The Cumberland Monastery
History
The Cumberland Monastery contains about 500 acres of ground that anyone can explore. The grounds are maintained regularly and have unmarked trails, wetlands, flowers, and berries. The trails are explored daily by locals and tourists and there are different trails with different scenery. Those who want to explore certain trails but don't know where to go can obtain a map from inside the Cumberland Public Library located on the Monastery property. For those daring explorers, they might choose the Nine Men's Misery Trail. This trail has a dark and tragic history leading to conspiracies of paranormal activity. The Monastery was once the land of the Narragansett. Native Americans and the English settlers shared the territory and it was peaceful for almost 40 years until encroachment by the colonists caused a conflict. These problems resulted in King Philip's war (1675-1676). This war resulted in more brutalities and destruction to the land than the American Civil War. In late March of 1676, Captain Michael Pierce of the English, lured by Native Americans led his men into a deep river Bend along the Blackstone river where they were ambushed by the Native Americans. The ambush killed Pierce and his nine men. There are two grave markers located on the property. One of the marker's of the Misery Trail is made of cement and surrounded by rocks and was built by the monks in 1928. Later on, the state of Rhode Island added a plaque to the marker that told a short story:
"NINE MEN'S MISERY
ON THIS SPOT
WHERE THEY WERE SLAIN BY
THE INDIANS
WERE BURIED THE NINE SOLDIERS
CAPTURED IN PIERCE'S FIGHT
MARCH 26, 1676"
This marker is extremely hard to find. However, if you keep your eyes open on your expedition, you will find it. Along with this historic marker, you will find other old artifacts left behind by the monks. The old monastery building is still on the property but has been renovated and transformed into the Cumberland Public Library.
Hauntings
Many stories of paranormal activities have been reported on the Monetary property, especially the Nine Men's Misery Trail. A common report is sightings of phantom horses galloping through the woods. Furthermore, odd screams sometimes described as cries along with a voice of a young girl near the grave markers, have all been reported. It is said that in 1790, medical students dug up a grave near the marker. They found a large skeleton with a double row of teeth, rumored to be colonist Benjamin Bucklin. However, when they were digging up the grave, they disturbed the souls of those nine men resulting in the screams and crying. Along with the screams and cries, visitors reported visions of a giant gnashing his double row of teeth. These stories have been told for many different years and have been passed down through many generations keeping the history alive.
Directions
Cumberland Public Library is located on the grounds of The Monastery
Address: 1464 Diamond Hill Rd, Cumberland, RI 02864
Library phone number: (401) 333-2552
Library's hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-8pm
Friday-Saturday 9am-5pm
Sunday 1pm-4pm.
Different trails and their routes:
