Fairlawn Land Acquisitions

HISTORY

A review of old drawing files is virtually a history of the land acquisitions of The Fairlawn Cemetery Assoc., and a compilation of notes and data from prints, taken in chronological order, proves quite interesting. (Other sources from deeds, etc. support much of this). The total size of 6 parcels combined equals 9.414 acres (approx.).

The original Parcel #1 - bordering Main Street (Rt. 19) is still much like it has always been. It was obtained by a deed from William H. Smith and Polly W., his wife, to Loren D. Brewster dated August 12, 1858 and recorded in Liber 51 of Deeds on Page 555 for a conveyance of $50.00. This parcel had previously been owned by a Joseph Flint and then bequeathed to Polly Smith, apparently his daughter. There is reference to Brewster’s survey dated 1851, the earliest date mentioned anywhere in the records. It contains approx. 1.4 acres. It was originally named “Scio Public Cemetery”. There are a few very old, barely legible drawings, some actually on badly deteriorating cardboard and some on linen (in ink). Some were glued to old Socony Road Maps dated 1926, as backing, to help repair and protect them. This original land was later referred to as the “Old Cemetery” and to this day it retains this very important connotation. (*See explanation later in Parcel #3 )

Parcel #2 - was The Gorton Addition obtained in 1876 from lands of Mary U. F. Smith and her heirs. It contains 0.53 acres. Not many details were evident on maps regarding the transaction but an original drawing in ink, on linen, was made in 1886 by W. F. Allen combining Brewster’s 1851 survey, and L. Gorton’s survey and drawing dated 1878. This may well be where the description “Gortons Addition” was derived.

Parcel #3 -is the part above the circle. It contains 2.5 acres. It was apparently acquired by the Town of Scio (Thomas F. Major, supervisor), in Condemnation Proceedings through an order of the Allegany County Court (Hon. Clarence A Farnum, County Judge) on September 25, 1885 from Mary U. Smith, Gertrude E. Smith, Nettie E. Lovelace, Cora E. Cartwright, C. Burdell Smith and Leon Ross Smith for addition to the public cemetery and recorded in Liber 136 of Deeds on Page 305. The Commissioners apparently found the total value to be $743.77 payable to the above persons proportionately. This parcel was then referred to as the New Part, but later it was designated as: “The North Division, Center Division and South Division.” We now include this as part of our “Old Cemetery” designation but still retain the North, Middle and South Division references. Many lot deeds refer to these definitions and are very important (* see parcel #1) because lot numbers sometimes repeat themselves in the three different parts as they also do in other sections. Another interesting observation is how many names were added directly to the map drawings with some transactions and dates actually recorded on the borders and/or margins. There also may have been exchanges and resale of lots between owners because some of the parcel names are different than on our current prints and records. It is obvious that our forefathers didn’t anticipate the potential growth and the importance of keeping more accurate and permanent accounting.
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The whole “Old Cemetery” was redrawn on a map dated Feb. 8, 1930 by C.H. Button. Again, that drawing shows some different names on parcels than were on the older drawings before it. Then, in January 1963, T.C. Major redrew the cemetery on a very usable (ink on linen) drawing that we have maintained and kept updated as often as possible to the present time. Some revisions were made by Mr. Major and more recent ones were made by Mr. Maynard Boyce who served as President of the Board of Trustees for many years. He was the Vice Pres. at the time of his death on April 1, 1997 after this history was written. Mr. Major also made the drawing of Parcel #4 above in January 1963, which has served us well these thirty three years, but was getting increasingly
more difficult to revise and maintain. Now fortunately,
computers make this new and more functional update possible. The latest revisions to Mr. Majors drawings were accomplished by P. E. MacMichael, the current Pres., who is also completing the Computer setup for drawings and notebooks.

Parcel #4 was added Circa 1963 from Murray B. Hooker to The Scio Fairlawn Cemetery Association and is the part we refer to as our “New East Division”. It contains 2.0 acres. This is being rapidly sold and records kept since then are quite dependable, accurate and permanent under regulations outlined by State Cemetery Laws. One recent observation is that fewer “whole lots” are being purchased as family plots. Most are single or double grave spaces, many obtained at the actual time of someone’s death. Also there is an increasing number of cremations for various reasons. The potential capacity of this Division totals 1,003 Grave Spaces.

Parcel #5 was obtained from Pine Hill Development Co., Inc. (Mr. Floyd Reynolds and wife) in a deed dated July 25, 1980 and recorded in Liber 784 on page 274 of deeds. This is now being referred to as our North Annex Division and borders the Old Original Cemetery to the North. It contains 2.984 (measured acres). A new computer map has been drawn by P.E.MacMichael in accordance with a new survey completed June 26, l998 by James B. Ball , License No. 49540. There is no current plan to occupy this division, but it will be pinned and marked adequately to facilitate future development when needed. The potential capacity of this Division totals 1,512 grave spaces.

Parcel #6 - A small parcel of land has been obtained from Philip and Doris MacMichael near the North East corner of the Old Cemetery, previously designated as “reserved”, in exchange for the 50 foot anticipated access strip off Brands Street to the North of MacMichael’s land. (Deeds dated December 29, 1995 and recorded in Liber 1104, Page 147 and Liber 1104, Page 145). The connecting road was added in Summer of 2000 through the generosity of Mr. Walter Babbitt, his construction equipment and men, providing direct, easy passage through to the new Parcel #5 above and making it an integral part of the whole cemetery complex. They also cleared brush and regraded the whole new Annex parcel to improve development and esthetics as viewed from the old cemetery and from the street. This entrance provides easier access and maintenance from the existing cemetery and better traffic control during funerals.
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CONCLUSION

We dedicate these efforts to, and have the ultimate respect for those who pioneered for us and gave so much of themselves and their time and means to provide this hallowed ground and to make certain it be maintained in a respectful and proper manner for all time. We sincerely trust and believe there will continue to be similar people available who are willing to volunteer and perpetuate this necessary, but rewarding work in the generations that follow.

Copies of drawings and
map data retained by:
Cemetery Pres.
Secretary
Sexton