Friday, July 15, 2016

Unknown Strangers For Freaky Friday...!

Here is one for the history books. A secret that more than one person took to their grave.

The Female Stranger

1793 – 1816

During the fall of 1816 in Alexandria Virginia two people, a man and his wife walked into the Gadsby’s Tavern Hotel. The woman was ill and it was thought she was suffering from Typhoid fever. The woman’s condition continued to deteriorate despite being attended by one of Alexandria’s doctors. The husband then summoned the doctor and hotel staff and even the owner’s wife to the room to ask a very unusual request: He asked that everyone present swear an oath never to reveal their identities. All agreed and each took the secret to the grave. Several days after the oath was taken the Female Stranger died and to this day no one knows their identity. Before disappearing, her husband commissioned an extravagant headstone and buried her at St. Paul’s Cemetery in Alexandria Virginia.

Interesting Fact: The engraving on the headstone reads:
To the Memory of a
FEMALE STRANGER
whose mortal sufferings terminated
on the 14th day of October 1816
Aged 23 years and 8 months.
This stone is placed here by her disconsolate
Husband in whose arms she sighed out her
latest breath and who under God
did his utmost even to soothe the cold
dead ear of death.
How loved how valued once avails thee not
To whom related or by whom begot
A heap of dust alone remains of thee
Tis all thou art and all the proud shall be
To him gave all the Prophets witness that
through his name whosoever believeth in
him shall receive remission of sins.
Acts.10th Chap.43rd verse

The biggest question I reckon we'll all ask is "who were these people and why did they want to protect their identity so badly?" I reckon we'll never know!

Coffee out on the patio this morning!

7 comments:

Chickenmom said...

Dang it, Mr. Hermit - always sending me searching!
https://www.alexandriava.gov/historic/info/default.aspx?id=51968

Momlady said...

So very strange. You do come up with good ones, HJ.

linda m said...

That is a good one. Now I'll be wondering all day. Have a nice weekend.

deb harvey said...

'tis all the proud shall be.'
gives one hope that the cleansing shall come eventually.

and the best is the remission of sins. hope that mine shall be wiped away and that we shall all be healed.

JO said...

I guess that will be something to ponder for a while. Sad story.
I'll have a refill please my Friend

HermitJim said...

Hey Phyllis...
Aw, you know you love it! Gives you something to do, right?
Thanks for stopping by today!


Hey Momlady...
I'm glad you enjoyed it. As far as finding the good stuff...just lucky I reckon!
Thanks for coming over today!


Hey Linda...
Does sort of get under the skin, doesn't it?
Thanks for the visit this morning!


Hey Deborah...
That about says it all, I believe.
I appreciate the visit this morning!

Dizzy-Dick said...

Wow Mr. Hermit, you always seem to come up with most interesting posts. It got me to thinking and there is just so many possible scenarios. Keep posting your great blog, and I will keep reading it for sure.