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This is a list of the grave stones still visible in the old St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery on Route 56 in the Town of Potsdam, NY. This census was taken in the late summer of 2001 and approximately 1050 separate graves were identified, plus about 50 more pedestals which probably bore gravestones in the past. Many of the stones were broken or so worn that they were illegible. Approximately 50 stones were discovered buried under several inches of soil but it must be assumed that many more were not discovered. The parish death register from 1879-1915 was later consulted to help fill in missing dates and to clarify names. Data from this register and certain information from censuses is written in parentheses to show that it does not actually appear on the stone. If a line separates members of a family in this listing, it means that they are in the same plot as others but have a separate stone.

In at least 25 cases, the year of death marked on a stone was one year off from that which was recorded in the parish register. Some of these discrepancies may have been due to transcription errors in the cemetery, but it is puzzling, at the very least, that each difference is off by exactly one year, and that it is always the last digit of the date

The cemetery is at the corner of NY Route 56 and the Garfield Rd., with the Garfield Cemetery forming the eastern border and an empty field forms the northern line. There are 60 rows of graves, numbered starting from the Garfield Cemetery. There are 7 columns assigned letters A through G, with A being the most northerly one. A narrow driveway leads from the main entrance on Route 56 and enters the cemetery between columns C and D. This path is not completely straight and bends slightly to the north as it goes up the small hill towards the Garfield Cemetery

There are virtually no trees or shrubs in the cemetery, but several large stumps attest that there were at one time. Most of the graves face Route 56, but a few face the opposite direction, and a very few face north.

The cemetery was apparently established some time in the 1850’s, and burials as late as 2000 were recorded, although there is a newer cemetery which is the one generally used today(which is also located on Route 56, but just outside the village limits.)

St. Mary’s parish has a map of plot ownership of the old cemetery, but no actual burial list. However, a record of funerals beginning in 1879 does exist and helps to shed some light on stones that were difficult to read or broken. However, from 1879 until 1915, there were no years in which more than half the recorded burials actually had visible gravestones by the summer of 2001. There are 420 separate plots, each one 10 by 24 feet. There is room in each plot for at least 5 graves, or a minimum capacity of 2100 burials. It must be assumed that the new cemetery was begun because all (or most) of the plots in the old cemetery had been sold and/or used. The fact that only 1050 graves could be identified, and the fact that only a small percentage of the people listed in the funeral book could be found in the cemetery points to the fact that there must be many graves which have sunk out of sight or perhaps never had permanent markers at all.

It appears that burials up until the 1880’s were done under a system of common ownership of the cemetery. However, in January 1886, parishioners were asked to purchase lots ($10) or half lots ($5) for their family use. Lots were sold starting in Row 1 up near the Garfield Cemetery, and were sold down as far as lot 44 which is at the brow of the hill leading down to (what is now) Route 56. After January 1886, lots were sold as they were needed and in no particular order. This fact helped to identify some (about 60) of the burial sites in the cemetery. By correlating dates of plot purchase with the funeral list, the burial sites for many individuals could be ascertained. The last names of these burials appear in italics in this list so that researchers will know that no gravestone exists for that person, but that the plot was purchased at the time of the death and it can be assumed that the person is in that plot.

Many of the Irish names in the cemetery have two forms: with the "O" (grandson) or "Mc" (son) prefix or without it. Technically, almost all Irish surnames have one or the other prefix, however, it became politically expedient to do away with the prefixes in 19th century Britain and America. Lately, the trend has reversed, and many families are re-instating the prefix. If an "O’Leary" does not appear on this list, look under "Leary". The families are the same in any event.

French surnames present an entirely different set of problems. French spelling and pronunciation is so different from English that many names are almost unrecognizable in the anglicized form. For example, Gearo is probably Giroux originally, and LaBaff and LaBoef are the same. Many times families would simply translate their name into English, so Desjardin became Gardiner. However they sometimes left off the prefix as the Irish did, so Oliver Graff was also known as Oliver LaGraff

There are at least 29 veterans buried in the cemetery, including 22 Civil War soldiers. Some other statistics:

earliest burial: Margaret Falon, Jan. 26, 1849

most recent burial (as of Sep. 2001): Helen Gardner, Jan. 10, 2000

oldest person in the cemetery: John Osier, died at 105 in 1854

person born longest ago: John Osier would have been born in 1749

most common name: Sullivans comprise almost 5 % of known burials

 

Please note: In the chart below, the information reading from left to right does not always line up as it should. The original chart by John Austin was perfect, but in converting the chart to HTML format, I was unable to keep everything in line, especially where a lot of information was presented. For example, the four children of Michael and Ellen Barnett are the last four names in that rectangle, but in the "other info" column, the additional information for each child is not in line with their names. My apolgies--if you have questions regarding this, please contact either John or myself. (Chuck Morgan)

 

 

SURNAME	GIVEN NAMES	DATES	PLOT NO.	OTHER INFO
Akey	Melinda Catherine	1860-1939 1863-1899 (Nov. 13)	49D	"Mother"
Akey	Thomas Mary his wife Paul Vernon R.	1830-1911 1833-1908 (Mar. 14) 1875-1945 June 18, 1918-Jul. 7, 1942	48D	Rosanna Akey Wineberg is also recorded on this stone   died in the Philippines in WW2
Allen	Catherine Daniel     Emery	Dec. 28, 1857-June 25, 1907 d. Dec. 5, 1887     no dates (prob. Mar. 18, 1881)	9E	wife of Emery P. Allen ae 3 yrs 5(?) mos 16 days. Son of Emery and Catherine Allen. His full name appears to have been William Daniel Allen son of Emery and Catherine Allen. Church records list a 5 month old James Emery Allen who died in March 1881
Amo	Charles	d. Feb. 11, 1893 ae 45	18A	son of Frank and Miranda Amo
Amo	Charles	d. Aug. 6, 1893	27G	ae 3 mos 13 days. Son of Frank and Jennie Amo. "Our Baby". Listed as J. Amo in the Church records. Grave may be in plot 26G
Arton	Alexander Sophia	1862-1930 1849-1931	18A	lived in the Albion House in Potsdam in 1905 with daughter Mary
Barnett	Jeremiah Catherine O’Driscoll his wife Mary Ann their daughter   Leslie D(avid)	1809- (Feb. 11, 1904) 1815-1902 1855-1870   d. Mar. 8, 1882	36D	small stone saying Mary is actually behind the main stone and may not belong to this family ae 2 yrs 2 mos 1 day. Son of Patrick and Catherine Barnett
Barnett	Joseph P. Nellie T.	d. Sep. 24, 1900 ae 29 d. Oct. 10, 1883 ae 17	31E	daughter of John and Catherine Barnett
Barnett	Michael J. Ellen Culhane his wife George B. Mary Ann Leslie D. Michael J. Kittie E.	1854-1941 1854-1938 1881-1916 d. Dec. 8, 1885 d. Mar. 15, 1887 d. June 28, 1887(?) d. Aug. 7, 1889	30E	buried behind children of John and Catherine Barnett, and near Ellen Barnett Harrington these four are children of Michael and Ellen Barnett ae 5 days. Register says Dec. 7, 4 days old ae 4 mos 4(?) days ae 3 yrs 4 mos ae 11 yrs 4 mos
Barnett	Patrick Catherine Jeremiah Joanna Mary J	1833-1893 (June 14, ae 60) 1822-1899 (Jan. 20, ae 77) 1869-1897 (Aug. 29, ae 38) 1865-1938 d. ________ 1866(?)	36E	this stone is very worn and may not be a Barnett. "daughter of _________ and Catherine(?)"
Barry	Mary Ann	d. May(?) 15, 1865(?) ae 22	20G	wife of William Barry, stone is very worn
Barry	Michael Ellen his wife Michael J. Catherine	1824-1907 (Aug. 20) 1821-1906 (Jul. 17) 1860-1893 (Aug. 17) 1859-1946	16C	small stones Mother, Father and Michael. Lived in Potsdam in 1870 he was born in Waddington
Boby	Fred Mary Ellard his wife	1860- no date 1868-1913 (Aug. 14)	50C	he was still alive in 1905, at which time he lived on the Hopkinton Rd. in Potsdam
Bovay	James	d. Sep. 10, 1879 ae 15	3A	buried with his father(?) whose name is spelled Alexander Bovia. His wife died Aug. 27, 1912 ae 90 and is probably buried in the same plot
Bovay	Mabel	d. Apr. 21, 1889 ae 15 mos.	11A	plot bought by parents Nelson and Delia Bovay
Bovia	Alexander	1823-1903 (Feb. 7)	3A	92nd NY Inf. He is buried with his son(?) whose name is spelled James Bovay
Bradish	Wales E.	1885-1912 (May 17)	51B(?)	it is not clear exactly which plot this stone is in
Brady	Mary E. Mabel S.	1886-1906 (Aug. 13) 1889-1910 (Apr. 30)	56E	buried with Michael and Mary Sullivan
Brault	Jean Baptiste	d. Mar. 3, 1886 ae 86	38A	Alfred Brault bought the plot , but his name is spelled Brow in the record book
Brennan	Edward Catherine James	d. Nov. 2, 1898 ae 33 d. Jan 21, 1871 ae 34 1867-1876	19F	note that she was the wife of P. Brennan
Bresee(?)	William Patrick	d. Dec. 14, 1891 ae 18 mos	28F	plot bought by Hendrick Bresee(?)
Brewer			42D	see Francis and Catherine LaBoef, and also note after Nelson Brewer
Brewer	Nelson	d. Sep. 14, 1872 ae 32	42D	Co. B 16th NY Vols. Note that his parents are in this plot also but their names are listed as LaBoef AND as Brewer. Apparently they anglicized their names at some point. Nelson’s wife was Hannah Giroux.
Brewer	William H. Francis(sic) his wife	d. Mar. 30, 1899 ae 68 d. June 11, 1885 ae 65	16D	1st NY Lt. Art. Co. K. GAR marker
Brogan(?)	Gracie L.		27A	in the lot owned by Mrs. Jessie Brogan, stone says "Our Darling" but with no dates or last name
Brosseau	John Cecilia Y	1850-1945 1856-1916	15B	lived on the Sisson Rd. in Potsdam in 1905
Bryan	James Elizabeth (McNiff?)		36B	no dates on this stone, but a "James Brian" died Apr. 10, 1900 ae 55 which might be him) They are buried with the McNiffs and she is probably their daughter
Buckley	Ellen	1800-1874	29C	wife of Cornelius Buckley. She is buried with the family of John M. Casey (q.v.)
Burgess	Ralph	1906-1911	15G
Burke	Daniel David	d. (broken) ae 68 d. Oct. 19, 1856 ae 19	40E	plus 2 empty pedestals
Burke	Jeremiah Nancy his wife Kittie Patrick John	1823-1906 (Jul. 28) 1837-1913 1867-1882 1863-1898 1865-1900	15F	plus small stones for all. They lived in Stockholm in 1870, and his parents Jeremiah and Mary lived with them
Burke	John Annora Hurley his wife	June 18, 1818-Dec. 4, 1908 Aug. 25, 1818-Sep. 20, 1898	43G	Ellen Burke Hayes is also buried in this plot and is probably their daughter
Burke	Oliver J. Mary his wife	1827-1900 1834-1894	35G	lived in Stockholm in 1870 and had 8 children
Burke	Thomas	d. Nov. 2, 1865 ae 78	18E
Butler	David Ann D. his wife George	d. Feb. 10, 1884 ae 60 d. Jul. 10, 1900 ae 77 d. Oct. 20, 1882 ae 20	19E	lived in Potsdam in 1870. Kate Leary is also buried in this plot and may have been a daughter son of D. and A. Butler
Calnon	Ellen	d. Mar. 5, 1897 ae 42	45F	plot bought by Dan Calnon
Calnon	Hannah	d. Nov. 15, 1896 ae 18 mos	37G	plot bought by Thomas Calnon
Calnon	John	d. Dec. 2, 1874 ae 60	14F
Calnon	John Margaret his wife Daniel Arelia Johnson his wife	d. Nov. 13, 1894 ae 57 d. Aug. 1, 1883 ae 35 d. Aug. 5, 1903 ae 73 d. Nov. 23, 1905	10B	the name appears as "Colnon" on the stone, but Calnon is how this family appears in all other records Church records say he d. May 20, 1903 ae 57 ae 59 yrs 10 mos there is also a broken illegible stone in this plot "______ Hannah _______ d. 188_"
Calnon	Patrick Joanna John W.	d. Jul. 28, 1892 ae 90 d. Oct. 12, 1872 ae 14 d. Jan. 6, 1874	8D	daughter(?) of Patrick Calnon
Calnon	Patrick J. Ellen his wife Walter A. Margaret M.	1857-1940 1861-1898 (June 26) Mar. 24, 1896-Feb. 4, 1953 1874-1967	8C	PFC Debarkation Hospital, WW1 wife of Patrick Calnon
Campbell	John Ellen his wife Hannah their daughter Jerry their son	1844- no date 1853- no date 1885-1900 1871-1910	32E	plus an empty pedestal
Campbell	Olive Marcel	d. Jul. 14, 1877 d. May 5, 1872	1B	ae 52 yrs 1 mo 15 days. Wife of Vital Campbell ae 6 yrs 8 mos 5 days. Son of Vital and Olive Campbell
Carline	Daniel Honora his wife	d. Apr. 10, 1907 ae 82 d. Jan. 3, 1874 ae 34	15E	this is the same woman as in 14E below
Carline	Honora   Patrick James	d. Jan. 3, 1874 ae 34   1866-1916 1866-1923	14E	wife of Daniel Carline who was a farmer in Potsdam in 1870 with 5 children. Name appears as Caraline on the stone twin sons of Daniel and Honora
Carline	James Mary Murphy his wife	1838-1910 (Jan 26) 1838-1907 (Jan. 27)	54B
Carline	Patrick Margaret Sullivan his wife	1836-1890 (Jan. 24) 1840-1928	13F	small stone "Father" and an empty pedestal
Casey	Anne O’Brien Louisa	d. Dec. 27, 1881 d. Dec. 12, 1881 ae 6 days(?)	12F	wife of R. E. Casey and buried in the same plot as Dennis and Julia O’Brien daughter of R. E. and Anna Casey
Casey	James Bridget his wife Ella their daughter Anna their daughter	d. Aug. 9, 1896 ae 76 d. Mar. 19, 1910(?) ae 88 d. Mar. 28, 1882 d. Jan. 24, 1900 ae 32	38C	lived in West Stockholm in 1870 with 7 children year of death may be 1916 ae 16 yrs. 6 mos. 29 days
Casey	John M. Hannah Buckley his wife William their son Michael Ellen his wife	1834-1922 1839-1922 1868-1898 1803-1888 1804-1897 (May 29)	29C	lived on the Merrill Rd. in Potsdam in 1880 and 1905 her mother may be the Ellen Buckley buried in the same plot father of John M. above mother of John M. above
Casey	John W. Mary A. his wife Michael F. William	1836-1905 (Mar. 19) 1838-1912 (Aug. 10) 1886-1889 1865-1930	3C	lived in Potsdam in 1860. There is also an empty pedestal in this lot and small stones Mother, Father and William
Casey	Matthew	d. Dec. 3, 1875 ae 46	31D
Casey	Peter	d. Jan. 19, 1874 ae 16(?) yrs	29D	son of J. and M. Casey. There is also an empty pedestal in this plot
Casey	William Mary his wife	1848(?)- no date 1850-1908	50C	small stone "Mary"
Casey(?)	Patrick(?)	d. Feb. 3, 18__	8A	this stone is down, worn and very crumbly. Julia Casey O’Leary is buried in the same plot
Casonet	(no name given in record)	d. Mar. 22, 1886 ae 2 1/2	14G	plot bought by Israel Casonet
Cassada	Andrew	1886-1900 (Apr. 30)	48E	Church records say his age was 33
Claffey	James Abbie his wife	no dates 1862-1897	45A	probably lived on the Blanchard Rd. in Potsdam in 1905
Clark	Samuel T. Mary Joy his wife Anastasia Patricia	d. Jul. 5, 1917 ae 48 d. Oct. 22, 1957 ae 83 d. Apr. 11, 1904	44B	ae 1 yr 1 mo. Daughter of Sam and Mary Clark
Clements	Mary	d. May 9, 1889 ae 45	34G	wife of Samuel Clements
Colby	Nellie M.	d. Apr. 23, 1891	21C	ae 35 yrs 8 mos. She is buried with Richard and Bridget Leary, her parents
Coleman	John	d. Feb. 1, 1902	51C	ae 81 yrs 7 mos 29 days. May have lived in Lisbon in 1850
Collins	Ellen   Michael	d. Aug. 13, 1890 ae 45   d. Jan. 3, 1879	27D	wife of Philip Collins who lived in Potsdam in 1870 , and daughter of James and Bridget Claffey. There is also an empty pedestal in this plot ae 18 yrs 2 mos 3 days. Son of Philip and Ellen Collins
Collins	Lawrence	d. Oct. ___, 1898(?) ae 41(?)	29D
Collins	Lawrence Anne his wife John (their son) Katie McMillan his wife	d. Oct. 21, 1882 ae 78 d. Feb. 11, 1882 ae 80 1842-1911 ae 69 d. May 12, 1887 ae 34	28C	lived in Potsdam by 1850 and had children Jane, Lawrence, John and Ann     there is a broken pedestal in this lot
Condon	Mary	d. Mar. 18, 1883 ae 55	28E	wife of Patrick Condon
Conger	Mary Lenney	1880-1929	44F	daughter of Gorman and Mary Lenney and buried in the same plot with them
Conlin	Michael Mary his wife	d. Mar. 24, 1870 d. Jul. 3, 1878	24E	ae 81 yrs 5 mos 23 days ae 82 yrs 2 mos 2 days
Cota	Ambrose J. Georgia M. Ellen A. Hattie Arthur A. Ellen M. Solomon J.	1879-1953 1890-1956 d. Dec. 10, 1888 1863-1936 Apr. 13, 1888-Aug. 28, 1888 Feb. 27, 1882-Dec. 10, 1887 Oct. 2, 1883-Aug. 3, 1911	21A	daughter of Joseph and Mary Cota, died ae 5 yrs 9 mos. Church records say 1887 a 3 month old J. Cota died Aug. 31, 1888, but no Arthur is listed in Church records
Cota	Ellen	d. Dec. 10, 1887 ae 5 1/2	21A	plot bought by Joseph Cota
Cota	Mary	Mar. 30, 1826-Apr. 15, 1904	54F	wife of Charles Cota
Cotter	James Ellen his wife Jerry Nellie Michael	1829-1922 1824-1899 1862-1952 1869-1952 1832-1904	47D	small stones for each
Cotter	Jane Hannah	1827-1912 1829-no date	58G	Church records say she died Apr. 25, 1911
Cox	James M.	d. Oct. 24, 1884 ae 24	7E	son of James and Ellen Cox. This stone is broken and very worn. They may have lived in Louisville in 1870
Cromp	Olive Tebo	d. May 17, 1887 ae 29	20A	wife of Albert Cromp and buried with her father Ambrose Tebo
Crowley	James     Ellen	Apr. 17, 1817-Sep. 5, 1894     d. Apr(?) ____ 1860(?)	30C	"born in Ireland, died in Potsdam" Lived in Potsdam in 1870 Church and Town records say death was 1893 daughter of James and Mary Crowley. Stone is broken and very worn. Her age was some unknown years and 5 mos
Crystal			32D	see McCrystal
Cummings	John	d. Jan. 21, 1884 ae 81	43E
Currier	Joseph   Mary L. his wife	d. Apr. 25, 1880 ae 41(?)   1843-1927	4C	92nd NY Inf. Age at death may have been 44. He worked in a sawmill in Potsdam in 1870   Ambrose and Gosline Manor are buried between Joseph and his wife
Dame	Josephine (Miller) Lilian	1861-1893 (Dec. 17) 1885-1907 (Feb. 23)	35A	wife of T. Dame and dau. of Jerry and Harriet Miller. One part of the stone says "Dames". Margaret Finnegan is also listed on the stone
Davis	Edward Charles Jr.	d. Nov. 15, 1888 ae 5	26A	plot bought by Edward Charles Davis
Davis	George W.	1885-1939	25A	may actually be in plot 26A with the other Davis family but the stone is exactly in the middle of 25A
Davis	John G. Genevieve F. Charles E. Elizabeth A. Santimaw	1918-1975 1919-1964 1848-1929 1863-1921	26A	his wife
Delaire	Amie	d. Mar. 19, 1886 ae 4 1/2	22G	plot bought by Peter Delaire
DeLeal	Henry Sophia his wife	d. Oct. 18, 1898 ae 90 d. June 1, 1877 ae 68	17A	lived in Potsdam in 1860 with 7 children. Last name may be spelled Delile or DeLisle
Delosh	Myrtle	d. Dec. 3, 1891 ae 2	27G	plot bought by Dolphus Delosh. Daughter Maude Mary died Mar. 26, 1891 and may also be buried here
Desjardins	John	d. Feb. 1, 1890 ae 2	26F	plot bought by Felix Desjardins
Devine	Daniel Margaret his wife Julia Lawrence Daniel Jr. Timothy Honora	1835-1895 (Sep. 19) 1838-1928 1864-1931 1872-1937 1874-1876 1882-1944 1871-1887 (Nov. 17)	15A	this family appears to have been living in DeKalb in 1870
Dishaw	David Mary	1854-no date 1858-1905 (Sep. 25)	55F	(a David Dishaw died June 6, 1914 ae 68)
Donnelly	Anna	d. Feb. 1, 1894 ae 1 day	15G	daughter of J. and E. Donnelly
Donoghue	Jerry Nora his wife	1870-1959 1874-1949	10A
Donoghue	Julia Ellen	1873-1952 1868-1953	50D	buried with Frederick Smith and family
Donoghue	Julia (Dorgan)	d. May 11, 1885 ae 70 (63?)	16D	wife of T. Donoghue and daughter of Daniel Dorgan
Donoghue	Michael Mary his wife Thomas Nellie J. Patrick John W. Daniel J.	d. Dec. 31, 1890 ae 58 d. Oct. 19, 1893 ae 54 d. Oct. 31. 1883(?) d. May 19, 1890 ae 13 d. Aug. 9(?), 1888(?) d. Nov. 3, 1888 d. Nov. 15, 1883(?)	28D	date of death in Town records is Oct. 31 ae 17 yrs 11 mos 3 (?) days ae 7 yrs 6 mos ae 7 mos(?) 1 day these were all children of Michael and Mary Donoghue
Donoghue	Patrick Ellen his wife Mary	1819-1878 1836-1905 (Apr. 23) 1877-1886	10A	lived in Potsdam in 1870. A Nora and Jerry are buried nearby and are probably related
Donovan	Daniel Catherine (Lynch) Frank Cornelius Mary L.	1836-1923 1841-1891 (May 15) 1872-1918 1870-1893 (Aug. 16) 1884-1900 (Jan. 26)	9C	small stones Frank, Father , Mary she died of stomach cancer
Donovan	Florence K.	no dates	55A	niece of Ellen Donovan Thomas and daughter of John and Catherine Donovan
Donovan	Jeremiah Catherine his wife Ella Joanna Cornelius	1842-1924 1840-1893 (Apr. 3) 1871-1894 (Mar. 17) 1879-1894 (Mar. 22) d. Jan. 21, 1869	23B	may have lived in Stockholm in 1870. There are also 2 empty pedestals in this lot
Donovan	Richard	d. Nov. 23, 1886 ae 41	24B	plot bought by Mrs. Ellen Donovan
Donovan	Stephen J. Anna S. Katherine E.	1875-1925 1869-1957 1905-1970	24B
Driscoll	Michael E. Mary D. his wife	d. Aug. 29, 1887 ae 67 d. Oct. 29, 1881 ae 54	26E	son of Dennis and Hannorah O’Driscoll
DuFresne	Lucy Jane	d. Dec. 5, 1887 ae 2 1/2	17B	plot bought by parents John and Mary Dufresne
Durant	William	d. Sep. 21, 1906 ae 37	36G
Duval	Alfred Mary Minny Freddy	d. Feb. 2, 1904 ae 58 1860-1897 no dates no dates	1A	a "Duval child" died Nov. 11, 1886 and it may be one of these two children
Duval	Frank Jane his wife Lewis F. William J. Lewis E.	1876- no date 1874- no date 1879-1899 1899-1900 1901-1911	48A
Dwyer	Father Fred Frank	1836-1900 1876-1898 1878-1913	47B	big stone with just the last name, plus small stones for each individual. GAR marker beside Father. Plot was owned by J. Dwyer
Eggleston	John	d. Mar. 3(?), 1868(?) ae 34	41C	Co. ___185th Ohio Vols. Buried with James and Mary Eggleston Hartford
Ellison	Jane	d. Sep. 7, 1890 ae 57/4/14	27F	she was the form