After Five Decades, An Amazing Homecoming for Lucy Marcy

EASTFORD — After nearly 50 years away, Lucy Marcy’s headstone has finally returned home to Eastford.

The remarkable journey began in mid-July when First Selectman Deb Richards received a call from Elaine Hess, chairperson of the Montville Cemetery Group. While organizing the basement of Montville Town Hall, the group discovered Lucy Marcy’s headstone, which they believe had been stored there since the 1960s. Further investigation revealed that the stone had been found years earlier along a back road in Montville and brought to Town Hall for safekeeping. How it came to be abandoned there may never be known.

With assistance from Montville Town Historian Jon Chase, the group began researching the stone’s origins. Using records compiled by Mike Carroll of Rediscovering History, Inc., along with the Hale Index System, they determined that Lucy Marcy had originally been buried in Deane Cemetery in Eastford. Elaine Hess then contacted Deb Richards to arrange for the headstone’s return.

On the morning of July 20, Lucy Marcy’s headstone was carefully reset in Deane Cemetery, placed behind her footstone and near the grave of her husband’s first wife, Polly. Oren Marcy married Polly in 1797 and, following her death, married Lucy in 1820. Polly’s parents are also buried in Deane Cemetery, along with Oren and Polly’s 3-year-old daughter, Esther.

Although the exact date of Polly Marcy’s death remains unknown, Lucy Marcy died in 1830. Despite extensive research, the burial location of Oren Marcy, who died in 1828, has not been confirmed. It is believed that he was buried in Deane Cemetery, but his headstone has never been located.

The successful return of Lucy Marcy’s headstone was made possible through the dedication and collaboration of many individuals. Special thanks go to the Montville Cemetery Group, Mayor Bunnell Sr., Montville Town Historian Jon Chase, Mike Carroll of Rediscovering History, Inc., Eastford First Selectman Deb Richards, Chairman of the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Tom DeJohn, and Historian Tom Latham, whose combined efforts ensured that Lucy’s marker was finally returned to its rightful place.

After nearly half a century away — and nearly two centuries after her death — Lucy Marcy’s headstone once again rests in Eastford, reunited with her family. Her story is a remarkable reminder of the importance of preserving local history and honoring those who came before us. This long-overdue homecoming stands as a testament to what can be accomplished through historical research, community collaboration, and a shared commitment to preserving our shared heritage.

After nearly five decades away, the headstone of Lucy Marcy was finally returned to Deane Cemetery on Ashford Road in July. Courtesy photos