The Real-Life Vampires of New England and Beyond
The Legend of the Bloodsuckers
The legend of vampires, bloodthirsty creatures who drain the life force of the living, has captivated human imagination for centuries. While vampires may seem like creatures of fiction, there have been numerous real-life cases of people who were accused of vampirism and subjected to horrific rituals to protect communities from their supposed evil.
Vampire Scares in Rural New England
In the 18th and 19th centuries, vampire scares were common in rural New England, particularly in Rhode Island. When a person died of a contagious disease, such as tuberculosis, and others in the vicinity began dying of the same illness, people often believed that the deceased had returned as a vampire to drain the blood of their loved ones.
The Practice of Vampire Hunting
To protect themselves from vampires, people resorted to extreme measures. They would dig up the bodies of suspected vampires, stake them through the heart, burn their hearts, or behead them. These practices varied depending on the region, but they were all driven by the belief that vampires could be killed by destroying their bodies.
Famous Vampire Cases in America
Peter Plogojowitz: In 1725, this Serbian villager was exhumed and staked through the heart after his death from an unknown illness. His exhumation closely followed the broader pattern of vampire superstition, as he was the first in his village to die of the disease.
Arnold Paole: In the early 18th century, this Serbian villager broke his neck in a fall from a hay wagon. After a series of deaths in his village, he was accused of vampirism and exhumed. His case is credited with spreading the vampire superstition to Western Europe.
Nellie Vaughn: Buried in 1889 in Rhode Island, Nellie Vaughn is often mistaken for Mercy Brown, another famous vampire case. However, folklorist Michael Bell suggests that Vaughn’s case of mistaken identity may have arisen due to the creepy epitaph on her tombstone: “I Am Waiting and Watching For You.”
Frederick Ransom: A Dartmouth College student from a respected family, Ransom died of tuberculosis in 1817. His father had his body exhumed and burned his heart in an attempt to save the rest of the family, but it did not prevent the deaths of his mother, sister, and two brothers.
Bristoe Congdon’s Child: In the 1800s, a black man named Bristoe Congdon and several of his children died of tuberculosis in Rhode Island. The body of one of the children was exhumed and the vital parts were burned, marking the first known case of the vampire tradition crossing racial lines.
Annie Dennett: In 1810, Annie Dennett died of consumption in rural New Hampshire. Her family exhumed her body in an attempt to save her father, who was also sick from tuberculosis. A traveling minister, Enoch Hayes Place, witnessed the exhumation and recorded his observations in his diary.
The Science Behind Vampire Legends
The belief in vampires was largely based on ignorance of contagious diseases. People did not understand how diseases spread, so they assumed that the deceased were returning to harm the living. Natural signs of decay, such as bloating and bleeding, were often misinterpreted as evidence of vampire activity.
The Death of Mercy Brown
One of the most famous vampire cases in American history is that of Mercy Brown, who died of tuberculosis in 1892. Her body was exhumed and her heart was burned in an attempt to stop the spread of the disease. Her case gained widespread attention and helped to fuel the vampire panic in New England.
The Vampire Tradition Crossing Racial Lines
While vampire legends are often associated with European folklore, the case of Bristoe Congdon’s child suggests that the tradition also crossed racial lines in America. This case highlights the widespread fear and superstition surrounding vampires during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The Role of Ministers in Vampire Hunts
In some cases, respected New England ministers participated in vampire hunts. Enoch Hayes Place, a Freewill Baptist minister, witnessed the exhumation of Annie Dennett and recorded his observations in his diary. His participation suggests that even educated individuals were not immune to the fear of vampires.
The Most Complete Volume of Vampire Tales Ever Published
For those fascinated by the history and lore of vampires, “The Vampire Archives” is the most comprehensive collection of vampire tales ever published. This volume includes classic stories from around the world, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the enduring fascination with these creatures of the night.