The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-13
Many Of the Lots in the
North Burial Ground.
Recent Purchasers Find
Bodies Inferred in Plots.
Very Peculiar Condition That is
Being Strengthened Out.

When tho angel Gabriel concludes his
final toot he will be astonished at the
condition or affairs at the North Burial
Ground. The shades of the departed will
make unexpected exits from the ground,
or those who are somewhat familiar with
the state Of things there will miss their
guess The joint standing committee of
the City Council, having the conduct of
business at this cemetery have known
that a peculiar condition existed, but
owing to what had been gradually going
on for the past hundred years, more or
less, they couldn't see their way clear to
solve the problem. They know that more
than one person has claimed certain
burial lots as their property, and they
have found that supposed clear ground Is
occupied by.deccased.
short time ago lot was sold and
when the owner had grave dug in
which 90 place the mortal remains of a
member OF his household, the grave dig
ger unexpectedly came upon coffin that
had lald In the earth quite n while. The
coffin was brought TO tho surface and the
plate on its top recorded the fact that the
dust was the last of daisy Sabin.
Previous possession induced the suppo sed
lot owner 60 secure other quarters, and
daisy" was put back again. There are
other cases where grave digging brought
to light that bodies had previously been
deposited without general knowledge of
those supposed to be in charge of the
premises
An illustration of how this might hap
pen was brought TO light this morning
when the record book at the City Hall, re-
corded the fact that a certain lot at the
North Burial Ground was the property
of Albert q. Rea. Albert may be- up in
the cemetery for all that is known, for
his name does not appear in the direo-
tory. III he hasn't been disturbed by some
other purchaser Of tho property he has
been fortunate and Gabriel will expert
ence no trouble on his account. Be that
as II may the first knowledge that the
recorder OF deeds had of the purchase of
the property was today when deed was
handed in TO be recorded 1t was the
deed of a burial LOT at the North Burial
Ground granted to Albert q. Rea, October
80, 1S49 1t was nearly 80 years of age.
1t bore the signature Of George W. Hall.
city treasurer, and Albert Peabody, city
clerk.
II is stated on good authority that an
old time superintendent of the cemetery
was responsible for much of the trouble
that has developed. When a supposed
owner Of u lot came TO him with a request
for the digging OF a grave the lot owner
to find out that the premisesywere already
occupied. The superintendent was u
man fit for an emergency and when the
previous occupancy was demonstrated he
would have all the sympathy possible and
declared that 1t was too bad But he
could fix it.
There's nice lot right over there.
Take that one"
His advice would be taken and when
the next individual came along and
claimed the lot that was 'over there " he
or she was given the benefit of the super
intendent's experience and another mice
one over there" was occupied. This went
on for some time and no one knows how
many lover there's" there are in the
cemetery.
At present those having thescemetery in
charge arc having it plotted on the
checkerboard plan so as TO straightan out
existing difficulties, If possible. OF late
years the affairs of the cemetery have
been conducted on systematic plan and
the same lot has not been sold TO more
than one purchaser.