LEYDEN — Underneath the light of a nearly full moon Saturday night, local residents gathered around to hear Harriet Severence tell her life story.
Though Severence died more than 100 years ago, current Leyden residents were able to meet her and several other predecessors in spirit through an evening of cemetery tours organized by the Leyden Historical Commission.
The tours, which took place at South Cemetery on Greenfield Road, involved actors and actresses who dressed up in period-appropriate garb to look like deceased residents who were interred in the cemetery. The actors and actresses stood by their characters’ gravestones to tell their characters’ life stories, giving current residents a unique opportunity to learn about the town’s history.
The commission organized the event, called “Ghosts and Gravestones,” to raise money to purchase and renovate the former blacksmith’s shop near the town center, hoping to use the building to store town artifacts.
Tours left from Leyden Town Hall by two tractor-drawn hay wagons. Upon arrival at the cemetery, small walkway lights and personal flashlights were the only means of light as a tour guide led attendees from one actor or actress to the next.
“Leyden was always the love of my life,” said Harriet Severence, played by Susan Howarth. She spoke of moving around western Massachusetts, but always returning to Leyden during her life in the mid-1800s.
Crowds of men, women and children also learned about Eli Wing, who opened a medical practice in Leyden after being admitted to the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1816, and Matthew Severence, a Vermont native who escaped from capture by Native Americans in 1758, later settling in Leyden.
Other stories included that of Priscilla Hyde-Buddington, played by Leyden Historical Commission Chairwoman Ginny Rockwood. Hyde-Buddington and her husband Jonathan were some of Leyden’s first settlers, moving in 1718 after the tragic death of their only son.
Mary Green Knox, played by Robin Neipp, talked about her husband, William Watson Davenport, who was born blind in Leyden in 1841.
“He was not to be swayed by the lack of his sight,” Neipp’s character said.
Davenport was able to buy land at 16 years old, becoming an exceptional businessman and later a selectman. At one point, he owned more than 1,000 acres and was considered one of the best judges of cattle around. Green Knox marveled over how, despite his blindness, he never used a cane.
The event, attendees commented, was both educational and entertaining.
“They did a lot of history (research) to come up with these,” Leyden resident Valerie Snow said. “Some of the costumes were really nice, too.”
“Ghosts and Gravestones” also included a screening of the 1973 documentary “Root Hog or Die” at Leyden Town Hall, with refreshments, a raffle and Halloween-themed crafts for children.
“The turnout was incredible,” Bernardston resident Emily Herron-Clark said.
According to members of the Historical Commission, 105 local residents participated in the three tours.
“We thought 60 would be a lot,” Historical Commission member Lois Feldman cheerfully commented.
According to Rockwood, “Ghosts and Gravestones” was the commission’s largest fundraiser so far toward their $200,000 goal, the amount needed to purchase and renovate the former blacksmith’s shop into a museum for the commission’s delicate artifacts.
Around $1,000 was raised from tour ticket sales alone, with tickets costing $10 for adults and $7 for children. Another $200 was raised through T-shirt sales and $70 through the sale of raffle tickets.
“We hope the results of all our efforts end up with a museum for the town,” Rockwood said. “We’re doing this for the town.”