Unsolved Mysteries: The Moving Coffins of Chase Vault

The Moving Coffins of Chase Vault
Unsolved Mysteries - Mysteries that once were or still are unsolved!

Here is a interesting tale that made the rounds in many newspapers over the time of the events in question. To begin with, I'll let one newspaper story open this article:

A HAUNTED TOMB.
MOVING COFFINS.

"A tale of the mysterious movement of coffins in a sealed vault in the parish of Christchurch, Barbados, has long been told in the Island. Fresh authentic evidence just brought to light and published in the 'West India Committee Circular,' confirms the story, and renders it mysterious in the extreme.

On successive occasions, when the Chase family vault in the churchyard near Distin's Town was opened, the coffins were found to be disarranged. A manuscript account by the Hon. Nathan Lucas, who witnessed the opening of the vault in 1820, has been unearthed. The document states that the vault was opened several times for the interment of bodies in 'the first decade of the nineteenth century. Each time, the coffins were found in extraordinary positions, and after a burial In 1819 the matter became a much-talked-of mystery.

Mr. Lucas was discussing it with friends in 1820, and they decided then and there to open the vault and see if the coffins had moved again. They found the heavy slabs over the entrance untouched, and no marks of violence were anywhere visible. But in the vault itself the six coffins were once again disarranged, lying on top of each other and at curious angles.

The vault was in such a position that water - of which there were no signs, could not have flooded it. There had been no earthquake to account for the mystery and no attempt to rob the corpses.

Locals fear of the dead rendered it certain that they had no hand in it, and the theory of a practical joke was never entertained. 'All I know,' runs the document, 'is that it happened, and that I was an eyewitness of the fact.'"
(The Daily News, 17 March 1908)

There is a bit of strange history surrounding this vault, starting before the apparent shifting coffins. When the Chase family had aquired the vault it was already eighty years old. Originally built by James Elliot, the first occupant was his wife Elizabeth who was interred within in the mid to late 18th century.

The vault was then purchased by the Walrond Family, and when a relative/friend Thomasina Goddard passed away, the vault was opened and shockingly, Elizabeth‘s body was no longer to be found... she had disappeared!

It is important to note that the vault was sealed with a very large marble slab, and upon this latest opening no evidence was found to suggest it had been tampered with. With such a mystery, the legend took on a somewhat supernatural twist with many of the superstitious locals believing that Elizabeth Elliot was a vampire!

Thomasina Goddard was sealed within the vault and the missing Elizabeth was all but forgotten about.

The Chase family very soon after came to ownership of the vault, and before long were interring their own family within. It was the opening of the vault to receive its fourth body (Mr Thomas Chase) that the coffins located inside were found to be in a disrupted state. No evidence of break in, no evidence of tampering with the actual bodies... just coffins not where they should be.

The theme continued with each new interment, the vault would be opened and coffins would be strewn about. At one time a wooden coffin had all but been smashed when one of the heavier, lead coffins had crashed into it.

It was decided to get to the bottom of this mystery and a kind of investigation was carried out. The coffins were relocated to their original positions (two stacks of two, larger coffin at the bottom, smaller on top), the walls were 'sounded' to ensure no hidden passages, and after that the floor was covered in a fine sand and the vault cover layed back over, sealing the coffins inside. Mortar was applied to the slab and the Lord Governer impressed his own seal within. This time, if there was any tampering, it would be easy to tell.

Eight months later the vault was once again opened. No sign had been found of tampering with the mortar or seals, but when entering the vault itself, the coffins were once again found to be in utter chaos. The sand on the floor was undisturbed, no one had been inside and no flood had taken place.

The Chase family have since been removed from the vault and buried in the cemetery.

It was and still is a mystery, though many theories have been put forward over the years including flooding, earthquakes and magnetism.


Ashley Hall 2013

Photo: The Chase Family Vault.
Inset Left: A headline from 'The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate'
Inset Right: Images depicting locations of coffins before and after, within the vault.

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Short Story: The Filling by Victor Migun

Anyone ready for a vampire story where they don't sparkle? Me too! This story was sent in by Victor. Thanks Victor! Hope to see more. Another story is coming soon.

If you want to send me your story, please email me at scaredsheetlessncn@hotmail.com Don't worry about rejection. I'm not saying it's not impossible, but I'm not a grammar Nazi or anything like that. Roger Bryant's story, Unknown Zone, has received 80 plus views since being published on here. That's pretty good, if you ask me.

Scared rated this story E for Everyone.

Enjoy!

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The Filling

 by

 Victor Migun

 

              Sheila  Conner opened her eyes to her blurry new world. Her vision focused upon the face of Max Shaffer, the man she was going to spend eternity with.

            “Here, let me help you up,” he said “drink this”. Sheila grabbed the cup with both hands. She put it up to her lips. A frown appeared on her brow.

            “Shouldn't this be blood?” she asked.

            “No, no my pet,” Max answered, “This is not the filling. I just figured you’d like to enjoy your last cup of coffee. Once you've turned after having your fill of fresh human blood, coffee won't taste good to you.”

            “I'm not a vampire?” she questioned.

            “Not yet”, he answered. “I figured you’d forget what I told you before I necked you. Let me introduce you to Joe. He's what we call a mid phase. Just as you are.”

            Sheila looked up and saw the driver of the van looking at her in the rear view mirror. He waved at her.

            “Mid phase?”, she asked. “I kinda remember being told about that.”

            “Yea” Joe said “The Vampempire as I call it, is made of vampires of course, we mid phasers and even full humans. Not everything can be done at night or in the shadows. Full humans are needed such as doctors, lawyers, police and such, to protect the legal end of things. Like collecting your own life insurance. We mid phasers usually work as body guards. We can exist in sunlight when using a sunscreen, heal faster, age slower, blah, blah, blah. I'm choosing to stay a mid phaser until I sell my business.”

            “What business are you in?” Sheila asked.

            “Ironically I sell tanning beds and have an online silver jewelry business. I won't need anything that will make me burn or melt.” he said with a laugh. “Plus there's a few relatives I want to dispose of before I die so I won't have to fight them over inheritance issues. But I am so looking forward to becoming immortal.”

            “I'm ready too.” Sheila said. “I remember that I've taken care of all the legal issues. So let's find a human for me to fill up on. I can feel me wanting fresh warm blood.” Sheila unfastened her seat belt and started to grab for the door latch. Max grabbed her hand, stopping her from opening the door.

            “Patience my love. We still have some daylight to contend with. You don't want to turn when there are issues that could hurt or even destroy you. The windows of this van are specially constructed to block out UV rays. Otherwise I’d be a smoldering pile of ash. You and Joe could go outside right now and be alright. But patience, the sun will set soon and we all can leave. You need to meet a friend of mine before your fill. He's probably on his way to his office at this time.”

            “I'm sorry,” Sheila said as she say back in her seat, “The only good thing to happen in my life is you Max. I can't wait to spend eternity with you. Ha, that's kinda funny, can't wait to spend forever. I can't wait to feel the power and abilities you enjoy now. I'm so excited.” She turned to Joe.

            “How do you keep from going crazy Joe?” she asked him. “How do you keep from biting out the neck of a human?”

 

           “Ha ha” Joe laughed, “Believe it or not, this is what helps me.” He showed her a pack of menthol cigarettes. “The menthol and nicotine block the receptors in the brain that desire the blood. Drawback is I smoke three packs a day and wear a patch to boot. But when I do turn, my lungs will heal and smoke won't interest me at all. Hey, you want to join me for one? Max told me you smoke.”

            “Love to.” Sheila replied.

            “We got to go outside though, “ Joe explained, “No smoking  allowed in the van. Help resale value. Here, climb up front and go out up here. Don't want to burn up the boss with direct sunlight. That would really ruin the resale value.”

            “Go on,” Max said. “Enjoy your last cigarette. I'll be able to join you in a few minutes. Then we can take care of business.” Sheila kissed Max passionately then climbed out the front of the van. She noticed Max cringe even though the setting suns' rays didn't touch him. His phone rang and he answered. “Oh hello Doctor, yes we're parked in the usual place. You sound out of breath. Oh, jogging to work. Be there in a minute you say? Good. See ya'.”

            Max ended the call, put his cell phone back in his pocket as thoughts of spending his life, or unlife, with Sheila entered his mind. His thoughts were disrupted by Joe opening the door and reaching over and pushing the van's cigarette lighter in. “My Zippo's out of fluid” he said. “Guess I could have just asked you to stick a finger in the sunlight.” “Everybody's a comedian” Max complained “but what do you think of her?”

            “She's even more beautiful than you said.” Joe replied. “I've waited hundreds of years for a woman like her. She's very impulsive, does what she wants. Sets her sights and goes for it. I almost feel like I don't deserve her.”

            Max was cut short by the vans' lighter popping out. Joe grabbed it, pulled it out of the receptacle and stepped back outside. A quick moment later he reentered the van. “She's gone!” he yelled.

            Max jumped out of the van. Although the sun was mostly set, the rays turned Max’s' skin beet red. “Sheila! Sheila!” Max screamed out. “Sheila!”. He smelled fresh blood. “She's feeding! This way!”

            The men ran to the nearby alley, turned the corner, and both stopped when they witnessed Sheila had hold of a man. Her face buried deep in his neck. “Nooooooooooo!” Max screamed. “Sheila!”

            Max grabbed Sheila's head and pulled while Joe held on to the man, resulting in half of the man's throat being ripped away from his body.

            “Honey”, Sheila said while panting, “It's so good. So good.”

            Max stood there. Silent, with a look of pure horror on his face. “Sheila”, he cried, “you don't understand. You drank his blood.”

            “And it was good.” she replied, “Good.”

            “You don't understand!” Max said with tears running down his cheeks. “He was the dentist. The dentist who was going to pull your teeth. The teeth with fillings in them. Silver fillings! Now you have silver coursing through your body!”

            Sheila stood up. Before she could utter a word her shoulders had dropped to her pelvis. A moment later she was gone. Replaced by a puddle of saturated clothing.

            Max dropped to his knees, snatched up the dress and cried into it.