Mount Auburn Cemetery

Feb.y 29, 1864

Capt. D.L. Winsor

Dear Sir,

Please report upon lot no 2113, on Lime Av^e, belonging to heirs of late Henry Gassett for Perpetual Repair. Mr Gassett, the representative informs me that there are several brick graves or catacombs which have cost quite a sum. - If you do not know about these, or cannot leave the facts at Mt Auburn, I will ask him for the underground data.

Truly yours

A.J. Coolidge

March 1, 1864

Capt. D. L. Winsor

Dear Sir,

I have just rec^d a note from Sam^l S. Osgood Esq of New York City, the Prop^r of lot no. 2151, Orange Path, - where the broken or unstrung hasp surmounts the monument, - in which he desires to know for what sum the Corporation will keep his lot in perpetual repair. Will you please report upon this lot also.

He says he wishes the grave kept in good order -- the single rail around it painted, but does not wish flowers planted in front.

Yours truly

A.J. Coolidge Sec.y

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March 1^st, 1864

S. S. Osgood Esq 54 East 20^th St. New York

Dear Sir,

Yours of 27th postmarked yesterday, has come to hand. I have written the Superintendent to have the necessary survey of your lot, and having gone through the regular form of ascertaining, for what sum the Corporation will contract with you for perpetual repair. I will acquaint you with the result, which will require a few days.

Very truly yours

A.J. Coolidge Sec.y

March 2^d, 1864

Geo. W^m Bond Esq^r

Dear Sir,

It is proper that I should apprize of the following matter acted upon by the Trustees at their meeting fri., organization on the 22^d inst. -- I should have done so immediately, had I not been very much pressed with other matters for a week past, and under the impression that no instant action will be had: --

"Voted that the question of the expediency of uniting the duties of Secretary and Treasurer in one person, be referred to a Committee of three to report upon as soon as they may deem it expedient.

Upon nomination by the Chairman

Messrs Rand Austin Sleeper

were so chosen

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have thought he had better leave unfilled for the present, as I suggested to you the Committee might, upon reviewing the numerous details, respecting which nothing was said to them before their estimate of fifteen hundred dollars for the care of the lots, - think that the sum was insufficient. I know that this sum is low when compared with some other trusts assumed, and none, as yet, is loaded with so many provisions. I should advise Mr Appleton to get expressed about what he desires, and I will submit the proposed contract to the Committee. Perhaps they will not wish to change the sum - perhaps they will: but I doubt not, they will be reasonable in their views.

I will confer with you or Mr Appleton at any time about what I have written.

Very truly yours,

A. J. Coolidge

March 10, 1864

C.P. Curtis Esq^r, Chairman Com. on Lots.

Dear Sir,

Will the Committee please consider the sums for which they will recommend the guaranty of perpetual repair of lots 2113, belonging to the heirs of the late Henry Gassett, and 2151, belonging to Sam^l S. Osgood, of New York, husband of the lamented poetess.

I send the reports of the Superintendent: and have added to his report upon the Gassett lot (the underground condition of which he was ignorant - the work having been done in 1853 and 1854) the several items of cost of lot and appartenances as appear from the bills exhibited to me by Mr Gassett, the Representative.

Very respy yours

A.J. Coolidge Sec.y

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March 22, [186]4

S.S. Osgood Esq 54 East 20^th St., New York

Dear Sir,

The subject of the amount requisite for the perpetual care of your lot no. 2151 in the Cemetery has been considered by the Committee on Lots, who have instructed me to inform you that they will recommend the Trustees to assume such care for the sum of five hun-- dred dollars.

This amount may seem somewhat large to you, but it is believed that the value of the lot and its erections together with the increased cost of such repair would not justify the Corporation in estimating it for a lower sum.—

I am very respy yours

A.J. Coolidge, Sec.y

March 29 [186]4

S.S. Osgood Esq^re New York

Dear Sir,

I regret to perceive from your note of 26^th last which is just rec^d, that my explanation of our regulations respecting the perpetual care of lots, when you were at my office, was to so little purpose.

If you will turn to Art. 29 of our printed by-laws, which are contained in the two last editions of the catalogue (1857, 1860) you will find the following language— "The Trustees will receive in trust from any proprietor a sum of money not less than one hundred dollars, the income of which shall be appropriated to the repair of his lot, according to the terms of trust given in the appendix".

"The Trustees may also guarantee

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[?]

Notice-

Proprietors who visit Mount Auburn on Sundays and Holidays, whether on foot or in car-- riages, will please notice that they are required to show their cards of admis-- sion at the Gate. The large number of persons who seek admission on these days, render the enforcement of this rule necessary to the security of the grounds. None but propri-- etors are admitted on Sundays and Holidays. Boston, April 16^th, 1864.

Austin. J Coolidge, Secy.

Transcript

Wed & Sat 3w. *Sat. [?] and Wed. 4w.

The [?] not to exceed 6 mos. without inquiry as to continuance.

April 22 [186]4

S.S. Osgood, Esq New York City

My dear Sir,

Yours of 15^th wish with draft for $200 enclosed ^^{in [truth?]} for the repair of your lot was rec^d in due course, and I have been so much pressed as to have no earlier time for attention. I send you this usual form of contract for your signature. Please put on a five cent stamp and cancel with your initials & date, & return to me for record. For Treas^ris absent at Wash-- ington - when he returns I will get his receipt on the document, record it and return it to you.-

You may enclose $2 if you please as my fees.- I will attend to your order for this year at the cem as requested. -

Very truly yours

A. J. Coolidge Sec.y

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