WVa Sin Eater

The Irish Sin Eating tradition ended supposedly with the acceptance of Christianity  more than a thousand years ago. Replaced by the sacrament of Penance. Evidence demonstrates that it was practiced in rural Appalachian Irish communities until 1950’s.   A child, dressed in black, face obscured by a hood. would visit a dying person with wooden place, cup and utensils. They would be given $2. their plate loaded with food and placed on the chest of the dying person.  After praying, the eater would consume the food and the sins. That’s into the 1950’s.