1859-06-06 Trustee Committee Report on Park Street Receiving Tomb, 2014.004.007

The committee to whom was refered the subject of the receiving tomb under Park Street Church visited the tomb with Mr Baker, the Sexton of that church, who informed them that for the eight years he had been in charge fifteen bodies had received into the tomb, & sixteen had been removed from it, leaving one less than^thenumber in it, when he took charge of the tomb.

He has charged for his own services in opening & lighting the premises for the reception of a body one dollar & a half; and for delivering[?] one dollar each - He does not know if any other charge, nor to whom it was paid, if any fee has been demanded. He did not know who owned the tomb, but supposed the M^t Auburn Cem etery owned one half, & Mr Smith, the sexton of the "Stone chapel," the other half; as he occasionally made use of it. The com^e subsequently saw Mr. Smith, who stated that a Mr Beale was the owner of the other half; & that his bodyhadbeen deposited there, & recently removed thence to M^tAuburn. It does not appear that any specified time, that a body may remain, has been fixed; nor that any individiual has charge of the tomb. But an order from any trustees, or from the City's Superintendent of Burying grounds has has always been respected & obeyed

The com^e did not learn that any body, deposited by the authority of M^tAuburn Cemetery, remained in the tomb, except that of Mr. Lilly, the former partner of Mr W^mWells. But a full examination would shortly be made, & a report of all that remained in the tomb would be furnished the Trustees.

The com^e inquired of Mr Smith^whatwas the value of the tomb, & he replied "nothing."

Therefore, as there is no inducement to attempt a sale of ^thetomb, & as the possession is attended with no expense, & may be useful in cases of very deep or drifted snow, rendering access to Mt Auburn difficult, the Comm^e would suggest the propriety of placing the name of M^tAuburn Cemetery^overthe door, of fixing a time which a body may remain in the tomb & of appointing the sexton of the church, who has the keys, or some other suitable person, to take charge of the tomb It would seem advisable also that the remains of Mr Lilly be removed to a permanent resting place.

Respectfully submitted by

B. A. Gould} for the} Com^e

Boston April 30th 1859

The report was accepted & ordered to be recorded, and the following votes were passed June 6^th/59

Voted, that the same terms & conditions be required for depositing bodies in the Park Street tomb belonging to the Cemetery as those required for depositing in the receiving tombs at M^t Auburn -

Voted, that application may be made to the Treasurer for permission to deposite bodies ion the Park Street tomb, & that the fees for deposite may be paid to him; & in such cases, that the charges for receiving & for removing bodies bay be paid by the Treasurer to the sexton of Park Street Church, who shall have charge of the tomb, till further ordered.

Voted, that Mr Gould cause a slab to be placed over the door of the tomb with the following inscription;

"M^tAluburn Cemetery."

Report Com^ee on Park St Tomb - Submitted May 4/ 59 Laid on table for one mo. - Adopted June 6/59Records Vol. III - 59 - 63.

A. J. Coolidge Esq