The Bottom Line:
Known as "One of America's most haunted homes," ghostly activity at the Myrtles Plantation has been widely discussed and documented.
A number of theories abound as to why the spot is so haunted. For one thing, ten murders have been committed on this site since the late 1700s. Rumor has it that the site is on top of an ancient Indian burial ground, which of course always spells trouble.
The Story:
The most retold of the stories centers around Cloe, a slave who became the property
master's mistress. When the relationship ended, she began eavesdropping on the family. She was caught and as punishment, had one ear cut off and was sent into the fields to work.
Cloe's Story:
Soon afterward, Cloe was baking a cake for a family birthday party. She put a small amount of poison into the cake. it is not known if this was for revenge, or if she hoped to make the children just a little sick so she could come back to the main house and take care of them. The family's two children and the mother all ate pieces of the cake, and fell instantly ill. Cloe was indeed asked to take care of them and nurse them back to health.
Cloe's Revenge:
Unfortunately, the wife and two children died. The other slaves, fearful of the plantation owner's wrath, dragged Cloe out of the house and hung her. The ghosts of Cloe, the two children and the mother have all been spotted in and around the house
A Sad Ending:
Other ghostly
activity noted at the plantation include the ghost of a French woman who
wanders from room to room in search of something (or someone); a ghost
at the grand piano who practices one chord over and over again; a portrait
that changes expressions; and a young girl who only appears just before
thunderstorms.
