Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-06-13
For THE EVENING STAR.
HARMONY CEMETERY.


The Oldest and Largest ColOred Gene
terry i'm the District.
God Sh MADE his grave. to men unknown,
And laid the aged seer alone
TO slumber while the world grows old.
Though nameless, trampled, and forgot
His servants humble ashes lie,
Yet God hath marked and sealed the spot,
To call It's inmate to the sky" -(BEYANT.
A description OF the oldest and largest Of the
cemeteries within the limits Of the District of
Columbia, used for the burial of colored people,
will be Of great interest to the thousands of
coored readers of THE STAR, and of especial
interest to the hundreds of colored families who
own lots and grave sites within the limits of the
Harmony cemetery.
The present cemetery Is situated within the
northeastern limits Of the District Of Columbia,
about tive and half miles outside of the city
to the east of Glenwood and directly west Of
the National racing grounds. The cemetery
was at first within the city limits; when the
square upon which it was placed became used
up authority was obtained to sell the ground in
the city and the present site was purchased
Who the members OF the association are, what
they paid for the ground and what has been
their expenses, and under what rules and regu-
latiOns they manage their trust is not known
The lot holders have no recognition or author
1ty IN the management whatever, and a meeting
has never been called or any report made or
published by the trustees, SO far as can be
learned. The grounds are held by three per-
sons as close corporation for individual profit
and gain. There never has been proper sur
vey OF the grounds, and consequently the rudest
and most provincial methods are resorted to in
laying of lots and graves, resulting in a con-
fused mass painful to an eye that appreciates
order and system.
DIsGRACEFUL CONDITION OF THE CEMETERY.
This cemetery, with one exception perhaps,
Is in the worst condition of any within the Dis.
trict limits. The laws OF Congress governing
cemeteries have been disregarded by the trus-
tees. and as result its present condition is
disgraceful. With a view to interest THE STAR
and through its columns call attention of the
trustees to the widespread feeling among the
colored people about its management and con-
dition. q few notes were taken on decoration
Gay recalling few OF the many names Of the
dead that lie buried there, who were once well
known IN this community, and in some cases
were people OF influence who did great public
service in their day and time.
Among the noted names of the dead who were
vel known In life here, may mention, first,
that of - - -.
THE REV. JOHN F. COOK,
father Of Collector and Superintendent Cook.
The lot where he and his two wives and three
cemetery, near the south entrance gate.
marble monument stands in the center elabor-
ately inscribed, showing he was born December
90, 1910. and died March %. 1855.
HE was the standard bearer of educational
Improvement among the colored people of the
District OF Columbia, to whom he was also the
model husband, model father, the model friend
aud the model christian"
"He was the founder Of the Young Mems
CHRISTIAN Association hn MI nil
Seminary and first cOlored Presbyterian church
of Washington. In the two latter institutions
he spent the strength of his manhood preparing
both parents and children for usefulness on
earth and glory in Heaven"
In the earnest prosecution of these beneficent
iao0rs. ne fell martyr to the unQuenchable
zeal that animated him. Useful in life, he was
honOred In death by weeping multitudes Near
the COOK monument is the burial lot and grave
of
THE LATE WILLIAM sLADE
SO Well known for many years as the porter at
Browns hotel, and steward for President An
drew Johnson. Mr.. Slade was highly esteemed
for probity OF character, and was possessed of
quite handsome estate. His estimable wife,
noted for her Christian virtues, lies buried by
his side Near him lie the remains of his two
gifted daughters, Rachel and Josephine. noted
for their high musical attachments, great per-
sOnal beauty and purity of character They
We're the wives of two brothers, sons of Mr..
James Wormley. of this city, viz. James T. and
VIM. II. A. WOrmley.
Near this lot is that of
THE FOOTE FAMILY,
where lie the remains of the lamented Andrew
Foote and his gifted son, William, and his two
sons who so recently and suddenly died, viz:
Charles and Thomas.
THE COsTON LOT
fc
one of the most respectable in the District.
founded by William Coston, the old messenger
Of the Bank Of Washington. This part of the
grounds is beautiful for situation and could be
made lovely place. It commands a beautiful
view Of the race course and the fine country
about 1t. Going north from this point we come
to the receiving vault, the only one In the Gem
etery, just south Of which is
THE BROOKS LOT AND MONUMENT.
erected IN memory Of Daniel skinner. the
father OF Mrs. Brooks. and her aunt, Mrs. Mary
V. Bell, and two children, John H. and Ernest
Perry. Mrs. Bell was one Of the great under
ground railroad women of her day, and for
many years kept the only boarding house for
respectable colored people In New York city.
and was especially noted for her phianthrOphy
and Christian liberaty. The mother of Mrs.
Ex-Governor Gleaves. Of South Carolina, is also
Jul iCu III tHb cIte IL Tie east lie the remains.
unmarked, OF
THE LATE ALFRED JONES'
SO well-known in life in this city, and to the
west, that of
ROBT, H. BOOKER,
also well known as the partner in the barber
business with Carter A. Stewart: his grave is
entirely neglected, the lot unfenced and grave
unmarked. Crossing the walk and going to
the southwest we find the names of many who
were once well known In this city, among which
ARE those of
THE REV. ANTHONY BOWEN AND JAMES REED.
the latter upon fine monument erected by his
daughter Mary, public school teacher. Along
this square is the name Of
DANIEL BRUCE,
the father Of numerous progeny, well known
In Alexandria and this city, and fully repre-
sented in our public schools. Passing to the
northwest We come to the lot and fine monu-
ment erected to Robt Thompson in recognition
OF his faithful services by the Lelands, of New
York and Saratoga. Going to the northwest of
which We come to the beautiful monument
0racfpd nv tho fo