Arts & Entertainment

Vampires in RI? Find Out For Yourself

The Barrington Public Library offers a free screening of the film: 'Vampires in Rhode Island, The Tillinghast Nightmare'; it starts at 2 pm.

Vampires in Rhode Island? The legends go on.

Find out all about the purported Tillinghast family in Exeter today, Oct. 14, in the Barrington Public Library auditorium. And two other “vampire exorcisms” as well.

A free screening of the film, “Vampires in Rhode Island, The Tillinghast Nightmare,” takes place at 2 pm.

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You can also ask questions and get answers with the award-winning filmmaker, Alec Asten, a native of Mystic, Conn.

In 1799, members of Stukely Tillinghast’s family were dying. To save the lives of those remaining, Tillinghast knew what he had to do -- dig up the body of his beloved daughter Sarah, cut out her heart and burn it.

Two other “vampire exorcisms” have been documented in Exeter – Ruth Ellen Rose in 1874 and Mercy Brown in 1892, according to the film.

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The documentary explores Rhode Island, circa 1799, in an effort to make sense of this gruesome practice. The findings may surprise you. Sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction.

Come to the Barrington library today to hear all about this creepy legend from South County.


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