Haunted Savannah: The Sorrel-Weed House

As one of the first houses in Georgia to become a state landmark, you'd expect their to be some sort of history to the Sorrel-Weed, haunted or otherwise.

Of course, you're in luck when wondering about the haunted side, as the house is featured in nearly every ghost tour in Savannah and has been on the likes of Ghost Hunters and shows on the Travel Channel when Savannah is featured.

So what's the story?

Well, the house was built for Francis Sorrel, a wealthy shipping merchant, in the mid-1800s for his family.  There was a house, garden, and carriage house to the back, and the Sorrels used the house and the grounds to throw parties.

Years later, it was discovered by Mrs. Sorrel that her husband was having an affair with one of the slaves of the house, a woman named Molly, who was Mrs. Sorrel's aid in most everyday planning.

Incredibly distraught at the betrayal, Mrs. Sorrel threw herself off the second-story balcony and fell to her death in the garden below.

Weeks later, Molly was discovered hanging in the carriage house, with the story going that she was hanged by a member of the family, most notoriously thought to be Mr. Sorrel himself.

Staff members of the house report seeing and hearing strange things, and the TAPS crew of Ghost Hunter's fame recorded an EVP of, who they believe to be, Molly, screaming for help before she is to be lynched.

Interestingly enough, there is no report of Molly being hanged, though it's not to be suspected that something like that would not be covered up by one of the most prominent families in Savannah at the time, however, it is documented that Mrs. Sorrel flung herself off the balcony.

6 West Harris Street

Savannah, GA 31401

Haunted Savannah: The Pirates House

The Pirates House restaurant actually has the oldest house in Savannah incorportaed into its walls, and that's just the start of its history.

Underneath the restaurant were tunnels that led right to the Savannah river.  It was said that pirates would get civilians drunk or drug their ale, then kidnap them through the tunnels and onto a waiting ship.  When the man would wake up, they would be out in the middle of the ocean and forced to work or be thrown overboard.

Not a nice way to start the day.

Also, it is reported that sailors still haunt the building.  Many staff members have reported seeing apparitions and hearing strange noises, especially in the upstairs storage area.  Candle flames have been seen in the windows, burning as if in the 1800s for light, and when someone goes up to blow it out, they find nothing there at all.

Most interesting, however, is the rumor that Treasure Island was inspired by the Pirates House, as Robert Louis Stevenson reportedly was a patron of the pub back in the day.

The Pirates House

20 East Broad Street

Savannah, GA 31401

912-233-5757

Website

Image Source

Orb Colors

In every evidence packet we send out, I include our "Orb Colors Explained" .pdf to help you decipher what your orb colors mean.

We always encourage people to take photos while in the warehouse, and every night, we capture some orb on the radar, which is exciting and great to take home and show family and friends when you return from Savannah.

Below is a copy of that .pdf for anyone who is trying to uncover the meaning of the different colors of orbs in their photographs.

Thank you

On behalf of all of us at the Gribble House, I want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who has taken the tour, sent us photos, read this blog, read our Facebook, and generally just keep up with us on a daily basis.

We've been having so much fun running our investigations and meeting all of you.  We love the stories you've shared, the experiences you've had with us, and the excitement we've all experienced.

It's been a great time for all of us, and we hope you felt the same way when you investigated with us.  So, thank you.  We appreciate your enthusiasm and support.

Haunted Savannah: The Julliette Gordan Lowe Birthplace

Hundreds of thousands of people flock to the Juliette Gordon Lowe birthplace each year to pay homage to the Girl Scout founder, but most don't realize they're also setting foot inside a haunted house.

A house haunted by love.

Willie Gordon fell in love with Nellie the moment he met her as she slid down the stair banister, knocking him over and ruining his new top hat.  He didn't care, though, because he had, literally, just fallen in love.

Willie and Nellie were inseparable and deeply in love, having many children and moving into the now-Girl Scout house.  The two died within five years of each other, with Willie passing first, then Nellie after.

As Nellie was lying on her death bed, her niece reported seeing a man wearing the same clothes Willie used to wear coming from the room Nellie was lying in.  Other family members in the house saw the apparition, too, and as Nellie died, it seemed that she saw Willie coming to take her away, as well.

Nowadays, staff have reported hearing footsteps upstairs when no one is upstairs.  They've heard the piano playing by unseen hands.  Some have even seen Nellie herself wandering the halls.

When you visit the house, linger a little longer in the upstairs bedroom that was Nellie's and see if maybe you can catch a glimpse of her or Willie, or maybe try and feel their lingering love in the house.

The Juliette Gordon Lowe Birthplace

10 East Oglethorpe Ave

Savannah, GA 31401

912-233-4501

Image Source

A Guest's POV

Recently, one of our guests Britty visited the Gribble House on her Spring Break and investigated.

Afterwards, she compiled this video of some of her findings.

I think it's a great POV of a guest and gives you a little more perspective on what to expect when you take the tour.

Audible answers from the ghost box, spirits captured on camera, REM pod action, and fun.

Hope you guys enjoyed and thank you Britty for sharing it with us!

Victorian Spirit Photography

The term "double exposure" pertains to the process of taking a film photo, not turning the wheel fully to the next blank piece of film, then taking another photo.

Essentially, you're taking a photo over a photo.

When cameras first came out, photographers figured this process out accidentally, but realized the double exposure produced a ghost-like apparition on the film.  The photos above depict some of those double-exposed pictures, mostly featuring family members that have passed.

Of course, they used this to scare people and make the news, and people had no idea about their tomfoolery.  Only adding to an obsession with the paranormal and the other side in those ages.

Nowadays, we know all about this process and don't need film (we are the digital age, you know), and instead can employ Photoshop or other editing programs to produce a ghostly image.

Or, we can just go out and capture one for ourselves!

Image sources

1

2   |   3

4

5   |   6