Samuel Russell Jocelyn is one of Wilmington, North Carolina’s most famous ghosts. Mr. Jocelyn was thought to have been killed when he fell from his horse in 1809 or March of 1810 (Two different years are given online for his death, while Find-A-Grave lists his official date of death as March 29, 1810).
The man was thought to be deceased and buried at the Saint James Churchyard Cemetery. His spirit began to appear in the nightmares of his best friend, begging to be dug up and set free. The friend decided to put his mind at rest by reportedly digging up Samuel’s body.
Legend says that when they removed the lid to the coffin, they found him with raw fingers and the entire lining dug into. Samuel Jocelyn was reportedly buried alive.
Today, it’s said that Mr. Jocelyn isn’t resting in peace, and if you go to the cemetery gate at night, you can hear faint scratching and screams.
Written By: John G. Clark Jr.
