Mara Grace

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"She rode in an Ox drawn cart with a long pine chest as her seat and a chest of drawers at her back." *

Mara spent the last years of her life in the 'Red House' with her son William. She was a woman of culture and an earnest Christian. She belonged to the Methodist Church in Leona which still stands. Her eldest son, Joseph was one of its 8 original founders in 1813.

The 'Red House' had an especially large fireplace and chimney. It was large enough to hold an eight foot log. Mara's grandson Addison, son of William and Hannah S. Grace, born in 1830, often told his family about playing near the fireplace while his grandmother Mara dozed in her chair. When he got between her and the fire, blocking the heat, she would waken and scold him saying, "Git out of there you little Imp or I'll cane you good"

In her later years, Mara must have suffered from asthma for she spent her nights sitting in her chair in front of the fireplace, She always kept a pot of tea near the coals and poured herself a cup several times during the night.

On August 30, 1844, when nearly 85 yrs. of age, she reached for her teapot and fell into the embers. Her screams brought her son William to her side. She died soon after from burns and shock suffered in he accident. She was laid to rest in the upper Leone Cemetery in an unmarked grave except for a fieldstone. *

• at the time of this article (1976) Dora Grace Donnocker great-great-grand-daughter of Mara Sargeant Grace is the proud owner of The blanket chest and her sister Ruth Grace Jones has the chest of drawers. On June 27th, Sunday, the descendants of Mara Sargeant Grace will honor her memory at the gravesite when a suitable monument, purchased with their generous contributions, will be unveiled. The services planned will culminate with a genealogical attendance of family, friends, George Clymer and Os Co Hu D.A.R. Chapters, ** and Bradford County and State Historical Society Personnel. A song composed by Mara's son, William, who died May 25th, 1849, five years after the death of his mother, called "Memories of the Old Kitchen Floor" will also be a part of the memorial service. Hannah Salisbury Grace, wife of William died on Feb. 7th, 1866 at the home of herson, Addison.
• A D.A.R. Flag Holder was placed at the gravesite in the ceremony June 14,1918.
  • The George Clymer and Os Co Hu Chapters of D.A.R. donated the Bronze Plaque secured to the Granite Memorial which reads: "Mara Sargeant -Patriot at Bunker Hill, Placed by George Clymer Chapter D.A.R. , E. Balch Fund and Os Co Hu Chapter D.A.R."