THE BOY WITH A WINDOW IN HIS GRAVE - Little Merritt’s Tomb and the Heartbreaking Cemetery

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Music by Scottontape

Description via Atlas Obscura

LITTLE MERRIT’S TOMB IS A unique tomb with a small window marking the final resting place of Merrit Beardsley upon his death at the age of eight in 1865. It is believed that Merrit died from a feverish illness. Before he passed, he told his mother and father that he did not want to be buried in the dark. His father, William, was a stonecutter and operated a quarry.

After Merrit passed, he was laid to rest above ground with a window in his tomb, so the sunlight could always reach him. Merrit’s tomb is located in Beardsley Cemetery in Oxford, New York. He is at rest next to his parents, Sarah and William.

Over the years, vandals have broken into Merritt’s tomb. In the 1970s, they scattered his bones throughout the cemetery and stole his skull. After a thorough investigation, the local police found Merritt’s skull in the bedroom of one of the vandals. They returned Merritt’s remains to the tomb but put them as far back as they could to prevent further removal of Merritt’s remains. A local glass company from Norwich, New York, built a new window for the tomb and donated it to the cemetery. As always though vandals broke into the tomb several times after that.

A local eight-year-old boy named Stefan Foster and his grandmother went “exploring” and came across Merritt’s tomb. Stefan was fascinated by the story and upset with the vandalism. When he grew older Stefan decided to do something about the condition of the tomb. He started a fundraiser and began putting Merritt’s tomb and the cemetery back into its original state. He wrote a book called Little Merritt’s Tomb and used all the money from the sales to help restore the tomb. He now runs a Facebook page by the same name. Stefan has replaced the broken window with a plexiglass window to stop vandals from breaking it. Also, the remains of Merritt have been put into the ground to prevent vandals from stealing them again.

The cemetery is open from dawn to dusk to everyone who wishes to pay their respects. It is maintained by Stefan Foster with permission from the Town of Oxford. One way to get there is to go up State Highway 220 from the village of Oxford towards Bowman Lake. Take a left onto Hoben Rd. The cemetery is roughly one and half miles down the road on your left.
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Genuine gasp at 6:10 --prepare yourself

Sept
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His grieving parents must have loved Merritt very much. I’m glad someone is taking care of his final resting place. Thank you.

laurelgirard
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This is so sad and makes me sick to my stomach that anyone would ever disturb, vandalize or remove and even scatter this child's remains from his resting place. What kind of disturbed and evil-minded person or people would even think to do something like this?! This little boy was obviously blessed with parents who loved him very much, He is with them now and safe from the darkness that he feared. RIP little Merritt and also to his wonderful parents ❤💐

OnTheGoWithFlo-Kid
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im 48 and i feel like an orphan with both my parents being gone. but i still talk about them all the time like there still here. And with my birthday being sept. 30th. they always had great birthdays for me. and my moms parents always would call me at midnight the day before my birthday and sing happy birthday. its the sweetest memory.🥰💓💞

VickieHubbard-poed
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It's sad that people can't let the dead rest in peace and have to mess up graves just for fun. There's a similar story about a girl in Natchez, Mississippi named Florence Irene Ford who was buried in a tomb with a window. Her story is, she was afraid of thunderstorms and her mom would comfort her. After she passed, the window was put in so that her mom could still comfort her during storms.

ronaldnelson
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I started crying when I heard it was vandalized. People are so awful. Thank you for being respectful. ❤

alliekuma
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It is so sweet that the parents gave him a window.

You have to be a horribly broken, angry, hate filled person to desecrate a grave BUT a grave of a child? That person(s) - Scott called it, is Evil.

Thanks Scott for sharing another important piece of history with us.

cheleshows
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I've lived a long time and I can tell you now, some people are just born empty. Beautifully done, as always.

RetroHobbyMag
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I’m going to Oxford new York and leaving him some toys and stuffed animals and a light that goes on at night for the little precious boy Merritt ❤❤❤

beckyromeo
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Heard about this grave many times. Had no idea it was vandalized. Thank you for continuing to visit the graveyards because my friends just don’t get it. We are remembering people. Nothing creepy…..💕🐿

GodWearsGucci
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Scott, thank you for keeping his memory alive. I think love outweighed evil in this case. Look at all the love people have left for him, including you! Love wins 💙💙💙

tracysmith
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I’m sure he’s happy with his parents in the afterlife and no longer afraid of the dark. RIP little guy❤

Flyslinger
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You are so sweet to leave him a car, it's also sad he passed away at 8 yrs Bless you

SueSheldon-mn
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I work as a hospice aide and know the importance of caring for the dying. Channels like yours and Millennial Stone Cleaner remind me that we should care for the dead as well. Thanks again Scott.

JohnnyQuaykersBelmont
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This story bought a tear after hearing it was vandalised, , just a sweet little boy resting in peace and to hear what they did is sickening, thanks scott for showing us his resting place and being so respectful.. them cars made me cry x lots of love from the UK 🇬🇧 xxxx

sueharding
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This makes me think of Irene Ford’s grave in Mississippi. Her mom asked that her daughter’s coffin be fit with a window and stairs leading down to the casket. Her daughter was afraid of thunderstorms and her mom would sit with her. When her daughter passed at the age of ten, her mom still wanted to comfort her even as she lay in rest. I didn’t know about this one Scott. Thank you for sharing it with us.

kandn
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Scott, you are such a Kind, Caring man. Always taking extra measures to show your respect to those who have passed. God Bless your kind heart 🙏

reneetibbetts
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My Auntie was killed crossing the road aged 5 by a circus lorry to show her friend a go cart my grand father had made her, thats 70 years ago now poor girl. Amazingly the circus owner always called to see my grand parents ever year the day she went to heaven

kenrankin
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Bless him. This child is looking down on you he is grown up now but this person is looking down on your beautiful video. You thought of this beautiful person and made this video. Little merrit we love you. Never be afraid the dark. There is nothing to be afraid of. You will always be loved. Thank you Scott we love you x

chrisgore
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Why can’t people have more respect for the deceased, especially a little boy. Wow so sad. As always Scott, you do justice for those who have passed before us. Keep the great work coming.

AsScenebyDave