Green-Wood Cemetery Land Acquisition - Legal Documents, 1812-1935 | The Green-Wood Cemetery

By J.D. Arden, Steph Diorio, Nik Dragovic, Dana Hart, Pratt School of Information Students; Emily Chapin, Pratt School of Information Intern

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Collection Overview

Title: Green-Wood Cemetery Land Acquisition - Legal Documents, 1812-1935

Predominant Dates:1830-1860

Extent: 6.0 Boxes

Arrangement: The collection is arranged into 9 series, based on material type.

Subjects: Cemetery Development, Land contracts, Legal Documents

Abstract

The materials in this collection were found in a safe deposit box owned by the Green-Wood Cemetery. The majority of the materials pertain to legal transactions, and include abstracts, indentures, contracts, reports, bills, maps of cemetery plots, and correspondence between involved parties and legal counsel.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

These records reflect the years of consolidating property in the City of Brooklyn, in an area then known as Flatbush, for the land and building rights of Green-Wood Cemetery. The collection also includes some records of the purchase and sale of burial plots, as well as business correspondence.

Collection Historical Note

Green-Wood Cemetery is an historic and famous cemetery located in the borough of Brooklyn in New York City. The brainchild of Brooklyn social leader Henry Evelyn Pierrepont, the cemetery was officially founded in 1838, although land was acquired prior to that date for its construction. The cemetery was a popular tourist attraction throughout most of the nineteenth century due to its park-style landscape, an idea inspired by the preexisting Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Many famous New Yorkers (and some famous non-New Yorkers) are buried within Green-Wood’s 478 acres, and in 2006 it was declared a National Historic Landmark, cementing its status as a cultural treasure.

Subject/Index Terms

Cemetery Development
Land contracts
Legal Documents

Administrative Information

Repository: The Green-Wood Cemetery

Processing Information: Accession #: 010-2015

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series I: Abstracts, 1834-1877],
[Series II: Indentures, 1849-1915],
[Series III: Contracts and Agreements, 1872],
[Series IV: Reports, 1847-1854],
[Series V: Letters, 1873-1934],
[Series VI: Documents Relating to 519 Madison Avenue, 1893-1899],
[Series VII: Receipts and Bills, 1854-1871],
[Series VIII: Maps],
[Series IX: Miscellaneous, 1812-1872],
[All]

Series I: Abstracts, 1834-1877

This series contains 17 abstracts for lots of land in Brooklyn, and one abstract for a lot in Manhattan. The bulk of the abstracts include maps and diagrams depicting the location and size of the lots.

Box 1

Folder 1: Abstract of Title: Green-Wood Cemetery, 20th St. and 10th Ave., Block B
Folder 2: Abstract of Title: Green-Wood Cemetery, 20th St. and 10th Ave., Block E
Folder 3: Abstract of Title: Green-Wood Cemetery, 8th Ave., between 20th St. and 21st St., 1835
Folder 4: Abstract of Title: Green-Wood Cemetery, 8th Ave., between 21st St. and 22nd St.
Folder 5: Abstract of Title: Green-Wood Cemetery 10th Ave. and 22nd St., Block S
Folder 6: Abstract of Title: Green-Wood Cemetery 11th Ave., between 17th St. and 18th St.
Folder 7: Abstract of Title: Green-Wood Cemetery 8th Ave. and 20th St.
Folder 8: Abstract of Title: Green-Wood Cemetery, 10th Ave., between 21st St. and 22nd St., Block 4, 1836
Folder 9: Abstract of Title: Green-Wood Cemetery, 20th St., between 7th Ave. and 8th Ave.
Folder 10: Abstract of Title: Green-Wood Cemetery, 7th Ave. and 20th St.
Folder 11: Abstract of Title: Green-Wood Cemetery, 7th Ave. and 21st St., 1876
Folder 12: Abstract of Title: Green-Wood Cemetery, 8th Ave. and 21st St., Block 31, 1876
Folder 13: Abstract of Title: Green-Wood Cemetery, 10th Ave. and 20th St., Block E
Folder 14: Abstract of Title: Green-Wood Cemetery, 10th Ave. and 20th St., Block E, 1871
Folder 15: Abstract of Title: Green-Wood Cemetery, 10th Ave. and 21st St.
Folder 16: Abstract of Title: Green-Wood Cemetery, 8th Ave. and 21st St., Block 27
Folder 17: Abstract of Title: Green-Wood Cemetery, 21st St., between 8th Ave. and 9th Ave., 1834
Folder 18: Abstract of Title: Green-Wood Cemetery, 37th St. and Madison Ave., 1847
Folder 19: Abstract of Title: Green-Wood Cemetery, 8th Ave. between 20th St. and 21st St.

Series II: Indentures, 1849-1915

This series contains 29 indentures made between 1849 and 1915. The bulk are for lots in the Green-Wood Cemetery, with ten indentures made for lots in the area between 7th and 8th Avenues and 20th and 21st Streets. Several of the indentures were made in debt to the financier Alexander M. White of the Brooklyn Trust Company.

Box 2

Folder 1: 21st St. and 8th Ave., 1876
Folder 2: Henry Pieper, Land lot 52, 1906
Folder 3: Green-Wood and the City of New York, 1915
Folder 4: Alexander M. White to Green-Wood Cemetery, 1877: 20th St. and 7th Ave.
Folder 5: Alexander White, 1883
Folder 6: Henry Story to Alexander M. White: Land lots 945-960, 8th Ave. and 20th St.
Folder 7: J.G. Bergen, 1849: Fifth Ave. and ?
Folder 8: Jon A. van Brunt, 1849
Folder 9: William Dunigan, 1849: 21st St. and 10th Ave.
Folder 10: William A. White, 1865: 55th St. and 4th Ave.
Folder 11: Henry E. Pierrepont, 1868
Folder 12: Elizabeth W. Blake and John H. Butterworth, 1868: 21st St. and 10th Ave.
Folder 13: Thomas Murphy, 1854
Folder 14: Peter Rhodes, 1871: 20th St. and 8th Ave.
Folder 15: Abraham Lott, 1871: 20th St. and 8th Ave.
Folder 16: Gerard M. Sterns, 1875: 20th St. and 8th Ave.
Folder 17: Alexander M. White: 20th St. and 8th Ave.
Folder 18: Robert S. Crooke, 1852
Folder 19: Patrick McGuire and Mary Catherine O'Shea, 1867: 21st St. and 10th Ave.
Folder 20: John Blair, 1884: Gravesend Ave. and 21st St.
Folder 21: John Dale, 1875: 8th Ave. and 21st St., Lot 82
Folder 22: John Mahoney, 1875: 8th Ave. and 21st St.
Folder 23: Daniel L. Jones to Green-Wood Cemetery: 8th Ave. and 21st St., Lots 6 and 7
Folder 24: Melvin Smith, 1870: 8th Ave. and 20th St.
Folder 25: Andrew S. Wheeler to Alexander M. White, 1874: Land lots 806-815, 833-842
Folder 26: William Hatfield and Alexander M. White, 1871: Land lots 963-973 and 986-989
Folder 27: Andrew S. Wheeler and Alexander M. White, 1871: Land lots 1 and 24, Block B
Folder 28: Smith W. Anderson and Aaron Clark, 1848
Folder 29: George Grove and The Green-Wood Cemetery, 1848

Series III: Contracts and Agreements, 1872

This series contains seven documents detailing the transfer of a given property between two parties.

Box 3

Folder 1: Philip S. Crooke and Alonso G. Hammond (Green-Wood Cemetery), April 3, 1852
Folder 2: Garrit S. Martense and Alonso G. Hammond (Green-Wood Cemetery), April 3, 1852
Folder 3: John J. Roberts, July 5, 1854
Folder 4: A.M. White and Elias B. Weidler, August 1, 1871
Folder 5: Contract: Joseph A. Perry and The Green-Wood Cemetery, March 20, 1872
Folder 6: Deed: Dauphine S. Hines and Henry E. Pierrepont, October 1, 1872
Folder 7: Deed: James How and Henry E. Pierrepont, October 1, 1872

Series IV: Reports, 1847-1854

This series contains seven documents detailing the operations and initiatives of the Standing Committee and Vice President of Green-Wood.

Box 3 (cont.)

Folder 8: Report of the Vice President, December 4, 1843
Folder 9: Report of the Standing Committee, December 1, 1845
Folder 10: Report of the Standing Committee, March 9, 1847
Folder 11: Report of the Standing Committee, March 9, 1847
Folder 12: Report of the Standing Committee, December 1, 1847
Folder 13: Report of the Standing Committee, March 20, 1854: Regarding the erection of the Chapel and enclosure of the grounds
Folder 14: Report of the Standing Committee, February 5, 1870 and March 9, 1840

Series V: Letters, 1873-1934

This series contains seven letters from officers of Green-Wood, from Rev. Pitch to Green-Wood Cemetery, and concerning the purchase of lots for Columbia College.

Box 3 (cont.)

Folder 15: Letter from the Office of Green-Wood Cemetery, 1873: Regarding request to examine plot titles, signed by J.A. Perry, Comptroller, to Misters Silliman and ?
Folder 16: Letter regarding purchase of Columbia lots, 1874: On Columbia College Commencement stationery
Folder 17: Three letters to Green-Wood from Rev. Pitch, 1891
Folder 18: Letter to Alfred L. Seaver, Secretary of Green-Wood, 1934: Affidavit cover letter to Alfred Seaver from law offices of Anderson, Gasser, Ferris & Anderson

Series VI: Documents Relating to 519 Madison Avenue, 1893-1899

This series contains 18 documents relating to the sale and maintenance of the property referred to throughout as 519 Madison Avenue, and to the sale of the Green-Wood Cemetery lot in Section 5, Block 1289. Both of these properties were purchased by Augustus Stoner. Abstracts of 519 Madison Avenue show the transition of the property through the several people listed in this series: Augustus Stoner (represented by Attorney William T. Gilbert), Clara and Samuel L. Post, Emma L. Palmer, and Eliza and Nelson Robinson. Materials include abstracts, mortgages, indentures, one release of dower, letters, and one fire insurance policy.

Box 4

Folder 1: Mortgages to Provident Savings Life Assurance Society, May 9, 1898: Mortgage for $60,000, between William B. May and Provident Savings, and for $30,000 between Augustus Stoner and Provident Savings.
Folder 2: Memorandum of Agreement between William B. May and the Provident Savings Life Assurance Society, May 9, 1898: Regarding sale and repairs of 519 Madison Ave.
Folder 3: Assignment of Mortgage of the Provident Savings Life Assurance Society to the Washington Trust Company, May 9, 1898: Regarding the initial mortgage of Augustus Stoner for $30,000
Folder 4: Letter from W.B. May to William T. Gilbert regarding the transfer of 519 Madison Ave., April 22, 1898
Folder 5: Agreement between Emma L. Palmer and Augustus Stoner: Regarding the sale of 519 Madison Ave. for $38,000
Folder 6: Letter from the Secretary of the Provident Savings Life Assurance Society to William T. Gilbert: Regarding the mortgage of 519 Madison Ave.
Folder 7: Indenture between Emma L. Palmer and Augustus Stoner: Transferring the property at 519 Madison Ave.
Folder 8: Indenture between Augustus Stoner and the Provident Life Savings Assurance Society, May 9, 1898
Folder 9: Abstract of the Title of Augustus Stoner, 519 Madison Ave.,: Represented by Attorney William T. Gilbert. Includes diagram.
Folder 10: Mortgage between Elisa and Nelson Robinson and the Provident Savings Life Assurance Society, June 26, 1893
Folder 11: Assignment of Nelson and Eliza Robinson’s Mortgage from the Washington Trust Company to the Provident Savings Life Assurance Society: For the property Section 5, Block 1289
Folder 12: Release of Dower between Clara Post and Emma L. Palmer, May 10, 1895: Regarding Section 5, Block 1289
Folder 13: Bond between Nelson Robinson and the Provident Savings Life Assurance Society, June 22, 1893
Folder 14: Indenture between Nelson Robinson and Clara Post for Section 5, Block 1289, June 22, 1893
Folder 15: Letter from Nelson Robinson, regarding 519 Madison Ave., July 5, 1890
Folder 16: Letter from Emma L. Palmer, regarding 519 Madison Ave., July 5, 1898
Folder 17: Abstract of the title of Samuel L. Post, 519 Madison Ave.
Folder 18: Fire Insurance Policy for 519 Madison Ave., Samuel L. Post: With expiration date of January 10, 1899

Series VII: Receipts and Bills, 1854-1871

Nine items documenting the payment of tax assessments for listed properties.

Box 5

Folder 1: Bill for Cornelius Regan, Hamilton Ave., from Smith to 3rd, September 15, 1854
Folder 2: Bills in arrears for Cornelius Regan, Dean Farm, March 17, 1854 to April 12, 1864: Six documents
Folder 3: Tax bills with Green-Wood as payor, Hamilton Bridge, October 22, 1869
Folder 4: Mortgage payment receipt, Elias Weidler, March 1, 1871

Series VIII: Maps

This series contains five maps of varied size, scope, and purpose, with hand-detailed figures ranging from given blocks to neighborhood areas.

Box 5 (cont.)

Folder 5: Block 127, 37th and 38th St., 8th Ave.
Folder 6: Block 145, 20th and 21st St., 8th and 9th Ave.
Folder 7: Block 31 or 133, 20th St. and 21st St., 8th and 9th Ave.
Folder 8: Flatbush, Brooklyn with land descriptions
Folder 9: Map of property in the 8th Ward, 17th St. and 18th St. and 11th Ave., July 6, 1855

Series IX: Miscellaneous, 1812-1872

This series contains ten folders of documents that did not fit into any of the other series in this collection. These include a possible foreclosure on a property that the cemetery purchased at a later date, rent for a church pew in Garrison, New York, an obituary, a last will and testament, receipts of a Cemetery Board Trustee, and tax assessments for farmland the Cemetery later purchased to grow the property.

Box 6

Folder 1: Certificate of Sale, October 27, 1879

8th Ave. and 21st St. (possible foreclosure)

Folder 2: Letters resembling an abstract - Lawrence S. Abbott, Referee, February 15, 1868

Folder 3: Rent of Pew 28, St. Phillips Church in the Highlands, Garrison, NY, January 1, 1933

Folder 4: Obituary of George Griswold, 1859

Folder 5: Receipts of A.S. Wheeler, 1871-1872

Folder 6: Will of Lydia A. Joyce and notes, March 6, 1874

Folder 7: Farmland dimensions and tax assessments, 1859

Wyckoff, Dean, Bennett, and Story farms

Folder 8: Envelope addressed to Mr. Levi C. Hildreth, contains 10 items

10 items:

1. John Vanderbilt Tract Abstract to William Augustus White, [n.d.], for the property Northeast by 17th St., Northwest by 11th Ave., Southwest by 18th St., Southeast by the Brooklyn - Flatbush line

2. Will of John Vanderbilt of Flatbush, dated May 15, 1812

3. Several notes on deeds, dated 1817; John Vanderbilt & Sarah Vanderbilt, Will and Testament, dated 1853; Deed of John H. Bell and Edward Belknop, dated May 23, 1853; Deed of Edward Belknop, his wife, and Patrick O’Donnell, dated April 18,1854

4. Will of John Vanderbilt, Book 2, pg. 226

5. Note, dated September 18, 1872 from I.A. Perry to B.K. [Iru?], esq., re: deeds and boundaries specified by Mr. Pierrepont to the Cemetery

6. Unpaid taxes report, 1869-1870, by lot number, name of individual, and amount owed

7. Deed, November 7, 1865, of Jacob Vanderbilt [Hortense?] to several individuals

8. Requests for Records Search, 1862-1871, from Kings Co. to Clerk, G. Herman

9. Deed, January 20, 1863, of Levi C. Hildreth and William Augustus White

10. Map of Property, 11th Ave., between 17th & 18th St., 8th Ward, Brooklyn; J.C. Terry, esq., filed July 6,1855 [Removed to OVERSIZE Box]

Folder 9: Abstract of Title and Indenture for Quitclaim Deed, 8th Ave., between 20th St. and 21st St.

Folder 10: Assorted papers including 1881 tax forms and an abstract