When someone dies, does their spirit still hold the same fears and insecurities that they had in life?
When Florence died in 1871, her mother had stairs built at the head of her daughters plot that led to her daughters resting place. A pane of glass allowed her to look upon the coffin. In life, Florence was afraid of thunderstorms, always running to her mother for comfort. The stairs allowed Mrs Ford to comfort Florence through the storms she so feared in life.
When Florence died in 1871, her mother had stairs built at the head of her daughters plot that led to her daughters resting place. A pane of glass allowed her to look upon the coffin. In life, Florence was afraid of thunderstorms, always running to her mother for comfort. The stairs allowed Mrs Ford to comfort Florence through the storms she so feared in life.
Haunted Natchez Cemetery
The 'Thunderstorm Grave'. When someone dies, does their spirit still hold the same fears and insecurities that they had in life?
It is a question that comes up quite often in the paranormal community. When taking a look into this, I came across a rather interesting grave.
In Adams County, Mississippi you can find the Natchez City Cemetery. Located on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, the cemetery was established in 1822 (some sources state 1821).
From what I understand, some of the internments are much older than the 1822 date, with some burials reaching back to the late 1700's.
In order to intern union soldiers, who had died in the civil war, large sections of the cemetery were purchased in 1866.
As for the cemetery itself, it is said to be quite haunted, with quite a lot of interesting stories to tell. The grave/memorial we are looking at now is far from being the only interesting and unique memorial on the grounds, but these we shall look into at another time.
For now we will take a look at the 'Thunderstorm Grave'.
It is a question that comes up quite often in the paranormal community. When taking a look into this, I came across a rather interesting grave.
In Adams County, Mississippi you can find the Natchez City Cemetery. Located on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, the cemetery was established in 1822 (some sources state 1821).
From what I understand, some of the internments are much older than the 1822 date, with some burials reaching back to the late 1700's.
In order to intern union soldiers, who had died in the civil war, large sections of the cemetery were purchased in 1866.
As for the cemetery itself, it is said to be quite haunted, with quite a lot of interesting stories to tell. The grave/memorial we are looking at now is far from being the only interesting and unique memorial on the grounds, but these we shall look into at another time.
For now we will take a look at the 'Thunderstorm Grave'.
The Thunderstorm Grave
Florence Irene Ford's headstone. In 1871 Ten year old Florence Irene Ford passed away, after contracting Yellow Fever.
Her mother, stricken with grief, did not opt for a typical burial, but went one step further so she could comfort her daughter in death, as she would in life.
In life, Florence was absolutely terrified of storms. Whenever the thunder rolled in, she would take refuge at her mother’s side.
Mrs Ford must have felt that Florence's fear of storms would still be with her spirit in death, and so had a rather unique grave made
Her mother, stricken with grief, did not opt for a typical burial, but went one step further so she could comfort her daughter in death, as she would in life.
In life, Florence was absolutely terrified of storms. Whenever the thunder rolled in, she would take refuge at her mother’s side.
Mrs Ford must have felt that Florence's fear of storms would still be with her spirit in death, and so had a rather unique grave made
The stairway to Florences resting place. At the head of the grave two metal hinged doors can be found in the ground. When opened, a flight of steps can be seen, leading into the earth. When you reach the bottom of these steps you are at the same depth as the final resting place of Florence Ford.
It was here that Mrs Ford would come during stormy weather, in order to continue comforting her deceased child. Originally a window was present at the head of the coffin, so Mrs Ford could look upon her daughter during these times; the metal doors above could be closed to protect her from the weather.
Mrs Ford herself is long gone, and the window at the bottom of the steps has now been concreted over to prevent vandalism of Florence’s coffin. However, the steps are still present. A small concrete cherub now looks over Florence’s grave.
So the question stands. Would ten year old Florence Ford have taken her fear of thunder with her, to her death??
Would her mother’s presence, during these times, have been of comfort to her?
It was here that Mrs Ford would come during stormy weather, in order to continue comforting her deceased child. Originally a window was present at the head of the coffin, so Mrs Ford could look upon her daughter during these times; the metal doors above could be closed to protect her from the weather.
Mrs Ford herself is long gone, and the window at the bottom of the steps has now been concreted over to prevent vandalism of Florence’s coffin. However, the steps are still present. A small concrete cherub now looks over Florence’s grave.
So the question stands. Would ten year old Florence Ford have taken her fear of thunder with her, to her death??
Would her mother’s presence, during these times, have been of comfort to her?
Ashley Hall 2012
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