HOPE CEMETERY & MAUSOLEUM
SOUTH MAIN STREET
In 1820, the people of Newark Valley decided they needed a burial ground,
and so 1/4 acre was given by Anson Higbe and 1/4 acre from Joseph Brown for
$17 (but all that was ever paid was one bushel of rye!) Mrs. Rachel Williams
was the first burial here.
By 1864 more room was needed, so in 1866 David Noble sold a strip of
land to D. Williams Patterson, which he sold to private lot holders as needed.
Charles Higbe also sold a strip to Mr. Patterson to be used as an avenue
and more graves. The cemetery grew this way, piece by piece until 1931 when
it reached its present size.
In 1867 the Hope Cemetery Association was formed, and after many bumps
in the road, continues to govern the use of the Cemetery. There has been
a threatened lawsuit to get Mr. Patterson to turn over his records, people
resigning from the board because the had never had legal title to the property,
near bankruptcy over the mausoleum (due in part to the market crash and some
poor investments in the 30's).
One story that is fun to read, but certainly wasn't funny to either family
was when Mr Jones was buried on the Smith family plot by mistake. The problem
was how to tell Mrs. Jones, so she could have him moved - and Mr. Smith felt
that he would prefer to have Mrs. Smith buried on his lot! I did not find
the resolution to this problem, but there must have been one.
The mausoleum was built in 1926 of reinforced concrete with interior
walls paneled in white marble. It may have cost close to $100,000 to build,
and was not subscribed to as the builder had envisioned. Therefore, he for
several years asked for extensions on his committment to the Cemetery
Association. By 1945, the Association discovered that, because they owned
the land, they were responsible for the maintenance of the building. The
builder had not set aside the promised funds for upkeep, so the Association
went to the public and the crypt owners for donations to regain financial
stability. Today, they are looking for funding to do the necessary repairs.
Recently, the avenues and lanes that were laid out in the cemetery, and
named, have been labled. You can find Brown Aye, in memory of Joseph Brown,
one of the original owners of the land. There is Higbe Aye, to remind us
of Anson Higbe, Esq. donor of original land; Lincoln Aye, in memory of Otis
Lincoln, an early and prominent citizen; Ford Walk commemorates Marcus Ford
who officiated at the first burial, as pastor of the Congregational Church;
Williston Aye, in honor of Rev. Seth Williston, who officiated at the first
funeral in the valley; Osborn Ave for Jeremiah Osborn, the first settled
pastor in the valley and Clisbe Aye, for Rev. Jay Clisbe, a 15 year minister
in Newark Valley.
There are more avenues and lanes, some excellent examples of art on old
tombstones, plus names and families of original settlers.
Because we have caretakers who care, the cemetery today is in fantastic
shape. Take a walk through and learn so much about us.
CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS
1820 - OLD BURIAL GROUND OPENED, August 24, 1820
1866 - CEMETERY ENLARGED
1867 - HOPE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION FORMED
1868-1935 - CEMETERY ENLARGED, SMALL PIECE BY SMALL PIECE TO CURRENT
SIZE
NOV, 1925 - Mr. Claude Smith of Waverly approached the Trustees with
a plan to build a Community Mausoleum, much like the one in Waverly. The
trustees toured the facility in Waverly, were impressed and approved the
plan.
DEC., 1925 - Trustees signed a contract with Mr. Smith. They would provide
the land and act as Trustees of the funds collected by Mr. Smith in payment
for crypts and private rooms. A portion of the sale price to be set aside
as an endowment fund to pay fo upkeep of the mausoleum.
FEB., 1926 - Trustees purchased 1 acre of land from A. H. Graham
on which to build the mausoleum.
MAY, 1926 - Oscar Settel purchased a $10,000 room for himself and
his sister. Frank Andrews purchased a $5,000 room for himself and his wife
Vern Sloat was hired by Mr. Smith to build the mausoleum, his work "so fine
as to be unbelievable!" The marble squares did not even have to be recut
to fit for the Waverly facility. "This building will probably cost close
to $100,000, a sum which it has been estimated would purchase at a fair ruling
price, every business structure in the village of Newark Valley outside its
manufacturing plants!" No record of actual cost found in local records.
SEPT, 1926 - Foundation commenced
OCT, 1926 - Ready for Roof
DEC., 1926 - Marble arrives.
OCT, 1926 - Only 1/2 spaces sold, therefore, no guarantee of endowment
fund to pay for upkeep.
JAN, 1929 - Trustees extended agreement with Mr. Smith, hoping he
could sell rest of crypts.
JAN 1930 - Again extended agreement with Mr. Smith adding to the
endowment fund 10% of all monies received.
JAN. 1931 - Mr. Smith offered to settle for all back endowment IF
cemetery association wanted to take notes and contracts on sold crypts -
or- agreement could be extended.
1932- 1937 - The terms of the agreement were extended for Mr. Smith,
with 1/2 of all sale funds to be placed in the endowment fund until the deficit
was made up.
1938 - Mr. William J. Reeves gave the Cemetery Association $1000 to cover
the cost of the land and stipulated that the association was to have use
of the chapel and 12 vaults in the cellar for winter storage.
1939 - Reduced the price of the vaults. Mr. Smith to get 15% for expenses
and the balance applied on endowment fund..
1945 - Because of lack of funds, the cemetery association trustees voted
not to do any upkeep on the mausoleum. Cemetery grounds looking poorly.
1946 - 1947- Attempted to make Mr. Smith fulfill his contract, but he
had filed for bankruptcy.,
LEGAL OPINION - Because the cemetery association owns the land, the mausoleum
is theirs, and they must do the upkeep.
1951 - Trustees ask the town to take over the cemetery and mausoleum.
Declined, because they would then have to take over all the little cemeteries
in the town.
1952 - Town meeting - Packed, Asked $10 of each lot and crypt owner for
each of next five years. Past funds lost in poor investments during depression.
This drive was fairly successful, good investments were made, volunteer help
improved the grounds and annual financial statements were available to the
owners. Today, the cemetery is on sound footing, but extra monies are needed
to repair the mausoleum to its original condition. Studies, estimates and
grants are all being investigated.
1999 - Purchase of neighboring farm, doubling the acreage, for future
use as cemetery. Presently being used by area farmers for crops and grazing
with care of fences and road frontage in lieu of rent. Delapidated house
and barns removed, after rescue of 6 over 6 windows, some doors, and some
woodwork. Remaining small cinderblock building being refitted for storage
of lawnmowers and other large equipment. No debt incurred, as investments
have been made over the years, and the money was available, leaving enough
for operating expenses. Occasionally there are still burials in the mausoleum.
The latest one was in 1998.
Total number of crypts in present use: 124
Yes, some bodies have been moved, as when everything was in such disrepair
in the 40's, at least two people were reburied in the cemetery.
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