Margorie McCall – lived once, buried twice!
On the search for ghost stories in the archives we found a story that turned out not to be a ghost story but a horror experience for the living.
In 1705, Margorie McCall fell ill with fever and died. She was hastily buried for fear of the fever spreading, and that should have been the end of that, however, she was to become one of the most famous women in Lurgan.
During her wake, the family created a commotion, trying but failing to pry a precious and valuable ring from Margorie’s finger, for fear it would be taken from her grave. She was buried in the Shankill graveyard with the jewellery still attached.
Body snatchers and graverobbers were not uncommon in the 18th century and the night Margorie was buried thieves recovered her body and tried in vain to remove the ring.
A knife was produced, with the intention of removing her finger. At the first cut, Marjorie was awoken from her apparent coma, dazed and mumbling and the criminals ran for their lives.
Margorie arrived back home and knocked on the door where her grieving family were recuperating after the difficult day – her husband fainted in shock at the sight of his dead wife.
Margorie lived on following the ordeal and when she did really pass away, she returned to her final resting place for a second time.
Photograph deposited by the Lurgan Mail, D2380.
