The ''Female Stranger''

By Crusader1307

 A ‘’Mystery of History’’ to some extent – is The Legend of The Female Stranger. A local Legend in Alexandria, Virginia (US), at St. Paul’s Church in that City, is an odd Ground Stone placed which ‘’tells a Tale’’ of an ‘’unknown Female’’ who died under possible ‘’mysterious circumstances’’ at Gadsby’s Tavern (a Tavern/Boarding House), in 1816. Buried under ‘’great secrecy’’, ‘’whomever’’ ordered the Ground Stone, ordered a length piece of prose engraved into the stone, but no name or other elements of identity. Even the cause of Her death is not quite confirmed. The engraving reads as follows:

 

To the memory of a
FEMALE STRANGER
whose mortal sufferings terminated
on the 14th day of October 1816
Aged 23 years and 8 months

This stone is placed here by her disconsolate
Husband in whose arms she sighed out her
latest breath, and who under God
did his utmost even to soothe the cold
dead ear of death

How loved how valued once avails thee not
To whom related or by whom begot
A heap of dust alone remains of thee
Tis all thou art and all the proud shall be

To him gave all the Prophets witness that
through his name whosoever believeth in
him shall receive remission of sins
 Acts. 10th Chap. 43rd verse.

 

Since Her burial, the apt named ‘’Female Stranger’’ has attracted many people (fame and not) – all trying to discern just ‘’who’’ She was. The most common identity given is that ‘’She’’ was none other than the Daughter of infamous American Historical figure, Aaron Burr. Speculation began to lead to an almost ‘’Romeo and Juliet’’ Tale many see as ‘’created’’. A pair of ‘’star crossed’’ lovers, each from different Social Classes – were forbidden to marry as  result. The Female either ‘’ended Her Life’’ or simply ‘’gave up on Life’’ and died rather than live without Her ‘’true love’’. Her intended Love, knew nothing of Her plight, until He came to Town to ‘’steal her away’’. For many Generations, The Grave has been maintained by a loyal Legions of Fans. It was noted in the 1980s, that a dip developed over the Grave. This is the telling sign that ‘’Her’’ Coffin finally gave way due to age – possible removing any physical evidence. Many think that no One is in fact buried in the Grave, and the entire ‘’story’’ is ‘’made up’’. Plans to exhume the remains for DNA Trace Testing met with resistance, and was never realized. The ‘’Female Stranger’’ STILL is a popular Tourist spot in Alexandria today. But then there is another link to the Story, and that’s Gadby’s Tavern (where Our ‘’Stranger’’ died).

The Tavern was built in the 1780s and STILL stands as a Historical Building in Alexandria. MANY reports of Visitors ‘’seeing’’ a ‘’Female staring intently from the 2nd Floor Window’’. Anyone trying to enter the area of where ‘’She’’ is seen, causes the ‘’image’’ to vanish. No malevolent feelings or other emotions are felt. Most think that this is our ‘’Female Stranger’’, still waiting for Her ‘’Beau’’ to return and claim Her.