Visitors to the Cemetery on the Plain for a “ghost walk” traveled back in time – learning details of Windham’s history from 14 volunteer actors who portrayed real citizens buried there.

The characters, whose dress and speech reflected the times in which they lived, presented factual narratives of their lives as they stood at their graves. Their stories shed light on some of the town’s history, especially its early days.

“I tried to live what I preached,” Rev. Calvin Cutler, portrayed by resident Dennis Butterfield, told a group during the Sunday, Oct. 11, event. “Because of this and my education, men from all over sought my advice on business, personal, as well as spiritual matters. My house was open to all. It was a ministerial tavern, if you will.”

Cutler – born 218 years ago – served as a minister in town from 1828 to 1844. He comforted the sick and injured, was an early proponent of the anti-slavery movement and drew a ministerial stipend of $450 annually.

The walk was sponsored by the Friends of the Windham Historic Commission to benefit restoration work at Searles School and Chapel. All the characters were portrayed by Windham residents.

Marion Dinsmore, one of the event’s organizers, wrote letters to residents who organizers thought would be a good fit for a role – and received a good response.

“It’s good for people to know what the (town’s) history is,” she said. “We did research to make sure the facts were right. (The actors) were really good. I can’t get over what a good job they did.”

Some of the other citizens whom people met on the walk included: Dr. Benjamin Simpson, who spent two years studying medicine before setting up his first practice; David Gregg, a boy killed in 1749 by Indians and the first person buried in the cemetery; the painter and teacher Mary Bradish Titcomb; James Betton, who served as an agent to the Continental Congress; and Robert Bartley Jr., a local merchant and member of the Whig Party.

Bartley married three times. A group of listeners laughed when they learned that his first wife gave him seven children and his second wife bore eight children.

Through the stories they heard, listeners got an idea of what life was like for people living in Windham during the 18th and 19th centuries.

They learned of the customs people practiced, the struggles they endured, the diseases they suffered, the crops they grew, the churches they worshipped in, and the animals that inhabited their forests.

More than 115 people attended the walk. Organizers, who also sold etchings of the old part of the cemetery and copies of town histories, heard positive reviews from the people who attended.

“I think it was fantastic,” said resident Judy Mentuck after she finished her walk. Mentuck has lived in town for 30 years but didn’t know much about its history. Now, she’s interested in learning more.

During their walk, people learned about the littleknown Garaphelia Park. In 1913, Mr. and Mrs. Horace Berry acquired a piece of land adjoining the cemetery to create the park in memory of his first wife, Harriett Garaphelia Hughes Berry.

State Rep. Mary Griffin, portraying Harriett, shared that history and invited people to walk over to see the park’s marble monument in her memory.

At the other end of the cemetery, Elva Tarbell, portrayed by Charlene Cochrane, talked about her son, Wilbur E. Tarbell, a Navy man who was lost at sea while serving on the USS Scorpion submarine.

He’s believed to be the only World War II casualty from Windham. An inscribed arch at the cemetery honors his memory and the local American Legion post is named after him.