Edmund Toles

Edmund Toles died in 1866 at the age of 52. He has been is Sexton Cemetery for 40 years.

Much background of the village cemetery is lost. We do know that the rental of the “burial ground and public ground adjoining it” was a source of income for the village. The first renter, in 1833, paid $4.12-½ for the use of the cemetery and $3.12 for growing hay and grains or grazing cattle. In 1845, Edmund was allowed to “use the burying ground for a year for a crop of oats” in exchange for which he would move the (cemetery) fence on the line on Alder Street.

In 1852, at a cost of fifty dollars, a “brick dead house” was approved for construction.



Transcribed by Kaitlyn.D, Hannah.A, Joseph P


Edmund Toles is an ordinary man who is mostly lost to history. The only thing we do know about him is that he was a Sexton of the cemetery who knew everyone that died there at the time. He also had permission to grow oats at the Liverpool Cemetery. In exchange, he would have had to move the fence on the line of Alder Street. From 1814-1866, Edmund lived a quiet life, presumably. The events that happened during his time are very important though, and the information should never be lost to time. When Edmund was 14 years old, the Oswego Canal opens in Liverpool. Which gave access to Lake Ontario and international shipping. Now, Liverpool is a trading post with all the canals they have, including the Erie Canal. In 1848, the first public school is now established. Also, Hiram Putman is the first President of the Board of Education. When Edmund Toles was 51 years old, one year before his death, the 13th Amendment is now established. The Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. This is also when the Assumption Church is now built-in Syracuse.