In North Smithfield, RI, you’ll find a historic cemetery that contains a 19th century tombstone with a very distinct epitaph. The inscription includes some partially obscured lines at the bottom, one of which references “consumption’s vampire grasp.” Because of this captivating phrase, the grave of Simon Whipple Aldrich has entered the annals of New England vampire lore.
Tombstone of Simon Whipple Aldrich
The full readable inscription on the stone is as follows:
In Memory
of
Simon Whipple,
Youngest son of Col. Dexter Aldrich
& Margery his wife,
who died May 6,
1841,
aged 27 years.
Altho’ consumption’s vampire grasp
Had seized thy mortal frame,
[unreadable] mind
Closer view of epitaph
While the full epitaph had been the subject of conjecture for some time, a source was eventually found. It turns out that these lines are actually from a poem that commemorates the 1838 death of abolitionist Joseph Horace Kimball. As such, the inscription on the stone would have originally been:
Altho’ consumption’s vampire grasp
Had seized thy mortal frame,
Thy ardent and inspiring mind
Untouched, remained the same.
In a strange and sad coincidence, two of Simon’s siblings also died at the age of 27. Marietta Aldrich passed away in 1830 and Abigail (Aldrich) Merry in 1844. Their graves do not indicate if they also passed away from consumption. However, that disease would often run through families, so it’s a possibility.
Grave of Marietta Aldrich on the left
Grave of Abigail Merry on the right
Given all this, you certainly have a scenario that bears a resemblance to well known New England vampire accounts (such as those of Mercy Brown and Sarah Tillinghast). However, it’s important to note that there isn’t currently any evidence showing that Simon Aldrich was actually believed to be a vampire or the victim of one by his contemporaries. The use of that poem with its vampire reference may have been purely metaphorical.
Entrance to historic cemetery
The grave of Simon Whipple Aldrich can be found in Rhode Island Historical Cemetery 37. This cemetery (also known as Union Cemetery Annex) is on the southeast end of the much larger and more modern Union Cemetery. To find the grave, I went to Union Cemetery and made my way towards the paved path that connects to the southeast entrance. I then noticed a prominent dirt path that led towards the historic cemetery. Upon walking into the bounds of that cemetery, the Aldrich family plot was on the right, some rows back. The grave of Simon Whipple faces away from the path, but I noticed the S.T. on the footstone as I approached the area.
View of the modern cemetery
Path to the historic cemetery
Footstone of Simon Whipple Aldrich
Ultimately, the grave of Simon Whipple Aldrich has a unique connection to New England vampire lore. While there are no vampire-related accounts that have been handed down, the reference to a vampire on the headstone itself certainly grabs one’s attention. It’s very intriguing to say the least.
A view of the historic cemetery
Another view of the historic cemetery
Location
Union Cemetery Annex abutting:
Union Cemetery
125 Smithfield Road
North Smithfield, RI 02896
Sources
Bell, Michael. “America’s Restless Vampires – Part Seven.” VampiresGrasp.com. December 17, 2009.
http://apps.vampiresgrasp.com/Blog/?e=41374&d=12/17/2009&s=America%27s%20Restless%20Vampires%20%2D%20Part%20Seven.
Find a Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com/memorial/49630850/simon-whipple-aldrich : accessed 27 July 2021), memorial page for Simon Whipple Aldrich (1814–6 May 1841), Find a Grave Memorial ID 49630850, citing Union Cemetery Annex, North Smithfield, Providence County, Rhode Island, USA ; Maintained by Becky Doan (contributor 46821009).
Rhode Island Historical Cemetery Commission. http://rihistoriccemeteries.org/newsearchcemeterydetail.aspx?ceme_no=NS037.
“Union Cemetery Annex.” Find a Grave. https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2217738/union-cemetery-annex.
Written by A. P. Sylvia
