The annual Greenfield Historical Society Ghost Walk will be held Monday, Oct. 10, at 6 p.m. when the Old Burying Ground will come alive with the story of early Greenfield residents.
The story of James Patterson Morrow will be told by Danny Long. Morrow was raised on a farm, but took up the profession of a carpenter and house builder. Later he became a photographer. He had several wives and children buried in the Old Burying Ground. He died in 1904.
Susan Long will tell the story of Phoebe Wornstaff, who married Jacob Turnipseed. Wornstaff was Turnipseed’s first wife, with two more wives following her death. Turnipseed was a bricklayer and later became a farmer in the Lynchburg area. Susan Long will tell about his tragic death and the death of his third wife, Sarah.
John Ferneau had an interesting life that will be described by Terry Washburn. Ferneau was born in Germany and came to America as a Hessian soldier to fight on the British side. He was a drum major who become a prisoner of war after the Battle of Yorktown. Deciding to stay in America, he apprenticed to a glovemaker and settled in western Virginia, later moving to the Greenfield area and settling in Buckskin Township.
Archibald Gray was a saddle and harness maker in the New Petersburg area. He came to Greenfield from the Northumberland area of Pennsylvania, where he was a member of the militia in the 1780s. Otis Wagner will relate Gray’s life.
The story of the families of James Patterson and Ann Steward Patterson will be shared by Robert and Roxanne Judkins. The Pattersons and Stewards have an interesting story to tell.
The walk this year will cover a part of the Old Burying Ground that has been recently cleaned and restored. Visitors will be able to see before and after photos of work volunteers did cleaning old tombstones.
Cookies and punch will be served after the walk.
“Come enjoy the autumn weather and learn about some of the early residents of Greenfield,” historical society member Harold Schmidt said.
Information for this article was provided by the Greenfield Historical Society.
