HomeMy WebLinkAbout2327 Report of committee on cemeteries, March 2, 1857The Committee chosen to inquire and report upon
the expediency of enlarging the new grave yard,
and also of inquiring and reporting upon the subject
of selecting and procuring a lot for a Rural
Cemetary, submit the following Report.
There are now forty lots in the new yard
unoccupied, and probably twice that number
of families in the town, which have not
lots or places of burial - a fact which would
seem to indicate the propriety of making
for further provisions for the resting places
of our friends and townsmen. The Committee
hence ascertained that two or three acres of
land adjoining the present yard could be
purchased of the heirs of the late John
Mulliken for $200 per acre. The land is
suitable for the purpose so far as burying
is concerned; but the soil is not well
adapted to the growth of trees and shrubbery,
and is too level and uniform in its surface
to admit of that variety which constitutes the
chief attraction of a cemetary.
The Committee who examined a lot situated
about a half a mile from the Town
Hall on the northerly side of the Woburn road,
nearly opposite the residence of Mr Benjamin
Fiske The lot contains 18 or 20 acres, and
is every way adapted to the purpose of a Cemetary.
The soil is sufficiently dry for the purposes
of graves, and at the same time capable
of producing trees, or supporting any
shrubbery which might be desired. The lot
is situated at a suitable distance from
the public road, on the margin of a
broad cultivated meadow which will always
be kept open, and contains that variety of sur
face which renders it capable of the highest
state of improvement. There is a growth of young
wood of almost every variety of wood now upon the
ground and at least two basins or pools of wa
ter which with very little expense might be made
highly ornamental, and add greatly to the beauty
of the place. If this lot could be purchased
at a reasonable price, and the grounds be
laid out in a tasteful manner, lots might be sold
perhaps at prices which we could in a
few years renumerate the town for the
purchase money. The lot would to be suffi
ciently large to furnish burial for all
classes in the community; so that the
high and the low; the rich and the poor,
formed from the same dust, might min
gle in one common resting place. The lot
is owned by Gen. Samuel Chandler, and
could be purchased probably for a reasonable
sum.
All which is respectfully submitted
Charles Hudson }
R. Morris Copeland }
Committee
Lexington March 2, 1857
The Committee to whom the foregoing report
was recommitted, report that the lot mention
ed in their former Report as a suitable place
for a Rural Cemetary, it being the lot own
ed by General Samual Chandler, could be
purchased at price $75 to 80 per acre. No other
other lots hence been "offered," and hence your
committee have no further information
to give.
Charles Hudson }
R. Morris Copeland }
Committee
Voted that this
subject be laid
on the table
A W Bryant Twn Clk
1857
Voted "That the report
be returned, and the
Committee be reques
ted to ascertain at
what price the lot
can be obtained,
also ascertain the price
of such other lots as
may be offered, and
report at the next mee
ting"
2327