Program

Legends & Lore®

Subject

Folklore

Location

Corner of Burtonville and Island Rd., Esperance, NY

Lat/Long

42.804862, -74.257982

Grant Recipient

Town of Charleston History Department

Amos Clayton was a well-known figure in the hamlet of Burtonsville and surrounding communities. It’s said that he was a friendly hermit who danced for pennies and would play the concertina. He had an unusual way of speaking and also carried a number of items with him, such as pins, old newspapers, and salves. Also known as “Amy,” he is reported to have died from malnutrition and frostbite during the winter of 1942.