In a rural cemetery by an old wooden church lies the 19th century grave of a supposed vampire. Various paranormal stories have circulated about this site and it has generated some public interest for a number of years. However, any vampire lore surrounding the deceased may simply be a 20th century case of mistaken identity!
For a number of decades, there has been a persistent story that Nellie Vaughn (who is buried at Plain Meeting House Cemetery in West Greenwich, RI) was a vampire. People would say that grass and other plants wouldn’t grow over her grave, and that the grave itself was sinking into the ground. The epitaph on Nellie’s tombstone, which read, “I am waiting and watching for you,” was taken to be a sinister indication of vampirism.
Plain Meeting House
The actual history appears to be this: on March 31, 1889, Nellie Louise Vaughn passed away from pneumonia at the age of nineteen. At first, her body was buried at her family’s farm. However, in October of that same year, her mother was given permission to move Nellie’s remains to a plot in a public cemetery. There is no evidence to suggest that any of Nellie Vaughn’s contemporaries believed her to be a vampire after she died. Her epitaph would have likely been seen as sentimental, given that she died in her youth.
So, how did Nellie get the dubious distinction of being a vampire? Although there’s a possibility that her exhumation may have inspired something, there’s a popular belief that high school students started this legend back in the 1960s. As that story goes, a high school teacher in Coventry, RI told their students something about the Mercy Brown vampire incident. However, the teacher didn’t provide the specific names or places. The students then went out hunting for a gravesite that fit with the general details they had, and ended up finding Nellie Vaughn.
Cemetery Sign
Sadly, due to the vampire story, the cemetery has endured serious vandalism over the years. To preserve Nellie Vaughn’s tombstone, it has been removed from the site. It’s interesting to note that, without visitors walking over the grave, the lack of vegetation and overall sinking are apparently no longer present.
Interestingly, the lore surrounding Nellie Vaughn seems to have shifted to more of a ghostly one. People have reported hearing a young woman’s voice near the gravesite saying, “I am perfectly pleasant.” It’s also been said that a woman in Victorian clothing has been seen in the cemetery, but then vanishes. Some believe that, because of the vampire confusion, the ghost of Nellie Vaughn is trying to clear her name.
Cemetery Entrance
The Plain Meeting House Cemetery sits adjacent to the West Greenwich Baptist Church, also known as the Plain Meeting House. It’s a historic wooden structure that dates back to 1820. The cemetery is designated as a Rhode Island Historical Cemetery (West Greenwich WG002). There are a few parking spaces at the site. As mentioned above, Nellie Vaughn’s grave now has no marker, so it’s unclear exactly where her plot is. From what I’ve read, it’s near the large crypt. For those interested in visiting this site, I want to especially emphasize that it should be treated with respect.
The case of Nellie Vaughn is certainly a unique one. It’s likely this vampire accusation was leveled against her over 70 years after her death, simply due to a case of mistaken identity. For me, this illustrates how legends and lore can be born at any time – all it takes is belief. And once these notions come into existence, they can grow and evolve as they’re passed along.
(If you’d like to learn about other vampire tales, please take a look at my book, Vampires of Lore: Traits and Modern Misconceptions.)
Location:
Corner of Liberty Hill Road & Plain Road
West Greenwich, RI 02817
Sources:
Bell, Michael E. Food for the Dead: On the Trail of New England’s Vampires. New York: Carroll & Graf Publishers, 2001.
D’Agostino, Thomas. A History of Vampires in New England. Charleston, SC: Haunted America, 2010.
“Grave of Nellie L. Vaughn.” Quahog.org. Accessed February 24, 2019. http://quahog.org/attractions/index.php?id=66.
Written by A. P. Sylvia
Hi I live like 5 minutes away from this place and pass it every day but never gone in. Do you think that there is a possible indent in the ground where her grave was “sinking”? I’m really into spiritual and mythological study and I want to know more. Love for replies!
When I was there, I didn’t notice any indentations – so it’s hard to say.