The Democratic advocate., 1907-07-12
Interesting News Of the Westminster
Cemetery.

Inc w westminster cemetery Conpdiiy hao
issued and distributed a very fine pamphlet on
The Westminster Cemetery, which contains
five views, as follows: The main entrance to
Cemetery, Urn and Circle, the Old Uuion
Meeting House built in 1850, the original stone
of VIM. Winchester. the founder of Westmin-
ster and the Chancel and pulpit of Old Union
Church. 1t also contains bequests and gifts,
rules regulations and bylaws. In the back is
form of certificate ofownership OF lots. The
Westminster Cemetery is located at the east
end of Church street and is very beautiful
burying ground, everything being kept IN the
neatest style.
The first record of its institution is that OF
an Act passed by the Legislature OF Maryland,
May "a, 1913, entitled an Act TO incorporate
the Trustees of the Westminster General Meet
ing House in Frederick, now Carroll County,
Md. The incorporators named in the act
were Isaac Shriver, David Fisher. James Nc
Hattie, Joshua Gist, Francis Hollinsworth:
James Cannon and William Durbin, all OF
Frederick, now Carroll Co., Md, who were
also made trustees.
About the year 176O a large brick church
had been built by lottery and was known by
title as the Old Union Church and general
meeting home. All denominations were per.
mited to worship within its portals.
Lorenzo Dow, an eccentric itinerant MINIS
ter, it is said preached for one week within
its walls with services beginning at O'Clock
a. IN. His method of calling his listeners was
with the aid of very large tin horn. which
he blew loud and long. Large crowds assem-
bled to hear his discourses. The belfry on
the church was an unique affair, and large
steel triangle took the place of a bell in call.
ing persons to worship.
gallery extended around the church on
three sides, and ladder was used to ascend
into the belfry, where man sat, and with
hammer struck the triangle to produce the
sound, which was as loud as some of our larg-
est bells.
A plat of ground containing about Il acres,
adjoining the church, was used as burying
ground, and many of our oldest inhabitants
are buried therein, the oldest having no date
except the figures 1907, and the letters 5. L.,
indicating that the burying ground was In ex-
istance fifty years or more prior to the erection
of the church.
The Winchesters, founders of our beauti-
full city," also the Fishers, Cockeys, Stans-
bprys, Yinglings, Reeses, Smiths, Shrivers.
Websters, and many other noted families made
this their last resting place.
The Legislature of February 18th, 1864,
passed an act empowering certain persons to
purchase from the estate of John Fisher, De-
ceased, 124 acres of land adjoining the Old
Union Burying Grounds, and on June 17th,
1864, Stock Company was formed under the
name of the Westminster Cemetery Company.
Mr.. Geo. E. Wampler was elected President
and William Reese, DR.. j. L.. Warfeld, Jos.
NJ. Parke, Jno. X. Longwell, j. Henry Hoppe
and Alfred Troxel, Board of Managers; E..
X. Gerhard, Secretary, and 81. l.. Norris,
Treasurer.
The stock was sold at its par value, ten
dollars. and the land paid for.
The last share of said stock was purchased
from the holder and cancelled by the Com.
pany December 10th. 1887.
An Act of the Legislature, approved Feb
ruary 7lh, 1884, gave to the President and
Board of Managers full power over the old
burying grounds, same as the other, provided
they set apart plat of ground for free burial.
This has been done and is situated at the
North Eastern part of said cemetery grounds.
The old church having become delapidated
and dangerous to the public, the Board of
Managers, after published notices given, sold
the same July Goth, 1891, for the sum of one
hundred dollars.
The church stood on the spot where now
stands the large urn Immediately in centre of
circle, at head of main driveway.
The present Officers are as follows: Pres
dent DR.. Joshua W. Herring; Secretary and
Treasurer, John j. Reese; Board of Mana.
gers. George R. Gehr, John Bernstein, Charles
c. Gorsuch, Frank X. Herr, U. l.. Reaver,
John j. Reese; Superintendent, Theodore S.