By Jordana Carlin, Elena Cordova, Carla De Luise, Kathleen Dowling, and Emily Chapin, Pratt School of Information Students
Title: Legal Documents, 1883-1978
Extent: 9.0 Boxes
Arrangement: The collection is divided into 32 series based on subject.
Subjects: Cemeteries--New York (State)--New York--History, Cemetery Attendants Union Local 365, Cemetery Rules and Regulations, Deeds, Labor unions, Law--interpretation and construction, Law - City, Law - Federal, Law - State, Lawyers--Accounting--History--20th Century, Legal Documents, New York State Cemetery Board
This series contains legal and financial documents pertaining to many aspects of Green-Wood’s operations, from the acquisition of land to workmen’s compensation and the election of trustees. Record types include legal opinions, deeds, devises, liens, correspondence and ledger accounts. Of note are records pertaining to the National Industrial Recovery Act (series 21) and the Membership Corporations Law (series 18).
These subjects are reflected in other archival collections held at Green-Wood, but the focus of this collection is primarily legal and the overarching administration of the Cemetery.
Cemeteries--New York (State)--New York--History
Cemetery Attendants Union Local 365
Cemetery Rules and Regulations
Deeds
Labor unions
Law--interpretation and construction
Law - City
Law - Federal
Law - State
Lawyers--Accounting--History--20th Century
Legal Documents
New York State Cemetery Board
Legacy refers to monies placed in trust for the perpetual care, maintenance, and upkeep of burial plots. Included in this series are correspondence and documents relating to: receipt of sums and release of liability notices, decrees of construction, decrees of distribution, orders of court, bequests, handwritten notes by lot owners, last will and testaments, appeals, renunciation forms, citations, notices of rates of interest, and petitions to open and amend transfer taxes.
Throughout the series frequent reference is made to the "Matter of Maverick," a legal case from 1909 involving the Estate of Ellen M. Maverick regarding transfer tax in which it was determined that money placed in trust for the upkeep of a testator's burial plot is not subject to transfer tax as it is part of burial expenses.
Folders are maintained in their original order as many legacies had been numerically labeled. Where possible, lot numbers attached to an estate are provided.
