Let's take a walk in the Graveyard!

The Unknown Odd Fellows

Are you looking for a skeleton story for Halloween? In the Graveyard Walks today Steve Parisi delivers just that!

Sorry about the traffic noise

Photo Courtesy of The Post Star

'Odd Fellows' skeletons laid to rest

With Warren County celebrating its bicentennial this year, it was decided the skeletons would finally get their burial. "It's a great opportunity to finally put them to rest," said Sandy Parisi, Warrensburg town historian.

3754 Main Street

Clara and Mary Richards

Clara Richards

Mary Richards Kellogg

As you walk through the graveyard you may see another familiar name in Warrensburg - Richards.

Clara and Mary Richards were sisters born into a family that had strong Warrensburg roots in two directions.

Their paternal grandfather, Peletiah Richards, owned extensive property in town, served as Warren Country sheriff, was the Warrensburgh Town Clerk and Supervisor, and a New York State Assemblyman. There was a Tiffany-quality stained glass window installed in the Presbyterian Church in his memory.

Their maternal grandfather was Col. B. P. Burhans, who had a prosperous tannery in town, was New York State Assemblyman, served as President of Glens Falls National Bank, and built the beautiful mansion that used to stand on the hill in back of the Town Hall.

Mary and Clara started the Warrensburgh Circulating Library in 1890 with their own private collection. Housed in the Episcopal Church Parish House, a $2.00 annual fee allowed one book to be borrowed at a time.

On August 1, 1901, the Richards Library was opened at its current location; the land, building and an endowment all provided by the Richards sisters.
A fire destroyed the library in December 22, 1914, but undaunted, Mary and Clara rebuilt the building, which opened September 23, 1915. They only asked that the town replace the books.

Clara never married and is buried here with her parents, Col. Samuel T. Richards and Mary Burhans Richards. Mary married New York State Senator Rowland C. Kellogg and is buried elsewhere.
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These sisters made a huge imact in our town, with ripples reaching forward for generations!

Clara's grave is to the far right

Peletiah Richards

Col. B. P. Burhans

Peletiah's grave

Grace Merrill Magee.

Grace sitting next to her father

Grace was born in 1885 into what many would consider Warrensburg "royalty." Her grandfather was on the list of prominent "who's who" settlers in our region - a man named Stephen Griffing. He built that we know as the Merrill Magee House at the center of town in 1833.

Grace's parents - Dr. Cyrus Merrill and Mary Griffing Merrill - raised her in a life of luxury. She enjoyed all that the Adirondacks had to offer - hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, and swimming. She married attorney and assemblyman Edward Monroe Lown but was widowed early. Later she married Edward M. P. Magee of Warrensburg. She didn't have any children with either husband.

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Widowed again in 1962, Grace spent her final years in a comfortable apartment above the carriage house behind the Merrill Magee house, which had been passed to her mother and then to her.
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Grace passed away in 1979. It was a town phenomenon when the house was opened and many items were sold at auction - including a 1934 Packard seven-passenger touring car

The Merrill Magee house

The Merrill family stone Grace's stone is to the right

Grace is buried along side her parents and brother Stephen (who died tragically at age 21

I want to thank Paul & Barbara for all the wonderful work they did this year on the Graveyard Walks... This is my third year as a "prominent person from the past" We on this side of the veil do not like the term "ghost" and I always have great time. Thank you for inviting me to play.. ~ Susan Jennings: 2011