The History of the Cemetery
So how did a downtown cemetery become a downtown park and what is the story about its only resident, Peter Myers? The tale is as interesting and storied as the lone occupant you can find resting in the park.
This piece of land now known as Clay Street Park was once owned by Andrew Engle. Many many years ago he gave the land to the newly-formed village to use free-of-charge, with one stipulation--it was to always and forever remain a cemetery or they would have to give it up. It is after this point the information becomes uncertain and unclear depending on the source.
Some say the residents of Old Millersburg Cemetery were moved as a result of poor drainage causing the resting places to become exposed so much as to include both bones and caskets. Others believe that the church reponsible for the grounds was relocated and as tradition then, the bodies were relocated with it. Unfortunately, none of the stories can be verified.
Never Really Alone
Peter Myers was a veteran that served in three wars--the Revolutionary War (he was one of 31 Revolutionary War soldiers from Holmes County), the French and Indian wars, and the War of 1812. He served under General Washington. His body also bore many battle scars, including one that stretched from his mouth to his eye, the result of a skirmish with Indians under the command of General “Mad” Anthony Wayne at Fort Green Ville, the largest wooden fortification ever built, where the Treaty of Greenville was signed on August 3, 1795 to open the Northwest Territory for settlement.
While all the other bodies were relocated to nearby Oak Hill Cemetery Peter Myers was left behind. This is another aspect of this interesting tale that no one is certain of as well. Some believe it is a result of the stipulation Andrew Engle attached to the property. In order to keep the property the Village of Millersburg was required to maintain it as a cemetery. By keeping its most famed individual on site it secured the property indefinitely. Another aspect to the story has the citizens not wanting to move this upstanding man from his final resting place simply out of respect. Whatever the reasoning both the property and its lone resident both have interesting tales to tell. While you are here you may want to take the time to check out the final resting spot of Peter Myers.