The Damned Story: One of the best-known specters in the area is the Green Lady of Burlington, said to haunt Seventh Day Baptist Cemetery in rural Burlington. She allegedly appears to startled visitors as a green mist, which becomes the clearly defined shape of a woman in a green dress, who then gives an otherworldly smile before dematerializing just as quickly.

Of course, in addition to the question of her genuine existence, the Green Lady’s origins and identity have also been subject of debate.

The cemetery itself dates back to at least the 18th century, and over time, a number of the stones have either fallen over or been worn smooth by the elements. One of the only gravestones left standing (although it’s not the original stone) is that of Elisabeth Palmiter, who died in 1800 at the age of 30, and is believed by some to be the Green Lady.

The tale of Elisabeth’s transformation into the Green Lady more or less goes like this: after her husband Benjamin didn’t return from a trip to town when expected, Elisabeth went out into a terrible storm to find him, and then tragically drowned in a nearby swamp during the search. Some people have questioned the story and wonder if Benjamin may have murdered her and covered up his heinous deed with the drowning alibi. Evidence for either story is fragmented; regardless of exactly what caused her demise, she supposedly has been roaming the damned earth for centuries.

As with any allegedly haunted area, there’s also other events accompanying the story of the Green Lady, including reports of other spirits being seen (such as Benjamin Parmiter searching for Elisabeth with a lantern) and curiosity seekers meeting bad ends.

Maybe not so coincidentally, the whole history of the Seventh Day Baptists in Burlington (including the Parmiters) is said to be fraught with misfortune and death — and it’s possible many of the group may have succumbed to smallpox. They left the area in the early 19th century for upstate New York.

As the Green Lady’s fame has grown, she has been investigated by the Warrens and chronicled in Legendary Connecticut. Barry Dillinger of Creepy Connecticut also offers a detailed investigation of the Green Lady, and dispells some of the myths associated with the site. He does claim, however, that he was able to capture an EVP of a young woman humming music.

The Green Lady has also allegedly been spotted at nearby Lamson Corner Cemetery, located at the junction of Route 69 and Scoville Road.

Our Damned Experience: We have yet to step out with the Green Lady, but hope to soon.

If You Go: The Seventh Day Baptist Cemetery is located on Upson Road in Burlington. Due to vandalism, “No Trepassing” signs abound and the grounds are not open to the public; if you are interested in visiting, you have to request permission from the town. Trespassers will be arrested.