As if the timing of Hurricane Sandy wasn’t spooky enough, the damage from the storm led to an eerie discovery in New Haven, Connecticut. Downed trees are par for the course during any hurricane. Even trees that have firmly stood their ground for a hundred years or more can sometimes topple if they are dying, weak, or even if the wind hits them just the right way.
That is exactly what happened in New Haven, right on the green downtown. A giant oak tree that had been standing there since the early 1900’s fell down, revealing human remains just in time for Halloween. There was something else tangled in the roots of the giant tree, too. A cement box, which officials believe to be some kind of time capsule, was also discovered.
The tree that was uprooted has historical significance beyond being associated with a body that was likely a victim of smallpox or yellow fever, who was buried some time between 1799 and 1821. It was named the “Lincoln Oak”, and it was planted in 1909 in honor of Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday. The person who planted the tree was actually planted by one of Lincoln’s favorite Civil War admirals, according to local historians and WFSB News.
It is also possible that as investigators look more closely at the burial site, more remains could be unearthed. The town green was a common burial site before it came into use as a public park. Many years ago, the headstones were removed from the area but the bodies were not relocated. Investigators plan to try to identify the bones so that family members can be notified, and the remains can be given a proper burial.
Are there any ancestors in your family for whom the whereabouts of their remains remains a mystery? It is possible that some day, they may turn up unexpectedly.
Photo by ManicMorFF on morguefile.com.