Posted in North Carolina Creepy October 31, 2021 by

The Gruesome 1809 Story Of The Horseman Who Was Accidentally Buried Alive In North Carolina

Halloween seems to draw out the best ghost tales of the year. But we don’t need to make up or embellish the dismal fate of one Samuel Russell Jocelyn, who is attributed to being laid to rest at Saint James Churchyard Cemetery in Wilmington.

Jocelyn's gruesome end came about in 1809 as he was quite literally buried alive - by accident.
FindAGrave.com/Honoring Our Ancestors
According to some records, Jocelyn wed the love of his life on July 13, 1809.
TonyBaggett / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images
Her name was Mary Ann Simpson and she hailed from Sampson County, some 65 miles from Wilmington. Evidently, the two settled into married life near Wilmington and things were wonderful — until one fateful winter day when the two had a massive argument.
Jocelyn reportedly hopped on his horse and fled.
ilbusca / DigitalVision Vectors Collection via Getty Images
And that's where the tides turned.
beekeepx / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images
The cold weather deep in the heart of the North Carolina winter had set in and Jocelyn was apparently thrown from his horse.
He landed in a pool of water just deep enough to freeze his unconscious body.
beekeepx / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images
By the time others wandered upon the scene, it was determined that Jocelyn had frozen to death. He was taken to the churchyard and buried.
As local lore goes, one of his best friends claimed to hear the voice of his buddy over and over asking him to come dig him up.
FindAGrave.com/Honoring Our Ancestors
Eventually, the pal gave in and did as asked.
When the wooden coffin was uncovered and opened, it was apparent from the bloody fingertips of Jocelyn's fingers that he'd warmed up in his underground slumber and had awakened to find himself several feet under.
MoMorad / E+ Collection via Getty Images
Some stories even say his fingernails were embedded in his coffin lid.

Visit Jocelyn’s online memorial at the Saint James Churchyard Cemetery in Wilmington by visiting his tribute page on FindAGrave.com, here.

Who needs a creepy Halloween story when we have this truth-based tale of the gruesome fate of Samuel Russell Jocelyn? Had you heard this before?

Love bizarre stories that may or may not be true about North Carolina? Check out 10 Chilling Urban Legends In North Carolina That May Terrify You.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: 25 S 3rd St, Wilmington, NC 28401, USA