New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-20
GILBERT STUARTS GRAVE.

\ PROTEST AGAINST THE OPENING OF THE HOW
LAND TOMB IN BOSTON COMMON.
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In regard to the notices concerning Gilbert
Stuarts grave. which appeared in the issues ~
February 4. s. and II. wrote TO Mr.. Carroll Beck
with secretary of the Fine Arts Federation. on Feb
ruary II. giving him extract from my fathers
diary. showing that the Benjamin Rowland who
was third owner of the tomb in which Gilbert
Stuart was buried my grandfather. and the
George Rowland who. with Nicholas Price. gave
permission in 1928 for Mr.. Stuart's burial my
uncle
In regard to the marking my father benjamin
j. Rowland. eldest OF Benjamin Rowland living
in the South also writes: "On the side Of II
(the tomb the spot is designated by the number cut
in the granite foundation for the iron fence that
surrounds the ground. My brother George had this
done at my request. The walk * directly over the
tomb" My grandfather buried there in 1875,
and this mark was put there shortly after his death.
My grandmother was buried there in 1873. ana my
father writes: Her remains were placed in the
family tomb"
do not know whether since 1913 the city Of Boston
took back the ground but. under any circum-
stances. would not the tomb be private property?
quote from lawyers letter:
knew about your family vault on the common
but did not know until you told me about nc con-
nection with stuart's nterment. / see by this morn
ngs Tribune that Stuarts body has peen Ps on
the Common were private property. the city mas ~
right to disturb them without some arransenleit
with the ! assume that nothing "ou'u NC
done without notice 10 parties interested
From Mr.. Beckwith had most courteous reply
stating that he had sen; my letter TO Mr. Frank l.
Robinson, secretary OF the National Stuart Fund
Association In Boston, TO whom ! also wrote ana
from whom | received communication stating that
by permit from the Bonrd OF Health he had opened
the tomb. and Swing full and gre some account OF
how IL done. Furthermore: 'Ihat me
bronze tablet will this month be placed over ne
tomb by local interests and by permit from inc
authorities here"
II can be readily seen from this that Mr. Robinson
has proceeded with more zeal than courtesy NO
Arrangement far can be learned mas been
made with the owners, and N any time since MI
Stuars death had public request been maze IN mo
papers inform atiOn would have been Willingly gwen
is Mr.. Robinson connected with any OF the three
original owners. II Sc there i nothing more 10 be
said; If not which seems likely why should INC
Board of Health give him permission to open
private tomb, and why should he Mayor OF Boston
give authorization 10 have tablet placed on that
private tomb? $1,000
II is certain that none of the descendants Of those
who gave Mr. Stuart burial. and saved him from the
marked in a m amer betitting mis- fame. which .
National-noi local. For my fathers sake, pro-
test (and | am all the members of the family
now scattered north. south. east and west. VIII
Ioin mo i'm thls) against the opening of the tomb 70
crafty mere curiosity. As to the descen l"nts OF
out. as they were friends of my grandfather ana
must have been of the same sturdy New England
stock with whom veneration of the dead IL very
strong feeling Their descendants would. am sure
ioin In the protest CORNELTA ROWLAND.
Barnegat Park n. j.. Feb. IS 1895