Yes, by land transfers - connected.
FIRST - MASONIC HALL PROPERTY
The parcel now known as the land owned by the Mason's appears to have been consolidated some time ago to form one huge parcel.
The Masonic Fund Society for the County of Allegheny purchased 42 acres of land in 1994 from the Catholic Cemeteries Association of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Inc. for $610,000.
BUT there is a caveat! Included in the deed transferring the property from the Catholic Church to the Masonic Fund Society is this....
" RESERVING AND EXCEPTING therefrom and thereout all that lot of lands of Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society bound and described.
Beginning at the northeast corner of said property S 01" 40; 00" W a distance of 130 feet to a point. Thense N88" 20" 00" W a distance of 135.00 feet to a point. Thense N 01" 40' 00" E a distance of 130 feet to a point. Thence N 88" 20' 00" E a distance of 135 feet to the point of beginning. Land being located in the norteast eare of Parcel I, as set forth on the above-mentioned subdivision."
Also noted is a paragraph that included this statement:
BEING part of the same property which Right Reverned Regis Canevin, by his deed dated March 14, 1910... granted and conveyed to North Side Catholic Cemetery. And also being part of the same property which Rosemont, Mount Hope and Evergreen United Cemeteries, by deed dated December 14, 1917, ... conveyed to the North Side Cemetery. By Aarticles of Consolidation, recorded December 29, 1952... NOrth Side Catholic Cemetery and other corporations were cosolidated into the Catholic Cemeteries Association of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. See also the Contract and Agreement by and between United States Investment Co., Ltd. and Rosemont, Mount Hope and Everreen United Cemeteries, dated April 20, 1905, and recorded May 12, 1905 ... and also the Contract by and between United States Investment Company, Ltd and to Watch Tower Bible Society, dated January 10, 1916, and recorded December 13, 1917. And also the Indenture from Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society to North Side Catholic Cemetery, dated December 13, 1917, and recorded January 18, 1918.
On the Masonic property survey was a small rectangular area clear on the other side of the Mason's Lodge from Russell's gravesite that has been deemed "not to be included in the assessment" Hmmm.... 130x135 feet? Looked like it could easily be those dimensions...
SECOND ROSEMONT CEMETERY
This was a little trickier. We went back as far as 1921 before I became saturated.
At one time, the cemetery was two parcels and still is (sort of - the Lot and Block Numbers are 217-H-10 (01) and 217-H-10 (02)) and was owned by John Schweiger.
Upon his death, his executrix, Mary Schweiger released both parcels. One appears to be a normal sale from John Schweiger's estate to Rosemont, Mount Hope and Evergreen United Cemeteries for $18,000 on July 30, 1919. This parcel appears to have been acquired from Catherine A. Lebauda, by deed dated August 1909. The second parcel is different. One paragraph reads,
"THAT, whereas, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society... by Indenture dated March 12, 1918, ...did grant and convey unto the said John Schweiger all the residue of a certain tract of land, situate in the said Township of Ross, containing 12 acres, more or less and excepting and reserving therefrom and thereout the following lots or tracts of land... designated as burial lots for the members of the said Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society; ..."
then further down the page...
"Excepting and reserving therefrom and thereout a tract containing 77.41 acres, conveyed by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society to the North Side Catholic Cemetery by deed dated December 13, 1917... The remaining portion of said tract and the lands hereby conveyed, contain 12 acres, more or less.
SUBJECT however, to all of the exceptions, reservations and restrictions as set forth in deed from the Watch Tower bible and Tract Society to the said John Schweiger, dated March 12, 1918...""
HUGE SIGH....
I'm tired of typing.
I really wish I knew how to post jpg images on my iMac. You guys could analyze it yourselves.... If anyone knows how, send me a message!
