‘Ghosts’ make annual appearance at Hillsboro Cemetery
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Story and photos courtesy of Helen Roush
For The Highland County Press
On a hot and humid Thursday evening, a half dozen “ghosts” were spotted in the Hillsboro Cemetery as the Highland County Historical Society and the Southern Ohio Genealogical Society held its annual Ghost Walk.
More than 100 area residents were witnesses as they stood by each “ghost’s” final resting place and listened as all six discussed their lives that ended anywhere from 35 years to more than a century ago.
“It was a hot night, but we had a nice crowd and everyone seemed to have a good time,” Highland County historian Jean Wallis said. “And all of our ghosts this year did a wonderful job.”
Those in attendance heard from:
• Mary Collins (1845-53), who was the daughter of William O. Collins and Catherine Wever Collins, and was a sister to Caspar Collins. She was portrayed by 13-year-old Anne Throckmorton.
• George Ambrose (1803-80), a local brick maker who made the bricks for the Methodist Church in 1853, who was portrayed by Dwight Crum.
• John Mills Barrere (1800-80), an adjutant with the 60th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, who was captured at Harpers Ferry, Va. Barrere lost three sons, Thomas, William and Bebee, in the Civil War. Highland County Press columnist Steve Roush portrayed Barrere.
• William Scott (1810-86), who built the Scott House on West Main Street in Hillsboro. He was portrayed by Denny Kirk.
• David (1912-82) and Jane McBride (1919-72), who co-authored five of the most important books of information for Highland County historians, including: “Cemetery Inscriptions of Highland County, Ohio,” “Marriage Records of Highland County, Ohio (1805-1880),” “Wills, Administrations, Guardianships and Adoptions of Highland County, Ohio,” “Records of the Recorder’s Office” and “Common Pleas Records of Highland County, Ohio.” The McBrides were portrayed by Mel Haines and Jane Stowers.
At the end of the night, Mrs. Wallis thanked everyone for attending, and said that the societies would be working together again to present another Ghost Walk next summer.
For The Highland County Press
On a hot and humid Thursday evening, a half dozen “ghosts” were spotted in the Hillsboro Cemetery as the Highland County Historical Society and the Southern Ohio Genealogical Society held its annual Ghost Walk.
More than 100 area residents were witnesses as they stood by each “ghost’s” final resting place and listened as all six discussed their lives that ended anywhere from 35 years to more than a century ago.
“It was a hot night, but we had a nice crowd and everyone seemed to have a good time,” Highland County historian Jean Wallis said. “And all of our ghosts this year did a wonderful job.”
Those in attendance heard from:
• Mary Collins (1845-53), who was the daughter of William O. Collins and Catherine Wever Collins, and was a sister to Caspar Collins. She was portrayed by 13-year-old Anne Throckmorton.
• George Ambrose (1803-80), a local brick maker who made the bricks for the Methodist Church in 1853, who was portrayed by Dwight Crum.
• John Mills Barrere (1800-80), an adjutant with the 60th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, who was captured at Harpers Ferry, Va. Barrere lost three sons, Thomas, William and Bebee, in the Civil War. Highland County Press columnist Steve Roush portrayed Barrere.
• William Scott (1810-86), who built the Scott House on West Main Street in Hillsboro. He was portrayed by Denny Kirk.
• David (1912-82) and Jane McBride (1919-72), who co-authored five of the most important books of information for Highland County historians, including: “Cemetery Inscriptions of Highland County, Ohio,” “Marriage Records of Highland County, Ohio (1805-1880),” “Wills, Administrations, Guardianships and Adoptions of Highland County, Ohio,” “Records of the Recorder’s Office” and “Common Pleas Records of Highland County, Ohio.” The McBrides were portrayed by Mel Haines and Jane Stowers.
At the end of the night, Mrs. Wallis thanked everyone for attending, and said that the societies would be working together again to present another Ghost Walk next summer.