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Union Cemetery - Hackettstown NJ Real Haunt

   
  • East Ave.
  • Hackettstown, NJ
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Average Review
  (4 reviews)
Listing Categories
Real Haunted Cemeteries, Real Haunted Places
Open To Public
Yes - Open To Public
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Union Cemetery dates back to 1859 and is the burial place of Matilda Smith, also known as Tillie Smith. Smith worked and lived at Centenary College as a kitchen maid. On April 9, 1886, when Smith was only 18-years-old, she was found raped, beaten, and strangled to death – left on the open field outside the Taylor Library on the college campus, according to Lehigh Valley Live.

Smith’s horrific and tragic death has become part of local lore with many reportedly having seen her ghostly apparition around the college campus. People have also reportedly seen a girl in white walk along the road, sometimes getting in the car with you if you ask her if she needs a ride. She then disappears shortly after. Other ghostly events have also occurred at her tombstone at Union Cemetery.

Some believe Smith was murdered by James Titus who was responsible for maintenance at the college. The evidence against him was “circumstantial” and he was convicted and sentenced to hang for the crime, according to Historic Hackettstown. Titus went on to appeal and request for a new trial, but it was denied. Titus eventually ended up serving 19 years in prison, escaping the hang by signing a ‘confession’ of guilt. In December 1904, Titus was paroled and released from prison. Ironically, when he died in June 1952, Titus was also buried at Union Cemetery.

Today, at Union Cemetery, a monument stands in memory of Tillie Smith. It was constructed from generous donations and unveiled on November 24, 1887. It is inscribed with the message “She died in defense of her honor” for her valiant struggle to protect her virtue, according to reporting from Ashbury Park Press.
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  • Ghostie cloud of smoke forming into a person

    We were driving on East avenue by the cemetery when suddenly we saw a big cloud of dust which gave us a shock in the pit of our stomach. Immediately after we saw another cloud and it looked like it was forming into soemthing. Avoid this road at night!

    Posted 10/19/20

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    1 out of 1 found this review helpful

  • THE LADY IN WHITE

    THE LADY IN WHITE , WE HAD SEEN HER WALKING NEAR THE EDGE OF THE UNION CEMETERY IN THE SUMMER OF 1975, AT NIGHT. THERE WERE 4 OF US IN THE CAR AS WE DROVE BY HER. SHE HAD A LONG FLOWING WHITE DRESS AND WHITE SHOES, AND SHE WAS CARRYING A BOUQUET OF FLOWERS. I ASKED THE DRIVER OF OUR CAR TO GO BACK BECAUSE I WANTED TO ASK HER WHAT SHE WAS DOING, AND SHE WOULDN'T TURN THE CAR AROUND. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER, THERE WAS AN ARTICLE IN THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER, SAYING THE UNION CEMETERY GHOST HAD BEEN SEEN AGAIN LATELY, AND WE REALIZED THAT PROBABLY THAT'S WHAT WE SAW THAT NIGHT!

    Posted 8/5/19

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    1 out of 1 found this review helpful

  • Strang will not return

    Did not feel comfortable at all there. Saw a white figure looked a bit like a kid with cuts. Used ghost box asked questions took a lot of time before finally replies. Heard Satan and run so I haven’t returned

    Posted 12/19/17

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    1 out of 1 found this review helpful

  • Biggest haunting

    I walked up to a grave and saw a white shadow that I think was a young girl who was about 9 or10. Which had a few cuts from some type of knife.

    Posted 4/2/17

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    3 out of 4 found this review helpful

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Real Haunt Listing Info

Visitors to this page: 6,378
Clicks to Website: 339
Last edit to this listing: 4/11/2017 (2776 days ago)

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