According to: 1896 Description of Cemeteries in Manchester NH
From: Willey's semi-centennial book of Manchester, 1846-1896, by George F. Willey; Manchester, N.H.: G.F. Willey, 1896

"The city owns two large cemeteries, beautiful now and growing in beauty with age. The older of the two, known as the "Valley Cemetery," is situated on the southern verge of the compact part of the city, and the industry of business is encircling it with manufactories, though in 1840, when the Amoskeag Company gave it to the city, it was considered far out of town. It contains nineteen and seventenths acres, and is bounded by Auburn, Pine, Valley and Willow Streets. The conditions of the deed are such that the land can be used for no other purposes than for a burying-ground and the Company reserved the right to flow the valley in it through which the Cemetery brook passes. The lots are now all taken up, and as early as 1855 the need for another resting-place for the dead became so apparent as to cause the purchase by the city in that year, from John S. Kidder and George M. Flanders, of two adjacent tracts of land about two miles and a half south of the city hall, between the Calef road and the River road. These contained about forty acres and were called the "Pine Grove Cemetery."

In accordance with the provisions of the deed of the Valley a committee was appointed in 1841 to assume its charge and has been annually appointed since, the Pine Grove being also placed under its care. The formal dedication occurred on the fifth of July, 1841, when the Sunday schools of the city, accompanied by many citizens and escorted by the Stark Guards, marched in procession to the spot.

ADDITIONAL NOTES: Valley Street cemetery sits on 20 acres donated by the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company in 1840. As this lot had a deep ravine or "valley" running through the middle of it, it was called Valley Cemetery (not Valley "St." cemetery). It was to be modeled after Mount Auburn Cemetery in Mass, and be landscaped and serve as a showplace for carriage rides and strolls, even picnics! It did for a while.

SEE Article: Sleep Sweetly: Manchester New Hampshire's Connection to Marchiness Margaret (Fuller) Ossoli - Blog: Cow Hampshire [How the son of Margaret Fuller Ossoli happened to have been buried in Valley Cemetery for a while]

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CLICK on the thumbnail photographs to see a larger view.

Valley Cemetery Manchester NH - this impressive tomb in style of Greek temple -- of Frederick Smythe (died 1899), twice Governor. Abraham Lincoln spoke at his home in March 1860 and Smythe introduced the pre-president Lincoln to NH citizens. One can see this stone has quite a bit of graffiti on it.	Stone Chapel door, dedicated 1932, gothic style, no longer in use.	Gravestone for Mary Elliot - founder of Elliot Hospital
Crypt door on the "Harrington" tomb. Done in the form of an Egyptian temple. Was twice Mayor of Manchester. This photo (as have others) has been computer-enhanced to show more details.	This "city tomb" was built into the hillside to store coffins in the frozen winters.	Ivy on the side of the City Tomb
Example of one of the fine and mature trees in the cemetery	Monument for Moody Currier (died 1898), once state senator and governor. Uncanoonuc Mtns in background.	Example of the long and overgrown staircases that lead from the "top" landscape to the "valley"
This picture taken in the "valley" of one of the mausoleums. At one time this was a beautifully landscaped area with flowers, small bridges, etc.	Steps leading back up the other side of the valley.	Another door of the chapel, very color enhanced. Not sure why, but I like this door.
Interesting stone.	A long shot of the small chapel. Perhaps had stained glass windows, long gone.	Trees planted down this road "like columns"
Row of gravestones. Many stones in poor shape, hard to read dates or names.	Japanese yew bushes...	and beneath the yew, a stone -- and grave of one of the Blood family
Remains of early settlers were moved from the earlier Christian Brook Cemetery, along with their stones, to this site. This is on the left, Samual Stark (1727-1800), brother of Revolutionary War hero "Gen John Stark" (aka "Live Free or Die" motto) and Samuel's wife Elizabeth Stark (1739-1818).	A more wide angled shot of the cemetery with path to the right.	Tall tree over an interesting stone.
.	Interesting bark on a tree in Valley Cemetery	.