When was it published?

December 29, 1738 in The Virginia Gazette

Foreign News December 29, 1738

The Virginia Gazette

Q: What sub-type of article is it?

Personal Accident, Local Superstition

Q: What keywords are associated?

Aberdeenshire Accident, Girl Grave Fall, Terror Death, Superstitious Villagers, Churchyard Mishap

Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia

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What is this article about?

In Aberdeenshire, Scotland, a 15-year-old girl was found dead in an open grave dug for another person. She likely fell in due to darkness while passing through the churchyard and died from terror-induced shock. Superstitious locals left her body there and dug a new grave for the intended corpse.

Clipping

OCR Quality

95% Excellent

Full Text

We hear from Aberdeenshire, in Scotland, of a strange Accident that lately happened in a Country Village: A young Girl, about 15 Years of Age, was found dead in an open Grave, which had been dug for another, the Night before: There appeared no Marks of Violence and 'tis thought, as her Road home lay thro' the Church yard, the Darkness of the Night might cause her to mistake the Way, and fall into the new dug Grave: and then the Terror which seized the young Creature, cause such a sudden Stoppage of the Circulation of the Blood as occasioned her Death. The common People who are superstitious, thought it little less than Sacrilege to remove her Body; and, as they thought Providence had appointed her that Spot of Ground to be buried in, they kept it for her, and dug another Grave for the other Corps.

What sub-type of article is it?

Personal Accident Local Superstition

What keywords are associated?

Aberdeenshire Accident Girl Grave Fall Terror Death Superstitious Villagers Churchyard Mishap

Where did it happen?

Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Foreign News Details

Primary Location

Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Event Date

Lately

Outcome

young girl found dead from terror; body left in the grave, new grave dug for the other corpse

Event Details

A young girl, about 15 years old, fell into an open grave in a churchyard due to darkness and died from sudden stoppage of blood circulation caused by terror. No marks of violence. Superstitious villagers considered it sacrilege to move her and buried her there instead of the intended corpse.