Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Buffalo Cemeteries, An Account of the Burial Places of Buffalo From the Earliest Times Read Before the Buffalo Historical Society, February 4, 1879 by WILLIAM HODGE Pub. Bigelow Brothers, Buffalo, N.Y.; 1879 [17-18] THE GRAVE IN THE "PARK MEADOW" ------ The Grave in the "Park Meadow." —Gen. SMYTH'S Regulars were en- camped in the fall and winter of 1812, on "Flint Hill." This hill, already mentioned, (page 15) is a rise of ground over which Main street passes, from the crossing of the Parkway north to Chapin street. Its name was derived from the fact that the rock here and in the region round about comes very near to the surface, and even fre- quently crops out above it. Including and beyond it northeastward were the Buffalo Plains mentioned herein (page 5 and elsewhere.) The troops of General SMYTH remained at Flint Hill until the following spring. During this time, there prevailed among them a typhoid epi- demic. Deprived as they were of comfortable hospitals, and a suffi- cient supply of medical agents, it carried off about three hundred of them. They were put into plain pine board coffins, furnishd by WILLIAM HODGE, Sr., and temporarily buried near the south line of the CHAPIN place; but the rock came so near to the surface that their graves could not be more than about a foot in depth. The ensuing spring they were removed some distance, to the north side of the farm, where the ground was a sandy loam and easily dug. Leave to bury them there being given by the respective owners of the farms, Capt. ROWLAND COTTON, and Doctor DANIEL CHAPIN, they were deposited directly on the dividing line between these farms, in one common grave. DOCTOR CHAPIN planted two yellow willows, one at each end of the grave, which have become large trees, and are yet growing; the grave itself remaining undis- turbed to this day. The Government ought to erect a handsome monument to their memory; and while this would commemorate these unknown soldiers who gave up their lives in a more horrible manner than on the ensanguined battle- field, it would ornament the Park, in which enclosure they are; the grave being about eighty rods north-north-west from the Park stone quarry, not far from the middle of the Park Meadow. Dr. CHAPIN'S place was owned and occupied by the CHAPIN family, from a very early day until not many years since, when it was sold to the present owner, ELAM R. JEWETT, Esq. The people of this city are much indebted to the Doctor, who was one of the pioneers of Buffalo, for the good taste and judgment exercised in clearing up his farm. Coming on to it in 1806, and ever having an eye to the beauty of native scenery and landscape, he left and always preserved with care, groups and scattered trees of various sizes and kinds, where it would add to its beauty; and we in our park enjoy the benefit of his senti- ment and forbearance. He was imbued with the idea of the poet who says, "Woodman, spare that tree;" and when he could, he always had trees left untouched by the ruthless axe, in order that man and beast should benefit by their shade, and they with their primitive grace ornament his beautiful farm. His son, the late Col. WILLIAM W. CHAPIN, always protected and preserved those trees with truly reverential and pious care, in memory of and respect for his honored father, who left the inheritance of the whole farm to him on his decease. Without that inherited taste, he, like most of the early settlers, would have de- nuded the land of every tree; and that portion of our park would have been a barren expanse of mere farming land; for a large portion of this old farm now constitutes the most interesting part of our beauti- ful park. As one rides through it, especially that portion I speak of, he cannot help noticing those groups of trees and scattered monarchs of the forest within and on the borders of the extensive Park Meadow; beautiful reminders of those thoughtful and tasteful former pro- prietors. =========================================================================== If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access the more of our information about Erie County, N.Y., by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/ny/erie/ ===========================================================================