Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-01-11
REPORT OF COMMITTEE.

10 Ills EXcellenCy Governor Bell or Yer
mont:
| Sir:-The undersigned, who were honored
as committee of Philadelphia men to
| find If possible some evidence of General
Ira Aliens last resting place. beg leave
to report as follows.
| First-We al once addressed ourselves
to the work and met for organization.
Second-We promptly conferred with
Charles wetherel Esq. attorney Of the
Free Quaker society," Col. J. Lewis Good.
the contractor for the work of exhuma-
ton. his son. his foreman and the labor
ers, whose active sympathy was essential
and was freely given
Third-As we found it impossible for any
member of the committee to be present
we felt it to be essential to perfect adher-
once to your instructions 20 have a repre-
sentative present as each grave was OPEN
ed, competent for the delicate duty, be-
sides the continuous but interrupted Wis
its Of the committee. we next, through
the liberalty of our Mr.. John n. Con-
verse, secured the services of Mr.. Steven
son II. Walsh well known and conser-
vative antiquarian, a member of the coun-
Gil of the Pennsylvania Genealogical So
ciety, and an active member of the Penn
Isylvana Historical Society, who rendered
a similar service at the old Christ Church
graveyard in Philadelphia. He has been
present and examined carefully the re-
mains found in every grave in the Free
Quaker graveyard, which has now been
eXhaustively turned over to the depth of
eight or nine feet, as required.
Fourth-We regret TO say, that although
one set of bones was found with bullet
alongside, two sets with shoe buckles, one
with carpenters square, three with sill
drcd cases has there been anything found
to give a clue to the body Of General Ira
Allen. The remains filled three hundred
and forty-one boxes. which were removed
to Fatlands.
Fifth-We regret to say further that
although some tombstones were found I'M
bedded in the soil, none of the seventy
four stones gathered above or below the
surface of the ground, had any reference
to General Ira Allen. ..
Sixth-We enclose herewith a photo
graph OF the original and official cerifi-
cate of the burial of General Ira Aliens
remains in this place. the only cemetery
ever known here as the Free Quaker
graveyard
Also the report to your committee of
our agent. Mr.. Stevenson H. Walsh.
Scventh--In view of all the foregoing
and the disappoint with which our
report will be received. may we venture to
make a suggestion. The flesh and bones
of the old hero have been for ninety-one
years minglinG with the soil of this ceme-
terry. They are part and parcel of its
earth. If, there fore We reVercntly gath
or some of the clay. and send to you for
re-interment in some suitable place in
Vermont. would not the purpose of hon
oring one of the founders of the State and
university be met by erecting over it a
memorial inscribed as follows:
General Ira Allen.
Born in Cornwall, Conn, April II. isl
Died in Philadelphia Pa, Jan. Is. 1914
Aged G. years months and 25 days.
The mortal remains of this patriot have
been mnRling for ninety-one years
with the soil beneath this stone.
The earth having been brought from the
Free Quaker graveyard in Philadelphia.
In which he was inferred January, 1874
All OF which is respectfully submitted
by
FRANCIS OLCOTT ALLEN, chairman,
JOHN HEMAN CONVEPGE
JOSEPH p. ALLEN,
RALIH J.. HAYES,
CHAS. A. CONVERSE, Secretary.
STEVENSON II. WALSH. Agent.
Signed at the Historical Society
Philadelphia, Dec. &, 1905.
INTERES1JNT. J,rTER FROM MP 9