Person Page - 306

Abstract of Will of Guy Sackett of Berlin Township, Delaware County, Ohio.
Date: 9 Jul 1855.
Proved: 10 Dec 1855.
Beneficiaries:
Sons Elijah G Sackett, Milton H Sackett, Augustine Sackett, one-fifth each of real & personal estate.
Sarah Duncan who has resided in my family for a number of years, one-fifth of all estate.
Son Robert D Sackett, $10.
Flora B Sackett, dau of Robert D Sackett, one-fifth of all estate less $10.
Executors: Son Augustine & Henry J Eaton.
Witnesses: Jas W Crawford, James Aigin, James Eaton.

Mystery grave remains in ill-fated love story of 1800s
By Nicolle Gomez
ThisWeek Staff Writer
     The search for Lydia Sackett’s final resting place is an enduring tale that defies time and piques the interest of those who hear the ill-fated love story involving one of Liberty Township’s early settlers.
     There’s even a song written about Lydia. Singer and songwriter Beckie Boger worked for Liberty Presbyterian Church for 10 years as the music director. She said she learned of Lydia’s story from church members and those who worked with her.
     Lydia Sackett was the sweetheart of John Flanagan Cellar. Cellar’s family was one of the earliest pioneer families settling in what is now Liberty Township.
     Before they could be married, Lydia died. She is buried somewhere in the Liberty Presbyterian Church cemetery at Home Road and state Route 315.
     Both Lydia and John courted until he was called to serve in the War of 1812. According to local historians, John promised to return and marry his sweetheart.
     Upon his return, he found Lydia on her deathbed. Historical accounts indicate she died from a fever, probably whooping cough.
     Distraught by his loss, John asked Lydia’s father, Thomas, for permission to bury her on land John was to inherit from his father.
     "John obtained permission from her father to bury her just west of the Olentangy on a beautiful rise in a grove of oaks, by what was known as Sulphur Springs Road. It became the first grave site at the Liberty Presbyterian Church," wrote David A. Redding in a book documenting the beginnings of the church.
     Two years later, Thomas Cellar, John’s father, was buried in the same grove by the river close to where Lydia lies.
     According to a book written by Harriet Frye titled, "Liberty Presbyterian Church: And The Liberty Community," legend has it that several other pioneer families buried their dead there. In 1820, when the people wanted to build a meeting house, they gave the ground where his sweetheart and father laid and the accompanying land for a church and churchyard.
     Frye writes that the deed to the land was recorded in the courthouse in 1855.
     John later married Elizabeth Dunlap and had no children; when Elizabeth died, John married Lucy Wilson and had seven children.
     Whether it is history or legend, many like Boger say that the church was built in the memory and honor of Lydia.
     "This is an amazing area—holy ground. John Cellar’s gift of the church is a gift that keeps on giving. Look at the rich history the area and the church have," said Boger.
     Boger added, "Lydia’s story is one that draws people to ask questions about the mystery surrounding her life and death; it draws people to the church."
     No one knows for sure where in the cemetery Lydia is buried. If there once was a tombstone, it is now gone. Lydia is not accounted for in any cemetery plot or in history books in the area.
     John Flanagan Cellar died at age 87 in 1875. He’s buried in the same cemetery alongside his two wives.
     According to those who have heard the story, they believe that John and Lydia are finally together.
     "It’s sad, their time on earth together was cut short, they were finally united in death," said Judi Brozek, a local history buff.
     In those days, families were buried together, so it's odd that a sweetheart was placed in what is now a family plot, said Brozek.
     "The interest in finding Lydia's plot would make her a real person that lived, who was loved and who loved others," said Brozek.
     Boger agrees.
     "It’s a wonderful story that has real roots in our community," she said.
     Boger said she feels she was meant to put their story in a song, called "Where Lydia Lies." While driving along the Olentangy River, on her way to the church, some of the lyrics popped into her head.
     It was the fastest song she's written in her musical career, she said. The tune is performed by the band Stark Raven—of which Boger is a member—on its CD "Stark Raven." It can be purchased at the Border’s bookstore on Kenney Road or at amazon.com.

Where Lydia Lies
Song lyrics by Beckie Boger

Verse 1:
John Flannigan was a passionate man,
born to this earth with a plow in his hands.
Lydia Sackett was every man’s dream.
Johnny loved Lydia forever, it seemed.
It was 18 and 12 when the bugle call came,
so Johnny marched off while his Lydia waved.
It was two years before he could see her again,
hoping and praying she'd waited for him.

Verse 2:
Lydia lingered 'til Johnny marched home.
Full of the fever, she died in his arms.
So Johnny gave Lydia back to the earth,
never to marry the light of his world.
With a rifle and knife he had fought for the cause;
now he would build with a hammer and saw.
In the shade of some oaks by an Indian trail,
he built his sweetheart a church in the vale.

Chorus:
Where Lydia lies, no cannon ball flies.
The sun always shines in the baby blue skies.
Where Lydia lies, the soul never dies.
Johnny won't cry, in the sweet by and by,
Where Lydia lies.

Verse 3:
Many years later the legacy stands
a little white church and the love of one man.
Out in the graveyard, carved in an oak,
"Johnny loves Lydia forever and ever" he wrote.

—Find a Grave image, posted by CJClark, from The Olentangy This Week News, Delaware County, Ohio, 31 Oct 2002