Heartbreaking Video Shows Grave Of A Young Boy Who Was Scared Of The Dark That Sparked Touching Tribute From Parents

The parents of a young boy who was afraid of the dark created a unique tomb to ensure he could rest bathed in light forever.

In the 19th century, an eight-year-old boy named Merrit Beardsley lived in Oxford, New York, with his mother and father.

As his life was nearing its premature end, he shared with his parents that he was scared of the dark and did not want to be buried in darkness.

After Merrit passed away in 1865 due to an incurable, feverish illness, his parents, Sarah and William Beardsley, chose to honor his last wish.

They opted not to bury him in complete darkness. Instead, they constructed a stone resting place set into a hillside, which featured a small window.

This was designed so that the morning sunlight would perpetually stream through onto their son.

Little Merrit's Tomb. Facebook / Little Merrit's Tomb

Decades later, Merrit's parents were laid to rest next to him in Beardsley Cemetery.

However, tranquility did not last, as in the 1970s, vandals desecrated Little Merrit’s Tomb.

It is reported that an individual reached into the grave, which was crafted by a stonecutter, and scattered Merrit's bones around the cemetery.

Furthermore, local police later found the boy's skull in a vandal's bedroom.

In response to the vandalism, a glass company from Norwich, New York, was hired to replace the tomb's window.

Despite their efforts, vandals persistently broke the glass, and over time, the story of the tomb faded from memory.

Yet, in 2013, a young man named Stefan Foster discovered the burial site and felt a strong connection to it.

Stefan Foster has worked to restore the tomb. Facebook / Little Merrit's Tomb

In an interview with Buzzfeed, he recalled, "My family first mentioned the story of Little Merrit’s Tomb when I was 8 or 9. Growing up, my grandma would take me in the car with her on ‘mystery trips’ to old ancestral sites and cemeteries around the county.

"Since then, I’ve carried an interest in finding forgotten sites along lesser-taken drives."

Motivated by his fascination, Foster initiated a fundraiser to restore the tomb to its original condition and later authored a book titled Little Merrit’s Tomb: A Field Guide. 

He claims that all proceeds from the book have been used to maintain the tomb, and the glass window has since been upgraded to plexiglass.

The touching story of Little Merrit’s Tomb has captured the hearts of many on social media. 

One Reddit user expressed, "Very sad that a child would even have to think about something like that."

Another shared, "I lived right around this area growing up and I never heard of this tomb or this story. Good on these guys for stepping up and preserving this cool piece of local history. Next time I am home I will have to head over the mountain to Oxford and check it out."

Another commenter admired Merrit's bravery: "Damn, that’s a tough kid to be staring at his own mortality at such a young age."

For those interested in visiting, Beardsley Cemetery is open from 'dawn to dusk for everyone who wishes to pay their respects.