Monument Documentation

This is the Burnet Vault (crypt) Section 22 lot 52. From the first time I saw this crypt it caught my attention. It was so beautiful and elaborate. It is in fair condition considering the weathered surface with no signs of devestating vandalism. The one thing that caught my eye first was the angels holding the veil. The veil is supposed to represent the crossing over from life into death, but when I think of a veil I think of entering into what Christians call the Holy of Holies. This is the place in the temple where only the spirit can enter and I think that this family may have had some religious connotations attached to that veil. Maybe they believed they would all enter into God's presence after death into a new life. There are 2 spots on the front of the monument that look as if there might have been something there earlier on but there is nothing that says that there were. On many cathedrals though there are places like this on the outside walls where statues of saints are placed, maybe it is a symbol of emptiness or that the saints inside the vault have gone on to the next life.

Some iconography on the monument was an urn on both top corners of the front of the building used as a common decoration for this time period even though this monument has no one in it who is cremated. Kind of ironic. Also underneath the name carved under the angels are a bundle of poppy flowers which is normally associated with sleep or death. The angels represent intermediaries between God and humanity. This family must have believed in Guardian angels or that they had a very close connection to God. The two anges are holding up a viel and between them is an urn. Most monuments have the urn draped with the veil and I like that this one added a little twist to that common symbol. Also, right across from this beautiful monument is a lake with water springing up. I just thougth that was such a perfect place for this particular crypt.
Inside the crypt's vault I found through my research that there were the remains of at least 10 people in the Burnet family. Some were married in while others were born into the family. The following are the members buried in the vault for sure: David Burnet, George W. Burnet Sr. and Jr., hannah Burnet, harriot Burnet, Jacob Burnet Sr. and Jr., Robert W. Burnet, Staats G. Burnet, and Mary Stubbs.The earliest born member was George W. Burnet born in 1805. He was also the earliest burial, put in the vault on May 11, 1859. The lates deceases was Jacob Burnet who died on July 16, 1910 and was also buried last on July 21, 1920. A lot of this family was moved to the vault or the the lot from Presbetyrian Cemetery in Cincinnati, OH. The ones who came from this cemetery were David, Hannah, harriot, Jacob Jr., Jacob Sr., Robert Jr., and Staats G. The name used in the documentation for this vault was Vachel Worthington's vault. Only once was it called the Burnet vault. I'm not sure why that is. Also I am guessing that Charles Pomeroy and Robert Pomeroy either had some distant relation to the Burnet's, were close friends of the family, or bought those spots from owner Robert W. Burnet of the lot.

Here is a informational list of the people buried inside the vault:

David Burnet-died same month he was born. Son of Jacob and Rebecca.

George W. Barnet-died of pneumonia. Son of Robert and Margaret Barnet. Died at 32 years old.

George W. Barnet-died at 54 years old of consumption.

Hannah Barnet-died at one month old. Daughter of Jacob and Rebecca.

Harriot Barnet-died at one year old. Daughter of Rebecca and Jacob.

Jacob Barnet Jr.-son of Rebecca and Jacob Sr.

Jacob Barnet Sr.-died at 83 years old son of Mary Barnet

Robert W. Barnet-died at 90 years old. Owner of lot.

Staats Groesbeck Barnet-died at 7 years old. Parents were John and Rebecca.

Mary Stubbs-was born in England, died in Rhode Island, died at 88 years old.

The following is a list of the people buried on the lot but no in the vault:

John Groesbeck Barnet-died at 35 years old of diptheria.

Margarent Groesbeck Barnet-died at 75 years old of angina pectoris. Daughter of John and Mary.

Rebecca Barnet-born in Delaware, died at 89 years old of "congestion in lungs and heart."

Robert W. Barnet Jr.-died at 5 years old of "casualty."

Charles C. Pomeroy-died at 65 years old of heart disease. Born in cincinnati. Died in New York.

Robert B. Pomeroy- died at 5 days old of heart disease.