Midnight Mary is a New Haven, Connecticut, urban legend about Mary E. Hart, who was allegedly buried alive in Evergreen Cemetery in 1872 after being mistakenly declared dead. Legend claims she died at midnight, and visitors to her grave at that hour may die, see her ghost, or fall under a curse.
Details of the Legend
- The Burial: According to the legend, Mary Hart was a seamstress who appeared to die suddenly at age 47. Following a vivid dream by her aunt that she was still alive, her body was exhumed, only for family to find her with a panicked expression and bloodied, clawed fingers.
- The Grave: Her grave is located in the back of Evergreen Cemetery on Winthrop Avenue.
- The Inscription: A prominent, chilling inscription on her gravestone reads: “The people shall be troubled at midnight and pass away”.
- The Curse: It is believed that anyone who visits her grave at midnight will either die shortly after or experience a ghostly encounter, such as her appearing in a carriage.
- Historical Context: The story is rooted in 19th-century fears of being buried alive (taphophobia), a common anxiety during that era.
Some believe she was a witch, contributing to the supernatural elements of the tale.
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