1867-01-02 Letter: Superintendent Winsor to Jacob Bigelow, 1831.016.001.001-001

D.L.Winsor, Supt Jany 2 1867 McDonald Lease - St. Paul Lot - Sycamore Avenue

[Letterhead: MOUNT AUBURN CEMETERY. Mount Auburn, January 2nd 1867]

Doctr Jacob Bigelow Dear Sir, I send you by the bearer. Fred: A plan of the Ground that the Trustees propose to lease Alex.McDonald of Watertown. You will see all the particulars are noted on the "plan;" and as all the Courses, and distances, are also put down. a "Lease" can be made out at once, after the matter has passed the "Board"

On Saturday last I handed Mr James Cheever a "Plan" of Steps for "St. Pauls public Lot" 3/5th of the lot is completed, Avenues built, and Banks sodded. and several person have been buried there! And our present access to the Lot, to deposit bodies; is down a steep bank, 8 feet high! Therefore you will at once See the absolute necessity of having a respectable looking "Entrance." before a prejudice

is got up against the lot for want of a proper Entrance for "foot people" while it is being completed! It will be all finished probably by the first of May next, and when done, will be one of the handsome features of the back grounds of Mt Auburn; and will have an area sufficient to bury in single graves, all that will be needed for that purpose. While the present limits of Mt Auburn are being filled up!

We have some 40 men employed cutting wood, wheeling, and Carting Gravel, and have already carried "Sycamore Avenue" 70 feet wide across the Meadow on to the Gravel promintory, The season thus far, is remarkably favorable for our work.

I am at present also removing on the left side of the Avenue at the Entrance of the Grounds those Pine and Ash trees. The Green House is finished, and is in. Every particular, just what we want! The propagating arrangements, work to

a charm, and I think we shall be able to satisfy that portion of the Proprietors who are ever crying "more flowers" !

Respectfully Yours Daniel L. Winsor

PS. I can get the Steps made & delivered for $375 a low figure for so much work!