The Chase Family

The Chase family where an eccentric and wealthy family where known and despised by the local community for their vile, brutal treatment of their slaves.

The Chase Vault was originally constructed for Mr James Elliot in 1724. By the time the Chase family bought the vault in 1808, it was already pretty time-worn, but it was sealed with a huge slab of pristine blue marble that took eight men to move . It had only been used once previously as the final resting place for Ms. Thomasina Goddard in 1807. The family thought it best to leave her body even though it was, by law, their property. Ms Goddard got to share the tomb before long.

Some of the chase slaves.

In 1808 the same year the tomb was purchased, the Chase family saw the death of their most senior member, quickly followed by the death of a newborn who had been named Mary-Anne Chase. Both members were buried in heavy iron caskets. These caskets took three men to lift. Another death struck the Chase family shortly after, the death of another young member of the family. Dorcas Chase. The cause of her death is still unknown. It is known, however, that she endured endless torment and beatings from her father. It is rumoured that he eventually starved her to death…

Death was not done with the Chase family just yet. The abusive father, Thomas Chase committed suicide just two months after the accused murder of his daughter. He too was buried within the vault and he had the largest coffin of them all. The coffin weighed 240 pounds and took eight men to move.