Erie Cemetery's gate |
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| Details | |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1850 |
| Country | United States |
| Location | Erie, Pennsylvania |
| Type | Public |
| Owned by | Erie Cemetery Association |
| Size | 75 acres (30 ha) |
| Website | Erie Cemetery |
| Find a Grave | Erie Cemetery |
| The Political Graveyard | Erie Cemetery |
Erie Cemetery is a prominent cemetery located in Erie, Pennsylvania. It is situated on 75 acres (30 ha) of land bordered on the east by Chestnut Street, the west by Cherry Street, the north by 19th Street, and the south by 26th Street.
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The idea of the cemetery was conceived in October 1846 when a citizens group circulated a petition and collected $1,500 towards the purchase of land. A new subscription effort in December 1849 led to the incorporation of the cemetery on 29 January 1850, at which time seven managers were named. The deed was conveyed to the corporation on 28 March 1850, at which time a $1,500 deposit was paid and a judgment bond of $6,000 signed to secure payment of the balance due. Officers of the corporation were elected on 24 May 1850, namely George A. Eliot, President; William A. Brown, Secretary; and J. C. Spencer, Treasurer. H. Daniels was hired in December 1850 to develop the property. The formal opening of the cemetery took place on 20 May 1851. A porters' lodge was erected near the main entrance before 1885.[1]
The Erie Cemetery Association manages the Erie Cemetery, as well as Laurel Hill Cemetery in Millcreek Township and Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery in Harborcreek Township.
Notable people buried at the Erie Cemetery:
| Name | Date of birth | Date of death | Notable event or occupation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elijah Babbitt | 29 July 1795 | 9 January 1887 | U.S. Congressman |
| Samuel M. Brainerd | 13 November 1842 | 21 November 1889 | U.S. Congressman |
| Alexander W. Brewster | 6 June 1796 | 26 May 1851 | Burgess of Erie (first person buried at the cemetery) |
| Harry T. Burleigh | 2 December 1866 | 12 December 1945 | Famous African-American singer |
| Henry A. Clark | 7 January 1850 | 15 February 1944 | U.S. Congressman |
| Judah Colt | 1 July 1761 | 11 October 1832 | Early settler of Erie County |
| Charles A. Curtze | 8 May 1911 | 26 December 2007 | World War II veteran, U.S. Navy rear admiral |
| Ed Cushman | 27 March 1852 | 26 September 1915 | Major League Baseball pitcher, pitched no-hitter for Milwaukee Brewers in 1884 |
| Samuel A. Davenport | 15 January 1834 | 1 August 1911 | U.S. Congressman |
| Daniel Dobbins | 5 July 1776 | 29 February 1856 | War of 1812 veteran, manager of the construction of Perry's fleet for the Battle of Lake Erie. |
| Andrew P. Forbeck | 29 April 1881 | 24 April 1924 | Philippine-American War veteran, Medal of Honor winner |
| John Galbraith | 2 August 1794 | 15 June 1860 | U.S. Congressman |
| William Himrod | 19 May 1791 | 21 June 1873 | Industrialist, founder of Himrod Mission school |
| Sam Jethroe | 23 January 1917 | 16 June 2001 | Major League Baseball player |
| Prescott Metcalf | 25 January 1813 | 14 October 1891 | former Mayor of Erie |
| Seth Read | 6 March 1746 | 19 March 1797 | Veteran of the Battle of Bunker Hill, early settler of Erie County |
| Charles M. Reed | 3 April 1803 | 16 December 1871 | U.S. Congressman |
| William L. Scott | 2 July 1828 | 19 September 1891 | U.S. Congressman, President of the Erie and Pittsburgh Railroad |
| Milton W. Shreve | 3 May 1858 | 23 December 1939 | U.S. Congressman, Erie County District Attorney, Pennsylvania state representative |
| Thomas H. Sill | 11 October 1783 | 7 February 1856 | U.S. Congressman, Burgess of Erie, Erie Postmaster |
| Strong Vincent | 17 June 1837 | 7 July 1863 | Brigadier General, hero of Little Round Top at the Battle of Gettysburg |