THE RESTORATION OF FLORENCE'S ENGLISH CEMETERY

Chronology: 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014a | 2014b | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 

I became Custodian of Florence's so-called English Cemetery, owned by the Swiss Evangelical Reformed Church, in August 2000. At that point this was the appearance of the Cemetery, from fifty years of neglect and the use of chemical weedkillers and gravel, though it had once been a most beautiful garden until the 1950s, a gardener and his family having been given the premises by the Comune in 1877.

At first I was only allowed the library for which Carlo Steinhauslin encouraged the formation of a Friends of the Library Association. Next we found that there was a decision to shut down and abandon the English Cemetery on the part of its successor, the Allori Cemetery, because it seemed impossible to restore it. Only the President, the former Swiss Consul, Gerardo Kraft, myself, and the international public wanted to save the English Cemetery from this decision. I proposed that our Aureo Anello Associazione now also serve as Friends of the Cemetery as well as of Friends of the Library and together we began a petition which garnered 6000 international signatures. From the beginning we carried out an intense programme of research into all our tombs and all our burials, to valorize the cemetery, with the able assistance of descendants and scholars in the field, particularly Mikhail Talalay of the Russian Academy of Science for the Russian burials, and Anthony and Diana Webb for the English burials, as both nations kept archives, in St Petersburg and in London, of all their foreign burials, their churches acting as Civil Services, while the American burials were researched by Jeffrey Begeal.

In 2001 a Romanian Roma family expertly restored the dry wall along the east side of the cemetery stopping the severe erosion in Sector D where the tombs previously were leaning and falling.

In 2003-2004, learning that the Cemeteries' Committee wanted to shut down and abandon Florence's English Cemetery, we launched a petition and an Emergency Appeal to raise funds for its restoration. I published the following account of the vandalism and degradation that needed to be put right urgently and sought funds for this.

First drywall (now repaired, Aureo Anello, 26/3/2004)

 
 
The second wall, of masonry, below the first one, now has broken or missing tiles to protect it from water seepage.

   

A detail of the eroded dry wall (now repaired).

       

The cracks caused by the lack of protective tiles along the tops of the walls.
    
     
This image shows the shield with the lily, symbol of Florence, likely sculpted in Arnolfo di Cambio's workshop in the thirteenth century, originally on the medieval city gate of Porta a' Pinti, and then placed on the north wall of the cemtery, now at risk of being damaged if the wall itself is not repaired. The Guelf coat of arms, from the same Porta a' Pinti, which at the Risorgimento was destroyed along with the medieval walls to the city of Florence.
 
     
Now repaired. The falling wall exposed a tomb that leaned precariously over the edge.

The hill of the cemetery was a medieval rubbish dump, and we often find fragments of hand-painted majolica pottery. The earth subsides and consequently the tombs are subject to damage. The blue T or crutch is from a piece of pottery, a cup or bowl used for a patient at the Santa Maria Nuova Hospital, .

 

Sector D Click for map
WhiteSilence Click for chapters giving more information on tombs

The Swiss Salvetti community in Florence with its closely clustered tombs side by side with those of the Gilli, dates back at least to 1800, while the Gilli family has been present here since 1733. There are also Salvetti burials in the ancient Livorno delle Nazione/English Cemetery.

D67/ CATHERINE (TOGNONI) SALVETTI/ SVIZZERA
Urna e colonna. Marmista ignoto. Sec. XIX, post 8/1834. Ambito toscano. Urna con iscrizione entro tabula, urna caduta dalla colonna, colonna in marmo bianco. Possibile intervento di consolidamento. [M: A: 179; L/P: circum: 133; L: 56; P: 56; P.s.: A: 22; L: 85; P: 85.] Iscrizione sepolcrale in francese incisa in lettere capitali e numeri arabi: ICI SONT DEPOSES/ LE DEPOUILLES MORTELLES DE CATHERINE TOGNONO VEUVE SALVETTI/ QUI NACQUIT A BEVERS EN SUISSE LE 8 MARS 1767 ET MOURUT A FLORENCE LE 30/ AOUT/ J'AI COMBATTU LE BON COMBAT J'AI FINI/ MA COURSE JAI GARDE LA . . . / LA COURONNE DE JUSTICE . . . / Registro alfabetico delle persone tumulate nel Cimitero di Pinti: Salvetti/ Caterina/ Svizzera/ Firenze/ 30 Agosto/ 1834/ Anni 58/ 100/ See Giacomo Gaudenzio Salvetti. Chiesa Evangelica Riformata Svizzera, 1827-present.  Nulla osta.
D68/ GIACOMO GAUDENZIO SALVETTI/ SVIZZERA
ALLA MEMORIA/ DI/ GIACOMO SALVETTI/ . . ./ Eglise Evangelique-Reformée de Florence Régistre des Morts: Jacques (Giacomo) Gaudenzio Salvetti, Bourgeois de Samaden, Canton des Grisons en Suisse, né e domicilié a Florence, celibatair, ancien negociant, fils de Gaudenzio Salvetti et de Catherine, née Tognioni, son épouse/ Q 146: 465 Paoli/ Registro alfabetico delle persone tumulate nel Cimitero di Pinti: Salvetti/ Giacomo Gaudenzio/ Gaudenzio/ Svizzera/ Firenze/ 11 Settembre/ 1854/ Anni 64/ 551/ See Catherine (Tognoni) Salvetti. Chiesa Evangelica Riformata Svizzera, 1827-present. 
D69/ CLARA MATHILDE SALVETTI WETSZYNTHUS/ SVIZZERA
Scultura. Scultore: Giuseppe Lazzerini, docente presso l'Accademia di Carrara, pellicano con la sua pietà, sacro cuore, fenice, ouroboros sul globo celeste, faci capovolte, e 16 ancore a simboleggiare Fede, Speranza, Carità (virtù teologali), Risurrezione ed Eternità. Possibile intervento di pulitura. [M: A: 295; L: 93.5; P: 93.5.] Iscrizione sepolcrale in francese incisa in lettere capitali e numeri romani e arabi: CLARA MATHILDE WETZYNTHUS/ NEE SALVETTI/ NEE A FLORENCE LE 2 JUILLET MDCCCII/ MORTE LE 8 SEPTEMBRE MDCCCLXIII/ J'AI COMBATTUE LE BON COMBAT/ J'ACHEVE MA COURSE J'AI GARDE LA FOI/ II TIM IV.7/ QUOIQU'IL EN SOIT IL EST MON ROCHER/ MA DELIVRANCE ET MA HAUTE/ RETRAIT/ JE NE SERAIT POINT EBRANLE/ PS LXII.7// TU NE REVIENDRAS PLUS VERS NOUS/ O MERE CHERIE/ MAIS NOUS IRONS VERS TOI!/ NOUS PLEURONS ET NOUS GEMISSONS/ MAIS NON PAS COMME SEUX/ QUI N'ONT POINT D'ESPERANCE// L'AGNEAU QUI EST AU MILIEU DU/ TRONE LES PAITRA ET LES CONDUIRA/ AUX SOURCES D'EAUX VIVES ET DIEU/ ESSUIERA TOUTE LARME DE LEURS YEUX/ APOC VIII.17/ Eglise Evangelique-Reformée de Florence Régistre des Morts: Clara Mathilde Wetzinthius, veuve de George Thomas, Suisse, rentière, fille de Gaudenz Salvetti/ Registro alfabetico delle persone tumulate nel Cimitero di Pinti: Salvetti in Westzynthius/ Clara Matilde/ Gaudenzio/ Svizzera/ Firenze/ 8 Settembre/ 1863/ Anni 62/ 845/ Belle Arti 1993-1997 scheda. Chiesa Evangelica Riformata Svizzera, 1827-present. 
D21O/ D70/ 79/ GEORGE THOMAS WETZYNTHUS/ SWEDEN
Urna su colonna. Marmista: Francesco Giovanozzi. Sec. XIX, post 7/1833. Ambito toscano. Colonna in marmo sormontata da un'urna, iscrizione incisa. Possibile intervento di consolidamento e pulitura.  [M: A: 162; L/ P circum: 122; P.s. A: 10; L: 50; P: 50.] See N° 80 1828-1844/ II: 1859-1865 'Registre des Sepultures avec detail des frais, Francs 366.99/ Registro alfabetico delle tumulazioni nel Cimitero di Pinti: Wetzynthius/ Giorgio Tommaso/ / Svezia/ Firenze/ 29 Luglio/ 1833/ Mesi 30/ 79/ See Salvetti. Chiesa Evangelica Riformata Svizzera, 1827-present.   
D71/ CATERINA SALVETTI/ SVIZZERA
Urna su colonna. Scultore: P.Bazzanti.F Sec. XIX, post 5/1830. Ambito toscano. Colonna in marmo bianco sormontata da un'urna, iscrizione entro tabula. [M:: A: 189; circum: 128; L: 52; P: 52.] Iscrizione sepolcrale incisa in lettere capitali e numeri arabi: CATERINA SALVETTI/ L'ANCILLA PER LA DOLE E COSTUITI/ PREGIATA/ MORTA IL 30 MAGGIO 1830/ QUESTO TITOLO DI DOLORE/ LA MADRE E I FI..LI POSERO/ Registro alfabetico delle persone tumulate nel Cimitero di Pinti: Salvetti/ Catarina/ / Svizzera/ Firenze/ 30 Maggio/ / 1830/ 36. Chiesa Evangelica Riformata Svizzera, 1827-present.  Nulla osta.

       
Base of above Swiss tomb showing how supporting slab has fallen against next tomb, causing the column with urn to lean dangerously. This column and urn is just above the tomb of Theodore Parker. Funds were received from Aureo Anello to have the Allori stonemason straighten this tomb but he did not carry it out.

These tombs when they would fall would damage the tomb of the 'Famous American Preacher', Theodore Parker, sculpted by William Wetmore Story, and commissioned by Frederick Douglass, who visited here 11 May 1877, replacing the earlier one by the American Joel Hart, who is also buried here, and whose other sculpture in the Cemetery is of Southwood Smith. Theodore Parker's was in grave danger of falling and its Carrara marble smashing into pieces. It was recently cleaned by the students of the Istituto per l'Arte e il Restauro. [Now repaired with funds from Aureo Anello]

D108/ THEODORE PARKER/ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Cippo. Primo cippo scultore Joel Tanner Hart, secondo cippo (l'attuale) di William Wetmore Story. Sec. XIX, post 5/1860. Ambito toscano. Cippo in marmo scolpito, entro medaglione con foglie d'alloro effige di Theodore Parker. Intervento di restauro conservativo Scuola per l'Arte ed il Restauro di Palazzo Spinelli, 1999, di Daniel-Claudiu Dumitrescu, 3/2016. [M: A: 200; L: 90.5; P: 29; RP.s. A: 24; L: 115; P: 200.] Iscrizione sepolcrale in inglese incisa in lettere capitali e numeri arabi: THEODORE PARKER/ THE GREAT AMERICAN PREACHER/ BORN AT LEXINGTON MASSACHUSETTS/ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/ AUGUST 24TH 1810/ DIED AT FLORENCE ITALY/ MAY 10 1860/ HIS NAME IS ENGRAVED IN MARBLE/ HIS VIRTUES IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE HE/ HELPED TO FREE FROM SLAVERY/ AND SUPERSTITION/ Eglise Evangelique-Reformée de Florence Régistre des Morts: Le Reverent Theodore Parker, Lexington /Massachusetts aux Etats-Unis), fils de John Parker et de son épouse Hannah née Stearns/  II: 1859-1865 'Registre des Sepultures avec detail des frais, Paoli 1768/ Q 403: 1103 Paoli/ Hull Packet/  Registro alfabetico delle persone tumulate nel Cimitero di Pinti: Parker/ Rev. Teodoro/ Giovanni/ America/ Firenze/ 10 Maggio/ 1860/ Anni 49/ 698/ Freeman, 232-235/ N&Q 75. Theodore Parker, the great American preacher, b. at Lexington, Mass. 24 Aug 1810, ob. 10 May 1860. Belle Arti 1993-1997 scheda. Chiesa Evangelica Riformata Svizzera, 1827-present.
 
      From right    a From left
 

On the other side of the path two tombstones had already fallen.  A massive tomb slab to Margaret McNab leaning to one side because of the movement of the hill. and the other

Sector E
WhiteSilence

E7/ FRANCIS ALLEN WOODALL/ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Cippo. Marmista ignoto. Sec. XIX, post 8/1865. Ambito toscano. Cippo caduto. Intervento di pulitura Scuola per l'Arte ed il Restauro di Palazzo Spinelli, 2008. Intervento di consolidamento, Gheorghe Petrache, 2009. [M: A: 107; L: 54; P: 18; R: A: 25; L: 90; P: 170.] Iscrizione sepolcrale in inglese incisa in lettere capitali e numeri arabi: WIFE AND SON/ OF/ FRANCIS WOODALL/ BORN IN KENTUCKY, U.S.A./ DIED IN FLORENCE/ AUGUST 12 1865/ Eglise Evangelique-Reformée de Florence Régistre des Morts: Allen F. Woodall, Lexington, Amerique/ II: 1859-1865 'Registre des Sepultures avec detail des frais, Francs 175.55/ Timothy Bigelow Lawrence, Consular Records, Bigelow to Seward, Death of Allen F. Woodall of Convington, KY, Died of consumption, 12 August 1864/ Registro alfabetico delle persone tumulate nel Cimitero di Pinti:Woodall/ Allen F. / / America/ Firenze/ 12 Agosto/ 1864/ Anni 37/ 876/ N&Q 375. Francis A. Woodall, b. in Kentucky, ob. 12 Aug., 1865. Erected by his w. and son/ Eglise Evangelique-Reformée de Florence Régistre des Morts: Norma Pierucci née Woodwall, l'Amerique]/ III: 1865-1870 'Registre des Sepultures' avec detail des frais, from 2 to 1 class, 177 Francs/ Registro alfabetico delle persone tumulate nel Cimitero di Pinti: Woodall nei Pierucci/ Norma/ / America/ 29 Settembre/ 1864/ Anni 22/ 880]/°=Polk Laffoon, Chiesa Evangelica Riformata Svizzera, 1827-present.

Sector A
WhiteSilence

A46/ SUSAN MARIA DALTON/ AMERICA
Cippo. Marmista ignoto. Sec. XIX, post 7/1875. Ambito toscano. Cippo in marmo bianco, scolpito con bassorilievo, molto danneggiato, basamento in pietra serena, pietra serena molto erosa, recinto in ferro. Intervento conservativo sul ferro Daniel Dumitrescu, 2008. Cippo crollato nel 2004 dall'erosione della base di pietra serena. Possibile intervento di ripristino. [M: A:120; L: 59.5; P: 8.7; P.s. A: 31; L: 81.4; P: 31.2; RP.s.F: A: 62; L: 90; P: 208.] Iscrizione sepolcrale in inglese in lettere capitali e numeri arabi in piombo applicate e numeri arabi: SUSAN M. DALTON/ BORN IN BOSTON/ APRIL 26/ 1833/ DIED IN FLORENCE/ DEC 6 1875/ WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT, ENTER THOU INTO THE JOY OF THY LORD [Matthew25.21]/ 1336/ Registro alfabetico delle persone tumulate nel Cimitero di Pinti: Dalton/ Susanna Maria/ Giacomo/ Inghilterra/ Firenze/ 6 Dicembre/ 1875/ Anni 42/ 1336/ N&Q 259. Susan M. Dalton, b. in Boston, 25 Ap, 1833 r ob. 6 Dec., 1875. Chiesa Evangelica Riformata Svizzera, 1827-present. Nulla osta.

         
Tombstone that fell, April, 2003, likely from mould in the cement which we could clearly smell.

With the movement of the terrain some of the tombs break like this.

Sector E
WhiteSilence
 
E107/ RICHARD WOODWORD/ ENGLAND
Tomba in forma di croce. Marmista ignoto. Sec. XIX, post 10/1862. Ambito toscano. Tomba in pietra serena in forma di croce orizzontale, ora spezzata. Possibile intervento di consolidamento. [P.s. A: 187; L: 72; P: 34; RP.s.: A: 37.5; L: 107; P: 225.] Iscrizione sepolcrale in inglese incisa in lettere capitali e numeri arabi, quasi illeggibile. Richard Woodworth, l'Angleterre, fils de William Woodworth et de Rose Anna/ Obituary, Times, Freeman's Journal, Manchester Times, Richard, eldest son of Mr William Woodward, Ashfield House/ Registro alfabetico delle persone tumulate nel Cimitero di Pinti: Woodward/ Riccardo/ Guglielmo/ Inghilterra/ Firenze/ 14 Ottobre/ 1862/ Anni 36/ 810/ +/ N&Q 415. Richard Woodward, of Manchester, ob 14 Oct., 1862, a. 38. Chiesa Evangelica Riformata Svizzera, 1827-present.

 

And others lean like this:

Sector F
WhiteSilence

F39/ ERNST JONAS FREDRIK KJELLANDER/ SVEZIA
Colonna spezzata. Marmista ignoto. Sec. XIX, post 1835. Ambito toscano. Colonna spezzata incisa in marmo bianco. [M: A: 103; L: 60; P: 60; P.s. A: 38; L: 86; P: 86.] Iscrizione sepolcrale latina incisa in lettere capitali e numeri romani e arabi: ERNESTUS JONAS FREDERICUS KJELLANDER PHILOSOPHIAE MAGISTER ET AD ACADEMIAM UPSALIENSEM DOCENS/ NATUS D. V DEC 1812/ OBIIT D. XXIII JAN 1835/ HAEC EST VITA AETERNA UT TE COGNOSCANT SOLUM/ VERUM DEUM ET QUEM TU MISISTI JESUM CHRISTUM/ JOH. XVII.III// 113/ Registro alfabetico delle tumulazione nel Cimitero di Pinti: Kjellander/ Ernesto Giona/ / Svezia/ Bonconvento/ Giugno/ 1835/ Anni 22/ 113. Chiesa Evangelica Riformata Svizzera, 1827-present.

F77/ MARCHESA ANN JEANNETTE MARY (BEAUFOY FIELD FABBRI) RUSCONI/ ENGLAND
Lastra. Marmista ignoto. Sec. XIX, post 2/1864. Ambito toscano. Recinzione in ghisa restaurata, Romagnoli, 2008. [M: A: 8.5; L: 146; P: 72.5; P.s. A: 20; L: 155; P: 82; RP.s.F: A: 144; L: 205; P: 121.] Iscrizione sepolcrale incisa in lettere capitali e numeri arabi: QUI RIPOSA/ LA MARCHESA JEANNETTE RUSCONI/ NATA DE BEAUFOY FIELD/ VEDOVA FABRI IN PRIME NOZZE/ INGLESE DI PATRIA/ . . . LIVORNO/ IL MARCHESE ACHILLE RUSCONI/ DI LEI MARITO/ VOLLE QUI FOSSE DEPOSTA/ PERCHE DORM . . . /ESULTASE LO SPIRITO DI CLARA WALSH/ CHE FU CUGINA ED AMICA/ QUESTA LAPIDE POTESSE . . ./ DEFUNTA/ Records, Guildhall Library, London: GL23777/1 N° 342, Burial 25/02/64, Rev Isaac King/ Registro alfabetico delle tumulazione nel Cimitero di Pinti: Rusconi Vedova Fabbri nata Beaufoy Field/ Giovanna/ Inghilterra/ Livorno/ 22 Febbraio/ 1864/ Anni 32/ 863/ See Field Beaufoy/ CLARA WALSH/ ENGLAND/  Clara Walsh, l'Angleterre/ CemArchives 3: 815 Claire Walsh F499.55/ 816 Claire Walsh F39.40/ GL23777/1 N° 318 Burial 13/02 Rev Ponton, 'inward complaint'/ Walsh/ Clara/ / Inghilterra/ Firenze/ 11 Febbraio/ 1863/ Anni 63/ 815/ See tomb of the Marchesa Jeannette Rusconi. Chiesa Evangelica Riformata Svizzera, 1827-present.
 
 
Two years ago this wrought iron fence was intact, recently it collapsed. There are other fine iron structures in the cemetery, both to protect and to decorate the tombs, in need of restoration.

22 giugno 2004: Alcuni studenti con un intervenendo inappropriato (per un'ora circa è stato utilizzato un compressore e la polvere di vetro) sulla tomba di Giampietro Vieusseux hanno reso il marmo di questo sepolcro più poroso. L'intervento comunque inappropriato in quanto il monumento era già stato restaurato dall'Opificio delle Pietre Dure dopo un lungo e accurato lavoro di restauro conservativo (il restauro iniziato e portato a termine nei mesi estivi è stato eseguito lavorando sotto un ombrellone):

F48/ GIOVAN PIETRO VIEUSSEUX/SVIZZERA
Sarcofago. Marmista ignoto. Sec. XIX, post  4/1863. Ambito toscano. Sarcofago in marmo bianco scolpito con medaglione, foglie di quercia, olivo, felce. Restaurata: Opificio delle Pietre Dure e Palazzo Spinelli. [M: A: 130; L: 180.8; P: 57; P.s. A: 37; L: 188.5; P: 67.]  Iscrizione sepolcrale in piombo in lettere capitali e numeri romani: / PX/ A GIAMPIETRO VIEUSSEUX/ NATO IN ONEGLIA DI FAMIGLIA GINEVRINA/ IL XXVIIII DI SETTEMBRE MDCCLXXVIIII/ MANCATO IN FIRENZE IL XXVIII D'APRILE MDCCCLXIII/ GLI AMICI ED ESTIMATORI/ DEI MOLTI SUOI MERITI VERSO LA CIVILTA' ITALIANA/ POSERO QUESTO MONUMENTO/ [Swiss Cross]/ Eglise Evangelique-Reformée de Florence Régistre des Morts: Jean Pierre Vieusseux, Genève, rentier, fils de Pierre Vieusseux et de Jean Elisabeth, née Vieusseux/ Registro alfabetico delle tumulazione nel Cimitero di Pinti: Vieusseux/ Gio: Pietro/ Pietro/ Svizzera/ Firenze/ 28 Aprile/ 1863/ Anni 83/ 828/ Belle Arti scheda, 1993-1997. Chiesa Evangelica Riformata Svizzera, 1827-present.

                                                             
                                                                              Harper's Monthly engraving 

     
Back of tomb with glass powder:             Back and Side with Glass Powder:

Sector A
WhiteSilence
 
A29/ WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR/ ENGLAND
Lastra in marmo con lettere in piombo. Intervento di restauro Meridiana Restauri, Alberto Casciani, 2006. Barfucci afferma che la lastra originaria fu sostituita nel 1946. Nel settore B cippo con il nome ad indicare la collocazione della tomba. [M: A: 4.5; L: 69; P: 141; P.s.: A: 38; L: 78; P: 151.] Iscrizione sepolcrale in inglese in lettere capitali e numeri arabi, incisa: IN MEMORY OF/ WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR/ BORN 30th OF JANUARY 1775/ DIED 17th OF SEPTEMBER 1864/ AND THOU HIS FLORENCE TO THY TRUST/ RECEIVE AND KEEP/ KEEP SAFE HIS DEDICATED DUST/ HIS SACRED SLEEP/ SO SHALL THY LOVERS COME FROM FAR/ MIX WITH THY NAME/ MORNING STAR WITH EVENING STAR/ HIS FAULTLESS FAME/ A.G. SWINBURNE / Eglise Evangelique-Reformée de Florence Régistre des Morts: Walter Savage Landor, l'Angleterre/ II: 1859-1865 'Registre des Sepultures avec detail des frais, Francs 387.88/ Records, Guildhall Library, London: GL23777/1 N° 348 Burial 19/09, Rev Pendleton/ Registro alfabetico delle tumulazioni nel Cimitero di Pinti: Landor/ Gualtiero Savage/ / Inghilterra/ Firenze/ 17 Settembre/ 1864/ Anni 90/ 879/ Thomas Adolphus Trollope, What I Remember, II.244-262, notes Landor and the Garrows knew each other well from Devon days, gives Landor's letter about Kate Field's Atlantic Monthly article mentioning the Alinari photograph of himself/ N&Q Walter Savage Landor, ob. 17 Sept 1864/ NDNB entry/ Freeman, 223/ Belle Arti scheda/°=Gen. Pier Lamberto Negroni Bentivoglio. Chiesa Evangelica Riformata Svizzera, 1827-present.

    
Walter Savage Landor's tomb before and following cleaning, paid for by Aureo Anello, by the Allori stonemason

In 2005 I paid €1000,00 for the curved railings at the entrance as before it was too difficult for elderly and handicapped people to visit the cemetery. I also painted the gates to stop the rivers of rust that poured down the steps in every rain storm.



I talked with the Opificio delle Pietre Dure and with Bruno Santi of the Soprintendenza for help for the English Cemetery as it was in very poor condition. I asked Bruno Santi's permission for Iris Fromm, Master Mason, to repair the most conspicuously vandalized and broken tombs and paid €2000,00 for her to come with her truck and materials from Bavaria. She arrived 13 October and worked through 13 November, restoring 23 tombs of 28 burials.

Sector A
WhiteSilence

JULA GRANDJEAN/ SVIZZERA / Grandjean/ Giulia/ / Svizzera/ Firenze/ 11 Febbraio/ 1869/ Anni 56/ 1037/ Julie Grandjean, Canton de Vaud, Suisse, gouvernante/ JULA GRANDJEAN/ DEC 11 FEVRIER 1869/ F4H
 
Base has been cemented, slab remounted.

MARIE PETROVNA KOCHANOWSKAJA/ POLAND/ Kokanowsky/ Maria/ Pietro/ Russia/ Firenze/ 5 Novembre/ 1868/ Anni 38/ 1024/ Marie Kokanowsky, Russie, fille de Pierre Kokanowsky/ Kochanovskaja Marija Petrovna, Kisinev/ MARIE KOCHANOWSKI/ NEE A KICHENEFF/ DECEDE A FLORENCE/ LE 5 NOVEMBRE 1868/ Talalay: N° 1024, RC; 'la tomba della sua sorella Alessandra si trova nel Cimitero greco ortodosso di Livorno' ; Bibl.: M. Talalay, A.M. Canepa, 'I sepolcri dei russi a Livorno', in Nuovi Studi Livornese, II (1994); °=Gene and Ray Bogucki, Petersburgh, New York/ F5G
 
This Polish tomb is now set in cement and its slab placed firmly on its pediments


Sector AB, the one most visible from the street
WhiteSilence

HELEN SCHOFIELD/ ENGLAND / Schofield/ Helen// Inghilterra/ 1317] [later addition 'see Shofield on next page' which gives /Elena/ Giuseppe/ Inghilterra/ Firenze/ 20 Maggio/ 1875/ Anni 41/ 1317]/ [Cross on plinth]/ GL23777/1 N° 486, Burial 22/05 Rev Tottenham/ HELEN SCHOFIELD/ DAUGHTER OF/ JOSEPH AND ELIZA SCHOFIELD/ DIED MAY 20 1875/

 
The top square of marble was broken in four pieces and the cross was loose and would have fallen in a high wind and smashed. Iris Fromm lifted out the cross, took the unstable base apart, removed the old metal inside, placed a new pern, cleaned the whole, and with the help of two Checcucci relatives, placed back the cross in the rebuilt, repaired base.

CORNELIA (AMORY GODDARD) LORING/ AMERICA/ Loring nata Amory/ Vedova Cornelia/ Francesco/ America/ Firenze/ 5 Maggio/ 1875/ Anni 65/ 1314/ CORNELIA/ AMORY/ GODDARD/ LORING/ OF BOSTON/ MASSACHUSETTS/ BORN SEPT 27 1810/ DIED MAY 15 1875/ [art nouveau winged cross, stele]


The American Boston-born Cornelia Amory Goddard Loring's tomb was about to fall from its base being compromised, the aging cement having disintegrated. Iris Fromm has cleaned and stabilized the tomb.

DOKTOR AUGUSTUS KIRCH/ GERMANIA/ Kirch/ Dr. Augusto/ Enrico/ Germania/ Firenze/ 21 Novembre/ 1875/ Anni 57/ 1333/ HIER RUIT IN GOTT/ D. AUG. KIRCH/
 

Iris Fromm has cleaned this German tomb.

INA SAULTER/ ENGLAND/ Saulter nata Boss/ Ina/ / Inghilterra/ 19 Maggio/ 1875/ Anni 19/ 1315/ [portrait medallion]/ IN . . . INA/ DEVOTED DAUGHTER OF/ BOSS SAULTER AND MARY HOLDEN/ DIED IN FLORENCE MAY 1875/ AGED EIGHTEEN YEARS/ GL23777/1 N° 485, Burial 21/05, Rev Tottenham/


Iris Fromm cleaned this tomb and repaired its unstable base.

MARY LOUISA (BRIGGS) KING / AMERICA/ King nata Briggs/ Vedova Maria Luisa/ Carlo/ America/ Firenze/ 18 Dicembre/ 1874/ Anni 43/ 1288/ Maria Louise Vve King, l'Amerique, fille de Charles Briggs/ IN MEMORY/ OF/ LOUISA KING/ WIDOW OF/ DAVID OLYPHANT KING/ DIED IN FLORENCE/ DEC 18 1874/

 
Iris Fromm partially cleaned this large tomb to the American Mary Louisa King.

THEODORE GENTZ/ GERMANIA / Gentz/ Teodoro/ Guglielmo/ Germania/ Firenze/ 7 Febbraio/ 1875/ Anni 30/ 1299/ mort à l'hopital de Florence, Teodoro Gentz/ Prusse, agé de 30 ans, fils de Guillaume/ + HIER RUHET IN GOTT/ THEODOR FR. GENTZ/ GEB ZU BERLIN DEN 13 MAI 1845/ GEST ZU FEBRENZ DEN 7. FEBRUAR 1875/ UNVERGESSLICH DEN DEINEN IN DER/ HEIMATH/ 1299/


The base to this tomb was cemented, the broken pieces glued together, the whole cleaned and placed back in its base. There was no 'before' picture.

MATILDE MANNHARDT/ GERMANIA/ Mannhard/ Matilde/ Giulio/ Germania/ Firenze/ 12 Gennaio/ 1876/ Anni 13/ 1340/ MATILDE/ cross on pietra serena/ F12C
WILHELM L. MANNHARDT / GERMANIA/ Mannhardt/ Guglielmo L./ Giulio/ Germania/ Firenze/ 13 Dicembre/ 1873/ Anni 12/ 1235/ Wilhelm Mannhardt, Allemagne, fils di Jules/ WILHELM MANNHARDT/ GEBOREN IN HAMBOURG/ DEN 16 NOV 1861/ GESTORBEN DEN 31 DEC 1873/ 
 
 
Iris Fromm placed back the marble plaque into the repaired pietra serena of the tomb of the two Mannhardt children.

GIUSEPPE BALDINOTTI/ ITALIA/ 63. Baldinotti/ Giuseppe/ Vincenzo/ Italia/ Firenze/ 26 Dicembre/ 1874/ Anni 11/ 1290/ traslocato/ Joseph Baldinotti, Italie, fils de Vincent Baldinotti/ [Coat of Arms] GIUSEPPE BALDINOTTI NATO XXIV MAGGIO MDCCCLIV[?]/ . . . XXVI DICEMBRE MDCCCLXIV/ 1290/

 
Iris Fromm repaired the gate pillar to this tomb of the Baldinotti child, noting that the two posts have chiseled on them the letters J and B, from the two pillars to the Jerusalem Temple, Joachim and Boaz. The ironwork in  the 'English' Cemetery will be repaired in a later phase of the work by a skilled blacksmith and we shall then paint them

ZELINDA BINDI/ ITALIA / 126. Bindi (Mongardi)/ Zelinda/ Leopoldo/ Italia/ Firenze/ 19 Dicembre/ 1874/ Anni 32/ 1289/ ZELINDA BINDI DI ANNI 32/ MORTA IL 19 DICEMBRE 1874/ LE SORELLE PER MEMORIA/ IO SONO LA RISURREZIONE, E LA VITA, CHIUNQUE CREDE IN ME, BENCHE' SIA MORTO,/ VIVERA', E NON MORRA' GIAMMAI IN ETERNO/ GIOV. XI.25-26/

 
Iris Fromm cleaned and repaired the broken marble pieces, placing them back on top of the plaque

JOHANNES SCHMID/JOHN SMITH/ ENGLAND/ Smith/ Giovanni/ Giacobbe/ Inghilterra/ Firenze/ 31 Marzo/ 1874/ Anni 57/ 1255/ Jean Schmidth, L'Angleterre, fils de Jacob Schmith/ HIER RUHET IN GOTT/ JOHANNES SCHMID/ LICENT. THEOL. . . ZU FRAUENDELF (C . . ./ GEB DEN 4 JAUNAR 1817/ GEST DEN 31 MAERZ 1874/ KOMMET HER ZY MIR ALLE/ DIE IHR MIIHSELIG UND BELADEN/ SEID ICH WILL EUCH ERQUICKEN/ MATTH. 11.23/ F18B/ See John Smith, England (whose death date is the same), and James Smith, likely the father.
 

    
Iris Fromm repaired the broken plaque and replaced it in its frame

Sector B
WhiteSilence

BARON RUDOLF BLOME/ GERMANIA/ BARON RUDOLF BLOME/ GEBOREN DEN 15. FEBRUAR. 1836/ GESTORBEN DEN 26 MAI 1907/ [Casket above next double tomb] E19G
BARONIN PAULA BLOME NATA BASINET/GERMANIA/ BARONIN PAULA BLOME BEG BASINET/ GEB. DEN 26 JANUAR 1853/ GEST. 3, JUNI 1917/ E19G
BARONESSE FANNY BLOME/ GERMANIA/BARONESSE FANNY BLOME/ GEBOREN DEN 2, FEBRUAR 1871/ GESTORBEN DEN 26. NOVEMBER 1907/ E19G

 
Baron Blome's urn smashed by falling cypresses, repaired by Iris Fromm.

ADELAIDE DELISSER/ ENGLAND/ Delisser/ Adelaide/ / Inghilterra/ [died 18 July 1845, 1 Devonshire Street, St Marylebone]]/16 Maggio/ 1846/[14] / 333/ GL 23774 N° 67/ SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF/ ADELAIDE DELISSER/ WHO DIED JULY 18 1845/ AGED 13 YEARS/ E18G/   ALEXANDER DELISSER/ ENGLAND/ Delisser/ Alessandro/ / Inghilterra/ Firenze/ 4 Maggio/ 1844/ Anni 50/ 286/ GL 23774 N° 67: The bodies of a son and a daughter of the above Dr Delisser were brought from London and interred in the Protestant Burial Ground at Florence in the beginning of 1846 - no service was performed, G. Robbins/ Maquay Diaries: 8 May 1844/ [garlanded urn, column, ruined temple, cross, ourobouros, cross] SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF/ DR DELISSER/ DIED AT FLORENCE MAY THE 4 1844 AGED 48 YEARS/ E18G ELLIS WILLIAM DELISSER/ ENGLAND / Delisser/ Ellis Guglielmo/ / Inghilterra/ Firenze/ 13 Marzo/ 1846/[19] / 332/ Death 14 July 1845, 1 Devonshire Street, St Marylebone; GL23774 N° 67, 'The bodies of a son and a daughter of the above Dr Delisser were brought from London and interred in the Protestant Burial Ground at Florence in the beginning of 1846 - no service was performed, G. Robbins'/ Death Certificates of Delissers supplied by way of Australia/ SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF/ ELLIS WILLIAM DELISSER/ WHO DIED JULY 14 1845 AGED 19 YEARS/ E18G/°=Jenny MacKay, Western Australia
     
Iris and Axel consulted on repair of fallen urn to Delisser tomb damaged by falling cypress this summer. Axel found the pieces, on the ledge to his left, and replaced them on top of the urn. They hardened the marble column which was crumbling into powder.

SOPHIA ANNE COFFIN/ ENGLAND/ Coffin/ Sofia/ / Inghilterra/ Presso Siena/ 13 Settembre/ 1849/ Anni 14/ 411/ GL 23774 N° 137 Death 13-09, Burial 16-09, Rev. Robbins/ [Dove with Scroll] I WILL ARISE/ AND GO TO MY/ FATHER/ HERE LIES INTERRED/ THE MORTAL REMAINS/ OF SOPHIA ANNE COFFIN/ ELDEST DAUGHTER OF CAPTAIN J.T. COFFIN R.N./ WHO DIED AT SIENA/ SEPTEMBER 15TH 1849/ AGED 14 YEARS/


Corner of tomb damaged by falling cypress. Axel found the piece and reattached it.

JOSEPH WATSON/ ENGLAND/ Watson/ Giuseppe/ Giuseppe/ Inghilterra/ Firenze/ 24 Giugno/ 1873/ Anni 33/ 1219/ Joseph Watson, Angleterre, Rentier, fils de Joseph Watson/ GL23777/1 N° 458 Burial 26/06 Rev Clark/ JOSEPH WATSON/ OF GATESHEAD ONTYNE ENGLAND/ DIED AT FLORENCE/ SIXTH MONTH/ 24 1873/ AGED 33 YEARS// WHICH HOPE WE HAVE/ AS AN ANCHOR OF THE SOUL/ BOTH SURE AND STEADFAST/ HEB. VI.19/ E16D

 
The piece in the slot actually fitted onto the top of the cross. This was corrected.

EDWARD PORTEUS/ ENGLAND / Porteus/ Eduoardo/ / Inghilterra/ Firenze/ 12 Settembre/ 1843/ Anni 68/ 268/ GL 23774 N° 54: Burial 14-09, Rev F. Goddard officiates, Robbins attests; Marriage G23773/4 N° 6 04/02/34 Edward Porteus to Dominica Schirroni at HBM (Seymour), groom deputy inspector general of army hospitals, Rev Hutton/ [Tomb in need of restoration]/ SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF/ EDWARD PORTEUS ESQRE DEPUTY INSPECTOR GENERAL OF ARMY HOSITALS IN H.B. MAJESTY'S SERVICE/ NEPHEW TO THE LATE RIGHT REVD RECTOR BEILBY PORTEUS/ LATE BISHOP OF LONDON DEPARTED THIS LIFE  AT FLORENCE/ ON THE 12 SEPT 1845 AGED 68 YEARS/ THIS MONUMENT TO THE MEMORY OF AN AFFECTIONATE HUSBAND A GOOD FATHER AND AN ABLE FRIEND/ IS ERECTED BY HIS DISCONSOLATE WIDOW DOMENICA AND SURVIVING ONLY SON GEORGE/ P.BAZZANTI.F/ E16E
 

The tomb of Edward Porteus was not restored as the central slab was too heavy to lift. Edward Porteus was friend and associate of Florence Nightingale and associated with the Battle of Waterloo.

LIEUT. COL. GERARD COURCY/ IRELAND/ Courcy/ Colonello Gerardo/ / Inghilterra/ Firenze/ 20 Ottobre/ 1848/ / 392/ GL 23774 N° 125: the Hon. 4th son of John 26th Lord Kingsale, Burial 22-10, Rev Robbins/ Maquay Diaries: 19 Oct 1848; 20 Oct; 22 Oct:/ Burke's Peerage entry/ Henderson/ SACRED/ TO THE MEMORY OF/ LIEUT. COL. GERARD COURCY/ SON OF THE RIGHT HONOURABLE JOHN COURCY/ . . . AND SUSANNA HIS WIFE/ DIED AT FLORENCE OCTOBER 20 1848/ F12H

 
Tomb gaping open repaired

MARGUERITE DEMPSEY/ ENGLAND/ Dempsey/ Margherita/ / Inghilterra/ Bagni di Lucca/ 2 Agosto/ 1841/ Anni 34/ 221/ GL 23744 N° 19: Burial 04-08, name Marguerite, Rev Tennant/ broken tombstone/ SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF MARGUERITE . . . DEMPSEY [Biblical inscription]/ F8E

   
Broken tomb slab and fallen supporting pieces required much repair

Sector D
WhiteSilence

CHARLES WITAL/ SVIZZERA
Monumento. Scultore: Emanuele Caroni. Marmista ignoto. Sec. XIX, post 12/1851. Ambito toscano. Busto, 'Ispecteur de ce Cimitiere', orfano e vedova vestita in gramaglie accanto a colonna spezzata inghirlandata. Possibile intervento di pulitura.[M: A: 370; L: 146.2; P: 68; RP.s. A: 372; L: 255; P: 245.] Iscrizione sepolcrale in lingua francese incisa in lettere capitali e numeri arabi: CI GIT/ CHARLES WITAL ISPECTEUR DE CE CIMITIERE . . .// BON FILS, TENDRE EPOUX, COEUR AMANT ET DEVOUE/ TU PROTEGEAS LA VEUVE, TU SERVIS DE PERE A L'ORPHELIN/ NOTRE RECONNAISSANCE ET NOS REGRET ONT CONSACRE/ CE MARBRE A LA MEMOIRE MAIS TU AS DANS/ NOS COUERS, OU VIT TON SOUVENIR UN MONUMENT/PLUS DIGNE DE TOI/ Eglise Evangelique-Reformée de Florence Régistre des Morts: Charles Wital, Sins, Canton des Grisons en Suisse, domiciliée à Florence, Proprietaire, fils de Gaudenzio Wital, et de Marguerite, sa femme/ Registro alfabetico delle tumulazioni nel Cimitero di Pinti: Wital/ Carlo/ / Svizzera/ S. Andrea/ 16 Dicembre/ 1851/ Anni 45/ 468/ See Hely, Roulet/ Belle Arti 1993-1997 scheda. Chiesa Evangelica Riformata Svizzera, 1827-present. 

   
The students of Professor Frizzi of the Istituto per l'Arte ed il Restauro worked on the Swiss Wital tombs
 
Sector E
WhiteSilence

The tomb we thought was to Isaac Lumley but is not.

ISAAC LUMLEY/ ENGLAND / Lumley/ Isacco/ / Inghilterra/ Firenze/ 12 Maggio/ 1857/ Anni 30/ 612/ Isac Lumley d'Angleterre/ GL23777/1 N° 234, Burial 14/05, Rev O'Neill; Marriage GL20990 N° 56 Isaac Lumley to Sarah Lee at BCL, groom of Richmond Yorks, bride born in Florence, Rev Crokat/ See Sara Lee tomb, which is identical but intact/ Isaac Lumley, Massiliano Zileri and James Dennis associated with Parma


 
Iris and Axel re-attached vandalized cross arm

AGNESE LUCIA CASSANI/ ITALY/ Cassani/ Agnese/ Enrico/ Italia/ Firenze/ 13 Maggio/ 1873/ Anni 4/ 1215/ +/ Agnese Cassani, Italie, agé de 4 ans, 5 mois, fille de Henri Cassani/ ALLA MEMORIA DELLA CARA BAMBINA/ AGNESE LUCIA CASSANI/ NATA IL GIORNO 14 DICEMBRE 1868/ MORTA DOPO 50 ORE DI MALATTIA/ IL GIORNO 13 MAGGIO 1875/ GUARDATE CHE NON ISPREZZATE ALCUNO/ DI QUESTI PICCOLI PERCIO' CHE IO VI DICO/ CHE GLI ANGIOLI LORO VEGGONO DEL CONTINUO NEI CIELI LA FACCIA DEL PADRE MIO CH'E' NEI CIELI/ MATT. 18 V. 10/ IL SIGNORE HA DATO IL SIGNORE HA TOLTO/ SIA BENEDETTO IL NOME DEL SIGNORE/ GIOBBE 1 V.21/

 
Tomb gaping open repaired by Iris Fromm

SELINA (CHECCUCCI) GARINEI/ ENGLAND/ITALY/Garinei/ Selina/  / Italia/ Firenze/ 14 Aprile/ 1850/ Anni 28/ 428/ SELINA / DI/ GIUSEPPE CHECCUCCI/ NACQUE A LONDRA/ NEL MARZO 1822// 14 APRILE 1850/ SELINA GARINEI/ VOLAVA AL CIELO / A SEGUIRE IL PREMIO/ LASCIANDO INCONSOLABILE/ ELVIRA E SALVADORE/ FIGLIA E CONSORTE// SELINA CHECCUCCI/ NEL 7 DICEMBRE 1844/ NELLA CAPELLA DI SPAGNA/ ST MARY LE BONE/ IMPALMAVA IL SUO DILETTO/ SALVADORE GARINEI/ INGEGNERE FIORENTINO/ [Checcucci: She obtained a license to marry Savaldore Garinei, an Engineer of Florence, in London, 3 December 1844, the license referring to both as parishioners of Marylebone where the marriage would be solemnized, parents Joseph Checchucci and Lydia Wildman, who married at St George Hanover Square, Westminster, London, 13 April 1809] different urn than one in photograph from Australia/
 
The two Checcucci tombs were researched by their descendants in Australia and in Grenoble who shared their archival materials with us, hence we were able to recover most of the inscriptions. We have the photograph of the Elvira Garinei, who is mentioned on her mother Selina's tombstone.

LYDIA (WILDMAN) CHECCUCCI/ ENGLAND/ITALY/ Checcucci nata Wildman/ Lidia/ Pietro/ Inghilterra/ Firenze/ 10 Luglio/ 1863/ Anni 80/ 836/ SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF/ LYDIA CHECCUCCI/ THE LAMENTED WIFE OF JOSEPH CHECCUCCI/ WHO WAS FOR NEARLY 55 YEARS/ HIS CONSTANT AND FAITHFUL COMPANION / tomb now having only its gable, ornamented with a winged-hourglass, with two supports on a base, an open space with now-exposed bricks in between, and lacks this inscription/ GL 23777/1 N°328, daughter of Peter Wildman, Burial 13/07, Age 79, Rev Pendleton


 
Tomb repaired with the missing inscription, recovered from a 1960 photograph in Australia, by a German student friend of Iris', and delivered to Florence the following spring.

In 2006 I raised the funds through the Emergency Appeal to have Elizabeth Barrett Browning's tomb restored, as the marble columns supports were crumbling away into sugar and the sarcophagus was at risk of collapsing, CNR recommending Albert Casciani, then of Meridiana Restauri, for this work.

Sector B
WhiteSilence

B8/ ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING/ JAMAICA/ENGLAND
Sarcofago. Disegno: Frederic Lord Leighton; Scultore Francesco Giovanozzi; Firma: FRANCESCO GIOVANNOZZI FECE. [sarcofago in marmo e elementi decorativi in piombo su disegno di Lord Leighton eseguito da Francesco Giovannozzi, firma in basso a sinistra. Del fratello, Luigi Giovannozzi (1791-1870), è la tomba della Duchessa d'Albany in Santa Croce]. Sec. XIX, post 1864. Ambito toscano. Sarcofago scolpito con cammeo a simbolo della Poesia, arpe, lira greca (con il Dio Pan bifronte del Giardino Torrigiani), arpa ebrea con catena spezzata, arpa cristiana; intagliato con gigli e fiori delle Isole britanniche, rosa, trifoglio, giunchiglie, rami d'ulivo; sarcofago retto da sei colonne con gigli su disegno di Lord Leighton. Ultimo intervento di restauro, Meridiana Restauri, 2006, recinto in ferro, intervento conservativo sul ferro Daniel Dumitrescu, 2008. Per i disegni preparatori conservati alla Royal Academy Library, ecc., si veda ebbdeath.html [M: A: 105. L 191.2: P: 118.5; P.s. A: 37. L: 212. P: 114.6  Recinto A: 72. Totale: A: 204. L: 191.2. P: 118.5 ] Iscrizione sepolcrale in lettere capitali e numeri arabi in piombo: E.B.B./ OB.1861./ Eglise Evangelique-Reformée de Florence Régistre des Morts: Elisabeth Barrett Browning, l'Angleterre, agé de 45 ans/ Q 459: 271 Paoli, including English Church's tax of 113 Paoli/ Q 479: 90 Paoli paid to Ferdinando Giorgi, Master Mason for digging two graves for EBB/ Records, Guildhall Library, London: GL23777/1 N°293 Burial 01/07 Rev O'Neill, 'bronchitis'/ Registro alfabetico delle persone tumulate nel Cimitero di Pinti: 79. Barrett Browning/ Elisabetta/ / Inghilterra/ Firenze/ 29 Giugno/ 1861/ Anni 45 [incorrect, 55]/ 737/ N&Q 207. E. B. B., ob. 1861. No other inscription/ Freeman, 236-23/ NDNB article/ Belle Arti 1993-1997 scheda/ Henderson/ Webbs: heart attack, morphine poisoning?/ Chiesa Evangelica Riformata Svizzer, 1827-preent. Nulla osta.

 
    



I paid the Allori stonemason for the stele identifying Elizabeth Barrett Browning's tomb as previously no one could find it. The resin letters immediately fell off.

In 2007 a young Romanian Roma, Vandana Culea, came with her sister, her cousin and her mother, and asked to garden, which they did excellently. The following year Vandana brought her husband, Daniel-Claudiu Dumitescu, and he restored all the Cemetery's ironwork.

2008, vedi http://www.florin.ms/iron.ppt 

Sector C
WhiteSilence

Syracuse University paid Alberto Casciani to restore the tombs of Counts MARIO AND GIOVANNI GIGLIUCCI and their English wives EDITH MARGARET AND CHARLOTTE SOPHIA GIGLIUCCI (C19-22) as they had owned the Villa Rosa in Piazza Savonarola.

C19/ COUNTESS EDITH MARGARET (MOZLEY) GIGLIUCCI/ ENGLAND
Urne. Marmista ignoto. Sec. XX, post 12/1909// 1/1937. Ambito toscano. Urne in  pietra serena, scolpite con stemma e gigli, recinzione in ferro e ottone. Intervento di restauro conservativo Meridiana Restauri di Alberto Casciani, 2008; intervento conservativo su ferro e ottone Daniel-Claudiu Dumitrescu, 2008//[Stemma]/ Iscrizione sepolcrale incisa in lettere capitali e numeri arabi: EDITH MARGARET/ MOGLIE DEL CONTE MARIO GIGLIUCCI/ NATA LIVERPOOL IL 26 AGOSTO 1847/ MORTA IN FIRENZE IL 16 NOVEMBRE 1909// CHARITATEM/ DILEXIT [Ephesians 2.4]/
C20/ CONTE MARIO GIGLIUCCI/ ITALIA/ ENGLAND Intervento conservativo sulla pietra serena Meridiana Restauri di Alberto Casciani, 2007; intervento conservativo su ferro e ottone Dumitrescu, 2008. [P.s.: A: 63; L: 176; P: 64; RP.s.F: A: 67; L: 192; P: 192.][Stemma]/ CONTE MARIO GIGLIUCCI/ PATRIZIO FERMANO/ NATO A FERMO IL 19 NOVEMBRE 1847/ MORTO A FIRENZE IL 13 GENNAIO 1937/ RECTE ET SUAVITER/ Belle Arti 1993-1997 scheda/ °=Kathleen Novello Cashman. Chiesa Evangelica Riformata Svizzera, 1827-present.

                                     
  The musical Novello family                       Edith Margaret Gigliucci
                                                                     John Gibson, R.A. Royal Academy of Arts, London

Sector D
WhiteSilence

D30M/ C21/ COUNTESS CHARLOTTE SOPHIA (MOZLEY) GIGLIUCCI/ ENGLAND
Urne. Marmista ignoto. Sec. XX, post 12/1906//2/1920. Ambito toscano. Urne in pietra serena scolpite con stemma e gigli, recinzione in ottone e ferro, arco in ferro. Intervento di restauro Meridiana Restauri di Alberto Casciani, 2008; intervento conservativo sul ferro e sull'ottone Daniel-Claudiu Dumitrescu, 2008// [Stemma]/ Iscrizione sepolcrale incisa in lettere capitali e numeri arabi: CHARLOTTE SOPHIA, MOGLIE DEL CONTE GIOVANNI GIGLIUCCI/ NATA A LIVERPOOL IL 4 AGOSTO 1841/ MORTA A FIRENZE IL 12 FEBBRAIO 1920/ ET LAUDENT EAM IN PORTIS OPERA TUA/
D30L/ C22/ CONTE GIOVANNI GIGLIUCCI/ ITALIA/ ENGLAND/ Intervento di restauro conservativo Meridiana Restauri, 2008; intervento conservativo su ferro e ottone Daniel Dumitrescu, 2008/ [P.s. A: 67; L: 173; P: 65; RP.s.F: A: 68; L: 192; P: 192.] [Stemma]/ CONTE GIOVANNI GIGLIUCCI/ PATRIZIO FERMANO, NATO A FERMO IL 18 NOVEMBRE 1844/ MORTO A FIRENZE IL 6 DICEMBRE 1906/ VIRTUTE ET FIDE BENE QUI LATUIT BENE VIXIT/ Belle Arti 1993-1997 scheda/°=Kathleen Novello Cashman. Chiesa Evangelica Riformata Svizzera, 1827-present.

 

At the same time I asked Daniel, who is the grandson of the top coppersmith in his part of Romania, to conserve their rusting iron railings. He did this work by hand, scraping off all the rust and finding there were also brass knobs on the tops of the railings. Our restorer, Alberto Casciani, said to now give the iron two coats of anti-rust and two coats of enamel, and for the brass to have a clear varnish. The work was done so excellently that we arranged a work contract for Daniel with our commercialista. I gave him my electric sander and over the summer he conserved all the iron in the Cemetery, both the wrought and the cast iron work. Among many were these forty-one burials which can be seen in PowerPoint of the following in order, giving both before and after images: AGUET (D17), CROSBIE (A20), DELLA TORRE (E97), FIERZ (D3), GILLES-GERMAIN (AB14), GIGLIUCCI (C19-22), GOLIKOVA (F9), GRAY (E40), HARRIS (E36), JARVES (C5), DENNIS (D111), KELLETT (B111-113), TOD (C32), KOEMMETTER (D153), LEMMI (F33), KLEINKAUF/MACDONELL (B96-B97), D'OUSSOW (B12), POWERS (B32), POWERS' children (E56), ROSE (E43), REBESOV (E18), ZUKOVSKY (D36), BERNOVA (D78), WOOD (A98), MEYRVEIS/MEJEAN (D140-142), TRINGHAM SMITH (E23), VIDLER (E42), MORGAN (A96), UNKNOWN (E106), WITAL (D125).

The following year, 2009, was a disaster.
I sought help from Alberto Casciani in restoring the tombs in greatest need of work and where persons were willing to contribute towards these particular tombs:

Tombe da restaurare

Ferro battuto e ghisa

Albert von Parpart/Casciani/Romagnoli
EMIL OTTO ADOLF ALBERT VON PARPART/ GERMANIA/SVIZZERA / Parpart/ Emilio, Ottone, Adolfo, Alberto/ Carlo/ Germania/ Firenze/ 24 Maggio/ 1869/ Anni 56/ 1051/ Emile Othun Albert de Parpart, Prusse, rentier, fils de Charles de Parpart, et de Henriette, née Porsch /Web yields: 'Albert Emil Otto Von Parpart Rrr Des Joho [247] was born on 22 May 1813 in Wibsch Bei Kulmsee, Westpreussen and died on 24 May 1869 in Florenz at age 56. Albert married Germania Adelaide Mathilde Von Bonstetten [248] [MRIN: 149]. Germania was born in 1813 and died on 20 Jun 1883 in Hünegg, Ch at age 70'/ Belle Arti scheda/ DEINE SONNE WIRD/ NICHT MEHR UNTERGEHEN/ NOCH DEIN MOND/ DEN SCHEIN VERLIEREN/ DENN DER HERR WIRD DEIN EWIGES LICHT [Maltese cross] HIER RUIT/ ALBERT VON PARPART/ RECHTS RITTER DES JOHANITER ORDENS/ GESTORBEN IN FLORENZ DEN 24 MAI 1869/ IM ALTER VON 56 JAHREN/ A4Q(52)/ Sculptor: Giuseppe Bondi

Marchesa Rusconi/Romagnoli
MARCHESA ANN JEANNETTE (BEAUFOY FIELD) RUSCONI/ ENGLAND/ Rusconi Vedova Fabbri nata Beaufoy Field/ Giovanna/ Inghilterra/ Livorno/ 22 Febbraio/ 1864/ Anni 32/ 863/ QUI RIPOSA/ LA MARCHESA JEANNETTE RUSCONI/ NATA DE BEAUFOY FIELD / VEDOVA FABRI IN PRIME NOZZE/ INGLESE DI PATRIA/ . . . LIVORNO/ IL MARCHESE ACHILLE RUSCONI/ DI LEI MARITO/ VOLLE QUI FOSSE DEPOSTA/ PERCHE DORM . . ./ ESULTASSE LO SPIRITO DI CLARA WALSH/ CHE FU CUGINA ED AMICA/ QUESTA LAPIDE /POTESSE . . . / DEFUNTA . . . / GL23777/1 N° 342, Burial 25/02/64, Rev Isaac King/ A7Q(88)/ See Field Beaufoy, Clara Walsh. Wrought iron urgently needs repair.

Henry Florence Gray/Casciani/Romagnoli
HENRY FLORENCE GRAY/ AMERICA/ Gray/ Enrico Fiorenzo/ Giovanni A.C./ America/ Firenze/ 19 Febbraio/ 1855/ Mesi 10/ 565/ +/ Henri Florence Gray, fils de John A.C. Gray de New York, Estats Unis de l'Amerique du Nord/ Maquay Diaries: 23 Mar 1855/ [bust of child in frock] IN MEMORY/ OF/ HENRY FLORENCE/ INFANT SON OF/ JOHN A.G. AND SUSAN M. GRAY/ OF NEW YORK/ DIED IN THIS THE CITY OF HIS BIRTH/ FEBRUARY 19 1855/ AGED 9 MONTHS & 23 DAYS/ FARE THEE WELL OUR YOUNGEST TREASURE/ ON THE SOIL THAT GAVE THEE BIRTH/ BY THE RIPPLING ARNO'S WATER/ REST THEE IN ITALIA'S EARTH/ WHILE THE MEMORY OF THY SWEETNESS/ CHEERS A DISTANT HOME AND HEARTH/ CHEERS US WHILE OUR SAD HEARTS TELL/ THE DEAR LORD DOETH ALL THINGS WELL/ B18M

_

Tombe da restaurare successivamente

James Dennis/Ann Johnson/Romagnoli
JAMES DENNIS/ IRELAND/ Denis/ Giacomo/ / Inghilterra/ Parma/ 6 Dicembre/ 1855/ Anni 48/ 586/ Dublin, royaume Irlanda/ & ANN (DENNIS) JOHNSON/ IRELAND/INDIA / [obelisk with castle on cube within wrought iron railing and gate] AT MEERUT OF THE NORTH WEST/ PROVINCES EAST INDIES IS BURRIED [sic]/ ANN THE DEARLY LOVED WIFE OF/ G. ROSS JOHNSON ESQUIRE OF THE INNER TEMPLE/ BARRISTER OF LAU (sic) AND THE SECOND DAUGHTER OF HIM COHOSE REMAINS LIE BURIED HERE/ DISTINGUISHED FOR THE GRACE AND LOVELINESS OF HER MIND AND PERSON SHE DIED . . ./. . AGED . . .  LEAVING A HUSBAND . . . TWO INFANT SONS TO DEPLORE THEIR LOSS// JACOBUS DENNIS. . . PATERNUS/ HUC RITE TRANSLATA/ LACRIMIS . . . SEQUITUR/ PARENTI OPTIMO/ . . . SOLVIT/ ATQUE UNA CUM  . . . / C21R/ James Dennis, Isaac Lumley, Massimiliano Zileri associated with Parma

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a__aa

   The descendants own this plaster cast   

Francesco Jerace, who sculpted the tomb of Mary Somerville 1873, created this medallion of his parents:

ROBERT DAVIDSOHN (1853-1937) , his cinerary urn is near the upper boundary of the cemetery, with a few other urns accepted after it was closed. Born in Gdansk and intending to become a journalist, he came to Florence with a two-fold vocation, for the Latin world and the study of history. After an exploration of the Spanish world, he dedicated all his energy to the history of Florence: between 1896 and 1908, he published the impressive results of his research into the archives, and in 1927 completed his fundamental work on the history of Florence. Thus his place in the heart of the city he loved and served with his labours takes on significance as a gesture of gratitude. LS

COUNTESS EDITH MARGARET GIGLIUCCI/ ENGLAND / Belle Arti scheda/ [Coat of Arms]/ EDITH MARGARET/ MOGLIE DEL CONTE MARIO GIGLIUCCI/ NATA LIVERPOOL IL 26 AGOSTO 1847/ MORTA IN FIRENZE IL 16 NOVEMBRE 1909// CHARITATEM/ DILEXIT/ C29M

CONTE GIOVANNI GIGLIUCCI/ ITALIA/ Belle Arti scheda/ [Coat of Arms]/ CONTE GIOVANNI GIGLIUCCI/ PATRIZIO FERMANO, NATO A FERMO IL 18 NOVEMBRE 1844/ MORTO A FIRENZE IL 6 DICEMBRE 1906/ VIRTUTE ET FIDE BENE QUI LATUIT BENE VIXIT/ C30L

CONTE MARIO GIGLIUCCI/ ITALIA/ Belle Arti scheda/ [Coat of Arms]/ CONTE MARIO GIGLIUCCI/ PATRIZIO FERMANO/ NATO A FERMO IL 19 NOVEMBRE 1847/ MORTO A FIRENZE IL 13 GENNAIO 1937/ RECTE ET SUAVITER/ C29M

See in Biblioteca e Bottega Fioretta Mazzei, Clara Novello's Reminiscences, ed. by her daughter, Contessa Valeria Gigliucci, with a memoir by Arthur D. Coleridge (London: Edward Arnold, 1910), Biography Section. She is the mother also of Counts Mario and Giovanni Gigliucci.

I sought help from the Coop who published an article in the Informer and who arranged visite guidate to raise funds for the Roma to assist in the Cemetery's restoration. And the Readers' Digest also published on us.

PROPOSTA PER LAVORI DI MANTENUMENTO NEL CIMITERO DI PORTA A' PINTI NEL MESE DI MAGGIO, 2009

Il cimitero di Porta a' Pinti, detto 'degli Inglesi, Piazzale Donatello, 38, per le Belle Arti è un cimitero monumentale che manca di adeguata tutela e cura, e dunque di un progetto che lo preservi dallo stato di abbandono. La COOP farà visite guidate nel mese di Maggio e desiderà che siano piccoli lavori in corsi durante queste visite. Sia possibile, con l'aiuto di persone sotto supervision, sistemizzare i terrazzi, i muri a secco, i recinti e loro colonne di pietra serena e conservare il ferro dei cancelli e iniziare la pulitura delle tombe durante il mese di maggio 2009.

Le colonne sono fratturate e molte in pezzi. Alcune di queste erano messo da parte nel passato, anche usato in un muro. Ora queste possono essere rstaurate alle loro tombe giuste.

      
1                                                      2                                                    3

      
4                                                      5

1,2,4,5 sono pezzi usati dal Palazzo Spinelli per dimostrare techniche e che il Professor Frizzi non ricorda più da dove sono venuti. 3 sono colonne usate nel muro a secco nel passato che i Rom hanna messo da parte per restituire alle loro tombe quando loro hanno restaurato il muro in 2001. I Rom saranno ottimi a restituire i pezzi sotto la supravisione degli esperti.

Colonne in cattive condizione dal settore B (sono
indicate nel progetto globale per le Belle Arti):

     

   

    

    

Colonne e recinzioni:

   

Basamenti a sistemizzare per rendere le lastre a marmo meno al rischio:



Il ferro delle due cancelli a conservare on ferrox e vernice.



Ci sono basamenti di mattone (che preservano bene il marmo sopra loro, meglio della pietra serena) che ora mancano la malta. Suggerisco, anche, sotto le lastre di marmo (dove non sono viste) basamenti di mattone. Se noi compriamo mattone/tegole possiamo usare queste anche per il drenaggio del sentiere verso Fiesole.

Le due sentiere:

Necessita di terrazzare il sentiere per le tombe russe, ora troppo inclinata.

Il sentiere verso Fiesole dalla croce in cattiva condizione e manca drenaggio. Nei muretti molti pezzi delle colonne.

       

 

But the Allori Cemetery adamantly forbade the Roma to assist in restoring the English Cemetery. Daniel's family needed to work to earn the roof or the walls would be damaged of the house they were building. We were 'in cantiere', the Cemetery shut down while loculi for ashes were being built. Vandana, her sister, and Daniel-Claudiu came anyway, showing up at the gate, having used a people smuggler who had taken their passports until they could earn back €300,00 to pay him. On the days when the Italians were not working I had Daniel re-build a path destroyed by the erosion of the terraced hill alongside the Russian and Romanian tombs and paid him the €300,00 for the work so they could have their passports and return home. He identified for me the tombs on that path of the two Romanian nobles, JOAN KANTAKUZIN (D81), and POLYDORE VENTURA (D83), who had owned Roma as slaves until the publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin in Romanian. The roof did not get built that year. Instead I sent them money for plastic to protect the walls.
 
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