Comments on: Follow-up: Haverhill cemeteries

By: Fiona Broome

Fiona Broome — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:59:11 +0000

Hello Deirdre,

Thanks for your comment! I look forward to seeing you at Tenney Gate House. It’s a wonderfully eerie location.

I haven’t had a chance to research Polly Winters in depth, except to see that she and her father worked as staff at the site that’s now part of the Haverhill historical properties. I’m making a note of this, so I make that research a higher priority in the coming year.

Thanks again, and I hope to see you soon!

By: Deirdre

Deirdre — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:17:33 +0000

Hello Fiona,
Thank you for enlightening me on this very active city. It was literally “by chance” that I just stumbled upon your recent visit this summer, only to find you will be visiting again soon (this very week-end!) I hope to surprise my sister in law with a day of ghost hunting here in Haverhill, and end the day with your visit at Tenney Gate. As I plan on taking her to the cemeteries you explored, I am hoping you can share a bit more information on Polly Winters, (Pentucket Buriel Ground) as you noted you would in a future article. I searched the site, and if I missed it, I apologize, but if not, can you please expand on who she was to give me a bit of history to share? Thanks very much in advance, and I look forward to this week-end!

Kind Regards,
~d

By: Fiona Broome

Fiona Broome — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:26:51 +0000

Hello Allison,

That’s a lovely thought! I wish I could remember the name. I do a lot of events, and I don’t retain the names from all of them… limited RAM, I guess. I want to say it was Joseph …something. One of Tom’s team — she’s related to the Pratt family of Salem (MA), so that’s how I think of her — knew more of the history than I did.

If I recall the name next time I’m at that location, I’ll post it here, but I’m not scheduled to return there for the immediate future. Generally, you could put flowers where the face appeared; I’m sure his grave is nearby.

By: Allison

Allison — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 05:20:47 +0000

Hi Fiona!
I’m a part of Merrimack Valley Ghost Hunters.
I know this comment is very, very late but I have a question to ask.
I spoke with the head of Essex County Ghost Project, Tom.
He showed me a photograph of a ghost soldier’s head rising out of a hill. (I am sure you have seen this picture.)
He said you and him knew the name of this poor man. You guys had done some research. Apparently, he was a civil war soldier killed in combat.
I was wondering if you could tell me his name because I want to put some flowers on his grave.
I felt so much sadness seeing his face twisted and contorted in agony.
It just disturbed me.
The least I can do is put some nice flowers on the gravesite.
Can you tell me his name and where he is located?
Please get back to me!

By: Fiona Broome

Fiona Broome — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:16:45 +0000

Thanks for the additional information, Tracy! Unfortunately, we haven’t been back to that cemetery since our visit. However, you may learn more information from the Essex County Ghost Project, since they work in that area and were part of the investigation that night.

By: Todd Tracy

Todd Tracy — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:49:58 +0000

I would like to know more about what was found at the Walnut Cemetery during your visit. The Effie Ela you spoke of is my great-grandmother. Most of the gravestones you see in that part of the cemetery were created by my family as they were stone workers. The angel you said moved is there for my great aunt and uncle who died at a very young age. They were twins. They are actual Effie’s husband Jack Ela’s (my great-grandfather) brother and sister. They both played the violin. Hence the dipiction of the instrument on the site as well.

If you could share more information, or have any questions of me and my Ela family I’d be happy to try to answer your questions. The last 4 people in my family who will be burried there are my father, mother, uncle and his daughter.

Sincerely,

Todd Tracy