Evidence about the Ray family (of Griswold, Conn.) shows that 19th century Americans believed the dead were preying on the living:
"According to the book "Legendary Connecticut, Traditional Tales from the Nutmeg State," by the late David E. Philips, after learning of Henry's sickness, the remaining family members lost their patience.
"They headed to the burial ground with shovels.
...
"Philips said the group was acting on the conviction that Henry Nelson Ray's seemingly fatal illness was caused by his brothers' emerging from the ground and draining the blood from his veins.
"The bodies of Lemuel and Elisha were said to have been dug up and burned. They chose not to dig up and burn the father."