History & local legend
Guffey Cemetery is a family burial ground in Sewickley Township, Westmoreland County. Its legend describes Saint Francis and a dove protecting the graves after dark.
In the tale, the stone saint comes to life and releases the bird from his hand. The dove circles the cemetery looking for disturbed graves while Saint Francis patrols below, threatening anyone who has interfered with the burials.
Sources
- StrangeUSA, Guffey Cemetery, saint and dove tradition plus July 2009 firsthand site check
- Westmoreland County, cemetery index, Sewickley Township, Guffey Cemetery
- Federal geographic name and mapped plot in Sewickley Township
- Historic Sewickley Township, Westmoreland County historical volume on the Guffeys
