letter from Senator Bergen, Albany, to Henry E. Pierrepont, New York, January 29, 1839
In this letter, Senator Bergen explains to Mr. Pierrepont that his services to supporting the founding of the Green-Wood Cemetery will be “cheerfully rendered.” Senator Bergen states that he supports the cemetery’s establishment due to the crowded and changing nature of the landscape of New York, and to provide a permanent resting place were the city’s dead can be buried in a beautiful and convenient location. Also, he states that since land’s price in New York and Brooklyn in rising and being built up swiftly, establishing a designated cemetery for the burial of the dead is important, and that the location chosen in Brooklyn for the cemetery has beauty that is unequalled of any other cemetery before established. Senator Bergen reports that the Committee on Charitable and Religious institutions has reacted favorably to the cemetery’s creation, the bill has been read twice, and it has been moved to the Committee of the Whole, where Senator Bergen says he will work to move it along. In addition, Senator Bergen states that since the bill is of a local issue and that the bill’s mission is “purely benevolent,” he does not see opposition to the bill’s passage, except from uninformed older members of the State Legislature, who if they oppose the bill he will inform them of its merit for passage, so no cemetery representative needs to come to Albany to defend the bill. Finally, Senator Bergen requests that Mr. Pierrepont send him a copy of the resolutions of the Common Council of the City of Brooklyn that Mr. Pierrepont received for Senator Bergen to use to defend the merits of the bill in case there is any committee opposition to its passage.
This letter is significant because it not only reveals how Senator Bergen was willing to fight for the passage of the bill to create the Green-Wood Cemetery, but also shows why he was so committed to fighting for the establishment of the cemetery.
Item #263: Letter from Henry E. Pierrepont, New York, to Senator Cornelius Bergen, State Assembly, Albany, January 18, 1839
In this letter Mr. Pierrepont explains to Senator Bergen that he is enclosing with this letter a memorial and a draft of the amendments for the charter of incorporation to create the Green-Wood Cemetery, that the amendments of the charter are based largely on the charter that incorporated the Mount Auburn Cemetery outside of Boston, and that he hopes Senator Bergen will introduce these materials for a reading to explain the cemetery’s objectives and to ensure its passage by the State Legislature, stating that Senators Freeman and Verplanck are supportive of the bill’s passage. He explains that it is important that the bill is passed soon, since the cemetery founders have agreements with individuals that depend on the bill’s passage, and stresses that the cemetery is “purely benevolent,” and is not being founded for “gain or speculation.” In addition, he adds that he will soon send a copy of the Mount Auburn Cemetery’s charter of incorporation.
This letter is important because it shows how Mr. Pierrepont worked with Senator Bergen to ensure the passage of the bill creating the Green-Wood Cemetery by sending him the supporting materials, and it reveals that Mr. Pierrepont used the charter of the Mount Auburn Cemetery as his inspiration for the charter for the Green-Wood Cemetery.
Item #264: Letter to Senator Cornelius Bergen from Henry E. Pierrepont, New York, January 25, 1839
In this letter, Mr. Pierrepont states that Mr. Silliman has told him that Senator Bergen had received the package with the memorial and other documents referred to in Item #263 and that he would present them at the earliest opportunity. Also, he states that the memorial explains the objects of the cemetery so fully that he does not think that additional explanation from him is required, and that the bill may not have needed amendments to fix it if they had more time to draft it before sending it to Albany for consideration during the last legislative session. He explains that he noticed that the bill was criticized for forming a cemetery that is for-profit (like a typical joint-stock company), but adds that it is necessary to exempt the cemetery from taxation under this join-stock model in order for it to be successful. He requests that the bill be amended to fix this to establish the cemetery as a beneficial “Trust” and that this is supported by the residents of New York City’s lower wards. He explains that he is personally not connected with any financial interests with the cemetery’s founding, and has journeyed with Major Douglass to Mount Auburn Cemetery outside of Boston and to Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia in order to establish the Green-Wood Cemetery in the form of these cemeteries. He states that he sent Judge Blunt with the Charter of Mount Auburn Cemetery, and is willing to answer any questions about the bill in Albany if necessary.
This letter is important because it reveals the opposition to the bill that would create the Green-Wood Cemetery due to suspicions that it was a for-profit venture. It also shows the lengths that Mr. Pierrepont was willing to go to defend the bill, being willing to testify about it in Albany. It even indicates how Mr. Pierrepont visited other rural cemeteries in Boston and Philadelphia in order to model the Green-Wood Cemetery on these cemeteries’ example.
Item #265: Letter from Senator Bergen, Albany, to Henry E. Pierrepont, March 5, 1839
In this letter Senator Bergen explains that the bill to create the Green-Wood Cemetery would have passed on March 5, 1839, except that “Mr. Lot” opposed its passage due to the additional amendment added to the bill exempting the cemetery’s lands from taxation. He describes how the bill went through the committees as he requested, but that Mr. Lott removed the amendment on tax-exempt status. He tried to add it back to the bill and told Mr. Lott that the cemetery’s founders wanted the provision in the bill, that the inhabitants of Brooklyn did not want the cemetery to be taxed. Mr. Lott still opposed it unless he heard a favorable opinion from the Common Council of the City of Brooklyn, a course that Senator Bergen was advised by his colleagues to pursue to pass the bill. Senator Bergen states he wants to know what Mr. Pierrepont thinks about this issue, and whether he wants him to leave the taxation clause in or remove it. He suggests that if the Common Council supports the exemption, to leave the provision in, since Mr. Lott will drop his opposition; but if they do not, to allow the taxation of only the lots bought by individual buyers for the express use for burial purposes.
This letter is important because it reveals why there was opposition from some in the State Legislature to the Green-Wood Cemetery’s creation: because some of these people did not want the cemetery’s lands exempt from taxes.
Item #266: “Maj. Douglass Letter giving W. Saml. Ward rejection” *(Undated)
In this letter, Major Douglass tells Henry E. Pierrepont that Samuel Ward does not want to sign onto their plans for Green-Wood Cemetery, since he has interests and is supportive of “the Manhattanville project” and does not want to seem inconsistent by supporting another project. Major Douglass suggests that Mr. Pierrepont solicit signatures from people closer to home, such as Mr. King, Mr. Stebbins, etc.
This letter is important because it shows that the petition to support the founding of the Green-Wood Cemetery was not unanimously supported. The plans referred to in the letter are most likely the plans to found the cemetery, and Mr. Pierrepont needs signatures of distinguished men, such as Samuel Ward, to make their petition look as if it has broad public support. However, some did not want to sign the petition, so others needed to be asked.
Item #267: Letter from D. B. Douglass to H. E. Pierrepont about Surveying the Green-Wood Cemetery Land, Brooklyn, November 21 (ca. 1839? - *Undated)
In this letter, Major Douglass tells Mr. Pierrepont that he has created a schedule for the surveying of the Green-Wood Cemetery’s lands, and has estimated the cost of the project, including a summary of the money paid to him for his services, both in the future (paid in stock), and immediately (paid in cash). He suggests that the cost could be paid not just by the corporators of the cemetery, but by the churches that have shown an interest in acquiring lands in the cemetery for their own burial purposes. He states that he hopes that the boundaries of the cemetery laid out do not change.
This letter is important because it may be the first documented evidence of what Major Douglass did prior to his survey of the cemetery grounds.
Item #268: Letter from William Johnson of Trinity Church, New York to Henry E. Pierrepont of Brooklyn, Long Island, December 11, 1838.
In this letter, Mr. Johnson tells Mr. Pierrepont that the Committee of Trinity Church that is considering acquiring land in the Green-Wood Cemetery will meet on December 18, 1838, and report back to the Vestry. He states that the three parishes in the city of the Trinity Church require twenty acres for use and the other Episcopal congregations in the city want five to ten acres each in the cemetery. Before the December 18 meeting, Mr. Johnson wants to know what the terms are by which these twenty acres can be obtained for Trinity Church, the cost of building a high and large wall of stone around the Trinity portion of lots, the cost of decorating and laying out this section within the cemetery’s overall plan, and other details that will help the Committee of Trinity Church to make a correct judgment of the cemetery’s plan. He would also like to know what regulations this plan (approved with the consent of the City of Brooklyn and creating the grounds forever as a cemetery for burial purposes), will put on the purchasers of this portion of the cemetery and how this portion will be improved.
This letter is important because it reveals what the representatives of the Trinity Church and other Episcopal congregations were concerned about when they were considering this deal to acquire land within the Green-Wood Cemetery for their use. It is also interesting to note that the Trinity Church wanted to build a large wall separating their section from the rest of the cemetery (this might have been one of the reasons that this deal fell through).
Item #269: Letter from Henry E. Pierrepont in Reply to William Johnson of Trinity Church (ca. 1838? *Undated)
In this letter Mr. Pierrepont tells Mr. Johnson that he has received his letter from December 11, 1838, and says that despite the Board of Directors of the Green-Wood Cemetery being delayed from meeting, they have formed a committee to communicate with Trinity Church’s committee about the land deal, and will create a detailed outline of the details about this deal that Mr. Johnson requests in his December 11, 1838 letter. Also, Mr. Pierrepont explained that while the cemetery was considering a large wall to enclose the Trinity portion, enclosures for individual lots will not be required, and the improvement of the church’s portion in the cemetery will be left up to each individual lot owner “not inconsistent with the general plan” of the cemetery. As to the purpose and “inviolability” of the cemetery by the authority of the City of Brooklyn, the outline that Mr. Pierrepont will send to Mr. Johnson will show that this is “beyond all reasonable doubts.”
This letter is important because it shows that Mr. Pierrepont was making several efforts to address Mr. Johnson’s concerns about the deal between Green-Wood and Trinity over cemetery lands. This shows that he probably really wanted this land deal to succeed.
Item #270: Letter from Jacob R. LeRoy, New York, to H. E. Pierrepont, Comtroller, the Green-Wood Cemetery, May 13, 1842
In this letter, Mr. LeRoy informs Mr. Pierrepont that the Green-Wood Cemetery has a debt of $2,714.55, accrued from money used to keep a concern from failing, which Mr. LeRoy would not have permitted it he had known how involved Mr. Perry was in this concern. He states that Mr. Perry has not paid the debt even though he said a year ago that he would pay it himself. Mr. LeRoy asks Mr. Pierrepont if he could pay the debt and pay it soon.
This letter is important because it reveals why Mr. Perry stopped being the comptroller of the Green-Wood Cemetery. He seems to have gotten the cemetery in debt due to withdrawing money to pay for his own failed investments, and left before he was found out.
Item #271: Letter from J. C. Smith, 44 Wall Street, to Henry E. Pierrepont, Office of LeRoy & Perry, Hanover Street, November 9, 1839
In this letter Mr. Smith states to Mr. Pierrepont that he is being troubled by a “Mr. Dean” over a debt of $21.42 on land that he gave to the Green-Wood Cemetery. He asks that Mr. Pierrepont send this amount to him the morning this letter was sent to pay the debt so that he will not be further troubled by debts on this land.
This letter is important because it not only shows that Mr. Pierrepont was asked to pay debts on cemetery lands, but also that debts on these lands may have existed before they were acquired by the cemetery.
Item #272: Letter from Pliny Truman to Henry E. Pierrepont *(Undated)
In this letter, Mr. Truman states to Mr. Pierrepont that he has met with the attorney of Mr. Barnetto, who claims that nothing can be done without an order from the Chancellor.
It is unclear what this letter is referring to and it is hard to read, but it seems that Mr. Pierrepont wants to sell or modify a burial lot owned in the Green-Wood Cemetery, and the owner is not letting him. This means that this letter is important because it documents that some lot owners in the cemetery opposed the plans of Mr. Pierrepont concerning the lots that they owned and that they had a right to determine the ultimate fate of the lots they owned in the cemetery.
Item #273: “Papers in regard to S. T. Champrey’s claim—Douglass” *(Undated)
*Empty envelope – no significance.
Item #274: Letter from Samuel T. Champrey, and Sidney V. Lowell, “Notary Public,” to the Green-Wood Cemetery Corporation, January 21, 1878
In this letter Mr. Champrey informs the Green-Wood Cemetery Corporation that Major Douglass came to him to say while he was working for the cemetery that he needed assistance for his family to live or he would have to resign his position working for the cemetery. He said that Major Douglass was told by the company to have someone buy a cemetery lot to furnish money to help him, and asked Mr. Champrey to do it. He asked Mr. Van Wagenen if this was okay, and he said yes, since the cemetery company wanted Major Douglass to finish laying out the grounds, so he supplied $106.00 to Major Douglass’s family. Mr. Champrey states that his wife died in 1848, and he applied for his bought lot, but the company said there was no lot located in neither his name, nor a deed of ownership for it, so he bought another one for his wife since there was no time to investigate. The company then said many years later that if he obtained a letter from Major Douglass stating that he owned a lot, his claim would be considered, but when he did this, nothing was done about it. He states that this is not settled with him, even if it is with Major Douglass, and thinks his claim should be paid for with a lot in the cemetery, seeing no reason to contribute $106.00 to begin the cemetery. He thinks that the company should return the $106.00 to him in the name of equity and justice.
This letter is significant for two reasons. First, it indicates the hardships Major Douglass suffered while laying out the cemetery grounds, needing to take a loan from a benefactor to provide for his family since the cemetery did not pay him enough for the job. Second, this indicates that the company was not as strict during its earliest years in enforcing all claims to be committed in writing to prove their legitimacy.
Item #275: Letter from Samuel T. Champrey to possibly Henry E. Pierrepont, April 26, 1878
In this Letter, Mr. Champrey tells possibly Mr. Pierrepont that he understands that the reason the Board of the Green-Wood Cemetery did not hear his claim is that they considered it “a put up job.” He states that if this is true, it is “a libel on my fair name,” and does not consider himself one to make a dollar unfairly nor swindle people in bad business deals, and is willing to be judged on his past actions. He states that he has lost his life’s earnings in defaults over gambling, but has always paid his debts. He asserts that he is no swindler, and thinks it is wrong that he is getting libel instead of justice from the cemetery Company. He states that his sworn interview provided contains the facts of his claim, and that he is willing to defend his claim in court or leave it to the judgment of his man or men of the Board’s choosing, and to appear before a committee of claims to answer any questions. He states that the company paying his claim would do well for him, and that Mr. Pierrepont does not think that he has defrauded the Green-Wood Cemetery Corporation.
This letter is important because it shows that Mr. Champrey believed his claim was legitimate and that he was prepared to defend it.
Item #276: Letter from Samuel T. Champrey to Henry E. Pierrepont, Brooklyn, June 4, 1878
In this letter, Mr. Champrey tells Mr. Pierrepont that he and his Board showed anger and temper toward him that was not appropriate, while his acquaintance, a “Mr. Saur,” treated him with kindness and considered the facts as they were. He claims that his claim was dismissed by them for lack of evidence and that no one was there to discuss the facts of the claim. He claims that he explained the facts of the claim truthfully and under oath, and that if he is not believed, this matter should be decided in court. He does not understand why Mr. Pierrepont and Mr. White have such strong opinions against him, that he has paid for five cemetery lots, that he has explained under oath the details that he is owed payment back, and that he is old and needs the money. He claims he was given “harsh treatment” by Mr. White and Mr. Pierrepont, and hopes that if his claim is denied that they would permit him to try to defend it in court.
This letter is important because it shows that at this time, the Green-Wood Cemetery Corporation was not willing to pay any claims without the proper evidence to back up the claim.
Item #277: Letter from Henry E. Pierrepont to Samuel T. Champrey, Booklyn, June 5, 1878
In this letter Mr. Pierrepont tells Mr. Champrey that he received his note and had not replied due to preparations for a European trip, and asks to be excused if he made Mr. Champrey feel mistreated as a result. However, he states that he is unnerved that Mr. Champrey said that he stated that his claim was a “put up job.” Mr. Pierrepont said that he never said this, and states that the claim was already settled when Mr. Champrey brought it up in 1850, when Messrs. C. P. Smith and Van Wagenen dismissed it due to lack of evidence. He states that Major Douglass was paid in full for his services to the cemetery. In addition, he claims that Mr. Champrey prosecuting this claim has been felt by Mr. White and himself as a charge against the Trustees of the cemetery for committing “unfair dealing,” but Mr. Pierrepont feels that it is not fair for the cemetery company to admit the supposed validity of a claim that was twice discussed and dismissed. He suggests that Mr. Champrey should consult Major Douglass’s son, G. Cornell, who would be the better person to bring this claim to.
This letter is important since it reveals that Mr. Pierrepont and the Trustees of the Green-Wood Cemetery Corporation, contrary to Mr. Champrey’s claim, were in the right and that Mr. Champrey’s claim was not backed up by evidence. This shows that at this time the cemetery corporation needed to see proper evidence for any financial claims to be considered legitimate by them.
