Good morning and welcome to the grim. I'm your host Christian on today's episode, we'll be opening the gate and entering Westminister burial ground. Located in Baltimore, Maryland should grab your favorite mug cozy up. And let's take a dig into history. The internet, social media and glossy magazines. Our easy cells for historic destinations, with beautiful sites for tourist seeking views. I'm not sure how many have a bucket list with Baltimore, Maryland on it though.
And please don't take this as a dig against this wonderful city. It's just on a tourist hotspot in her now. From what I understand it is however, the resting place of one of America's most famous authors and will brings us to historic Baltimore had grelin Poe. The father of Gothic fiction and romanticism in literacy. He's not the only historic figure on the grounds, but more of a helm binder in this burial ground.
Now known as Westminister burial ground its original name was Westminister Presbyterian cemetery. When established in 1786, the burial ground was established prior to the joining church Westminister hall. The cemetery is located on Fayette and Greene street, downtown Baltimore, but it was originally purchased as a peach orchard from a farmer named John Howard. In 1852, the church was constructed on brick piers above the graves.
This created unique catacombs feel and history for the grounds and became known as the Baltimore catacombs to locals. The cemetery gates located on the green street side, featured Gypson revival gates designed by Maximillian Godfrey, giving a grand transition from the world of the living to the land of the dead. When entering. God for it designed many of the prominent and famous structures in the city of Baltimore. He also designed many of the monuments within the cemetery as well.
The church is no longer in service, but able to run down as a hall after being taken over in 1977, by the Westminster Presbyterian trust a private nonprofit organization. Who've been caring for the graveyard and the reason behind the cemeteries restoration ever since. The gravestones throughout the burial ground include decorative tablets, slabs, and granite volts with a romantic Gothic theme. Making it a worthwhile stop for a tidbit of American history and to appreciate its beauty.
Permanent residents from the American revolution and the war of 1812 are also buried within 15 of his permanent residents are generals alone, which is very impressive and a huge resting place of America's historic heroes that aren't mentioned in history books. American Senator representative from Maryland, a mayor of Baltimore, Maryland, and a general in the Maryland militia general Samuel Smith is interred. He served twice as president pro Tempra of the United States Senate.
First from 1805 to 1808 and later from 1828 to 1831. He was a driving force who became a Lieutenant Colonel and the continental army With 200 soldiers in his regiment. Smith's regimen also had major Robert ballad of Virginia major Simon therre of Rhode Island and captain Samuel treat of the continental artillery, the siege of Fort Mifflin, which lasted from September 26th to November 16 in 1777 was Smith's most famous achievement of the war.
The defenders of the Fort held out heroically against a bombardment by warships in the Delaware and by British batteries on the north bank. It's hard for the cemetery filled with so many heroes to go over each one. The most notable Patriots, political civic leaders, and American revolution and war of 18, 12 soldiers within. R John Hollis, Robert Gilmore, John Strickler at the handle Ramsay. James Sterling, John McDonough.
Robert Coolen Anna Lou and James Buchanan, but not the former president of Buchanan, a different one. James McHenry also calls this ground, his forever home, but Henry's name hopefully should sound familiar as he was one of America's founding fathers. His story to America was a bit of a unique one too. As his family originally sent him to north America in 1771 to recuperate from extensive studying to become a surgeon.
When they also had interior motives though, to use him as a scout to see if the rest of the family might want to make the jump across the pond. Hey, move more permanently to America, which they did of course, a year later. McHenry did become a skilled physician, finishing his studies in America. He then joined the continental army serving as a surgeon and member of the fifth Pennsylvania battalion. He was captured after his commander, Robert Muggah who surrendered in November of 1776.
He uniquely observed the British gave extremely poor medical care to prisoners. Uh, attempting to report his findings, but nobody cared at the time. In 1778, he was finally released in a prisoner exchange and then selected to be George Washington secretary. He remained in this position till 1780, when he was transferred to Lafayette staff and then retired from the army in 1781 afterward, he then was elected to Maryland state Senate. And went on to become the secretary of war in 1796.
Being appointed by George Washington himself. McHenry's partake in America's establishment was a big one during his service as the secretary of war, he was responsible for reorganizing the United States army into four regiments of infantry, a troop of drag Coons, and the battery of artillery. He also goes part of establishing the United States department of the Navy based on his recommendation that the war department should be assisted by commissionary of Marine on March 8th, 1798.
As all politics play out. McHenry's on favoritism of John Adams policies when he became president. And in his opinions of how he ran the country led eventually to McHenry's resignation. In the election of 1800, however McHenry wasn't just on with Adams yet. He persuaded Alexander Hamilton into releasing his errors against Adams. These EHRs questions, Adams loyalty and patriotism sparking public corals over the major candidates and helped Thomas Jefferson become elected as the next president.
And if you thought modern day politics was cutthroat, imagine back then. Ouch. McHenry finally bought 95 acres of land retiring from public life and passing away in 18, 16 years later. For all fun trivial listeners out there, Fort McHenry in Baltimore was named after him. Which the four significance in the war of 18, 12 was the battle ground helped inspire Francesca keys to bright the national Anthem, the star Spangled banner.
Now for a little bit more grim history with the father of Gothic fiction, Mr. Edgar Allen Poe, the resident, most likely been walled wanting to hear about. Post hail of life. Isn't the happiest by any means. And even in death, it's very uniquely Poe. His grave was originally unmarked within the grounds at the very back of the cemetery. In 1849. This whole change. When a group of school children raise money through a project called pennies for PO.
And we're able to dedicate a monument to the entrance of the cemetery. Also having him reentered with his wife, Virginia Clem Poe. And mother-in-law Maria Pope Clem get, how does the author known as the father of Gothic fiction die and be buried in an unmarked grave? It's best to start at post beginning after being born in 1809 in Boston to actors, David and Elizabeth or Eliza home. His father. And then only a year later abandoned the family within his mother passing away another year later.
Paul was taken in by John and Francis Allen of Richmond, Virginia, who never officially adopted him for some reason, but he considered them family. He then went on to attend the university of Virginia, but was troubled with drinking and gambling debts.. Leading to fights with John Allen over his university expenses and funds. This didn't last, her PO and he then enlisted in 1827 under an assumed name of Edgar, a Perry in the United States army.
He then claimed to be 22 at the time, but he was really only 18. Then publishing his first writing collection is Tamberlin and other poems, but it was a credit to a Bostonian, not PO's name. During his years in service, Francis Allen sadly passed away leading to a temporary reappointment of her husband and John and Poe. This was also due to poke, confessing his true name to his commanding officer and attempting to be discharged from the army.
His commanding officer after Poe found a willing replacement to fell out. His years of service said he would only grant PO's request. If you reconciled with Alan paul van had been writing John Allen months up to Francis his death, but with no reply till after her final passing. After being discharged from the army PO decided to try his luck at being a cadet at west point. But this was just as disastrous as his other choices in life.
Hardly during his brief service in South Carolina, paul became entangled into a present day haunting. If you're ever visiting Charleston, uh, estoppel one of the many city tours, tell us the tale of Poe and Annabel Lee of an unrequited love lost poke is rumored to have fallen in love with a prominent member of society's daughter named Ravenel who disapproved of the match to a penniless soldier. Meeting nightly in a local graveyard, they continued to see each other. Regardless.
Topo was stationed elsewhere. Well, meanwhile, Annabel contracted yellow fever and passed away before he could return. But he still tried to attend his Beloved's funeral. Her father still was against the match. Even with her death, turned him away from her funeral and even went to great lengths to make sure her intimate was a secret. The graveyard of their midnight rendezvous is claimed to be haunted by PO seeking Annabel for eternity. No records officially support this story.
Propo did spend time on Sullivan's island in South Carolina and did visit Charleston during the timeframe. Uh, Alibaba was supposedly to have taken a suitor. That makes the story possible. Get the biggest piece of evidence that this urban legend might be true is PO's own poem published in 1849 at titled Annabel Lee. It was the last poem. He penned about a young love. So strong. Even the angels in heaven were envious.
Paul deliberately had himself court-martialed out of west point, um, February 8th, 1831. He was tried for ghosts, neglect of duty and disobedience of orders for refusing to attend formations classes or church after west point PO finally decided to turn his full focus on writinG. He spent the next several years working for literary journals and periodicals becoming known for his own style of literary criticism. Publishing in 1831, his third volume of poems titled poems.
The book was financed with the help from his fellow cadets from west point. Uh, page within is dedicated to their help saying to the U S Corp of cadets. This volume is respectfully dedicated. 1836 Poe married his first cousin, Virginia. Clem Clem was just 13 years old at the time.
Some biographers suggests they viewed one another more like brother and sister living prior to their marriage together on and off for several years with family members due to his employment in various cities, the couple lived in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York jumping from city to city. Pope published stories. Poems started his own journal novels and also became an editor. He was the first writer to habit income alone from writing.
But this of course, wasn't a rich profession at the time, by any means this led to Poe repeatedly, resorting humiliating pleas for money and other assistance from not being paid or underpaid often from publishers. There was a loss during the time of the panic of 1837. When America experienced a financial crisis leading into a major depression to the 1840s. Finally on January 29th, 1845. Postpone the Raven appeared in the evening mirror, instantly finding fame. Yet with fame.
also came scandal hi grant Alan Poe was called writing letters to two women Francis Sargent Osgood and Elizabeth F. Elliott in the literary society with many of them becoming flirtatious. Anamoreland nature. In fact, Paul was also rumored to have written several poems about us. Good. One being a Valentine. Leading to the jealousy of Elliot and her competing against us. Good for the affections of Poe, regardless that he had wife.
Virginia did discover the women's letters, which led to the return of them and the end node pose affairs. January of 1842 PO's wife, Virginia showed the first signs of tuberculosis. A common killer in their time causing even more. Unstability for Edgar Allen who continued drinking even heavier from her declining health. The Polis moved to a cottage in the Brock suit after were Virginia would live out her final years.
Eventually in January of 1847, passing away, the only known painting of Virginia Clem Pope is a watercolor portrait painted several hours after her death. The themes impose writing are thought to be influenced by his continuous loss of beautiful women throughout his life. First, his birth mother Eliza, then Francis Allen, who was like a foster mother to him. Possibly Annabelle Lee and his wife, Virginia, the unraveling opposed life after his wife's death was short-lived but full of dark years.
He attended the court poet, Sarah Helen, Whitman over Rhode Island, but it was over before it even began with PO's erratic and drunken behavior. And her mother's disapproval. He then went to Richmond, Virginia. And reassume the relationship with his childhood sweetheart? Sarah Elmira Royster. Just three years after Virginia's passing in 1849, POAs found semi-conscious in Baltimore, in great distress and in need of immediate assistance.
According to Joseph W. Walker who found him outside of Tavern. He was found, wearing clothes, the word, his own crying out loud Reynolds and was thought to be intoxicated edgar Allen Poe died four days later on Sunday, October 7th, 1849. Have five o'clock in the morning. His last word saying, Lord help my poor soul. Leading to more mystery than anything yet. Even in death, the world wasn't done with Edgar Allen Poe, in fact, things were about to look even grimmer.
His cause of death, even today remains a mystery, but the speculation includes delirium, trims, heart disease, epilepsy, syphilis, meningitis inflammation, cholera, carbon monoxide, poisoning, and rabies, or even coping. Somehow his literary rival Rufus Wilmette Griswold was also able to write post high profile obituary. But under the pseudonym, Ludwig. He described Poe is a lunatic.
And as a person who walked the streets in madness or melancholy with lifts, moving and indistinct curses or wet eyes, upturn and passionate prayers, but never for himself, for he felt or professed to feel he was already damned. Griswold made it his job to ruin Pope, even in death and somehow became his literary executer.
Writing a bibliography article, a PO called memoir, the author, which included in an 1850 volume of collected works, where he depicted Poe is a depraved drunken drug addict, madman, and included post personal letters as evidence. This of course was all complete falsehood by those who knew PO and was seriously disputed. Griswold also didn't get the exact reaction he was looking for as many wanted to read Poe's works, thinking they were reading works by evil man.
Edgar Allen Poe, even in death was able to outlast his bitter rivals attempts of slander and Griswold. Eventually was guilty of forgery. The personnel letters of PO he used incited in his bibliography were all fakes made up by Griswold and attempt to add evidence to his article.
Post legacy continues to this day with his writing, featuring reoccurring themes with questions of death, including its physical signs, the effects of decomposition concerns a premature burial, the reanimation of the dead and mourning. He's also considered the father of detective fiction. Leading 10 spires, sir. Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of Sherlock Holmes and the great core writer, HP Lovecraft.
Who's format in detail into his stories and analytical abilities allowed him to see details that the general public was largely ignorant of. The methods by which a simple substitution cryptogram can be solved. And he used this to his advantage for his writing. He also had a deep interest in cryptology writing the Goldbug. He incorporated ciphers in an essential part of the story. In 1841, Pope published two ciphers under the name WB Tyler that had remained unsolved till 1992.
And 2000. His abnormal desk to a pauper's grave, then leads us back to the pennies for PO in full circle of just, how did we get here? Just as his life, his reinterment Assad trouble again to post grave originally had a headstone of white Italian marble made. But it was destroyed before it reached the grave, when a train derailed and plowed through the monument yard, where it was being kept. Instead, it was marked with a sand stone block.
That red number 80. Years later OPO by the name of Paul Hamilton Hayne. Visit post grave and published a newspaper article describing his grapes condition, leading to public intrigue. Uh, Baltimore school teacher then took interest in the public's intrigued her, her students. And they in turn, started the pennies for PO fund. With even public performances given to help raise money.
People throughout the us donated to the cause of Philadelphia publisher, donating a large sum and even philanthropist George William Childs. PO's new monument costs a total of $1,500. With even a medallion of polo included. All three men chosen for the DRI design. We're from Baltimore, respectively. On October, first of 1875, Edgar Allen Poe was reburied in late to rest at a new location near the front of the church. A small celebration was held with a dedication made from one of his cousins.
Snelson Poe. Several famous poets were invited to attend, but only Walt Whitman did. Has with nothing going according to plan and post life. The new burial spot was marked with a large stone donated by Orrin C painter. Though it was originally placed in the wrong spot and resolved quickly. Finally Posa has troubles laid to rest. Next to his wife, Virginia in 1885 in the cemetery. Virginia story within was that her grave was accidentally destroyed.
But because she had no kin declaimed, her remains was almost lost to history. Luckily William Gill, who wrote a biography on Poe, gathered her remains and kept them oddly in a box hidden under his bed. Till the 76th anniversary of her husband's birth saw her remains rebury with Eggers. Post long, but tragic story finally was at its very end.
Hidden oddity and home Depot and around the 1950s, an unidentified person for several decades, or most likely several people paint annual tribute to Ecker marking his original grave in the cemetery every year on his birthday, January 19th. A shadowy figure dressed in black with a wide brimmed hat and white scarf would pour himself a glass of cognac or per Sherry, Brandy raising a toast to the American author. That would vanish into the night leaving three roses in a distinct arrangement.
And an unfinished bottle of liquor. For some time, others attempted to get a glimpse of Who exactly was leaving poets host.. But there were never able to identify the person in 2011. However, the tow sadly C's to an end, but in 2016, the Maryland historical society decided a new toaster to revive the tradition that lives on to this day. Many police post spirit is not at breast haunting.
The grounds people have reported seeing his ghost walking around the grave site and even standing at the altar inside Westminister hall. Many believers, post spirit is not fully at rest haunting. The grounds people have reported seeing his ghost walking around his grave site and even standing at the altar inside Westminister hall. The other popular legend of the skull of Cambridge also takes place in this burial ground. It's at the head of a murdered minister was placed in a segment of cement.
This was to conceal the sounds of the screams from the skull. It's claimed the skull screams at all times of day and lingers in the minds of those. Who've heard it. It's the victims. Who've heard it scream have experienced in sanity and were placed in psychiatric wards after being exposed for prolonged periods of time, believing to still hear the screams, the most commonly seeing ghost or haunting. And that burial ground is of 16 year old Lucy, a Watson Taylor. Lucy had passed away in 1816.
She's often seen kneeling in front of her own grave in a flowing white dress with long dark hair. She then collapsed her hands in prayer, fading away before visitors, eyes reports of any visitors attempting to make trouble within the grounds. Have a 19th century groundskeeper that is said to walk row by row, calling out. If you speak too loudly, he then strolls away slowly fading to the eye. The claims of footsteps being grabbed by unseen IC called Hans.
Unexplainable cold spots and odd stenches have all been experienced on the grounds. The Westminster burial ground might house American heroes, war, veterans, and others who serve the United States from her very beginning yet the grim tale of PO overshadows, much of their history today. Perhaps, maybe not in the best fashion, but pose contributed to American literacy is certainly unmatched by many and changed the course of fiction forever after his however brief life lived.
I might've missed some details out of Poe's life, but it's hard when someone who lived so briefly lived his years, dramatically full of life, aligned with great tragedy. Leaving decades of impressions. On even young writers today. Perhaps it's best to leave Westminster with PO's own words. The Raven Nevermore. The grave grind for Westminister burial ground was an iced machiatto from morning mugs in federal hill. For more honorary grinds in the area, please visit the-graham.com for now.
We're closing the gate on Westminister, burial, ground. We hope you enjoyed our Dick into history. If you did subscribe today and join us next time, when we open the gate on the grim.