In 1830, a peculiar incident unfolded at Mount Vernon. A gardener, fired out of spite, decided to rob the grave of George Washington. However, he made a critical blunder.
Instead of taking the first president's skull, he ended up with that of a relative associated with Judge Bushrod Washington. The crypt, in a state of decay, had many bodies and scattered skeletons, leading to the mix-up. George and Martha Washington had been protected in lead caskets, but many others in the crypt were not so fortunate.
Due to this strange event, the condition of Washington's burial site became a matter of concern. Following the theft attempt, a new burial vault was constructed to ensure the safety of the remains. There were plans to move Washington's body to a new resting place, even though this drew criticism from some observers.
In a bizarre twist, some locks of hair were purportedly taken during the coffin's unsealing in 1837, although the authenticity of these claims has been disputed.
This odd chapter in American history underscores the lengths some would go to, even if it meant stealing the wrong skull.
