Near Oxford in Chenango County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Little Merrit's Tomb
Photographed by Jason Voigt
1. Little Merrit's Tomb Marker
A unique tomb with a window, marking the final resting place of young Merrit Beardsley upon his death in 1865.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.
Location. 42° 27.25′ N, 75° 38.545′ W. Marker is near Oxford, New York, in Chenango County. It is on Hoben Road, on the left when traveling west. Marker is located at Beardsley Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 890 Hoben Rd, Oxford NY 13830, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York and in the Southern Tier. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Patriot Burial (approx. 1.3 miles away); Loomis Cemetery
this page online
More about this marker. Marker text repeats on both sides.
Also see . . . The most unusual grave in update NY has tiny window to honor boy's final wish. Article from NewYorkUpstate.com. According to legend, Merrit Beasley was only 8 years old when he contracted an incurable fever, supposedly by drinking bad milk. It is said that his dying wish to his parents was not to be buried underground and to have a window at his grave. This was because of his fear of the dark; his father fulfilled that request. Over the decades, the cemetery and the grave have gone through lack of upkeep. In 2013, a local boy helped restore the grave but five years later it was vandalized. (Submitted on June 12, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 12, 2023
2. Little Merrit's Tomb Marker
Marker and tomb are located at Beardsley Cemetery.
Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 12, 2023
3. Little Merrit's Tomb
The final resting place of Merrit Beardsley. The window on the grave has been replaced many times due to vandalism.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 1,234 times since then and 142 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 12, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
