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Basement Remains

 

I've wanted to submit this experience for quite some time now but three quarters of it belongs to my wife and she has just given Me permission to share her portion of it. It takes place in Middletown, RI on the sight of our Church's Chapel.

When my wife first started attending she was 10/11 years old and the Church Ward met in an old Colonial home that had been converted into the Chapel complete with a couple of classrooms in the basement. The property itself sits agent a Revolutionary War Historical Site, a British encampment and the home may have been used by the British during the War.

Many people, including the 1st Councilor of the Ward, felt that there was something/someone unseen in the basement and did not like being down there alone. One Saturday my wife's family was cleaning the Chapel, top to bottom, vacuum the floors, mop the floors... Clean the restrooms. When they were done and my wife's father was locking the door, my wife saw a face in one of the basement windows. It was a young man's face; he had short red hair and a short scruffy beard. He had a sad look in his eyes and when my wife pointed him out asking her Dad who the man was he faded away. The next day, Sunday when my wife went to her Sunday School class in the basement, she says she talked to the man... Not really saying anything but acknowledging his presence, she says that after she never felt scared in the basement again.

Flash forward a few years, the Church is expanding and has begun construction of a new building on the site of the old house. During excavations they discover a skeleton in the floor of the basement. After calling in experts it is determined that the bones belonged to a Anglo-Saxon male and that they date back to the time of the Revolutionary War. After some more searching and no other artifacts being found construction is allowed to continue. The bones were moved and buried in one of the cemeteries on Adquidneck Island. Once complete the old home site lies beneath the new parking lot but in the new building people still do not like going down there alone.

A couple of years later I meet my wife and begin going to Church with her. I have to admit the Basement did have an 'odd feel' to it. You never felt alone. It always seemed as if someone was watching you. One summer evening while attending a ward dance I was leaving the basement and as I turned to go up the stairs I saw the lower half of a man. I only saw his legs, from the waist down, Colonial pants and boots walking up the stairs. I froze as I watched them go up the last 3 steps and fade away. I shook my head and blinked a couple of times then made my way slowly up the stairs looking for anyone or anything that may have caused me to see what I had on those stairs. I found nothing. After that, I did what my wife did... When entering the basement I'd quietly say hello and that feeling of being watched never seemed to be so bad afterwards.

It's been years since either of us have been back to that Chapel but if finding the skeleton and burying him in a cemetery did not put him to rest, perhaps he still wanders the classrooms of that basement.

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Comments about this paranormal experience

The following comments are submitted by users of this site and are not official positions by yourghoststories.com. Please read our guidelines and the previous posts before posting. The author, rookdygin, has the following expectation about your feedback: I will read the comments and participate in the discussion.

TracyBritt2012 (3 posts)
 
8 years ago (2016-11-25)
Rook I didn't think anyone was like me until I found you on this amazing site. Thank you Heavenly Father.
rithika (2 stories) (16 posts)
 
9 years ago (2015-09-15)
Oh ok, sorry I misunderstood what you were trying to say. Anyways I'm glad it wasn't a poltergeist.
~rithika 😁 😲
rookdygin (24 stories) (4458 posts)
+1
9 years ago (2015-09-13)
rithika,

For my wife and myself it was never a 'creeped out feeling' more of a 'not alone and being watched feeling'. For her and myself this feeling 'lightened' when we began aknowledgeing the spirits presence.

Poltergiuest? I think not, no one ever reported moving objects, slamming doors, disembodied voices... Never anything like that. Some people reported moving shadows... My wife saw the face and I saw the legs... But never anything that indicated polterguiest activity.

Thanks for asking, glad you enjoyed reading this experience.

Respectfully,

Rook
rithika (2 stories) (16 posts)
 
9 years ago (2015-09-13)
Hi rook,
Great story!
By any chance, did he ever seem as the type to hurt someone. Maybe a poltergeist? Did he give your wife the creeps? When I encounter something paranormal, it usually gives me negative vibes.
~Rithika 😁
vanlewie232711 (1 stories) (42 posts)
 
11 years ago (2013-12-06)
❤ I am so late here but I am from Charleston SC but born in Raliegh NC, I spoke to a family member here in NC and she said that during the period of 1800-1900 it was easier to temporairly bury family outside or under a house. Porch until the ground could be dug to the proper depth and sometimes they would have to put them in the pasture under stones to protect them from wild animals and such very sad for them and my great great grandma was the last one buried that way she died at 39 years old for drowning trying to save her 1 year old son we were told he got to close to the river bank that was swollen after a flood. My great grandma was 3 when her brother and mom passed away they were both under the porch from oct to may 1901 the house they lived in was demolished to make room for a few stores so I don't know if it were haunted and then a sad fact is where they were all buried from that time until 3 years ago they were all dug up and moved to a different city they never lived in and none of us lived in so that they could use that as a entrance to the apartments they built. Thanks for letting me rant take care... ❤
rookdygin (24 stories) (4458 posts)
 
12 years ago (2012-08-31)
geetha,

"I would love to know what Pay lay ale means?"

This 'statement' was included by an individual who was 'attacking' myself and my personal beliefs. Those words were part of a Ritual that was used in our Temple when attended for Personal/Private Religious Ordinances. In 1990 (just before I joined the Church) these words were removed from the Ritual.

Http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adamic_language

And

Http://home.teleport.com/~packham/pale-ale.htm

I had never heard this phrase until the individual in question brought it up... I then researched it and have shared a couple of the links that came up... There are many more to be sure... Some from 'dis-satisfied' ex-members 'sharing' the 'Secrets' of the Mormon Temple.

Respectfully,

Rook
geetha50 (15 stories) (986 posts)
 
12 years ago (2012-08-30)
Again, I'm lazy by not reading all of the comments so this maybe already suggested. My two theories are that he has found a safe place to be in the basement of the church and wants to stay there or he has some unfinished business and needs help and that's why he staying behind even though his body was buried.

I would love to know what Pay lay ale means?
I going to email as soon as I can.
oceansea (17 posts)
 
13 years ago (2011-11-26)
I love this story. I hope that this fella will soon be at rest wth Heaveny Father but it is nice that he never tried to scare anybody and he seems particuarly peaceful after some of the stories I've read on this site.
Thank you for this. 😁
rookdygin (24 stories) (4458 posts)
 
13 years ago (2011-10-31)
Vanessanda,

Those words used to be used as part of the Sacred Temple Ordinances that my Church preforms. Peopel who broke from the Church 'talked' about them... Some people chose to use them to try and 'hurt' the Church by saying that thery proved the memebrs actually worshiped 'Satan'...thats right the Devil... In Church 'teachings' we are told that they translated to mean..."Oh Lord here the words from my Mouth." This being part of the Prayer Adam offered to Heavevnly Father when he prayed for guidence after he and Eve had been cast out of Eden.

Very long story and explination here... And as it's very Religious in nature... NOT for this site. Please ask via e-mail if you would like more information.

Respectfully,

Rook
Vanessanda (3 stories) (226 posts)
 
13 years ago (2011-10-31)
Rook,

In my opinion, your wife calling him Clyde couldn't be just a random name. It might be somewhere to start some research. It might also help to keep in mind that if he had red hair, he could have some Irish background.

Also, I'm sure I can't be the only one here who doesn't understand what "Pay lay ale" means. Could you please explain.

V
DARKNESS (3 stories) (2022 posts)
 
13 years ago (2011-10-31)
Rook I'm glad you and your wife acknowledged the presence straight away, seems as though he perhaps wants something to be answered and that his presence be known. It is a shame that no records and information have been found for the skeleton, I hope his spirit finds peace! Thank you for another great account mate! 😊

Dan
rookdygin (24 stories) (4458 posts)
+1
13 years ago (2011-10-31)
I must make an amendment to this experience... My wife has read it and I managed to mess up a fact... The fact that my wife was 6 years old when she saw him in the window and she attempted to go back inside and open the door to the basement to 'let him out'. She also gave him a name, something to call him when she would go into the basement... She called him Clyde.

Respectfully,

Rook
Javelina (4 stories) (3749 posts)
+1
13 years ago (2011-10-29)
Thanks mate.
But I am afraid I may have over thought the residual aspect of him. I got to thinking how a residual would not cause you to feel as if you were being watched, and had my "DUH" moment of the day. 😳
Back to work for me.

Have a good weekend Bucko.

Brunhilda 😊
aussiedaz (19 stories) (1566 posts)
+1
13 years ago (2011-10-29)
Interesting point about the weather Jav and that would make sense going back to those days... Rook I think this story demonstrates that not all knocks, apparitions, feelings of being watched are intended hauntings, perhaps more miss interpreted interactions, not saying you or you wife miss interpreted anything, just making a point about other accounts here and there interpretations... This man obviously has some serious emotional problems on a spiritual level and how decent it was for your wife to pay her respect the way she did... I just think that is the bridge we all should be trying to make rather than letting these experiences get under our skin... I also agree with Granny and wonder if he needs more help than just a burial to cross over.

Regards Daz
Javelina (4 stories) (3749 posts)
 
13 years ago (2011-10-29)
[at] Moongrim,
You asked what the connection was? That's it?
Tsk tsk tsk...
You must be slipping.
By the way, what does "Pay lay ale?" have to do with this experience? Sounds like you were saying...
You know what? Just skip it.
Nice try though. 😆

Jav 🤔
rookdygin (24 stories) (4458 posts)
+1
13 years ago (2011-10-29)
Moongrim,

It just dawned on me the term you used... Pay lay Ale...Haven't heard that in a very long time and it just recently 'clicked' what that means.

Let me say it's nice to not be the only 'Open Member' of the Church... Granted I try to couch my suggestions with non-religious overtones because not everyone wishes to be preached at. But it is good to know I have a 'Brother' Priesthood holder in the background of this site.

Respectfully,

(Elder) Rook
KRYSTALLIA (64 posts)
 
13 years ago (2011-10-29)
That sounds quite morbid! I didn't know that these kind of things ever happened! Storing away deceased family members to be buried later! 😲 FREAKY! But I guess you can't judge the way things use to happen in the past as circumstances were a lot different back then.
I agree with Miracles here. All the thoughts and ideas are very plausible and you may never know.
Thank you and your wife for posting.
As always, a very interesting read! 😊

Regards
Krys
Javelina (4 stories) (3749 posts)
+2
13 years ago (2011-10-29)
Rook,
Whew! I finally got to read this AND I have another idea about this man's spirit.
But first I should mention that one reason bodies were buried in the basement is because of the weather. In the dead of winter, when the ground was too frozen to dig, there was no place else to store them until spring. Once the ground thawed, they would then give them a proper burial in the town cemetary or family plot.
That being said, it could also be the reason for his sadness. He was forgotten. No one moved him, which also indicates he may have never been given a proper good bye. 😢
My other thought on this experience is that once he did finally get moved, and it is common practice to say words for someone's remains, even when they have no identification for them, he may have moved on then. What you saw, the lower portion of him, may have been residual. Seems to me he ws fading away because had finally caught up to him.

Just my take on it. 😊

Thanks friend, and thank your wife also. You know how I feel about puzzles. 😉

Jav
rookdygin (24 stories) (4458 posts)
 
13 years ago (2011-10-29)
Moongrim,

My wife saw the 'man in the window' when the Chapel was still the old house. BEFORE the construction was begun on the new building. BEFORE any skeleton was found. It was My experience... Seeing the legs going up the stairs... That happened in the new building. So I'm not sure what your asking or trying to imply.

Rook
Moongrim (2 stories) (871 posts)
 
13 years ago (2011-10-28)
Well just out of curiosity, what connection is there - really, between what your eventual wife saw in the window of the basement, and the body found in it?

The power of suggestion?

Pay lay ale?
Miracles51031 (39 stories) (5000 posts) mod
+1
13 years ago (2011-10-28)
Rook - I think there are several things that could attribute to the sad look on the man's face. War, death, loss of his family, his life, what may have been his home "gone."

I think your wife, to be as young as she was at the time, was very wise and very kind.

There are many good ideas and thoughts here as to why he stayed, even after his remains were buried. Honestly, any of them could be the right one. Unfortunately, this is one you may never know the answer to 😢.

Great story, Rook.
Nysa (4 stories) (685 posts)
 
13 years ago (2011-10-28)
It's creepy to think about, isn't it MissyM? All the houses that might have a previous resident resting (hopefully) permanently under the house. I suppose for some it was the only option if they were estranged from the town church, for others it was just tradition from the distant past, & maybe it spared some the embarrassment of not being able to afford a headstone. Changing attitudes about death & burial are fascinating.
SaraBeth (2 stories) (26 posts)
+1
13 years ago (2011-10-28)
Fascinating story with a hue of sadness. I truly believe that some spirits will never be at rest and perhaps not all wish to be. Please thank your wife for sharing.:)
DeviousAngel (11 stories) (1910 posts)
+1
13 years ago (2011-10-28)
Thank you Rook & wife for sharing this experience. It is really amazing that they actually found a skeleton there. It makes you wonder how many places have remains that were never properly buried under them. The world was such a different place back then, I guess it is hard to say.
MissyM (2 stories) (152 posts)
+1
13 years ago (2011-10-28)
Because the spirit seems sad all the time leads me to believe that there maybe something more to it. If he was just watching the place... Why so sad? That's why it would be nice to be able to ask questions.😕

Nysa thank you for teaching me something new. I did not know that it was common for families to burry loved ones under the house. I had never herd of that before. Although I don't know why Families would want to put poor ol'Grandma in the dirty basement floor instead of somewhere nicer.
rookdygin (24 stories) (4458 posts)
+1
13 years ago (2011-10-28)
Thank you all for commenting.

I believe Nysa may be the closest to what may have happened. Due to the orignal home location being next to the old British encampment the local historians and Collage (University of Rhode Island (URI) I believe) came out and conducted a preliminary archological dig to determin if the body may have been Native American or possibly connceted to the Historic Encampment. It was determined that the bones were not Native American and there was no evidence that tied the 'grave' to the historic site so the Church was allowed to continue with it's construction.

The old home site now sits under part of the parking lot for the current Chapel and as far as I know that spirit is still restless. He never seemed 'mean' but 'sad and watchful' seem to be the best, and most common, words used to describe the feelings experienced in the lower level classrooms of the Chapel that now stands on the Property.

Granny,

To answer your direct question; to my knowledge no one knows his name. No record was ever found of who this individual may have been.

Respectfully,

Rook
taz890 (12 stories) (1380 posts)
 
13 years ago (2011-10-28)
rook in a word WOW! Great post thanks to you and your wife for sharing 😊
It does sound like this spirit is watching people for whatever reason but backs off a bit when you let him know he is around as you say it was an old home and the spirit might have lived there and is just watching over his property.
Enjoyed reading this one thanks again
Carl
Nysa (4 stories) (685 posts)
+2
13 years ago (2011-10-27)
It is certainly not the case that the body in the basement suggests a suspicious death. Rook tells us it was originally a home & in that era it was not unusual to bury a loved one under the house. The spirit may feel quite attached to the place & that is why he keeps a close eye on anyone downstairs, even now that his remains are elsewhere. Maybe acknowledging him makes him think your intentions are good.
MissyM (2 stories) (152 posts)
+2
13 years ago (2011-10-27)
His death was obviously untimely and hidden since he was discovered burried in the floor of the churches basement. Did it look like someone was trying to hide a murder? Maybe even though he has been found he is still restless because the people who put him there have never been punished or maybe upon expanding and discovering his bones something was missed and needs to be found before he rests. It would be nice to just be able to ask "why?", "what happened?", and "how can I help?" in order to put people to rest. But I guess that would be too easy. 😜

Thank your wife for sharing this story.

MM
stephyw2001 (guest)
+1
13 years ago (2011-10-27)
Neat story. I wonder why he's still hanging around if the body was found and properly buried. I guess it doesn't matter where the body is, if the soul isn't happy. I'm glad you guys said hi to him. 😊

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