The Stories Behind These 10 Gravestones In West Virginia Will Give You Nightmares
By Tammy Marie Rose|Updated on April 28, 2021(Originally published April 23, 2021)
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Tammy Marie Rose
Author
Tammy loves life in West Virginia and couldn't imagine raising her three children anywhere else.She loves the simple life and believes that the key to a happy life is simplifying! She is an author, who enjoys living outside the box and coloring outside of the lines.
The Mountain State has many ghost stories, many of which are based on haunted gravestones. The long dead are said to haunt the cemeteries at night, unable to rest in peace. If you’re fascinated by graveyards in West Virginia, look no further – we’ve got a list of 10 gravestones in West Virginia that are sure to haunt your dreams!
This infamous grave marks the final resting place of a supposed witch who went by many names. Alternately known as Zelda, Sarah Jane, or simply the Witch of Highland, but her tombstone is marked Serilda Jane Whetzel. She died in 1909 and the first odd thing you’ll notice about her grave marker is that it faces away from the direction of every other grave in the cemetery, a little creepy! Like many gravestones, hers features a staircase. Generally these show a rise towards heaven, but Serlinda Jane’s seems to descend downward into a demon’s mouth. Legend has it that she and a male companion (a warlock?) are often seen cavorting around her grave.
Parkersburg is famous for being the first site in which the Union invaded the Confederacy during the Civil War, and so as you’d expect, there are many historical stories swirling about the town. The Weeping Lady is a forlorn statue located near the graves of Confederate general Stonewall Jackson’s family. According to legend, during a full moon, the Weeping Lady will stand up and walk all around the cemetery, weeping over the graves of soldiers. She has become a mascot of sorts for the area, and small trinkets and gifts are often left at the statue.
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3. Captain Anderson "Devil Anse" Hatfield (Cap Hatfield Cemetery, Stirrat)
The Hatfield and McCoy tale is so famous that it’s almost become synonymous with familial feuds. The Hatfield Cemetery includes a life-sized monument of "Devil Anse," marking his final resting place. According to legend, on foggy nights the spectres of Devil Anse and his six sons can be seen rising from their graves and marching together towards Island Creek. They are said to stop upon reaching the river, and then the ghost of friend and minister "Uncle Dyke" Garrett arises and baptizes them in the water, washing away their sins.
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4. Greenbrier Ghost (U.S. Highway 60, Sam Black Church)
Elva Zona Hester-Shue, more famously known as the Greenbrier Ghost, died suddenly in 1897. According to legend, her ghost appeared to her mother and confided in her that her husband Erasmus had brutally killed her. Elva’s mother repeatedly went to the police, but they didn’t believe the ravings of a mourning mother. Eventually, Elva’s body was exhumed and the medical examiner discovered that she was covered in bruises and had a broken neck and crushed windpipe. The evidence was used against her husband in his trial and he was convicted for murder. This is the only known case in history in which testimony from a ghost was used in a murder trial!
5. Devil's Baby (Ravenswood Cemetery, Jackson County)
Legend has it, the Devil’s baby is buried at a cemetery in Jackson County! The grave belongs to George Elwood Sharp, a two year old who passed away in July of 1917. The grave is marked with an image of a little lamb and underneath is a creepy-looking portrait of young George. The photo was placed onto the grave by a process in which a picture is burned onto a porcelain tile. George’s grave has been weathered unevenly and his portrait has grown discolored so that it looks like the image is of a baby with no eyes, fangs, and horns. The portrait glows in the dark and if you are brave enough to visit the grave in the night, many say you can even hear a baby cry.
An 11-year-old girl named Maud Montague passed away in 1888 from pneumonia. Her family marked her grave with a stone angel statue. Shortly after the funeral, two of her young friends each kissed the angel’s cheek in honor of their deceased companion. Shortly after, both of the friends had passed away from pneumonia as well. According to legend, anyone who kisses the angel will die within a year.
7. Graves Of The Lost Souls (St. Colman's Catholic Church, Summers County)
This Roman Catholic cemetery has a separate section for the burial of unbaptized babies and children. According to visitors, there are unexplained cold spots throughout the Lost Souls section and that you can often hear babies crying in the night.
Near the sleepy village of Chloe you’ll find a sign directing you to the grave of Mike Fink. Fink was a legendary mountain man. Over 100 years ago Mike Fink and an unnamed Native American got into a fight and killed each other. They now share the same burial site, marked by a stone and road marker. Legend has it if you visit the grave and ask "Whatcha doin’ Mike Fink?" He’ll answer by saying "nothing."
God’s Acre Cemetery was established in 1820 and is said to be haunted by many spirits. The cemetery is surrounded by a four-foot-high stone wall that encloses the entire grounds. The wall, which was built in 1866, extends three feet underground. Legend has it that because there are no breaks in the wall, the spirits of those buried there are trapped within the cemetery. Many who have visited say it always has an autumn chill, even in the summer. Those who are brave enough to visit the cemetery at night have reported whispered voices, the feeling of being watched, and quickly-moving shadows.
The Spring Hills Cemetery in Charleston has an unusually high number of children's graves, which is one of the reasons many say it is haunted. Visitors have reported hearing children's laughter, seeing orbs floating above graves and a feeling of being followed while walking through the cemetery.
These are just a few of the eerie places in West Virginia. Can you think of any other fascinating gravestones in West Virginia? Share them with us in the comments!
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More to Explore
Eerie Places In West Virginia
Lisa Sammons|April 28, 2021
What are some more eerie places in West Virginia?
Located up here in the isolated mountains, things can sometimes get a little creepy in West Virginia. We've got plenty of eerie places that are ready to haunt your nightmares. We've got a whole road trip planned out to show you the scariest places in the state. We've got an abandoned ghost town that's conveniently located right on a hiking trail. For a truly terrifying trip, you'll want to spend the night in a haunted hotel!
Are there any urban legends in West Virginia?
We've got plenty, most famous of which is probably the Mothman of Point Pleasant. That one is so famous that it inspired a 2002 film starring Richard Gere! We even have ten famous streets that are considered haunted.
Are there any famously haunted cemeteries in West Virginia?
We've got quite a few haunted cemeteries! In addition to the gravestones mentioned above, here's a list of graveyards that are sure to scare even the bravest of souls. The Hatfield Family Cemetery (of Hatfield and McCoy fame) is considered to be especially haunted. Guess their infamous feud was so deep that even death couldn't stop it!
