Chase Vault, Barbados
Chase Vault
Chase Vault, Barbados
(Excerpt from "Our Lady Of Darkness")
We now travel to the Caribbean, to the Chase Mausoleum located inside of Christ Church Graveyard in Barbados. Inside this now deserted tomb, the caskets of the family members interred here in the early 1800's moved around inside the sealed vault. What happened here continues to mystify researchers and local alike. Although there have been many theories to explain this bizarre phenomenon, they have left us with more questions than answers. The so-called Creeping Caskets have crept their way into an island legend that has now been told for nearly 200 years.
Between 1812 and 1820, some very bizarre occurrences took place within this abandoned tomb, which is constructed of the same blocks of coral, which make up the island. The history of this vault can be traced back to the early 18th century, with its construction by the Waldron family, who had acquired their wealth from the many sugar plantations they owned. A tombstone had once marked the grave of the Honorable Richard Elliot Esq. who died on May 14, 1724, so of the Honorable Richard Elliot Esq and husband of Elizabeth, (who was the daughter of the Honorable Thomas Waldron Esq.). It is not known if Mr. Elliot's remains were ever interred within the Chase vault or if they were, what ever happened to them. So even before we get into the mystery of the creeping caskets, this in itself is quite a mystery.
The first person that we are certain was interred here was Thomasina Goddard on Feb. 22, 1807. Shortly after, the vault was sold to another prominent Barbados family, the Chases. It is of note that nothing remarkable happened here during the first three burials.
The second person laid to rest here was Mary Anna Maria Chase on Feb 22, 1808 . She was just two years old. Dorcas Chase, older sister of Mary Anna Maria Chase was interred within this vault on July 6, 1812.
Rumours spread about Dorcas' cause of death and many attributed her death to self-starvation due to the severe depression she suffered from her tumultuous relationship with her father Colonel Thomas Chase. Colonel Chase was soon to follow his daughters in death, just one month after Dorcas. That was when the trouble started and created the enduring legend of the Chase vault.
When the vault was opened to recieve the remains of the Colonel, the bewildeed funeral party found the three caskets inside in total disarray. since these caskets were made of lead (with the exception of Thomasina Goddard's wooden casket) throwing them against the wall in the manner in which they were discovered would have required tremendous force. The caskets were returned to their orignial positions, Colonel Chase's remains were interred and the vault was resealed...That is just the beginning of this story.
The slaves who had assisted with the burials has been blamed for these occuurances. Thomas Chase was considered the most despised man in Barbados. He had a violent temper and was often cruel to his family and servants alike. It seemed obvious that his slaces would do this to get revenge. The slaves however, were aware that they were suspect and avoided the cemetery altogether. More than the suspicion, the slaves feared the wrath of the manevolent spirits they felt were the real cause of the unrest in the vault.
Four years later, the vault was re-opened for the burial of 11 month old Samuel Brewster Ames, a young Chase relative on Sept. 25, 1816. The funerary procession was once again greeted by the grim display. As usual, the caskets were returned to their orignial positions and the vault re-sealed.
On Nov 17th of that same year, Samuel Brewster, who had been murdered by his vengeful slaves, was exhumed from his original burial place and re-interred here inside the Chase Vault.
Word spread of the paranormal activity and so when Reverend Orderson of Christ Church, along with a magistrate, arrived to officiate this internment, they were greeted with quite a crowd. The onlookers certainly did not leave disappointed!
In fact, this time, the caskets flung with such fury that Thomasina Goddard's wooden casket was destroyed. The Reverend demanded answers for what was going on and ordered that the vault be inspected. He looked for cracks or secret entrances-anythin to explain this. The vault was found to be without flaw and the graveyard was again left without an explaination.
To read the rest of this compelling story, be sure to read "Our Lady Of Darkness" by Sinthyia Darkness
Chase Vault, Barbados
(Excerpt from "Our Lady Of Darkness")
We now travel to the Caribbean, to the Chase Mausoleum located inside of Christ Church Graveyard in Barbados. Inside this now deserted tomb, the caskets of the family members interred here in the early 1800's moved around inside the sealed vault. What happened here continues to mystify researchers and local alike. Although there have been many theories to explain this bizarre phenomenon, they have left us with more questions than answers. The so-called Creeping Caskets have crept their way into an island legend that has now been told for nearly 200 years.
Between 1812 and 1820, some very bizarre occurrences took place within this abandoned tomb, which is constructed of the same blocks of coral, which make up the island. The history of this vault can be traced back to the early 18th century, with its construction by the Waldron family, who had acquired their wealth from the many sugar plantations they owned. A tombstone had once marked the grave of the Honorable Richard Elliot Esq. who died on May 14, 1724, so of the Honorable Richard Elliot Esq and husband of Elizabeth, (who was the daughter of the Honorable Thomas Waldron Esq.). It is not known if Mr. Elliot's remains were ever interred within the Chase vault or if they were, what ever happened to them. So even before we get into the mystery of the creeping caskets, this in itself is quite a mystery.
The first person that we are certain was interred here was Thomasina Goddard on Feb. 22, 1807. Shortly after, the vault was sold to another prominent Barbados family, the Chases. It is of note that nothing remarkable happened here during the first three burials.
The second person laid to rest here was Mary Anna Maria Chase on Feb 22, 1808 . She was just two years old. Dorcas Chase, older sister of Mary Anna Maria Chase was interred within this vault on July 6, 1812.
Rumours spread about Dorcas' cause of death and many attributed her death to self-starvation due to the severe depression she suffered from her tumultuous relationship with her father Colonel Thomas Chase. Colonel Chase was soon to follow his daughters in death, just one month after Dorcas. That was when the trouble started and created the enduring legend of the Chase vault.
When the vault was opened to recieve the remains of the Colonel, the bewildeed funeral party found the three caskets inside in total disarray. since these caskets were made of lead (with the exception of Thomasina Goddard's wooden casket) throwing them against the wall in the manner in which they were discovered would have required tremendous force. The caskets were returned to their orignial positions, Colonel Chase's remains were interred and the vault was resealed...That is just the beginning of this story.
The slaves who had assisted with the burials has been blamed for these occuurances. Thomas Chase was considered the most despised man in Barbados. He had a violent temper and was often cruel to his family and servants alike. It seemed obvious that his slaces would do this to get revenge. The slaves however, were aware that they were suspect and avoided the cemetery altogether. More than the suspicion, the slaves feared the wrath of the manevolent spirits they felt were the real cause of the unrest in the vault.
Four years later, the vault was re-opened for the burial of 11 month old Samuel Brewster Ames, a young Chase relative on Sept. 25, 1816. The funerary procession was once again greeted by the grim display. As usual, the caskets were returned to their orignial positions and the vault re-sealed.
On Nov 17th of that same year, Samuel Brewster, who had been murdered by his vengeful slaves, was exhumed from his original burial place and re-interred here inside the Chase Vault.
Word spread of the paranormal activity and so when Reverend Orderson of Christ Church, along with a magistrate, arrived to officiate this internment, they were greeted with quite a crowd. The onlookers certainly did not leave disappointed!
In fact, this time, the caskets flung with such fury that Thomasina Goddard's wooden casket was destroyed. The Reverend demanded answers for what was going on and ordered that the vault be inspected. He looked for cracks or secret entrances-anythin to explain this. The vault was found to be without flaw and the graveyard was again left without an explaination.
To read the rest of this compelling story, be sure to read "Our Lady Of Darkness" by Sinthyia Darkness
Original post: Chase Vault, Barbados by at BLOG HOSTING
Blog tag: Microsoft Windows NT
Technorati tag: Microsoft Windows NT