(Video) Haunted Grave With A Window, The Story of Dr. Timothy Clark Smith

Dr. Timothy Clark Smith received a bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College in 1842 and a medical degree from the University of the City of New York in 1855. During his career, he worked as a teacher, clerk in the US Treasury Department, and also physician. He was a staff surgeon for the Russian Army from the year of 1856 to the year 1857. He was also in the US Consul in Odessa, Russia from the year 1861 to 1875, and Galatz, Romania from 1878 to 1883.

Yet despite all of his achievements and worldly experience, Smith harbored a horrific fear of being buried alive. Timothy Clark Smith was so fearful of premature burial. This fear known as taphophobia was not uncommon in the past. Horror stories of presumed dead clawing at their coffin lids were commonplace. With medicine, death and burial being relatively unregulated industries, misdiagnosing a coma or catalepsy as death was a very real threat.

Because he feared being buried alive, he was interred in a specially designed grave. His face is positioned beneath a cement tube that leads from beneath the ground to the surface and ends at a 14 x 14-inch plate glass window. In addition to arranging Dr. Timothy Clark Smith so he could see the surface if he was alive, he was buried with a bell in his hand so he could signal for help.

Most noticeably, however, is the horizontal window he installed at the surface of his grave, six feet above him and centered squarely on his face so that people could check on him to ensure that a mistake wasn’t made. He died in 1893, and to all accounts, it went smoothly. Today, the window’s visibility only extends a few inches down the six-foot-long cement shaft due to moisture and the age of the glass.

According to cemetery records, Smith does not rest alone. In a separate chamber, noticeably lacking a window, lies Smith’s wife. Her crypt is a darker affair, accessed only by a set of covered stairs leading into the crypt. Smith’s fears were relievedly unfounded. His body remained where it lay and his bell stayed silent. The viewing window above, while providing pre-mortem reassurance to Smith, became little than a local curiosity.

Sources: Cult Of Weird, YouTube Whits Life.

Adib Mohd

Recent Posts

160 Makan Spots, 40 Iconic Dishes, One Map redBus Is Feeding Our Travel Obsession

If you’ve ever planned a road trip just to try nasi dagang in Terengganu or… Read More

2 days ago

A Malaysian Coin Was Spotted at the CIA, Spy Move or Travel Flex?

Did a Malaysian coin just show up at the CIA’s Nathan Hale statue in the… Read More

2 days ago

Tourism Malaysia Backs Upcoming Film “Worth The Wait” RomCom Released in Malaysia

Tourism Malaysia is proud to announce its official support for the highly anticipated feature film… Read More

2 days ago

UMW Toyota Drives Customer Connections Through Performance, Community And Real Value

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) closed June 2025 with strong sales, recording 7,773 units for the… Read More

2 days ago

Pavilion Bukit Jalil Brings Japan To Malaysia With Matsuri Festival: Konnichiwa, Japan. Together, Here.

Pavilion Bukit Jalil will be launching its highly anticipated MATSURI Festival – Konnichiwa, Japan. Together,… Read More

3 days ago

Four Teams Crowned Champions At The Successful Fifth Edition Of The LALIGA Youth Tournament Malaysia

Four Teams Crowned Champions At The Successful Fifth Edition Of The LALIGA Youth Tournament Malaysia… Read More

3 days ago

This website uses cookies.