DISCOVERED: Unknown
STATUS: Still standing
History
Sometime during the early 1800s, a man named Charles Boyington and his best friend, Nathaniel Frost, spent many of their afternoons together in the Church Street Graveyard located on Bayou Street. It is unknown why the chose this location in particular to spend their time, but the two were always remembered by the place.
Nathaniel Frost was found stabbed to death in the cemetery. Being that the authorities had no other evidence, they assumed that Boyington killed Frost merely based on the location. Boyington pleaded his innocence. However, the police were not convinced and Boyington was sentenced to death.
In February 1835, on the day that Boyington was to be executed, the accused man proclaimed that a mighty oak would rise from his grave as proof that he was innocent. Charles Boyington was then hanged and buried in a portion of the Church Street Graveyard.
As he proclaimed, an oak tree sprouted from his grave, and it still stands to this day. It is known as the Boyington Oak, named after the man. Many claim that when the wind blows through the branches, you can hear the voice of Charles Boyington crying his innocence.
Sources
- American Ghosts and Hauntings. “Haunted Boyington Oak Tree in Mobile,” www.AmericanGhostsAndHauntings.com
- Forgotten USA. “Boyington Oak,” www.ForgottenUSA.com
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