FtV - Mercy Brown: The Rhode Island Vampire
New England Legends Podcast
Deep Dive
Why did the Brown family in Exeter, Rhode Island, believe they were dealing with a vampire in 1892?
The Brown family believed they were dealing with a vampire because consumption (tuberculosis) had claimed the lives of Mary Brown (the mother), Mary Olive (the eldest daughter), and Mercy Brown (the youngest daughter). Edwin, the only son, was also gravely ill. The family and locals, desperate for answers, turned to folklore, suspecting a vampire was draining Edwin's life force. This belief was fueled by Edwin waking up with blood on his mouth and neck, which they interpreted as signs of a vampire feeding on him.
What gruesome actions did the Brown family take to stop the suspected vampire?
In March 1892, George Brown, desperate to save his son Edwin, exhumed the bodies of his wife Mary and daughter Mary Olive. Finding them decomposed, they turned to Mercy's body, which had been stored in a stone keep. Mercy's body showed no decomposition, and her position had shifted. A local doctor cut open her chest, finding liquid blood in her heart, which the locals took as proof she was the vampire. They burned her heart and liver, mixed the ashes with water, and fed the concoction to Edwin as a cure.
Did the vampire remedy work for Edwin Brown?
No, the remedy did not work. Edwin Brown died less than two months later on May 2, 1892, despite consuming the ashes of his sister's organs. The gruesome act, rooted in folklore, failed to save him from consumption.
Why did Mercy Brown's body show signs of movement and lack of decomposition?
Mercy's body showed signs of movement and lack of decomposition because she was stored in a stone keep during the winter. The cold temperatures slowed decomposition significantly. Additionally, natural processes like muscle tightening, gas buildup, and blood liquefaction can cause a body to shift or appear preserved. These phenomena were misunderstood at the time, leading to the belief that she was a vampire.
How did Mercy Brown's story influence Bram Stoker's Dracula?
Newspaper articles about Mercy Brown's exhumation and the vampire scare circulated widely, even reaching Scotland. Bram Stoker, who was researching vampire folklore for his novel Dracula, included these accounts in his files. Mercy's story likely contributed to the modern vampire mythos, particularly the idea of vampires as undead creatures feeding on the living.
How has life expectancy changed since the time of Mercy Brown?
In 1900, the average life expectancy in the U.S. was 47-48 years, largely due to diseases like tuberculosis and limited medical knowledge. By 1920, it rose to 61 years, and today it is around 78-79 years. Advances in medicine, vaccines, and healthcare have significantly increased life expectancy and quality of life over the past century.
Why is Mercy Brown's story relevant to modern pandemics like COVID-19?
Mercy Brown's story highlights how societies react to pandemics with fear and desperation, often turning to folklore or unproven remedies when science fails to provide immediate answers. During COVID-19, similar behaviors emerged, such as the promotion of unverified treatments. The story serves as a reminder that fear and misinformation can lead to irrational actions during health crises.
- Mercy Brown's death was attributed to consumption (tuberculosis).
- Her family's history with consumption led to the suspicion of vampirism.
- Her body was exhumed, and the discovery of liquid blood in her heart solidified the vampire belief.
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