The first burials in Weedsport were in God's Acre on South Seneca Street or in private family graveyards.
When God's Acre, which was severely landlocked by residences and businesses, became full after a quarter century of use, need dictated a new location for a community cemetery. Accordingly, on June 2, 1860, a meeting was held and a new cemetery association organized.
The first trustees were Caleb Whiting, James M. Bryant, Ebenezer Turner, William Watson (yup, the same Uncle Billie Watson of Weedsport Watson fame), Solomon Giles and James Henderson. Articles of incorporation were filed on June 5, 1860 under the name “Weedsport Rural Cemetery Association,” and on Aug. 1 of that year, the original 8 3/4 acres of the present cemetery were purchased. Soon another acre was purchased, and 28 years later, 8 1/2 more acres to the east were obtained. Since then, several more purchases have been made to make the cemetery the size seen today.
The services of a landscape surveyor was contracted for, a Burton A. Thomas of Rensselaer, and most of the property was laid out in lots, walks and roads.
In 1892, the receiving vault was built for the purpose of storing remains of persons who expired during the winter months. It was virtually impossible to dig a grave through frozen ground using a shovel and pickaxe. The following year, a windmill, tank and pump were installed to provide water for sprinkling and for horses. The well was hand dug 75 feet deep.
O.W. Burritt, a man whose name is mentioned in Weedsport history often, had charge of the committee that constructed the well and windmill system. Burritt was on the cemetery board for more than 42 years as secretary and treasurer.
Incidentally, the largest private vault, or mausoleum in the cemetery was designed, built and is occupied by Burritt.
In 1894, the remaining lots were laid out and a list of lot owners compiled. At this same time, a list of interments was made and brought up to date. More than 80 years ago, the well and windmill were removed and connection was made to the village of Weedsport municipal system.
In 1895, a handbook of the rules of the association was set up and published. While many graveyards use a methodical “grid” pattern of layout, this cemetery has always offered more to individual choice and beauty over systematic location. In each, section an arbitrary point is located, and from that point, a land survey is conducted to establish each site.
The original price of lots was very low, and until the 1880s, many residents of surrounding towns as well as Weedsport eagerly sought the opportunity to secure for themselves and their posterity permanent and attractive burial places. A large part of the frontage on the main avenues as well as much in the rear was taken and rapidly occupied by “death's silent tenants,” according to early records.
In 1880, the trustees voted to fix the price of lots fronting the drives to the depth of 16 feet at 25 cents per square foot, and all rear lots at 20 cents. This action seemed to stop the land rush.
To quote M.C. Remington of the board in 1895: “we take a just pride in making attractive and beautiful homes to be occupied only during our brief stay here on earth; how much more should we care to provide and beautify a last resting place in the home of the dead where we will lie for all time?” A bit maudlin to be sure, but true nonetheless. Original lot owners were responsible for their own maintenance, including mowing. If the premises were not properly cared for, the association saw to its doing and billed the lot owners accordingly.
Among the duties of the superintendent were listed several items which seem rather odd today. For example: he shall expel from the cemetery any person driving stock through or anyone who allows their stock to stray upon said grounds. Such conduct shall be immediately reported to the president of the board with names of the offending parties.
In 1904, the price for opening a full size grave for burial was $4. Please remember, this was a pick and shovel job.
Some of the early rules for visitors included: If on horseback or in carriages, they must stay on the designated carriageways and walk only in the paths and avenues laid out for such purpose. They must allow no horse unattended without tying. No firecrackers, nor refreshments other than water are permitted. There shall be no smoking during ceremonies or internments. No one shall pluck any flowers, either wild or cultivated. Anyone under 12 years of age shall be attended by some person who will be responsible for their conduct. All visitors shall observe in all respects such rules of decorum and propriety as shall be inoffensive to others and befitting well bred visitors to the resting place of the dead.
Judging from the beauty of some of the early monuments the next “suggestion” must have been taken very literally. “Special attention is called to the necessity of permanence in sepulchral architecture. Dilapidation is very common and is a painful sight. A leaning monument, by reason of insecure foundations or dilapidation caused by the elements of cheap and worthless material or improper construction, must be avoided. The form and style of monument is of course entirely a question of choice of the lot owner. In that matter, we have no advice to offer, except to say that it is always in bad taste to copy after others in adjoining or near-by lots. Continuous uniformity in the same immediate locality should always be avoided. Variety of monument produces a much more pleasing effect.”
More on the cemetery another time. Next month, I will cover the new mural on the museum wall. What is it, whodunnit, how it came to be, and other pertinent information.
Denny Randall is president of the Old Brutus Historical Society in Weedsport.
The first trustees were Caleb Whiting, James M. Bryant, Ebenezer Turner, William Watson (yup, the same Uncle Billie Watson of Weedsport Watson fame), Solomon Giles and James Henderson. Articles of incorporation were filed on June 5, 1860 under the name “Weedsport Rural Cemetery Association,” and on Aug. 1 of that year, the original 8 3/4 acres of the present cemetery were purchased. Soon another acre was purchased, and 28 years later, 8 1/2 more acres to the east were obtained. Since then, several more purchases have been made to make the cemetery the size seen today.
The services of a landscape surveyor was contracted for, a Burton A. Thomas of Rensselaer, and most of the property was laid out in lots, walks and roads.
In 1892, the receiving vault was built for the purpose of storing remains of persons who expired during the winter months. It was virtually impossible to dig a grave through frozen ground using a shovel and pickaxe. The following year, a windmill, tank and pump were installed to provide water for sprinkling and for horses. The well was hand dug 75 feet deep.
O.W. Burritt, a man whose name is mentioned in Weedsport history often, had charge of the committee that constructed the well and windmill system. Burritt was on the cemetery board for more than 42 years as secretary and treasurer.
Incidentally, the largest private vault, or mausoleum in the cemetery was designed, built and is occupied by Burritt.
In 1894, the remaining lots were laid out and a list of lot owners compiled. At this same time, a list of interments was made and brought up to date. More than 80 years ago, the well and windmill were removed and connection was made to the village of Weedsport municipal system.
In 1895, a handbook of the rules of the association was set up and published. While many graveyards use a methodical “grid” pattern of layout, this cemetery has always offered more to individual choice and beauty over systematic location. In each, section an arbitrary point is located, and from that point, a land survey is conducted to establish each site.
The original price of lots was very low, and until the 1880s, many residents of surrounding towns as well as Weedsport eagerly sought the opportunity to secure for themselves and their posterity permanent and attractive burial places. A large part of the frontage on the main avenues as well as much in the rear was taken and rapidly occupied by “death's silent tenants,” according to early records.
In 1880, the trustees voted to fix the price of lots fronting the drives to the depth of 16 feet at 25 cents per square foot, and all rear lots at 20 cents. This action seemed to stop the land rush.
To quote M.C. Remington of the board in 1895: “we take a just pride in making attractive and beautiful homes to be occupied only during our brief stay here on earth; how much more should we care to provide and beautify a last resting place in the home of the dead where we will lie for all time?” A bit maudlin to be sure, but true nonetheless. Original lot owners were responsible for their own maintenance, including mowing. If the premises were not properly cared for, the association saw to its doing and billed the lot owners accordingly.
Among the duties of the superintendent were listed several items which seem rather odd today. For example: he shall expel from the cemetery any person driving stock through or anyone who allows their stock to stray upon said grounds. Such conduct shall be immediately reported to the president of the board with names of the offending parties.
In 1904, the price for opening a full size grave for burial was $4. Please remember, this was a pick and shovel job.
Some of the early rules for visitors included: If on horseback or in carriages, they must stay on the designated carriageways and walk only in the paths and avenues laid out for such purpose. They must allow no horse unattended without tying. No firecrackers, nor refreshments other than water are permitted. There shall be no smoking during ceremonies or internments. No one shall pluck any flowers, either wild or cultivated. Anyone under 12 years of age shall be attended by some person who will be responsible for their conduct. All visitors shall observe in all respects such rules of decorum and propriety as shall be inoffensive to others and befitting well bred visitors to the resting place of the dead.
Judging from the beauty of some of the early monuments the next “suggestion” must have been taken very literally. “Special attention is called to the necessity of permanence in sepulchral architecture. Dilapidation is very common and is a painful sight. A leaning monument, by reason of insecure foundations or dilapidation caused by the elements of cheap and worthless material or improper construction, must be avoided. The form and style of monument is of course entirely a question of choice of the lot owner. In that matter, we have no advice to offer, except to say that it is always in bad taste to copy after others in adjoining or near-by lots. Continuous uniformity in the same immediate locality should always be avoided. Variety of monument produces a much more pleasing effect.”
More on the cemetery another time. Next month, I will cover the new mural on the museum wall. What is it, whodunnit, how it came to be, and other pertinent information.
Denny Randall is president of the Old Brutus Historical Society in Weedsport.
