Recently I was taking a walk in a soccer field behind Norwich University and found a small family cemetery plot in the middle of the field. As my curiosity got the better of me I decided to jot down the names of the stones which are in utter disarray. After a trip to the library and talking with some friends I found out that the little family plot was that of Stanton Richardson who was one of the original founders of the town of Northfield. My concern and the reason for this letter is that one would think that this plot would be historical to some nature and treated as such. It is not however treated any better then something you toss to the wayside and forget about. The grave stones are in disrepair as well as the ground surrounding it. More care has been taken to perfect the soccer fields which surround it then the site itself. Mr. Richardson's stone has been split in half and there are two bullet holes through it. The rest of his families stones are buried in the ground or covered with weeds and grass and one would never know with the way this area looks who this person was or what his significance was on this town.

I think something should be done about it and questions arise as to why the town has let this historic little family cemetery go to waste. I think it is a shame that we put so much effort into making other things in this town beautiful and we forget about those things or places that are off the beaten path. Every other cemetery in this town is taken care of and maintained. The question is does this cemetery plot deserve to be treated with such disregard considering the importance of this figure and his family.

SARAH MATTHEWS

Northfield