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amadrya

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Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 6:59 pm

Known as the "Chase Vault", this burial vault of unknown origin has mystified officials for more than a century. In 1807, one Mrs. Godard was laid to rest in the vault, followed by two-year old Mary Ann Chase in 1808. In 1812, Mary's sister Dorcas was laid to rest in the vault. A few weeks after the death of Dorcas, the children's father, William Chase, passed away. When the vault was opened for his burial, it was discovered that all three of the coffins had been moved from their places of rest.

Speculation was placed on grave robbers, but authorities noted that the concrete seal on the vault had not been broken, proof that none had been through the vault's door. In 1816, two separate burials were made. In each instance, the previously laid coffins were found moved from their original places of rest. In particular, the coffin of William Chase, weighing almost 2500 pounds, had been moved nearly across the room. After each burial, the workers returned all coffins to their rightful spots then resealed the entrance to the tomb.

When the vault was opened again in 1819, the coffins were once again moved about. This time, the governor of the local town ordered that the coffins be returned to their rightful places and then ordered sand spread all over the floor so that the footprints of any intruders into the tomb would be visible. In addition, the governor pressed his personal seal into the fresh cement that covered the entrance to the vault.

A year later, in 1820, the vault was reopened, and again all the coffins had been moved around the room. The sand that had been laid to catch evidence of intruders was undisturbed, and the governor's seal on the entrance remained unbroken. Officials ordered that all the coffins were to be removed, and the tomb left open. To this day, the mystery of the Chase Vault remains unsolved.