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Cold Springs Cemetery
USA, NY, Niagara, Lockport



From History of Niagara County, N.Y., With Illustrations Descriptive of its Scenery, Private Residences, Public Buildings, Fine Blocks, and Important Manufactories, and Portraits of Old Pioneers and Prominent Residents: 1821-1878, Sanford & Co., New York, pages 269-270:

"Cold Spring Cemetery is located on an undulating slope, facing the north, near the Cold Springs—from which it takes its name—about two miles east of the city [of Lockport]. It is artistically laid out, and shaded by trees of natural growth. Considerable labor has been expended in ornamenting and transforming the naturally picturesque grounds into an appropriate place for the repose of the dead.

"The plan of the cemetery was conceived as early as 1838, and an organization effected with the following names gentlemen as trustees: Joel McCollum, Wright Lattin, Joseph T. Bellah, William C. House and Samuel G. Hamilton. By an act of the Legislature the Cold Spring Cemetery Association was incorporated May 7th, 1840. The following is an extract from the act of incorporation: 'Asa W. Douglas, Asahel Scovill, Horace Birdsall, James D. Shuler and Freeman Kilburn, and such other persons as may hereafter associate with them, are hereby constituted a body corporate by the name of "The Cold Spring Cemetery Association," with power to take, hold and convey real and personal estate for the use of said corporation to the amount of $10,000.' By the conditions of the same act the five persons mentioned above were constituted a board of trustees, who the same year (1846) purchased 10 acres of land of Stephen Wakeman—adjoining an old burying ground which had been in existence for many years previous—paying $649 for the same, and platted them. The lots at first sold as low as from five to fifteen dollars. In 1844 a tax of five hundred dollars was levied upon the village of Lockport, and three acres purchased from the association for a 'potter’s field' or free burying place, subject, nevertheless, to the control of the trustees of the Cold Spring association. In 1855, right of way through these grounds was granted to the Rochester and Niagara Falls railroad, which cut off the potter’s field from the main grounds. In 1876 the association purchased an addition of five acres, at a cost of $300 per acre, and in the fall of 1877 erected a stone vault, near the main entrance, at an expense of about $800.

"The first sexton appointed to take charge of these grounds was Jonas Hartzell in December, 1841. The present superintendent is John H. Clark, appointed in January, 1876.

"The present officers of the association are John H. Buck, president, and Peter D. Walter, secretary. The trustees are John H. Buck, Peter D. Walter, James Jackson, jr., George H. Elliott and Hiram Benedict.

"Many of the most distinguished of the early settlers and residents of Lockport and vicinity are buried there, and many of the tombstones recall thoughts of the days of the early existence of the village. Jesse Hawley, the honored projector of the Erie Canal, is interred in Cold Spring Cemetery, and there, also, rest the remains of the mother of the late George Peabody, the great banker and philanthropist of London."

 

Cold Springs Cemetery covers approximately 50 acres just east of USA, NY, Niagara, Lockport. It is at the corner of Cold Springs Road and Chestnut Ridge Road (Route 31). There are two main entrances, one off Cold Springs Road, and one off Chestnut Ridge Road.

Satellite View of Cold Springs Cemetery | Map View of Cold Springs Cemetery

Wilson Family Members Known to be Buried in Cold Springs Cemetery



Collateral Family Members Known to be Buried in Cold Springs Cemetery