Murder on North Mountain
The Tragic Story of Theresa McAuley Robinson
Hi Friends,
This week’s episode of i hope it’s a ghost is called Murder on North Mountain. It’s about the tragic (but very true) story of Theresa McAuley Robinson.
Trigger warning:
Please know that parts of this post describe a situation of domestic violence and abuse.
If this isn’t something you want to read about, I completely understand! Thanks for stopping by. 🖤
Valley Ghost Walks with Jerome the Grave Keeper
Kentville comes with one heck of a history. Known for horse races and rowdy drinking during the 19th century, this town’s fondly called, The Devil’s Half Acre.
Like most historic towns on East Coast Canada, Kentville also comes with its share of ghost stories.
During my most recent visit to Nova Scotia, Eldest Sister, wee nephew, and I signed up for a local ghost tour of Kentville with Valley Ghost Walks.
Our tour guide, Jerome the Grave Keeper, took us to several locations and introduced us to several local ‘spirits.’
One of the tour’s highlights came at the end with the story of Theresa McAuley Robinson.
The tale is one Eldest Sister already knew, but watching the ‘spirit’ of Theresa narrate the horrors of her death put the icing on the cake for an already stellar ghost tour.
Who Was Theresa McAuley Robinson?
Born in 1848, Theresa McAuley Robinson was the daughter of Margaret and Christopher Balsor.
Wanting her children to be self-sufficient, Margaret taught Theresa how to write, read, and work the land.
So when Theresa married William Grant McAuley and moved to a farm a short distance away, she took the new changes in her life in stride.
Together, Theresa and William had eight children. With Theresa’s help, they transformed the 200-acre farm into a thriving business. Theresa also wrote for the Berwick Register. Her column provided news about and for Woodlawn and Burlington, Nova Scotia communities.
Sadly, after 34 happy years together, William died at 69 in 1900, leaving Theresa to manage the farm on her own.
A Fresh Start
Having built a successful farming enterprise with William, Theresa knew how to work the land. However, she found it challenging without her late husband to manage everything on her own.
In 1902, Theresa re-married a local man named William Robinson.
Theresa’s family didn’t like William Robinson. They felt he wasn’t trustworthy and prone to violence.
A Brutal Murder
In 1904, about a year and a half after Theresa married William, a fire broke out at her farm.
Friends, family, and officials discovered a gruesome sight when the flames died, and the smoke cleared.
Theresa’s dismembered body lay in a pile of ashes in the middle of her burnt-down house.
From the evidence, it was clear that Theresa had been badly beaten before her death. Several of her limbs were missing.
It was evident that someone had set fire to try and cover up Theresa’s brutal murder.
All eyes turned to William.
Arrested shortly after, William was found guilty of Theresa’s murder and was sentenced to death by hanging.
Officials kept the location of William’s hanging a secret. However, due to the cruel nature of the murder, someone leaked the location details, and the community, who so adored Theresa, turned out in droves.
They stormed the enclosure, pulled his body down from the gallows, and stripped it for souvenirs and revenge.
Disturbed by the mob’s behavior, officials declared that Kentville would never perform another hanging. After the execution of William, all hangings were moved to Halifax.
The Ghost of William Robinson
According to several eyewitnesses, in 1904, the ghost of William Robinson was sighted wandering the streets of Kentville.
Yes, that’s right, folks! The Acadian reported on the event in 1909.
According to the article, before William’s death, he declared he would return, no matter how deep officials dug his grave.
He vowed revenge on the people of Kentville because, of course, he was innocent of any wrongdoing.
One individual who claimed to see William’s ghost claimed he held a gun and appeared to be looking for someone. But he vanished before the individual could notify the authorities.
Daughter of the Community: Theresa’s Memorial
In 2014, the McAuley Robinson family discovered letters written by Theresa.
These letters offer insight into Theresa’s daily life shortly before her murder. They show her commitment to keeping her farm. She truly refused to sell it, even when pressured by William.
Unfortunately, these letters also reveal just how afraid Theresa had become of her husband. They provide insight and further proof of William’s guilt in her untimely death.
110 years after Theresa’s death, the town of Burlington, Nova Scotia, erected a memorial at her burial place to commemorate her life.
The memorial honors all women whose lives have been affected by domestic abuse and violence.
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As always, thanks for stopping by and giving this little newsletter a read. Until next time! ✌️🖤👻