On August 26, 1867, local citizens of Somerville organized the Somerville Cemetery Association and purchased 68 acres (280,000 m2) of land directly across Bridge Street for $14,500 from William Ross, Jr. The association later sold 45.58 acres (184,500 m2) for $7,292.50, leaving the New Cemetery with just 22.42 acres (90,700 m2). The New Cemetery was laid out in the rural cemetery style with walks, drives, and landscaping. About 1,000 lots were created. On August 20, 1879, a stock company, the Cemetery Association of Somerville (CAS), was formed. CAS president Hugh Gaston purchased the New Cemetery for $11,000. Most cemeteries in the 1800s and until the 1960s were segregated by race. Its large size permitted many African Americans to be buried in New Cemetery. Many United States Colored Troops who served in the American Civil War are buried in the African American section. The New Cemetery was still accepting burials in 2010- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somerville_Cemetery,_Somerville