• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

SC Picture Project

The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.

  • FIND A LANDMARK
    • BY CITY
    • BY COUNTY
    • BY CATEGORY
    • BYGONE LANDMARKS
  • ADD IMAGES
  • VOLUNTEER
  • SPONSORS
  • DONATE

Tomb of Julia Legare

SC PICTURE PROJECT 2 Comments

SC Picture Project / Charleston County / Tomb of Julia Legare

While this will remain a popular South Carolina legend, it should be noted that most of these old stories and legends are loosely based on factual events and should be taken as such. When visiting this cemetery, and any other historic landmark, please be respectful of the property. As always, if you notice any damages, please report them to the proper authorities.

The Presbyterian Church on Edisto Island is undeniably one of the loveliest churches in South Carolina – and possibly one of the most haunted. The congregation is said to be among the oldest of its denomination in the country, dating to 1685. Though the church itself was built in 1831, people have been interred in the churchyard since 1797 – including Julia Legare, who died on the island in 1852 at the age of 22.

Tomb of Julia Legare

Brandon Coffey of Charleston © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

According to legend, Julia became ill with diphtheria, fell into a coma, and was later pronounced dead. The tragic death at such a young age gripped the Legare family, who buried her in the family mausoleum. Sadly, two years later another death struck the family, and when the Legares opened the mausoleum for the burial, they made a shocking discovery. Collapsed in the corner were a pile of bones adorned in the tattered material of Julia’s burial gown. Julia Legare had been buried alive.

Tomb of Julia Legare

Brandon Coffey of Charleston © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

If you visit the tomb yourself, you will notice that no door blocks visitors from entering the family crypt. This is because for years, the enormous stone door that sealed the graves would be found open, with scratch marks on the door evident – from the inside. Each time the door was found open, elders from the church would close and secure the door, only to rediscover the same eerie scene later. Today the door rests on the ground next to the tomb, freeing Julia to finally leave her grave.

Reflections on the Tomb of Julia Legare


Brandon Coffey, a longtime SC Picture Project contributor who shared the photos above, chose this as his “Spookiest SC Spot” for our November 2014 edition of SCIWAY News. Says Brandon, “I have visited the tomb many times, and every time I do there is always a strange energy about the place. Whether you say you believe in ghosts or not, the energy felt is undeniable. If you can really step outside of yourself and imagine the fate of being sealed in a tomb and ultimately perishing there, you can only imagine how much desperation was felt. Perhaps that is the energy I feel when visiting. It’s Julia letting people know of her pain so this tragic mistake won’t happen again.”

Plan Your Trip: Tomb of Julia Legare

Where is Tomb of Julia Legare located?
Address: 2164 South Carolina Highway 174, Edisto Island, SC 29438
GPS Coordinates: 32.579957,-80.308185
What else should I see?
Presbyterian Church on Edisto 0 mile
Presbyterian Manse of Edisto 1.4 miles
Edisto Island Baptist Church 2.4 miles
Trinity Episcopal Church 2.6 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Churches
  • Edisto Historic Sites
    Tomb of Julia Legare Map

    Please Help Us Stay Online

    We’d like thank everyone who generously supports the South Carolina Picture Project. You provide us with the inspiration and financial support we need to keep doing what we do. Every reader’s contribution, larger or small, is valuable. If you have enjoyed this website or found it helpful, please pitch in. Each donation helps – and it only takes a minute. Thank you!

    Support the SC Picture Project!

    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    You may also like

    You may also like

    Presbyterian Edisto IslandPresbyterian Church on Edisto Trinity Church EdistoTrinity Episcopal Church Sea of PeaceSea of Peace Edisto Island Baptist FrontEdisto Island Baptist Church Presbyterian Manse Edisto IslandPresbyterian Manse of Edisto

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Leah says

      May 9, 2021 at 7:21 AM

      I have visited the grave on several occasions. It is a beautiful church and cemetery. My best friend did see a white mist fly through the sky and into a tombstone in that same cemetery. This was during a sunny day.

      Reply
    2. Norman Johnson says

      October 8, 2018 at 9:55 AM

      I found this article to be quite fascinating, and just reading it was eerie. Please forward more info as it becomes available.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    FIND A LANDMARK

    Why This Site Matters

    Help Keep This Site Online

    We depend on the support of today’s readers to document South Carolina’s landmarks for future readers. Please help us continue this important work by making a donation below.

    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    Recent Posts

    • H.L. Hunley
    • Strand Theater
    • Camden Depot
    • Charleston City Marina
    • Secession Hill

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    Footer

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    CONTACT US

    We’d love to hear from you! Send us a quick email at share@scpictureproject.org.

    If you are looking for permission to use a photo, please reach out directly to the photographer listed in the image’s credit.

    JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

    The South Carolina Picture Project has two Facebook groups. One is dedicated to SC Historic Landmarks and Iconic Landscapes, and the other is dedicated to SC Nature and Wildlife.

    South Carolina Picture Project © 2022 · All Rights Reserved