Haunted Virginia Cemeteries by Sharon Pajka, PhD

Review by: Samantha M. Siciliano

Welcome, fellow thrill seekers and history buffs!

Thank you for joining me for this review! If you enjoy what you read, please consider following, subscribing for updates, and sharing with friends or on social media. Your support helps our reading community grow. I love hearing your thoughts—feel free to leave a comment below!

Quick Summary:

If you are craving a brisk, spine-tingling read this spooky season, dive into Haunted Virginia Cemeteries by Sharon Pajka. It is your ticket to a world where history and hauntings collide. Pajka’s book isn’t just a collection of ghost stories; it is a lantern guiding you through the shadowy corners of Virginia’s past! She illuminates the lives of colonial settlers, women, war heroes, soldiers, enslaved peoples, and dearly departed pets. 

The Review:

Sharon Pajka’s writing is warm and inviting, making you feel as welcome as a hot apple cider on a crisp autumn night. She invites you to sit in a cozy chair by the fireplace, put on your warm blanket, and listen to her as she spins tales that blend history, folklore, and local legends for all to read.  She brings history to life through her plethora of photos, primary sources, and local folklore, making sure to preserve the stories of the deceased and of places that might otherwise be forgotten.

The book is filled with fascinating stories. The first chapter explores animals in cemeteries, and later, you’ll discover presidential pets interred at Sherwood Forest’s Pet Cemetery. One memorable tale involves author Ellen Glasgow, who, after passing away, wanted her late, beloved dogs buried with her—a sentiment I wholeheartedly share!

I have been to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, where the remains of unidentified soldiers from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War are located. However, I was not aware of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution in Alexandra, Virginia. His story could have easily been lost to time. However, he and unidentified others from the Revolutionary War, whom he represents, can be remembered and thanked for the sacrifices that they made.

There are quirky legends, too, such as the obelisk at Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg. Belonging to Nathaniel Beverly Tucker (1784-1851), it is said to have been struck by lightning three times, THRICE, leaving marks that some say resemble famous faces. At first glance, I could see Abraham Lincoln’s face, and after staring at the picture for a few more moments, I saw a pit bull. Others say that they see Edgar Allen Poe. 

Warning! Goosebumps guaranteed! Perhaps the creepiest story comes from Cedar Hill Cemetery in Covington. Martha Jordan’s tragic fate of being buried alive in 1848 touches on a deep, universal fear: being mistakenly pronounced dead while still alive. Pajka even references modern cases from 2009 and 2022, proving that truth can be stranger - and scarier - than fiction. 

Pajka’s storytelling kept me captivated night after night. She brings history to life just like reenactors at Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg, where performers share the stories of those who rest there. As you wander among the gravestones, you can almost hear the whispers from the past. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, this book inspires you to visit these renowned sites and explore them on your own.

While I would have loved to see maps and actual newspaper clippings of the stories, the book’s rich research, evocative images, and ghostly encounters more than made up for it. This book is the perfect companion for this spooky season. I rate it 4.7/5. Pajka’s passion for history and hauntings shines through every page. She has two other books available and one she is currently working on—I’ll be adding them to my TBR!

IN CONCLUSION, READ THE FRACKING BOOK!

I received this book from Arcadia Publishing in exchange for an honest review. 

If you enjoyed this review, don’t forget to follow, subscribe, and share with your fellow book lovers. Your support keeps our reading community alive (and maybe a little haunted)!

Up Next: Haunted Southwest Florida by Christopher Balzano