| Mercy Brown Vampire | |
|---|---|
 A photo of Grave Mercy Brown | |
| Background | |
| Type | Being |
| Continent | North America |
| Country | United States |
| One-Time? | Yes |
| Theories | · Vampire |
The Mercy Brown Vampire is a strange vampire notable part of Exeter, Rhode Island folklore and an intriguing aspect of American history. It revolves around the exhumation and examination of the body of Mercy Brown, a young woman who died of tuberculosis in 1892. The events surrounding her death and subsequent exhumation are deeply rooted in the superstitions and fears prevalent in the late 19th century.
Appearance[]
Mercy Lena Brown was born in 1873 in Exeter, Rhode Island, and was the daughter of George and Mary Brown. In the late 19th century, New England was grappling with a tuberculosis epidemic, which led to widespread fear and misunderstanding about the disease. Tuberculosis, often referred to as consumption at the time, was not well understood, and its symptoms, such as coughing up blood, weight loss, and a pale complexion, were often associated with vampirism due to the lack of medical knowledge.
Tragically, Mercy’s mother, Mary Eliza Brown, was the first in the family to succumb to tuberculosis in 1883. Following her mother’s death, Mercy’s older sister, Mary Olive, also fell ill and passed away in 1884. Mercy herself began showing symptoms of tuberculosis in 1891 and eventually died on January 17, 1892. Her death further devastated her family, particularly her father George and her brother Edwin.
After Mercy’s passing, several other members of the community also fell ill with tuberculosis. This series of deaths within a short span of time led to heightened fear and suspicion among the local residents. In an attempt to find an explanation for the rapid spread of the disease, some turned to superstition and folklore. Amidst this atmosphere of fear and desperation, local physician Dr. Harold Metcalf suggested a controversial solution - exhuming the bodies of Mercy’s deceased family members to check for signs of vampirism. In March 1892, several months after Mercy’s death, her body was exhumed from the cemetery in Exeter.
Upon opening Mercy’s grave, it was reported that her body had not undergone significant decomposition despite being buried for two months during winter. This phenomenon was interpreted as evidence that she was undead or a vampire. Additionally, there were claims that fresh blood was found in her heart and liver during the examination. These findings only served to fuel the existing fears and superstitions surrounding vampirism. The belief in vampires was not uncommon during this period, especially in rural communities where folklore and superstition held significant sway over people’s beliefs and actions. The Mercy Brown vampire incident gained widespread attention both locally and nationally due to its sensational nature.
Possible Explanations[]
There are several explanations as to what the creature could be. Theories include:
- A vampire
Notable Encounters[]
There are no notable encounters that we could find.
Trivia[]
- Mercy's herself began showing symptoms of tuberculosis in 1891 and eventually died on January 17, 1892. Her death further devastated her family, particularly her father George and her brother Edwin.
Gallery[]
Photo Gallery[]
