Some tales from churchyards:
A few years ago there was a burial taking place in an East Kent churchyard (this story told to me afterwards by someone who attended).
When lowering the coffin, it would not go down as the grave was not big enough.
The funeral attendant then called out in a loud voice "Is the grave digger here?" and (as often happens) the digger appeared from behind a tree where he had been waiting until the burial was over. He dug some more earth out and the burial proceeded.
Also, here is an account in an old Kentish Gazette about an Ash man who was 'deposited' and then was 'revived' :
Daniel STODDARD of Ash "on the 8th was deposited in the ground to the great satisfaction of witnesses Thomas SAYER, Carr HORN, Wm REYNOLDS, Wm KELLY, and to the astonishment of all beholders was revived by the effects of the fresh earth"
(Kentish Gazette Jul 9 - 13 1768)
and another strange story:
Thomas SHARPE - aged 79 years, died on Thursday morning at Hartly in parish of Cranbrook.
He was one of a party which accidentally met at the Duke William public house at Hartly about two years ago in the forenoon, there were six in number and all neighbours; their ages united amounted to 476 years.
About 18 or 20 years ago a singular event took place with regard to this person. He was ill and he was supposed to be dead. The body was laid out and covered with a sheet, the windows and doors set open and every preparation on foot for his intended burial. He was conscious of all that passed, and was said; and some things were said which he did not forget; but he had no power to move or speak. If we are not mistaken in our recollection, a young woman went up to look at him and thought she perceived a finger move. Shortly after, he faintly whispered, "Cold, cold". The windows were closed, he was properly covered over with the bedclothes and by degrees regained his health and strength."
(Kentish Gazette Tues June 4 1833, back page col.4)
