A Tomb with a View

"To be buried while alive is, beyond question, the most terrific of these extremes which has ever fallen to the lot of mere mortality."  

~ Edgar Allan Poe, 1850: "The Premature Burial" 

heavymetalartwork.com

Dr. Timothy Clark Smith's unusual grave can be found in New Haven, Vermont, and his grave (and other's like it) is the subject of today's post.  

He was an educated man, who had traveled the world.  He received a Bachelor's degree from Middlebury College, and became a doctor upon graduating from the University of New York in 1855.  He "worked as a teacher, clerk in the US Treasury Department and physician. He was a staff surgeon for the Russian Army from 1856 to 1857. Smith was US Consul in Odessa, Russia from 1861 to 1875, and Galatz, Romania from 1878 to 1883." 

Dr. Smith suffered from Taphophobia, which means he was deeply fearful of being buried alive. More precisely, he feared being buried alive, as the result of obtaining some form of a sleeping sickness which would ultimately be falsely determined that he died.

"The Raising of Lazarus"  Rembrandt

His fear was not entirely irrational, however.  "Vivisepulture" is to be buried while still alive.  During  the 1800's, there was a rash of epidemics like cholera, smallpox and even the plague, and contemporary medicine as we know today, had not yet been perfected.  Now known as the Lazarus Phenomenon, diseases of the heart, though rare, could sometimes fool an attending physician into thinking the heart had stopped, and he may pronounce an individual dead.  Then that individual would naturally revive or return to life.

odd nerdrum, buried alive

The gruesome reality, mostly during the mid 1800's, was that there were over 200 recorded episodes of people "almost" being entombed and almost 150 cases of actual live burials!  And the horror continues with 10 people being dissected before they were actually dead, and 2 incidents where embalming procedures began on the living!

For many during the Nineteenth Century, the fear of premature burial became an obsession, after several people were pronounced dead, and during their wake or funeral, suddenly returned to life from a comatose or unconscious state.  These stories, were highly publicized in newspapers across the country, and the macabre Victorians took the only action they could - allowing bodies to stay lying in wait for days and even weeks on end - to ensure their death.

"The Death of Albine", by John Coliier

Some, with the financial means to prepare for the event of accidental burial, devised elaborate tombs in which a bell was installed over the head of the deceased and a cord which lead from the bell was placed in the body's hand; hence, any movement from within would signal an alarm.  

Source:  eduexplica.com

Other patented inventions included the "safety coffin" which consisted of a "movable periscope-like pipe which provided air and, when rotated or pushed by the person interred, indicated to passersby that someone was buried alive." 
When one considers decomposition and gravity, much like the proverbial tree in the forest, the bell probably did ring, but  would there be no one there to hear it?

Upon installing pipes that were concocted for the purpose of listening for any returning signs of life, the rich may have employed attendants to wait near the tombs, lest a bell would ring or a voice to be heard, so that they could run or call for help. 

Others who were less fortuante, financially, had simpler means of assisting anyone who came back to life by placing shovels and/or crowbars in caskets.  

I shudder to think of how a weakened body, most likely suffering from oxygen deprivation and dehydration, and at the discovery of being trapped in complete darkness - the extreme psychological fear that one would experience, how they  could excavate themselves from under 6 feet of dirt, would indeed be indicative of Lazarus.

Image (cropped) from roadtrippers.com

So, perhaps Timothy Clark Smith's fears were not so irrational, after all.  How else can I describe his own grave planning, than "facing his fear"?  He designed his own "safety grave", by rigging his tomb so that his hand would rest on a bell and from this coffin extends a breathing tube.  Directly over his head he installed a window, so that one may peer down into the grave to look at him and ensure that he was really dead.  

unknown source:  google images

"Because he feared being buried alive, he was interred in a specially designed grave. His face is positioned beneath a cement tube that leads from beneath the ground to the surface, and ends at a 14x14 inch plate glass window. In addition to arranging Smith so he could see the surface if he was alive, he was buried with a bell in his hand so he could signal for help." -Source:  findagrave.com

According to my research the actual burial vault has an arched stairwell, that is covered with stone in the lower part of the mount.  It leads to two rooms.  One room for his beloved wife, and the other containing the remains of Timothy Clark Smith which was constructed with the "viewing window" at the top of the shaft.  

Source:  findagrave.com

Source: sevendaysvt.com

As you can see, today, the window has a greenish, mossy appearance, with a good deal of condensation that has collected over the years.   While the window was in pristine condition, it is said that one could peer down to look upon his skeleton, and lying next to him was a hammer and chisel.  It is also entirely unclear as to whether or not a bell was installed in this grave, and his hand placed upon a rope connected to it.  

Dr. Timothy Clark Smith's grave is located in the Evergreen Cemetery in New Haven, Vermont (near Middlebury).

An example of a "Mortsafe"

To read about how some graves were designed to keep bodies "in" the grave, you can read about the Mortsafe on Vermont DeadLine, here.

Happy Birthday, Vermont DeadLine!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

Vermont DeadLine 

is celebrating 1 year online!

My, my how time has flown! Yesterday, I realized that I began this website in September of last year. 

To anyone and everyone who has read this blog, I thank you dearly and hope that you have enjoyed this blog's content!

An Embarrassing Confession:

I want to tell you the truth - that just now - just this morning - I discovered the many comments that have been left - my apologies for not responding.  To tell you the truth, I disallowed the email notifications and had absolutely no idea that I had so many responses, and just learned that I can view them in the layout section of Blogger!  

I will be posting some of these comments, because the content is amazing.  Again, my humble most apologies for not responding - I never even noticed them until today!  I will be returning messages over the weekend.

Personally, it has been an amazing year!  Russ and I were married on May 31st and, later in the summer I changed jobs - something I had not planned - and ended up a State employee!  

                 

 

My very first post was a huge endeavor of typing out epitaphs that I had personally collected from various locations around Vermont, and then posting a picture between every epitaph!  I can't help but mention that the coolest, most obscure and interesting "last words" were found on back roads in the hills of Orange County.

As you know, the focus of this blog has been the dark, mysterious and the obscure stories that are based on either fact, folklore or legend.  I have had a blast collecting what I call "blog fodder", and still am seeking more stories, tales and photographs from the "dark side" of our Green Mountains.  

I am also interested in gaining "legal entry" into any abandoned houses, buildings or places that you may know of, for the purpose of photographing its interior and contents.  Please contact me if you know of any!  Please contact me!

vermontdeadline@gmail.com

Remember, October is right around the corner, so I will be focusing on Halloween (Samhain) and all that it is creepy, scary and mysterious!

If you are seeking specific content on this blog, please scroll down to the bottom of the page, and you can view all of the labels that have thus far been posted.

Again, thank you all for reading Vermont DeadLine!  

Brightest Blessings, 

Visit often, 

Stay long,

With Love and Light Darkness,

~Denise

A Bittersweet Recollection

December 19, 1821. 

Harrison and Lucy Blake had taken employment in Hoosick as laborers, and were returning home to Marlboro, to celebrate Christmas with their family.  Traveling with them was their 13 (or 14) month old baby girl, Rebecca, who was one of 3 children. 

The three had stopped in Arlington to warm themselves and to inquire about the condition of the trail upon which they were about to embark, as several inches of snow had already fallen.  At around 1 p.m., on December 19th, after the horses had rested, and [most likely] ensuring that the sleigh was in good repair, they began to make their way over Kelly Stand Road.  The tavern owner had indicated that their 3 hour trip over the mountain to Wardsboro, should be through a good and safe road.   

As they ascended the mountain the snow continued to fall, and they eventually came to a place in the road where it appeared that only a single horse had ventured through before them.   The snow was now about a 3 feet deep, and Mr. Blake knew that he couldn't travel further using the sleigh, so he mounted Lucy and the babe upon the horse while he walked beside them. 

After they had made some distance the horse, exhausted, stubbornly refused to carry on.  It had stopped snowing and the immediate situation appeared grim.  One can imagine the bitter cold, the icy blowing wind and difficulty maneuvering through the deep snow. 

Harrison Blake persisted to venture forward ahead of his wife and child, and they agreed to shout to one another to keep in contact. At this time, Harrison gave his warm overcoat and mittens to his wife.  

Alone, surrounded by dark forest, and bitter cold, their progress was excruciatingly slow.   As Mr. Blake proceeded, he realized that he could not feel his feet, and knocked them against a tree only to learn that they were frozen, and so were his hands. He found a walking stick and later used the stick to aid his own body to drag it forward, but he became overwhelmed with fatigue.  He simply could not continue.

Mrs. Blake shouted to him if help could be expected and he returned that it was unlikely and they would probably die together.  Mrs. Blake could not find him, nor make her way to him, but they continued to yell to each another.  

It has been told that the Blakes were actually heard by a man who lived in the area, but did not wander out to help.  Another woman, who also lived close, did venture out, but the bitter cold forced back into the warmth of her home and thus, no one located them.  

Back in town, a Mr. Richardson had gone over the mountain in search of his father, as he had not returned as expected.  Word got back to the young Richardson that his father may be distress on the mountain.  So, he started up the mountain in search of his father.

He discovered Mr. Blake lying face-down, trying to shake the snow from his body.  As Richardson turned the man over, he heard him make a strange noise and he realized that was entirely delirious. Richardson rubbed him to get his blood moving, and gave him some liquor to warm him.  He then carried him to the closest house in the vicinity where he was given care for his frostbite and delirium.  Blake came to to tell Richardson that his wife and child were still on the mountain, so once again, he set out to find Mother and baby.

At this time, others volunteered to assist Richardson to find the two, and they eventually found Mrs. Blake (also lying on her face) about 700 feet away from where they had found Mr. Blake.  

Lucy was lifeless, expelling a few weak breaths and then passed away.  It is not known why Lucy and the baby had been separated - but, incredibly - the baby was discovered about a half mile from Mrs. Blake.  She had been wrapped in both Lucy's and Harrison's coats, as well as a blanket.  As they looked into the baby's face, it is said that she just smiled.  Only one little piggy (toe) had frostbite, and she was otherwise - miraculously - unscathed. 

Mr. Blake was not that lucky.  He ended up loosing all 4 toes except his big one on his left foot.  He was later transported (probably by sleigh) to his parent's home in Marlboro and continued to recuperate.  About a week later, after being cared for, little Rebecca was then brought to her grandparent's home.  

In the meantime, Lucy's body was brought to Marlboro and buried at Branch Cemetery in South Newfane.  

"The baby, Rebecca, grew up and married S. A. DeBroat.  The DeBroats lived out their latter years in Cleveland, Ohio. 

The father, Harrison Gray Blake, survived the tragic ordeal, but apparently his feet were badly crippled for he remainder of his life. Harrison Gray Blake was born November 14, 1778, and died in Cleveland, Ohio, in May 1868. He was buried in the Cleveland West Side Cemetery.

The Blakes had left two children at home on the day of the tragedy, Lucy and Harrison Blake, Jr.. Lucy married Ezra Dean of Marlboro and Harrison Jr. became a lawyer, banker and politician, settling in Medina, Ohio. Harrison Blake, Jr. went on to serve in Congress during the administrations of Presidents Buchanan and Lincoln." -The Historical Society of Strafford.

  

Lucy Blake, Consort of Harrison G. Blake, Perished on this Green Mountain, December 21, 1821

On the east side of the Kelly Stand Road, somewhere on that Green Mountain is a place called the "Seven Mile Woods".  For many years, a wooden marker was placed at the site where Lucy had bundled her babe, and perished from that tragic winter night.  It was later anonymously replaced by a small stone marker that is still there today.    

The Vermont Old Cemetery Association (VOCA)

For fellow Taphophiles.....

I have been waiting for a while for this particular organization to complete its website construction, so I could post a direct link, etc.... and the other day I discovered that it has been completed.  I used to be a member of this organization, before I moved to Massachusetts over a decade ago.  I am sending in my $40.00 check for a 5 year membership today.  $200.00 will give you a life time membership.

"The Vermont Old Cemetery Association (VOCA) was founded in 1958 to encourage the restoration and preservation of neglected and abandoned cemeteries in the State of Vermont. Vermont cemeteries date back to the 1700's. They are memorials to the people who endured hardships to settle Vermont when it was a Republic, and to their many descendants. In many instances, there are no surviving members of families to watchdog and preserve their family gravestones. It is up to us to safeguard these sacred emblems."

I cannot say enough about this organization!   VOCA has been responsible for the perpetual care and the preservation of countless cemeteries across the state, restoring and caring for some public, and often very forgotten grave yards.  History is discovered and recovered!  

"Our members are constantly working in all parts of the state, in cemeteries large and small, righting and cleaning grave markers, clearing brush, fixing fences, repairing damaged markers, and recording inscriptions."

BURIAL GROUNDS OF VERMONT 

"The Vermont Old Cemetery Association's book "Burial Grounds of Vermont," was first published in 1991, and edited by Arthur and Frances Hyde.

The book is a record of pertinent information regarding more than 2,000 cemeteries and burial grounds throughout the State. It also includes information on some monumental stones which are not actual burial sites. Information also tells the period of their use, the approximate number of burials, the 'condition' of the burial ground at a particular point in time, when the last survey was completed, and by whom, known lists of interments, and in a few instances a "Research Notes" page with history, maps, photographs and burial information. The book includes maps with black "bullets" with white numbers matching up with verbal descriptions of locations on the descriptive page.

This would be a unique gift to give someone interested in the state's genealogy/history. All proceeds go to help the organization.

Burial Grounds of Vermont is now available on CD for $20. Please send your check to: Charles E. Marchant Box 132 Townshend, VT 05353"

NEWSLETTERS

The Association publishes an interesting newsletter four times a year. It includes articles on cemetery laws, care, and preservation aids.  

As a member, you will receive these, free.  They are truly interesting and informative newsletters - and fun to receive in the mail!

MORE ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION

From the website:

"Our members are constantly working in all parts of the state, in cemeteries large and small, righting and cleaning grave markers, clearing brush, fixing fences, repairing damaged markers, and recording inscriptions."

"We provide cash grants to individuals and groups who need financial assistance in starting and conducting restoration projects."

"VOCA encourages publicity: newspaper, magazine, radio, 
television, parade floats, cemetery tours, fair exhibits, and can often provide interesting speakers and slide shows."

"Our organization has led the way for other states to participate in cemetery restoration: New Hampshire, Maine, and Wisconsin have followed VOCA's example."

"VOCA encourages memorial gifts of any denomination, for by memorializing your own, you promote the work of VOCA and contribute towards the attainment of its goals. Gifts are tax-deductible."


"We have hundreds of members: a dozen charter members, groups such as towns, historical and patriotic societies, Granges, Home Demonstration and other community groups, individuals and families scattered throughout the entire United States."

FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF VETERAN GRAVESTONES:

The National Cemetery Administration in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) furnishes upon request, at no charge to the applicant, a Government headstone or marker for the unmarked grave of any deceased eligible Veteran in any cemetery around the world, regardless of their date of death.

For eligible veterans that died on or after Nov. 1, 1990 and whose grave is marked with a privately purchased headstone, VA may also furnish a headstone or marker to supplement the graves or a Medallion to be affixed to a privately purchased headstone.

Flat markers in granite, marble, and bronze and upright headstones in granite and marble are available. Bronze niche markers are also available to mark columbaria used for internment of cremated remains. The style chosen must be permitted by the officials in charge of the private cemetery where it will be placed.

When burial or memorization is in a national cemetery, state Veterans' cemetery, or military post/base cemetery, a headstone or marker will be ordered by the cemetery officials based on inscription information provided by the next of kin or authorized representative.

Spouses and dependents are not eligible for a Government-furnished headstone or marker unless they are buried in a national cemetery, state Veteran's cemetery, or military post/base cemetery.

SUBMISSIONS

"If you hear about something in the news or in your community that you think would make a good item for our web page, please drop us an email. Links to relevant articles and pictures are appreciated.
If you have a story that you want to tell about a Vermont cemetery, gravestone, cemetery project, or other cemetery related matter, please contact us at your earliest convenience. Pictures to help tell the story are also very much appreciated.

If you have an instruction, correction, addition, or subtraction for the web site, our contact information is given below.

If you have an idea for a new web page or new content for the web site, we are all ears.

If you have information about a Vermont cemetery that will expand, enhance or correct our database, please contact our Cemetery Database Administrator."

Contacts:

VOCA Webmaster
Barry Trutor
btrutor@burlingtontelecom.net 

VOCA Cemetery Database Administrator
Tom Ledoux

cemeterydba@voca58.org

The website is:  http://www.voca58.org/

Green Mount Cemetery - Montpelier, Vermont

A few weeks ago, I wandered into this cemetery with the sole purpose of taking pictures of a few of the statues, other than John Kellogg's "Black Agnes".  What I didn't know was how incredibly peaceful this site is, and how many wonderful statues there are to behold!  Please forgive some of the photography, as it was a very hazy morning, and the rain had just stopped.  All in all, I am quite pleased with the results.

History

"The thirty-five acres on which the Green Mount Cemetery is located were bought in 1854. Of the purchase price of $2,210, $1,000 was donated by Calvin Keith, a Montpelier lawyer and $1,210 was put up by the town. In 1905, the Chapel-Vault building was erected from a generous bequest of John E. Hubbard. The Vault portion can hold up to 60 entombments and the chapel can accommodate 60 people for funeral services. Since this time, Green Mount Cemetery proudly exhibits many terraced lots, 2.5 miles of curved roads, and many pleasant shade trees and ornamental shrubs. There are many sculptured works which are memorials to the talents of our area's artisans both past and present."  Source:

http://www.montpelier-vt.org/page/279.html

Below this lovely statue are hand-carved stairs (you can see them above the statue), which is an architectural site of interest in this location. 

This monument was originally carved with a wreath on top, though it is difficult to see it now, as the carving is now entombed in moss.

An amazing rendition of La Pieta