She died in Defence of Her Honor ~ APRIL 8th, 1886; Aged 19 Years

 

 

During the twilight hours, an eerie feeling levitates in the cool, crisp and still air. The dampness clings upon the palms of his hands as the dew bonds onto the newly budding leaves of the old gnarled trees. Her Spirit has lifted just seconds after her final breath and he realizes at that very moment the dreadful thing he done. It is said even to this day she haunts the hallways of where she worked.

The beautiful and quiet 19-year-old Tillie (Matilda) Smith was a simple, poor country girl who had worked as a Kitchen Maid at Centenary College, Hackettstown, NJ during the 1880s.

On Thursday, April 8, 1886 she was found murdered in a field behind the school. James J. Titus, a 29-year-old Janitor and fellow employee, was arrested and convicted of rape and murder after a long staggering trial. Titus was initially sentenced to be hung at the gallows. However, in May 1877 the Condemned Mr. Titus confessed that he had accidentally killed Tillie during a quarrel. Claiming that she had seduced him into having an affair, the 29-year-old husband and father said that he had grabbed her by the throat in a desperate attempt to quiet her talk of being pregnant and threats to reveal their relationship.

 

 

James J. Titus's death sentence was subsequently committed, and he served only 19 years in prison. Returning to Hackettstown, he died there in 1952 at the age of 95. James J. Titus's conviction, which was largely based on circumstantial evidence, and to this day still remains controversial. He is laid to rest only a few acres away from Tillie.

It is said that Tillie is the Centenary College resident ghost and the namesake of its campus coffee shop… Tillie's ghost, still reportedly materializes on occasion. She walks the college halls, moaning and causing lights to flicker. There is also proof that Paranormal activity exists near her grave in Union Cemetery.

 

The only known photograph of Tillie Smith.

 

Unkle Steve stands beside Tillie Smith's memorial to show size comparison