#12NightmaresOfXmas “SPONTANEOUS HUMAN COMBUSTION CHRISTMAS” & More True Yule Tales! #WeirdDarkness
Weird Darkness: Stories of the Paranormal, Supernatural, Legends, Lore, Mysterious, Macabre, Unsolved
Deep Dive
Why did the phantom armies of Edge Hill reappear on Christmas Eve 1642?
The phantom armies reappeared on Christmas Eve 1642, two months after the actual battle, as a ghostly reenactment of the vicious fight between the Roundheads and the Royalists. Witnesses, including shepherds and country folk, described the apparition of soldiers, drums, muskets, and cannons in the sky, which continued to be seen for several weeks until the phenomenon gradually faded away.
Why did the old engineer's house in the woods continue to play Christmas carols after his death?
Years after the old engineer's death and the demolition of his house, hunters in the woods near the old V&O tracks reported hearing Christmas carols from a well-worn record, complete with pops, scratches, and hisses. The legend suggests that the old man, who loved the Christmas season and invited visitors to listen to his records, still haunts the area, playing his cherished music.
Why did Mary Dorren's spirit remain at St. Mary's Church?
Mary Dorren, who helped found St. Mary's Church in Crompton, Rhode Island, is said to haunt the church she helped build. Several parishioners, including Father Fitzgerald, have reported unusual phenomena such as footsteps and the organ playing by itself, indicating the presence of Mary's spirit. Father Fitzgerald even saw the ghost of Mary Dorren one Christmas Eve.
Why did Mrs. Eustace's spirit appear to her friend Mrs. Welch on Christmas Eve 1932?
Mrs. Eustace's spirit appeared to her friend Mrs. Welch at the midnight service at the convent of Poor Clare's on Christmas Eve 1932, just before her death. Mrs. Welch later realized that the apparition was a manifestation of Mrs. Eustace's spirit, which appeared to her at the exact time Mrs. Eustace lost consciousness. This event suggested that the spirit was giving a final message of farewell.
Why were the phantom miners at the Mamie R. Mine so persistent in their hauntings?
The Mamie R. Mine was haunted by the spirits of miners who died in tragic accidents. On Christmas Eve 1894, dead miners, including Garson and a one-armed man, appeared to workers, carrying a frozen body out of the mine. The hauntings continued, reflecting the miners' folklore of Tommyknockers, who were believed to play both helpful and malicious roles. The persistence of these spirits may have been a lingering effect of the mine's tragic history.
Why did the wreck of the General Arnold in 1778 become a local legend of supernatural occurrences?
The wreck of the General Arnold in Plymouth Bay in 1778 left 70 sailors dead, with the survivors describing a nightmarish ordeal. One of the most striking aspects was the survival of 12-year-old cabin boy Barnabas Downes, who was found alive but paralyzed with hypothermia. The frozen bodies of the dead sailors were so solidly frozen together that they had to be thawed in the town brook before being buried. The courthouse where the bodies were laid out is said to be haunted by the spirits of the sailors.
Why did the spirits at 50 Berkeley Square cause such fear and dread?
50 Berkeley Square in London has a long history of hauntings, starting with a maid who went mad and died after seeing something horrific in her room. Other visitors, including Lord Lyttelton and Sir Robert Warboys, reported terrifying experiences that led to Warboys' death from fright. In 1887, two sailors, Edward Blunden and Robert Martin, broke into the house and were attacked by a dark, shapeless entity. Blunden died a gruesome death, impaled on the basement railings, while Martin was left traumatized.
Why did Matilda Rooney's death in 1885 become a famous case of spontaneous human combustion?
Matilda Rooney, a 72-year-old woman, burst into flames on Christmas Eve 1885, leaving only her spine, skull, one hip bone, and a pile of ashes. Her body burned at an estimated temperature of over 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit, yet the kitchen suffered minimal damage. The unusual nature of her death, with no clear source of ignition, made it a notable case of spontaneous human combustion.
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