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America's Forgotten Vampire Panic

Caitlin Doughty・27 minutes read

The New England vampire panic of the 18th and 19th centuries was fueled by fears of vampirism, with real events like Sarah Tillinghast's exhumation leading to the burning of hearts to prevent the spread of disease. The evolution of vampire lore, from historical events to modern interpretations, continues to influence popular culture and fascination with vampires.

Insights

  • The New England vampire panic from the late 1700s to late 1800s attributed deaths to vampires, leading to exhumations and burning of bodies to prevent vampirism, often as a cure for diseases like tuberculosis.
  • The evolution of American vampire lore, from historical events like Sarah Tillinghast's exhumation to modern influences in literature and media, has shaped the allure and seductiveness of vampires, intertwining with cultural fears and the funeral industry's development.

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Recent questions

  • What is the New England vampire panic?

    The New England vampire panic was a widespread belief from the late 1700s to late 1800s attributing deaths to vampires.

  • What is tuberculosis?

    Tuberculosis is an airborne disease affecting the lungs, spread through coughing, sneezing, or speaking, leading to symptoms like cough, chest pain, fever, and weight loss.

  • How did the New England vampire panic start?

    The origin of the New England vampire panic is linked to a Serbian farmer named Arnold Paole and his alleged vampiric activities.

  • What is the significance of Mercy Brown's story?

    Mercy Brown's story gained widespread attention in newspapers, inspiring Bram Stoker's "Dracula" with parallels drawn between Mercy and the character Lucy.

  • How did the rise of embalming coincide with vampire lore?

    The rise of embalming and the funeral industry coincided with the evolution of the vampire lore, connecting the two.

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Summary

00:00

New England Vampire Panic: Sarah Tillinghast's Story

  • In 1799, Stutley Tillinghast has a dream where half his apple orchard dies, foreshadowing future events.
  • Stutley's daughter Sarah dies of tuberculosis, followed by night visitations from her to other family members.
  • Stutley, fearing vampirism, exhumed his dead children, including Sarah, to check for signs of vampirism.
  • Sarah's exhumation revealed her body showed signs of preservation, leading to her heart being burned to prevent vampirism.
  • The story of Sarah Tillinghast is a core tale in the New England vampire canon, based on real events.
  • The New England vampire panic was a widespread belief from the late 1700s to late 1800s attributing deaths to vampires.
  • The origin of the New England vampire panic is linked to a Serbian farmer named Arnold Paole and his alleged vampiric activities.
  • Arnold Paole's exhumation and destruction after death led to a temporary resolution, but deaths resumed later.
  • The investigation of alleged vampires in Serbia by Johannes Fluckinger led to the burning of corpses and the spread of vampire beliefs.
  • Accusations of vampirism in New England served as a form of medicine to combat diseases like consumption, believed to be cured by killing vampires.

14:36

"Vampire Panic: Tuberculosis, Exhumations, and Lore"

  • Tuberculosis is an airborne disease affecting the lungs, spread through coughing, sneezing, or speaking, leading to symptoms like cough, chest pain, fever, and weight loss.
  • George Brown sought help from Dr. Harold Metcalf to combat tuberculosis in his community, hoping to save his son Edwin.
  • Mary Eliza, Mary Olive, and Mercy Brown were exhumed in 1892, revealing Mary Eliza mummified, Mary Olive decomposed, and Mercy in a well-preserved state with fresh organs.
  • Mercy Brown's heart and liver were burned and fed to Edwin as a consumption cure, but he did not survive.
  • Consuming ashes of alleged vampires was a common practice, believed to cure those targeted by the vampire.
  • Almira Young, inspired by her deceased sister Nancy, exhumed Nancy's body and burned it, inhaling the smoke for a cure, but she succumbed to tuberculosis.
  • Mercy Brown's well-preserved state was due to being dead for only two months and kept in a receiving vault during winter, acting as natural refrigeration.
  • Mercy Brown's story gained widespread attention in newspapers, inspiring Bram Stoker's "Dracula" with parallels drawn between Mercy and the character Lucy.
  • The vampire panic in New England was fueled by fear of technological advancements and a refusal to conform to mainstream ideals.
  • American vampire lore, from Lovecraft to Rice, Rice to Meyer, and King to Buffy, has a significant influence on modern vampire mythology, making vampires alluring and seductive.

29:16

"Vampire Myth: Fresh Skin, DNA Testing"

  • Skin of a long-dead corpse can appear fresh and smooth, with signs like longer nails and larger teeth, resembling a vampire.
  • Decomposition was misunderstood historically, leading to fear and the belief in vampires.
  • The rise of embalming and the funeral industry coincided with the evolution of the vampire lore, connecting the two.
  • In Griswold, Connecticut, a cemetery of the Walton family was discovered, with some remains showing signs of vampire treatment.
  • JB-55, identified as John Barber, was believed to be a vampire due to his body's rearrangement after death.
  • Through DNA testing, John Barber and his son Nathan Barber were identified, with efforts to locate their descendants for proper burial.
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