Since it’s the summer and many Long Islanders are flocking
to the Hamptons, I figured I’d mention some ghostly hot spots you may want to
check out in your travels.
Halsey House is the oldest dwelling still standing in the
town of Southampton. Built in 1648, it has a wonderful history and some ghost
tales to boot. Owned and maintained by the Southampton Historical Society, you can
call ahead and see when the building is open. It remains today as a museum, and
is a wonderful example of the houses and lifestyles of the early settlers.
The house was lived in by Thomas and Elizabeth Wheeler
Halsey and their family. A tragedy is said to have occurred on the property,
although the exact date is unknown. According to local lore, Elizabeth was
attacked and scalped by three Pequot Indians who came down from New England.
The Pequots Indians were a very aggressive tribe. The incident was mentioned in
“Chronicles of the Pequot Wars” written by Lion Gardiner in 1660. He wrote
about “the three Indians involved in a cruel and treacherous murder of an
English woman in Southampton.” After the attack, the local townspeople became
quite alarmed, and it created great tension within the town as well as with the
local Indian tribes of the Shinnecocks and Montauks.
Because of the brutal attack, even today, many people assume
the old building must be haunted by the ghost of Mrs. Halsey. Cold spots have
been picked up in the house, along with an EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) of
a man’s voice saying “Out.” Another EVP was of an older woman’s voice saying
“I’m tired.” Could this be the voice of Mrs. Halsey?
Not too far away from Halsey House is the grand Greek
Revival home known as the Rogers Mansion, which is currently the headquarters
for the Southampton Historical Museum. Built in 1843, the Rogers Mansion was
the home of whaling Captain Albert Rogers who lived there with his family until
his death in 1854. The land the house was built on had been in the Rogers
family since 1644, around the time when Southampton was founded. The Rogers
family continued to live in the house until after Albert’s death until 1889. A
Dr. John Nugent then purchased the house, added a carriage house, and lived
there for ten years. In 1899, well-known philanthropist Samuel Parrish
purchased it and began making additions in 1911.
Eventually the house became a Red Cross, a YMCA and then
finally a historical museum. During this time, several employees experienced
phenomena that could not be explained. Sounds of furniture being moved upstairs
when no one was there was often heard, along with footsteps coming down the
hall. Other strange sounds would come from the second floor, the attic and the
widow’s peak. None of them could be explained. During our investigation there,
the “ghost meter” (electromagnetic field indicator) picked up a lot of energy
in the butler’s pantry. Cold spots were also felt.
It is believed that one or more ghosts haunt the old
mansion, possibly that of a Cordelia Rogers, Captains Rogers’ second wife, or
even Mary Rogers, his first wife, who happens to be the sister of Cordelia.
Whoever it is, the energy seems like it’s definitely feminine, according to
museum employees.
On the old 135-acre college campus nearby, sits the haunted
windmill of Southampton. Once referred to as the Mill Hill Windmill, and then
later the College Mill, it is said to be haunted by the ghost of a little girl.
The windmill was built in 1713 in the English style, which differs
greatly from the Dutch type, and it was used for grinding flour and feed. When
the windmill was no longer needed it was going to be torn down. A local woman
by the name of Mrs. William Hoyt couldn’t bear to see it destroyed, so she
purchased it from Captain Warren, it’s owner, in 1890. A team of horses pulled
it to where it now sits.
In 1896, Mrs. Hoyt sold her property to Arthur B. Claflin, a
textile magnate from New York City who wanted to build an estate in Shinnecock
Hills that would be used as a “summer cottage.” Construction on the new home
began in 1898. He was thrilled with the old windmill that was located just a
few hundred feet from the house. The windmill served as a playhouse for the
Claflin’s daughter Beatrice. It was also used to entertain guests for afternoon
tea, and it became a conversation piece because it was so unusual.
According to legend, Beatrice fell down the steep windmill
steps, broke her neck and died there. During my research, I could not find any
evidence to prove this, but rumor has it that when the windmill became part of
the college campus, students would often report seeing the face of a small girl
peering out from its windows when nobody was there.
So if you find yourself out and about in Southampton this
month, check out these local historical sites. Maybe you too, will happen to
find a ghost there.
