Legends abound in Charleston. And what better legend than one of a tragic love story? One of the most popular legends in Charleston is about a young girl named Anna Ravenel. Even today, Ravenel is a big and popular name in Charleston. In fact, when the Cooper River Bridges were demolished 2005, the new, larger bridge was named the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. There’s a town named for the Ravenels, a Ravenel car dealership, a realtor, and all kinds of other Ravenel “stuff.” In 1827, Anna Ravenel was 14 years old. A little young for marriage, but because she was the daughter of a wealthy family, she was already dowered to a prosperous and aristocratic young man. But Anna, as young girls often are, was fickle and romantic. She fell in …show more content…
He tried locking Anna in the house. He tried sending thugs to dissuade Edgar from pursuing her, but the pair always found a way to be together, even if it meant having clandestine meetings in a local cemetery. In December, 1828, Edgar was transferred away from Fort Moultrie. It’s still suspected that Anna’s father had pulled some strings. Regardless of the reason, Edgar was gone, and Anna’s father began to relax. Then Anna was stricken with “fever,” possibly Dengue fever, as it was sweeping down the southeastern coast during that time. Her sister was able to get word to Edgar that Anna was gravely ill, but before Edgar could get to her, Anna died. Poor Edgar was devastated, and came as soon as he could. He attempted to attend Anna’s funeral, but Anna’s father had anticipated his arrival, and Edgar was turned away. Anna’s father was still determined to separate the two young lovers, even in death. He purchased six plots at the Unitarian Church Graveyard…the very cemetery where the lovers would secretly meet. He buried Anna in one grave, and had the remaining five dug to a depth of three feet. All of the plots were unmarked. He couldn’t keep Edgar from visiting the cemetery, but he did ensure that Edgar would never determine which was Anna’s