In honor of Halloween, the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) is once again providing stories about the odder, sometimes creepier, parts of Cavendish’s history. This year’s story comes from Mary Churchill’s book “Cemeteries of Cavendish, Vermont.”
David Ordway, a miller and also a stone mason, lived on Twenty Mile stream in a stone house he built. He also helped to build the stone Universalist church in Cavendish village and cemetery tombs.
In his old age, he decided to have his funeral sermon preached. He chose Rev. William Balch, a former pastor of the Universalist church in Cavendish to give the sermon. The funeral was held in the Universalist church in Ludlow on Sunday, August 2, 1876.
The occasion brought together an unusual crowd. The preacher never at a loss how to adapt himself to any emergency., realizing that it was only one of those freaks which are indicative of the return of second childhood, accepted the situation and preached a remarkable sermon. Except for a few words near the close alluding to his aged friend and trifle explanatory of the occasion, no one would have mistrusted that there was anything unusual.
Mr. Ordway, not precisely in the box, but sitting in the front pew seemed well pleased with the performance. He never realized there was anything incongruous in the exercise, that he simply took that method to signify that he was ll through with this world and anxious to enter on the undiscovered realities of the next.
In the Twenty Mile Stream cemetery stands, “Uncle David’s” red sandstone monument, just a little back up from the tomb. Its base is a real millstone. Its inscription is unique in every respect as there is not a punctuation mark from start to finish.
“Tho I am dead yet speaketh
For here is a rest upon this millstone top
I set the noble block
To let the world no that what I have done
It is ever been my heart desire
To do unto you as I would you should do unto me
So cast the beam out of your own eye
And let me lie in peace and sing my redeemer love
Come my sweet companion meet me here”
For years he had his coffin, made by himself, kept in his dwelling and used it for a bean storage box. He also had a small headstone about 24” by 18” on which is this inscription
Come all my friends from far and near
Without a sigh or a fear
The storm is past and I am at rest
Weep no more for me
Please take the golden rule for your guide
And a clear conscience by your side
Mar not the sand you see
Take you your cross and follow me
After “Uncle David” died, there was a large flat stone, as large as four oxen could draw, drawn up and laid across the two graves. The small stones and rail were put in place upon this flat stone.
Mary. “Uncle David’s sweet companion, died July 15, 1875 ae 81 yr.
David died November 8, 1884 aged 89 years.
“Uncle David” has pounded up a large white limestone rock with a mortar and pestle. This, he requested, should be put on the graves to a depth of two or three inches, each year. This was kept in the tomb.
Other ghostly and eerie tales of Cavendish
Is the Golden Stage Inn a Haunted New England Inn?
Twenty Mile Stream-Grave Robbery
A Cavendish Christmas Ghost Story: 2020
