In the early 1990’s, a large rectangular-shaped headstone was found, unearthed while workers were constructing a new parking lot.  The lot, in what was then Penguin Mechanical Services (now Positive Energy Electrical) is at the northeast corner of Eagle Street and West Main Street, in Madison village.  Three sides of the stone bear the names of the Merriman family – Dr. A. Merriman, died July 23, 1867), Grata Merriman, wife of Dr. A. Merriman, dates illegible, and Kate C., daughter of Dr. A. And G.T. Merriman, February 23 1850, aged 3 years.  The fourth side lists three names – Irwin S. Childs 1840 – (blank), Ellen B. Merriman, his wife, 1842 – 1897, and Harry M. Childs, 1871 – 1894.  Naturally the question follows, who were these people, and why are they there?

A final bit more information… There is a brass plaque on the ‘Kate’ side of the monument at West Main and Eagle streets, with the name of Louis C. Grabski, U.S. Navy Veteran, who served in WWII.  Mr. Grabski lived at 15 Eagle Street while growing up, and lived his life there until his death in 2001.  The Centreville Cemetery was said to have been located where the house at 15 Eagle Street stood, continuing about ¼ mile west behind the houses along West Main.  Mr. Grabski is said to have related that when the basement for his house was built, remains were found.  And, local lore indicates after he died, his ashes were spread around the monument across the street from his house.