THE FRIENDS OF MOUNT HOPE CEMETERY Vol 22 No . 2 SPRING 2002

THE AVERYS AND THE 1829, he became deputy clerk of Monroe The Stanton and Avery families may County and officiated as clerk for nearly have first met at religious revival meetings STANTONS, three years in all courts of record because several years after Susan Brewster Stanton FAMILY TIES THAT the clerk himself lived many miles out of and her children moved to Rochester. BIND town. This experience served him well when he began his law studies. The arrival of Charles Gradison Finney in Rochester in October 1830 to by Jean Czerkas become minister of Third Presbyterian Church marked a period of religious fer- vor. Church membership increased dra- Family relationships, religious matically and capacity crowds attended revivals, temperance, moral Finney's revival meetings. Henry reform, and an undying com Stanton became a convert after listening mitment to the abolition of to the charismatic revivalist speak. He were the ties that bound the Avery and became a close friend of families together. Weld, Finney's protcge and co-worker.

Henry Brewster Stanton, who Susan Stanton and her sons Henry later became the husband of noted and Robert and her daughter Frances women's rights leader Elizabeth Cady became members of First Presbyterian Stanton, was 21 years old when he Church in January of 1830. Susan arrived in Rochester in April 1826. remained a member until May 183 1 . Already interested and eat-ler to become involved in politics, lie went George A. Avery, also a Finney fol- to work for , editor of lower, joined First Presbyterian Church the Monroe Telegraph . Weed thought on January 3, 1831 and became one of highly of the young Stanton and char- its most active members. He married acterized him as impulsive but amiable Susan Stanton's daughter Frances and with great promise. Mehitable Stanton sometime in the early 1930s. Although not wealthy by any means, Weed was a power in politics. Henry Stanton was a student at the Henry Stanton described him as one of Rochester Institute of Practical the poorest and worst-dressed men in Education and claimed to have studied the Rochester who lived in a cheap house in an Henry Brewster Stanton, a largely uniecog- classics at various locations in the Rochester obscure part of the village and commented ni ed but prominent abolitionist, became area. His brother Robert had been a student the husband of the noted women's civil that it was unusual for a man so poor to at the . In 1831, they decid- rights leader; Fli .abeth Cads Stanton . wield such political power. Stanton's keen ed. along with their brother George and their powers of observation and his ability to friend Courtland Avery, to continue their articulate his experiences provided, in later education at Lane Seminary, a manual labor After the death of Joseph Stanton, years, a detailed view of events that school near , Ohio. Manual labor Henry Stanton's father, in New York in occurred in the Rochester area and in state schools availed young men of limited means 1827, Henry's mother, Susan Brewster and national politics. to obtain an education. Finney's involve- Stanton, moved to Rochester with her sons ment with the seminary was the impetus to Joseph, Robert, and George, and her daugh- While employed as a clerk in the canal enroll as students . office from 1826 to 1827, Henry Stanton ter Frances. Joseph Stanton had been a suc- cessful merchant, a shipper of goods to and had an opportunity to meet many important Because of financial concerns, the from the West Indies and a woolen manufac- political figures and began making speeches Stanton brothers and Courtland Avery trav- turer who ultimately went bankrupt. expressing his political views. In January eled part of the way to Lane Seminary on a raft. When the Stantons enrolled as students O r~J~rJ~rJ~r~r~rJ~rJ~rJ~rJrJ~rJ~rJ~rJ~rJ~rJ~rJ~r-Pr.Pr~rJ~rJ~r~rJ~rJrJ~rJrJrJrJtPrJPJ~rJ~r~rJ~rJrJrJrJrJr~rJrJrJrJ~rJ~rJ~rlclrJcPrJ~rJ~rJ~rJ~rJrJ O at Lane, their time as Rochester residents, 5 except for short visits, came to a close. 5 5 5 Student debates on the abolition of 5 slavery and colonization were held at Lane 5 GEO. A. AVERY &, CO., 5 5 NO. 12 BCFfAI.U-STREET. ROCHESTER, N. Y., Seminary in 1834. The school's trustees 5 Wholesale and Retail Dealers in 5 became concerned when the students dis- 5 5 Orocerieo, Vainto, Due-1UQQDS, cussed these extremely controversial sub- 5 WINDOW GLASS, 5 jects and what effect that would have on the 5 5 seminary. The trustees decided to end the 5 GILB, WIMD ANUP 6HAPEDLEET, 5 5 AND. GENERAL COINI`fISSION KERCHANTSj 5 debates and forbid further student participa- 5 5 tion in abolitionist causes. The students 5 S involved in the debates chose to leave Lane 5 Seminary, a move that brought unwanted S 5 notoriety to the school, and they became o rJ~rJ~rJ~rJ~rJ~rJ~rhr~rhrJ~rJ~rJ~rJ~rJ~rJ~cPrJ~cPcPcPcPr~r~rJ~rJ~r~rJ~cPcPcPrJ~rJ~rJ~rJ~rJ~cPrJ't:I't:frJ~rJ~rJ~rJ~rJ~rJ~cPrJ~rJ~~PrJ~t- :PrJ~cPcPcPrJ~rJ~rJh7 known as "The Lane Rebels ." George A. Avery's advertisement Robert L. Stanton was one of two stu- in the Rochester DAILY dents who returned to Lane to complete his AMERICAN Business Directory. education. After graduation, he became the pastor of churches in Mississippi. Louisiana, and Ohio. He was president of Oakland College in Mississippi and Miami arranging meetings. While promoting the of the junior class and a student in the theo- University in Ohio. Princeton College con- abolitionist movement . Stanton often with- logical department during the 1836-1837 ferred upon him the degree of Doctor of stood attacks by hostile mobs. academic year. No annual catalog was pub- Divinity . He served as professor of theology lished the following year because of the in Danville Seminary and moderator of the Henry Stanton married Elizabeth Cady school's dire financial problems . In the general assembly of the Presbyterian Church in 1840, and the couple spent their honey- 1838-1839 catalog, he is listed as being in in 1886. The Rev. Robert L. Stanton, D.D., moon in London where Henry was a dele the middle class. That was his last year of died and was buried at sea on May 28, 1885 gate to the World Anti-Slavery Conference. attendance . Courtland returned to Rochester at the age of 76 years. After completing his law studies, the and joined his brothers in George A. Avery's Stantons moved to . In the hope of wholesale grocery business . Many of the Lane Rebels agreed to enjoying a less hectic lifestyle, they moved enroll in Oberlin if the Rev. Charles Finney to Seneca Falls in 1847 where Henry was George A. Avery was a religious man were appointed professor of theology. Henry elected to the New York State Senate and with great concern for the education and Stanton was not among them. Instead, he served in 1850-1851 as a Democrat. When religious training of young people . He became a more active participant in anti- the Republican party was organized, Stanton slavery causes. joined it. Throughout his life, he was active in politics. Years later he also became a EPITAPH He attributed the beginning of his inter- Washington correspondent for the New York slavery when as a small Published quarterly be the Friends of est in abolishing Arrt erican. child the soft-singing voice of a family slave Mount Hope Cemeter .v, 1133 Mount Hope lulled him to sleep. He decided that when he When the trustees of Lane Seminary Avenue Rochester: Nevi , York 14620. reached adulthood, he would become a forbade further debates and student involve- a nonprofit member organization founded champion of the oppressed, and he kept that ment in anti-slavery causes, George A. in 1980. vow. Avery, a successful Rochester wholesale ® 2001 The Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery grocer who had been a fund raiser for the continue his Richard 0. Rcisern, Editor Henry Stanton intended to school and a financial contributor, voiced education at Oberlin but was appointed gen- strong objections to the trustees' decisions Frank A. Gillespie, Photographer eral agent of the American Anti-Slavery and ended his relationship with the semi- Dan iNalczewski, Art Director Society and began the work that occupied a nary. Basic annual membership is S20. Cull large share of his life for many years. He (585) 461-3494 for afree pocket guide to served as secretary and as a member of the Courtland Avery, George A. Avery's Mount Hope Cerneter-Y and a membership executive committee of the American Anti- brother and one of Lane Rebels, left the application. See our colorfd and irlfbr- Slavery Society and traveled extensively in seminary, and enrolled as a student in mative webpage : wtvwf6mh .oq this country and abroad giving speeches and Oberlin in 1835. He was listed as a member devoted his time and financial assistance to The Stanton family's Rochester activi- Joseph Stanton, who died in 1832 and moral reform causes and establishing places ties have remained relatively unknown. whose burial site is unknown. of worship in the community. Because his wife, Elizabeth Cad), Stanton, played such a prominent role in the aboli- George D. Stanton, who died of cholera In 1821, the Monroe County Bible tionist movement, Henry Stanton and his in 1834 while a student at Lane Seminary Society was founded. The organization's contributions to the abolition of slavery have and whose burial site is unknown . mission was to distribute bibles without cost been largely overlooked by other writers. to underprivileged families . At various the Rev. Robert L. Stanton, who was times, George A. Avery served as the organi- The Avery family played an important buried at sea. zation's vice-president and treasurer. role in the religious, anti-slavery, and other reform movements during the first half of Susan Stanton, Susan Brewster The Rochester Anti-Slavery Society the 19th century. They were among the Stanton's daughter, whose death date and was organized in 1833 and the Monroe many unknown or forgotten citizens of burial site are unknown. County Anti-Slavery Society in 1834. Rochester who lived their lives helping oth- (Note: The author wishes to thank the George Avery was active in both organiza- ers. tions and hcld the offices of vice-president following for their contributions to this arti- and lrcasurcr. The Mount Hope Cemetery burial site cle: Frank A Gillespie, Ruth Rosenberg of the Avery and Stanton families is in Naparsteck, Coleen Hurst, Anita Sherman, Avery witnessed the many ills of slav- Section G, Lot 64. Included in the plot are: and the staffs of the following libraries: ery while studying medicine in Virginia . For Colgate-Rochester Divinity School, Oberlin four years, he observed the poor medical George A. Avery, who died in 1856 at College, Local History Division of the treatment given to slaves . He spoke of the the age of 53 years. Rochester Public Library, University of slaves that suffered through many operations Rochester Rare Books and Special and experiments, prompted by a doctor's His wife, Frances Mehitable Stanton Collections.) interest or curiosity, that were unrestrained Avery, who died in 1870 at the age of 62 by law, public sentiment, or the claims of years. common humanity . Avery commented, "Amongst the many Negro cabins which I Their children : saw in Virginia, I cannot call to mind one in Susan M. Avery, who died in 1836 at which there was anv other floor than the the age of 2 years. earth, any thing that a northern laborer, or mechanic, white or colored, would call a Henry Avery, who died in 1837 at the bed, nor a solitary partition to separate the age of 2 months. sexes." He attested to the barbarous inhu- manity of various kinds, manifested by per- Anna Avery, who died in 1848 at the sons belonging to the most respectable cir- age of 3 years, 8 months. cles of society. George Stanton Avery, who died in Involvement in reform movements was 1848 at the age of 1 year. a family affair for the Averys . Frances Stanton Avery was an active member of the Also in the plot are the following: Female Charitable Society. In 1853, a meet- ing was held in Rochester to form a Solon Avery, who was George A. Women's State Temperance Society. Avery's brother. Elizabeth Cad), Stanton was elected presi- dent and her sister-in-law Frances Stanton COUrtland Avery, who died in 1866 at Avery, Rhoda DeGarmo, and Sarah Fish the age of 60 years. were elected vice-presidents. His wife, Mary Ann Avery. George and Frances Stanton Avery Susan Brewster Stanton, who died in were committed to the abolition of slavery 1853 at the age of 72 years. When she was and their home was a stop on the older, she made her home with her daughter Underground Railroad. Unfortunately, and son-in-law, Frances and George Avery. George Avery did not live to see his sacri- fices and efforts reach fruition. He died of The following children of Susan consumption at the age of in 1856. 53 years Brewster Stanton are buried elsewhere: The Civil War tour is one of the most popular tours ,Licen at Mount Hope Cemetcay. Don't miss it.'

SPECIAL THEME served in the gatehouse after the tours. Friends Trustee Warren Kling. Unless otherwise noted below, the outings TOURS ANNOUNCED, start from the north oatehouse on Mount SATURDAY, JULY 13, 1 P.M . : The ONE SATURDAY EACH Hope Avenue, opposite Robinson Drive. Old Boy Network : Society and Scandal in the 19th Century Tour with Landmark SUMMER MONTH Ample parking is available inside the entrance . Society's Paul Malczewski. by Richard O. Reisc rn Each tour addresses a different subject SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 1 PM.: and features a different tour guide who is Architects and Architecture Tour with especially qualified in that subject . Here's Friends Trustee Dennis Carr. n a Saturday afternoon each month the exciting tour lineup for the summer of SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, I PM.: from May through October, the 2002: Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery Civil War Tour with Marilyn Nolte and Civil will stage a special theme tour that is free to SATURDAY, MAY 11, 1 P.M . : "To War re-enactors . This tour starts from the 0members . Altogether, there will be six walk- Live in Hearts that Love" Tour with Prof. south entrance on Mount Hope Avenue, ing tours, and members can attend every one Emil Homerin, Chairman of Religion and opposite the Distillery. of them free. The public is invited as well, at Classic Studies Department, University of SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, I P.M. : a very reasonable cost of $3.00 per tour, or Rochester, Fall Colors Tour with former City Forester $5.00 for an entire family . All tours occur on Bill Knapp. a Saturday and start at 1 :00 p.m. and finish SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 1 P.M .: by 3:00 p.m. Lemonade and cookies are Millionaires and Entrepreneurs Tour with LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

A fete years ergo, my daughter and I decided to observe Rochester's Women's Heritage

Celebration by taking the feminist tour of Mount Hope Centeten as presented by the Friends. 1 was deeply impressed by the presenters and their lovefor history ct.s they told the stories of

those people, long departed, and the impact they had on us today. As Ifinished the tour with

lemonade and cookies at the gatehouse, 1 resolved that I, too, would beconte a tour guide and I

intrnediately submitted ntv name to be used as a volunteer in whatever way I could help. Within

weeks 1 was baking cookies and serving lemonade. 1 soon learned that guides and receptionists

provided the up,fi-ont "glamorous" work of the Friends .

For over 20 Years, the Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery have labored to preserve history

and educate the public about this gent of a Victorian centeterv located in the midst of the city of Rochester. A corns ofdedicated volunteers are constantly working to beautify the grounds and restore the monuments. Others conduct and publish historical research, maintain archives and

a libran assist people in genealogical research, coordinate: projects with city government and museums, answer phones, prepare: web pages, and run the business ofan organization with over 300 members .

When asked to lead this dedicated group, I must admit that Ifelt like the new kid on the block. Eric Logan had been an inspiring president for a number ofyears, but he had earned a rest . Eric has been a terrific mentor to rne . He will be a tough act to follow. I intend to rely strongly on his advice (is well as that of the new executive committee : Marilyn Nolte and Rob Hilliard as vice-presidents; Nancy Uff ndell, .secretary; Ed Olinger treasurer, and Warren Kling, at-large. The Board of Trustees will ably oversee the organization of the Friends, and I welcome new trustees, Emil Hornerin and Paul Sackett.

Our new tour- season will begin in May. Gardening began even as the snow melted. Schools

are inquiring about special tours for .students . New theme tours have been added to our sched-

ule . The Rochester- Museum and Science Center is developing a new actors' tour - called

"Visionaries and Inventors" to premiere on Saturday, July 20. The season is starting with a bang.

My thanks to evervone who made 2001 a great year: 1 look fonvard to 2002 becoming even better.

Joan M . Hunt, president Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery The Joseph Higginsfinnily monument, shaped like: a stone sarcophagus, stands in Section D near the north entrance area (#'Mount Hope Cernetcrv.

FIVE HIGGINS stone. The parents outlived each and every months; Jesse was 1 I years old; George one of their children . lived 3 years; Josephine was just 3 years old CHILDREN: when she succumbed to croup, and Julia "WE LOVED THEM." Members of the Higgins family buried died of consumption (tuberculosis) at age in the plot include the father Joseph Higgins 16. by Richard O. Reisent (1800-1864), the mother Emily C. Higggins (1805-1864), and their five children, listed Father Joseph died of cancer of the In Section D, near the north entrance under the heading "Our Children" in the fol- stomach at 64 years. Mother Emily died of area of Mount Hope Cemetery, there is a lowing chronological order of their deaths: consumption also at age 64 years. large sarcophagus-shaped stone monument Joseph, Jr. ( 1833-1835), Jesse H . (1826- Under the list of five children on the memorializing the Joseph and Emily 1837), George C. (1836-1839), Josephine distinctive family stone are the words, "We Higgins family. The tragic story, of the brief (1840-1843), and Julia Y. (1837-1852). Loved Theta." lives of their five children are told in the All five Higgins children preceded their names and dates on the long side of the parents in death: Joseph . Jr. died at 22 DO YOU WANT TO ADOPT-A-PLOT?

by Richard O. Reisem

The Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery operate an inviting program called Adopt-a- Plot. We're talking about historic cemetery plots that need a little attention and TLC. Other volunteers like you have adopted over 75 historic family plots in Mount Hope and spend a few pleasant hours each summer cleaning these small lots, planting suitable perennials, weeding and watering if neces- sary.

Summertime in Mount Hope is truly sublime and spending a little gardening time there is rewarding in many ways. You can meet like-minded folks doing the same thing or you can have some pleasant meditation v time to yourself. We'll help you select a his- toric plot especially suited to you and your interests. And we'll guide you in appropriate ways to treat a historic gravesite.

We also have a few openings for recep- tionists at our regular Sunday tours and at our special Saturday theme tours, so if you like to chat with the public, sign in tourgo- ers, hand out brochures, sell a coffee mug or two, and serve lemonade and cookies after the tours, you're in the right place in our handsome historic gatehouse where people register before and gather after the tours.

Whatever your volunteer wishes, you can get involved in some interesting and rewarding activity for as much or as little time as you want. Simply call us at 461- 3494 and leave a message. Our Adopt-a-Plot coordinator or Tours coordinator will return your call.

The gcttclett arrottttd the Victoricttt fottntctin iii the ttotth entrcittce ctrect cf Mottttt Hope Cetttetc rv is leaded by vc)ltvntvc"r Johtt Pecu-sctll. ISSUES OF You can reach the UR Library's portion MOVING TO A NEW PAST of their website that contains past issues of ADDRESS? THE EPITAPH NOW ON the Epitaph at: DON'T LEAVE THE NEW WEBSITE www.lib.rochester.edu/rbk/el2ital2h/home .stm EPITAPH BEHIND. An agreement between the Friends of IF YOU LIKE WHAT Mount Hope Cemetery and the University of YOU READ IN THIS If you're a member in good standing Rochester Libraries has resulted in the and you decide to leave your current address placement of all past issues of the Epitaph NEWSLETTER . . . for a new one, future issues of the Epitaph on the library's research website. The won't reach you unless you send us your Friends are honored by this recognition that you would also like being part of what new address. The post office will not for- our quarterly newsletter contains material we do at the Friends of Mount Hope ward bulk mail, which is the system by that is useful in researching local history. Cemetery. We are a lively, dedicated group which the Fpitaph is distributed to members who believe that Mount Hope is more than a of the Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery. Our newsletter began publication in cemetery. To us, it is a splendid park, a fas- 1981 : the Friends of Mount Hope were orga- cinating history museum, a striking outdoor It's easy to let us know about your nized in 1980. After issues of the Epitaph art gallery, an interesting geological area, a change of address. You can e-mail your new are are one year old, the Friends permit their beautiful arboretum, a lovely wildflower address to pcorc@aol .com. You can jot it on placement on the UR website. The newslet- garden, and an engaging wildlife refuge. a postcard and mail it to: ters can viewed as full-page documents Join us in exploring the many faces of complete with photographs and illustrations Mount Hope by becoming a member of the Friends of Mt. Hope Cemetery or as text only. An index provides quick Friends. 1133 Mount Hope Avenue access to any subject covered in the newslet- Rochester, NY 14620 ters. It is a particularly attractive and easy- Here's what you do. Send an e-mail to to-use website. All of the material is copy- [email protected] and we'll send you a mem- Don't miss any of the coming issues of righted and the Friends of Mount Hope bership application. Or print out the mem the Epitaph and its interesting stories from Cemetery retain all rights to use of the mate- bership form at www.fomh.org. Or call us at Rochester's past, announcements of special rial in any form. There is also a link to the 585-461-3494 and leave your name and free tours and events, and articles about a Friends website at wwwSomh.org. address. Or if worse ccnnes to worse, write host of cemetery activities. to us at the return address below.

Non-Profit Org . THE FRIENDS OF MT. HOPE CEMETERY U.S .Postage 1133 MT. HOPE AVE. PAID ROCHESTER. NY 14620 Rochester, NY Permit No. 150

6/1/02 MELISSA MEAD & RICHARD PEEK 16 MENLO PL ROCHESTER NY 14620