The Assistant Sexton and Patrick Henry's Ghost

George Herbert, a "wideawake young man," was the assistant sexton of the North Reformed Dutch Church, Clermont Avenue, Brooklyn in the mid-1890s. It was probably just around Christmas 1895 that Herbert started having problems. And it was all President Grover Cleveland's fault.

Cleveland had, in July of 1895, referred to the Monroe Doctrine when insisting that the British must use arbitration in settling their dispute with Venezuela. The Monroe Doctrine of 1823 was masterminded by then-President James Monroe and his Secretary of State, John Quincy Adams. It is a landmark in American foreign policy, stating that any European interference or attempt to colonize US lands would be considered an act of aggression and treated accordingly by the US government. In turn, the US would not interfere with existing European colonies.

Herbert was very distressed by Cleveland's threatening action against Britain in reference to its Venezuelan issues. The pastor of North Reformed, T. Calvin MacClelland, had preached about this, advocating for peace and the brotherhood of nations - which seems perfectly reasonable. Not according to Herbert - or to the ghosts which began appearing in his dreams.

Ever since Cleveland's remarks in July, Herbert had been having "troubling visions" in which the ghosts of the Founding Fathers shook their fists in his face while martial music played loudly. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were among the figures who also "dance[d] in fury" in Herbert's dreams.

By the winter of 1895 one of the ghosts took things a step further. One night during services, Herbert went down to the church basement to check on the steam heat (this was one of his regular jobs). Suddenly, he said, an invisible hand hit him sharply on the right side of his face, and whispered something angry in his ear. The ghost hissed that the Monroe Doctrine must be upheld at all costs. Herbert was pretty sure that this was the ghost of Patrick Henry because it was wearing knee breeches, buckled shoes and a periwig. He also recognized his features and pose from the well-known 1851 painting of Henry giving his famous "Give me liberty or give me death" speech to the Virginia House of Burgesses, by Peter F. Rothermel . Patrick Henry's ghost made it known to Herbert that it was especially angry at Pastor MacClelland and his talk of "peace at any price."

Herbert decided that the best idea would be to protect himself by wrapping himself in an American flag whenever he had to check on the steam heat in future. He had a Brooklyn tailor make one specially for him, adapted for him to wear (the New York Times, recounting the story, did not specify how). He advised MacClelland to order one, too.

But when MacClelland heard what Herbert had to say, he "gave him his walking papers" - and the ghostly problem was solved, for MacClelland and the parishioners, at least. But what happened to George Herbert? I wish I knew. I would like to know how long he was troubled by patriotic ghosts and the crashing of martial music in his head - and what became of him.

Oddly, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle appears not to have picked up this story (I found nothing there, after an extensive search). I would have thought that it was just their cup of sensational tea, but they seem to have ignored the whole thing. If I do find out anything more about this story and poor George Herbert, I will let you know.

Image of what is probably the North Reformed (since this is a photo of Clermont at Myrtle) is from NYPL Digital Gallery. The ghost in 18th century dress (actually the ghost of Samuel Johnson, who is standing in for Patrick Henry) is also from the NYPL Digital Gallery. The Rothermel painting is from Wikimedia Commons.

Source: "Ghost Scared A Sexton," New York Times, Jan. 4, 1896, p. 8.