After her grave was discovered by City of Batavia Historian Larry Barnes about a year ago, Rev. Dr. Shiela McCullough, and Rev. Dr. Roula Alkhouri felt the need to shed light on Addy, a slave to an Episcopal Priest, Lucius Smith, in Batavia for 46 years, beginning at the age of 4 years old. (1807-1857).
Today, June 19, 2023, Juneteenth, Freedom Day, a service was held for Addy at the Historic Batavia Cemetery on Harvester Avenue.
After receiving monetary donations from her congregation at the East Bethany Presbyterian Church, Rev. Dr. Shiela went to work with Derrick Monument in LeRoy to restore Addy’s grave marker. Rev Dr. Roula Alkhouri of the First Presbyterian Church in Batavia is planning to add two verses on the unweathered side of the marker.
The service was held to recognize the importance of confronting slavery in society and pay respects to Addy.