The Circular Graveyard

Posted: 10.17.2019 | Updated: 05.21.2025

The oldest burial ground in Charleston is home to many dark secrets. Many of the tombstones feature dates as far back as the 1600s. There’s a lot of history in this graveyard that belongs to the old Circular Congregational Church, as well as several spirits who left their human form centuries ago, only to linger in the shadows of the mausoleums for eternity.

Charleston is home to many spooky locations, including the Battery Carriage House, where ghosts from the era of the Civil War roam the halls of the hotel, and the Old Charleston Jail, where whispers from former prisoners can be heard in the still of the night. 

If you would like to learn more about these and other haunted locations in the area, be sure to book your ghost tour with us here at Charleston Terrors. It is sure to be a chilling experience you will not soon forget.

Is the Circular Graveyard Haunted?

The graveyard owned by the Circular Congregational Church in Charleston is the oldest cemetery in town. It has been around for centuries and is the final resting place for residents who died from unfortunate circumstances, from casualties of war to incurable infections and diseases. 

Many locals believe this old graveyard is haunted by the ghosts of those buried there who are looking for a way to free themselves from this earthly existence or to seek vengeance for their wrongful death.

The History of the Circular Congregational Church

The Circular Congregational Church was founded by some of the original settlers of Charleston, then known as Charles Town, around 1681. The Circular graveyard,where members of the church and local residents are buried, is the oldest in town. Some of the monuments date back as far as 1695.

The church gets its name from the unique circle-like architecture of the building, which still stands as a beacon of faith within the diverse and cultural city of Charleston. The building is said to combine two powerful formations: the circle on the exterior, which represents the universal symbol of eternity and wholeness, and the Greek Cross on the interior, which is the Christian symbol of death and resurrection.

Many of its earliest ministers hailed from England, Wales, Scotland, and New England. The church wasn’t a part of a specific religious denomination and was referred to as either a Presbyterian, Independent, or Congregational church for many years. It is said to not be either of those beliefs but instead a distinct and singular form of them all.

The Old Circular Church Cemetery

There are several people who were important to the history of Charleston buried in the Old Circular Cemetery. Henry Peronneau, who died in 1743, was a successful merchant in town. His family was some of the early Huguenots of the colony.

Major Anthony Toomer, who passed away in 1798, is also buried there in a box tomb. He was a leader of the Patriot cause during the Revolutionary War. Years after the war, Toomer also served in the state legislature.

One of the most talked-about individuals buried at the Circular Cemetery is Richard Hutson. Known as one of the founding fathers of the United States, Hutson studied law at Princeton University and became a successful lawyer in South Carolina. 

He was an outspoken advocate for American Independence during the Revolutionary War and was elected to serve in the Second Continental Congress. He was also the first mayor of Charleston, elected in 1783.

Although he may be one of the most celebrated Hutsons buried in the cemetery, he’s not the only one whose story is told by locals. The tale of Julia Hutson is one that has been passed down for generations. But young Julia’s tale is not as victorious as the founding father’s.

The Burial of Julia Hutson

In the early 1800s, there was a malaria outbreak throughout Charleston. Malaria is a horrific parasitic infection that causes devastating symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, seizures, and even enlargement of the liver.

Between 1830 and 1840, a young woman named Julia Hutson contracted malaria and died. Her family was devastated but wanted to work quickly to prepare her for burial to prevent the infection from spreading. She was taken to the family plot and sealed inside the mausoleum located in the back of the Circular Graveyard.

Five years later, the Hutson family endured another tragic death when their son was killed in a hunting accident. They wrapped his body in a shroud and took him to the mausoleum to be buried there with his sister.

The Discovery at the Tomb

When the vault was opened, the family was shocked as Julia’s corpse fell on top of them. The inside of the door was covered from top to bottom with what appeared to be claw marks.

At that time, the effects of malaria weren’t widely known. Since then, it has been discovered that the infection can cause people to go into a coma. Sadly, they then appear as if they have stopped breathing. Their heart rate will also slow down and become very weak.

Julia’s family was horrified when they realized their mistake. They had buried their daughter in the mausoleum while she was still alive. 

As she woke up from her coma in the dark vault, she panicked. The poor girl tried to claw her way out, but no one was around to hear her screams for help. There was no way for her to escape the sealed tomb. She would have died after a few days trapped inside from the heat, starvation, and dehydration.

The Hutsons returned home with both bodies. They rewrapped Julia’s and took them back to the vault a few days later. But they soon discovered that the door of the mausoleum would not close. After trying several times with no success, they chained the door shut for the night and decided to return the next day to fix the issue.

Securing Julia’s Tomb

The following day, the family returned to see the door wedged open as far as possible. They attempted several more times to close the door, believing it had become swollen because of the heat and humidity. The door was even removed and reinstalled, but it still would not close completely.

They finally decided to seal the door shut using masonry, but after a short time, the masonry started to crumble. The door was removed from the vault again and replaced with a brand-new door. But that door fell inward into the vault, and the door frame mysteriously rotted away.

It is believed that Julia’s ghost is preventing the door from closing. She was determined to prevent any additional mistaken burials from happening to her other family members, and therefore, she forced the door to stay open at all times.

There have been many reports from people who visited the Circular graveyard and heard strange voices in the wind or saw apparitions of spirits lurking around at night. Some have seen a vortex forming in the distance or an unusual mist making its way around the tombstones. 

While it is known by many in town to be haunted, most people will say they have never felt uncomfortable while walking past the cemetery after the sun goes down. It seems that even the spirits in Charleston know how to practice their Southern hospitality.

Haunted Charleston

Known as the Holy City, Charleston is one of the oldest established cities in America, with its history dating back to the 1600s. The city played an important role in both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. Therefore, it is no surprise that the town is believed to be haunted by many dark entities.

It’s been said that the people of Charleston are very proud of their ghosts and haunted locations. If you would like to learn more about this haunted town as well as the surrounding cities, you should book your tour with us here at Charleston Terrors for a ghost tour that combines real historic tales with haunted lore.

And be sure to check out our blog for updates on spooky tales and haunted places to visit while visiting the Charleston area.

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Sources: 

• https://www.circularchurch.org/graveyard
• https://adventuresincemeteryhopping.com/2020/02/21/more-charleston-s-c-cemetery-hopping-wandering-through-the-circular-congregational-church-burial-ground-part-i/
• https://www.circularchurch.org
• https://www.reddit.com/r/CemeteryPorn/comments/17l1hpy/circular_congregational_churchs_graveyard_in/
• https://knotmagickknitter.wordpress.com/2019/07/12/julias-ghost/
• https://andreabeam.substack.com/p/haunted-side-of-the-holy-city-part-63b
• https://occult-world.com/circular-church-cemetery/
• https://www.theconstitutional.com/blog/2020/12/23/richard-hutson-one-americas-founding-fathers