This event concerns the Ray family of Jewett City and the events occurred in 1854.
Two of the boys had already died of consumption and at that time it seamed that the only way to protect the living was to “kill” the dead and keep them from feeding on the already ill.
The first to die from the mysterious disease was 24-year-old son Lemuel in 1845; less than four years later, family patriarch Henry B. Ray had fell from the same disease. He was followed to the grave in the same manner by 26-year-old son Elisha, only two years afterward.
Three short years later, in 1854, the eldest son – Henry – became stricken with the now all-too-familiar symptoms, and this is when the true panic set in.
Now convinced that they were dealing with something well beyond normal disease, the family somehow decided that the untimely demises were being caused by their dead relatives rising from the grave during the night and returning to feast on the blood of the living.
Something drastic needed to be done… quickly!
According to newspaper accounts of the time, it was with the pure intent of protecting the living that the decomposing bodies of Lemuel and Elisha were dug up and burned immediately.
Although it appears the body of Joseph Sr. was spared, it was believed the incendiary action did the trick — history does not record a specific date for Henry’s demise, so it’s thought that he survived his affliction.
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