Nestled in the quiet village of Easton, Connecticut, lies one of New England’s most legendary burial grounds — Union Cemetery. With its centuries-old graves, eerie nighttime ambiance, and a chilling local legend that refuses to fade, Union Cemetery is a must-visit destination for paranormal investigators, history buffs, and dark tourism enthusiasts. Known throughout the Northeast and beyond for its supposed hauntings — including its infamous ghost, the White Lady — this small, unassuming graveyard has attracted the attention of both local lore keepers and famous demonologists like Ed and Lorraine Warren.
Whether you’re here to capture a ghostly apparition on camera or simply want to take a walk through history, Union Cemetery offers an unforgettable blend of the supernatural and the historical. In this post, we’ll explore the rich past of this 400-year-old graveyard and delve into some of the most chilling paranormal stories that have earned it a place among America’s most haunted cemeteries.
The History
A Colonial Origin
Union Cemetery’s origins can be traced back to the 1700s, though some believe it may date even earlier. Located on Stepney Road, it served as the final resting place for Easton’s early settlers. The cemetery is technically situated on the border between Easton and Monroe, which historically has caused some confusion over its exact location. The burial ground functioned as a shared cemetery for the two neighboring towns — hence the name “Union.”
While it began as a small plot of land, the cemetery grew over the centuries. Today, weather-worn headstones from the Revolutionary War era sit beside more recent markers, creating a poignant chronicle of the past. Soldiers, clergymen, farmers, and ordinary citizens lie beneath the soil here, many of them from families that helped shape early Connecticut.
The Oldest Headstones
Many of the gravestones in Union Cemetery feature dates from the 1700s and early 1800s, offering clues to the lives and times of those buried here. One of the oldest known markers, belonging to Abigail Moss, dates back to 1766. The inscriptions, shaped by hand using chisels, remain hauntingly beautiful if you take the time to examine them closely. The stones, often adorned with winged skulls, cherubs, and weeping willows, also reflect early American attitudes toward death and the afterlife — themes that feel eerily appropriate given the cemetery’s reputation.
A Resting Place for the Unknown
Union Cemetery is not just a site of local memoriam — it also serves as the final stop for many who lived humble or unrecorded lives. The anonymity of some plots, worn away by time, gives the space an aura of mystery. Who were these people? What stories did they leave behind? For historians and ghost hunters alike, the unknown names and faded inscriptions offer a gateway to exploration, stirring both curiosity and reverence.
The Haunt
The Legend of the White Lady
No discussion of Union Cemetery is complete without speaking of the ghost said to walk its grounds — the legendary White Lady. Often described as a woman in a flowing white gown with long dark hair, the White Lady has reportedly been seen by numerous visitors, including local police officers and even professional paranormal researchers.
According to eyewitness accounts, she is frequently spotted either floating between the gravestones or wandering toward Route 59, a road adjacent to the cemetery. Alarmingly, drivers have reported a spectral woman appearing in front of their cars, only to vanish seconds before impact. Thankfully, no actual accidents have been reported — just an unsettling encounter with something not quite of this world.
While her identity remains unknown, many speculate that she could be the spirit of a woman who died in childbirth or was tragically murdered. Attempts to connect her with specific tombstones in the cemetery have proven inconclusive, adding further mystery to her presence.
Ed and Lorraine Warren’s Investigation
The famed paranormal duo Ed and Lorraine Warren — whose cases inspired films like The Conjuring and Annabelle — personally investigated Union Cemetery. In fact, Union Cemetery featured prominently in Ed Warren’s book Graveyard, where he describes numerous nighttime stakeouts and even claims to have captured the White Lady on video.
While skeptics may question the authenticity of the footage, the Warrens’ extensive efforts to document the graveyard’s ghostly happenings contributed to its growing reputation. Lorraine, a gifted clairvoyant, reportedly identified not just the White Lady but multiple spiritual presences during her visits. Their documentation adds a significant layer of credibility to the haunting and has drawn paranormal enthusiasts from around the world.
Other Paranormal Activity
The White Lady may be Union Cemetery’s most famous spirit, but she’s not the only ghost in town. Numerous visitors have reported:
- Inexplicable cold spots and electromagnetic fluctuations, especially near older gravestones.
- Strange mists or shadow figures that vanish upon closer inspection.
- The sounds of disembodied voices, whispers, and even ghostly sobbing at night.
- Glowing orbs that appear in photographs but are invisible to the naked eye.
Over the decades, paranormal researchers have brought specialized equipment to Union Cemetery — EMF detectors, thermal cameras, EVP recorders — all in hopes of capturing a moment of undeniable proof. Many leave with tales that defy easy explanation.
Local Lore and Cautionary Tales
As with many haunted locations, Union Cemetery has its share of unwritten rules. Locals often caution against entering after dark not just out of respect, but out of fear — trespassing is illegal, and more than a few ghost hunters have reported feeling pursued or watched while exploring the grounds at night. There’s a sense that whatever resides there does not always welcome visitors, especially those who arrive without reverence.
Residents report that grave markers have occasionally been disturbed by vandals, prompting additional patrols and even paranormal interest from local historians. If you plan to visit, go with respect — and maybe a buddy or two, just in case.
Final Thoughts: A Must-Visit for Paranormal Explorers
If you’re a seasoned ghost hunter or a curious newcomer to the world of the paranormal, Union Cemetery belongs on your list. With its rich colonial history, beautifully aged headstones, and a haunting legacy that continues to mystify believers and skeptics alike, this small Connecticut graveyard packs a spiritual punch.
Whether you hope to catch a glimpse of the elusive White Lady or simply want to wander among the relics of early American life, Union Cemetery offers an experience unlike any other. Be sure to bring your camera, ask some respectful questions — and watch where you step. You never know who, or what, might be watching.
Above all, remember: what appears in the lens isn’t always what’s there to the eye. Happy hunting!