Rare Items from Grace Brown

at the First Baptist Church in South Otselic, 130 County Road 13

Recently, rare items dating back over 120 years that belonged to Grace Brown of South Otselic have been acquired by Paul Heagerty of Oswego, who has an extensive collection of memorabilia covering the life of Grace Brown, Chester Gillette, and the famous murder trial of 1906.

Over the past several years, Paul became well acquainted with Dr. Robert C. Williams of Novi, Michigan, who was Grace’s great nephew. Dr. Williams, aka Bob, received these items decades earlier from his Aunt Betty, who received them from her mother, Mary Brown Landesman. Mary Landesman was Grace’s next youngest sister, who was 18 at the time when Grace was murdered by Chester Gillette at Big Moose Lake in the Adirondacks in 1906. Grace’s death resulted in one of the most sensational murder trials in New York State and the nation. Chester was convicted of Grace’s murder and executed by electric chair (known as “Old Smokey”) at Auburn Prison in 1908.

In late December of 2024, Paul received a phone call from Bob. Because of health issues, Bob requested that Paul assume custody of Grace’s personal items so that they could join her famous love letters in one permanent collection at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York. These personal items include her 1902 diary, a small ring, her sewing kit, her cradle, and a lock of her hair.

Before these rare items are moved to their final resting place in Clinton, Paul would like to share them with folks in the South Otselic area so they have an opportunity to see these rare treasures in person. On July 11, 2025, exactly 119 years since her tragic death, Grace’s personal items will be on display, along with Paul’s extensive collection of memorabilia, at the First Baptist Church in South Otselic at 7:00- 9:00pm.

To begin the program, we will show the 2021 film “My Dear Chester,” a film that dramatized Grace’s last ten love letters. Filmed at the Town Hall in South Otselic, “My Dear Chester” was written and directed by Jack Sherman, produced by Michael Foor-Pessin, and filmed by Greg Milunich. The character of Grace was played by OVCS graduate Morgan Smith of South Otselic.

The Otselic Valley Fishing and Heritage Association is sponsoring this program, and we thank Paul Heagerty for sharing his knowledge and collection with our community. Mark your calendars. You don’t want to miss this. If you have questions, email Michael Foor-Pessin at foorpessin@gmail.com.

Loren and son LJ Barrigar Concert at the Cincinnatus Area Heritage Hall

Loren started playing guitar when he was only four years old,and by the time he was six, he played the Chet Atkins hit “Yackety Axe” in front of thousands of country music fans at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. He went on to study with Jimmy Atkins (Chet’s brother) which led to a touring career with his family band from Nashville to Las Vegas. Since settling down in Central New York, he has been in constant demand as a studio musician. Self-taught musician, LJ is now playing with his dad as part of their finger-picking style duo and performing all over Central New York and beyond. They have been on the road doing shows and appearing on the radio in Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Maryland, and Arkansas. Audiences are enthusiastic and many fans return frequently to local shows.

Presentation on the Paleo-Indians in Chenango County at the North Pitcher Church

Features a special emphasis on the Otselic River Valley by David Moyer. Mr. Moyer is President of the Chenango County Chapter of the NY State Archeological Society and owner and President of Birchwood Archaeological Services, which specializes in archaeological support and research, catering to clients interested in the field of archaeology.

Zach Rowland Concert at the Georgetown Fireman's Field

Zach is a 2011 graduate of Otselic Valley Central School. He has performed throughout the area as a guitarist and vocalist.