Posted in Rhode Island October 26, 2020 by

Old Commons Burial Ground Is One Of Rhode Island’s Spookiest Cemeteries

If you’ve lived in Rhode Island for awhile, you’ve probably heard the sinister tale of Mercy Brown, our most famous vampire (who wasn’t actually a vampire at all). She and her family are buried at the Chestnut Hill Cemetery in Exeter, and the cemetery itself is pretty unsettling simply because of what occurred there.

But Chestnut Hill Cemetery isn’t the only haunting cemetery in Rhody. Check out the Old Commons Burial Ground if you really want to be spooked.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Old Commons Burial Ground is located in Little Compton.
Kyle Cormier / Google
The graveyard was established in 1677, so it has quite a collection of headstones.
Here you'll find the gravesites of Benjamin Church, one of the major players in King Philip’s War, and many other early settlers.
60 Commons / Google
There are more than 1,000 gravestones in the cemetery in total.
The property rests on an elevated parcel near the Congregational Church in a busy part of town.
Ranadheer Purupati / Google
Still, visiting feels undeniably eerie.
The oldest marker in the cemetery belongs to Mary Rouse Price, who died in 1698.
Kyle Cormier / Google
There are also a disturbing number of children's graves. They died with alarming frequency in the town's early years, victims of epidemics and other illnesses.
If you visit, look for the headstone of Elizabeth Palmer. It will say “should have been the wife of Simeon Palmer.” Another headstone belonging to Lidia Palmer is identified as the “Wife of Simeon Palmer.”
Swampyank / Wikipedia
Simeon Palmer was married to Lidia until she died. He then married Elizabeth, and they shared 21 years together. But when Simeon suffered from a heat stroke that changed him in some strange ways, he started eating cat meat. Elizabeth refused to join him, eventually moving out of their home with their daughter. Simeon was always angry she wouldn't live with him even though they were married. So when Elizabeth died, he had "should have been the wife" added to her headstone. Pettiness level: 10.

There doesn’t seem to be much paranormal activity reported here. Still, plenty of people have experienced strange chills walking through the cemetery. Considering all the unique characters that have been buried here, we wouldn’t be surprised if some stuck around.

Address: Commons Commons, Little Compton, RI 02837, USA