Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2014, 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. =========================================================================== Forest Lawn: It's history, dedications, progress, regulations, names of lot holders, etc. pub. Thomas, Howard & Johnson, Buffalo, N.Y.; 1867 [40-42] THE FIRST FOREST LAWN CEMETERY HISTORICAL DETAIL Difficulties to be Overcome - First Burial - Progress & Growth PREVIOUS to the dedication of these Grounds, a number of the avenues were laid out, partially made, some portion of the same graded and surveyed into lots for burial purposes; but no person seemed disposed to purchase "a possession for a burial place," and the prospects of converting them into a home for the dead were anything but flattering. Many stalwart obstacles arose, and public sentiment was decidedly unfavorable to the location of a Cemetery so far from the city, and the success of the enterprise was regarded as very doubtful. While Mr. CLARKE, the projector of the Cemetery, and who planned and directed all the improvements, was exerting himself to the utmost to prepare the grounds for the purposes of sepulture, many of his personal friends cheered him in the prosecution of his favorite scheme, by expressing their admir- ation for his energy and enterprise, and their sincere sympathy in case of a failure, which appeared self-evident. The Grounds, they said, were becoming beautiful, as the improvements progressed; but who would bury their dead in that lonely place? And it did certainly appear doubtful for a time whether any person would procure a burial- place there. But while doubt and uncertainty hung over the undertaking, an old and highly respected citizen was removed by death. In his lifetime, he was a generous, noble-hearted man. Affluence had rewarded his labors, and he was regarded as among the fortunate few who are above want. But the terrible reverses of 1836 swept away the accumulations of former years. Before he died, he visited "the new Cemetery," approved the plan of establishing a burial-place in a quiet rural spot, far away from the noise and tumult of a great city. He admired the Grounds, and pointed out a knoll, which he thought "appropriate and pleasant to sleep in, when the trials of life should be ended." After his decease, the proprietor tendered his family a Lot on the knoll which he had indicated. One summer afternoon, a funeral train entered the Grounds for the first time. It paused at the entrance. A procession was formed under the skillful charge of him who has laid to rest so many thousands. It moved slowly up the hill, preceded by REV. DR. SHELTON, who read the burial service. The grave was reached -- around it was gathered a weeping family, and a large number of old friends, who came to perform the last offices of friendship and affection for the departed. As the sun went down, the grave closed forever over the remains of JOHN LAY, JR. Forest Lawn had an occupant, and the place became dear to a bereaved family. This was the commencement of the peopling of a "city of slumbering mutes." Those who accompanied their old friend to the grave, were favor- ably impressed with the appearance of the Grounds, and their peculiar adaptation for a burial-place for the dead. DR. SHELTON, as he stood near the newly-made grave, surveying the grounds, and seeing the improvements that had been made, remarked significantly, to a bystander, "What a tide of grief will be poured forth here." From this time the sale of Lots commenced, and Forest Lawn began to reckon up its silent census. Some fourteen hundred of our inhabitants now rest in Forest Lawn, beside those that were removed from the old burial grounds in the city. This fact is signi- ficant, as it shows the change in public sentiment, and demonstrates the influence which the beauty and appropriateness of Forest Lawn have finally exerted. =========================================================================== 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/ ===========================================================================