MICROSKIRTS
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viewsThe History and Haunting of Heritage Hall
By scranor1, Thursday, September 9, 2010
Yesterday, I visited Georgia’s second largest historic district, Madison. The small city captures an infamous time in the South’s rich and tumultuous history. Its small and timeless street is lined with antebellum homes kept to the strictest of standards. Being born and raised in the South, I know there are certain parts of the past that will never be erased completely. That being said, there were things about this city, the home we visited, and its past inhabitants that fascinated me. Heritage Hall
Spooky Goodness
· The home’s second owner, Elijah Evans Jones, eldest daughter died in the master bedroom giving birth. Soon after, he swore that scratches appeared in the fireplace resembling his daughter holding a baby. Over the years, many have tried to buff it out, but it always reappears. The daughter, Virginia Nisbet, is known as the “ghost of Heritage Hall”. Stories of her appearing in the bedroom and trying to communicate with present day guests aren’t uncommon.
No Luck for the Ladies
· The first owner, William Johnston, tragically lost both wives. One to a carriage crash and the other to child birth.
· Jones, who also lost his eldest daughter, lost his wife to Typhoid Fever. None of his four daughters lived past their mid-thirties.
· The final owner, Mrs. Manley, bought the home in 1946. She was a widow and lived out the rest of her life alone.
Sisterhood
· After Virginia's death during childbirth, her younger sister etched "I miss J.J." in the girls' upstairs bedroom with her deceased mother's wedding ring. J.J. was Virginia's nickname.
· Georgia’s first female senator was from Madison.
· In 1866, women in Georgia gained the right to purchase and inherit property because of Madison’s own Ms. Hattie.
Thank Goodness for Friends in High Places
· Joshua Hill, a state senator and lawyer who opposed ideas of secession, left the senate when the South seceeded from the Union. When Sherman made his notorious “march to the sea”, Madison‘s residential homes were preserved because of Hill’s great friendship with Sherman.
Good Deals
· The home’s third owner, Mr. Turnell, turned it into an inn. Charge for one night’s stay: $0.75. A chicken dinner: $.033.
· Heritage Hall’s original building price: $620. Good luck finding monthly rent or mortgage that low just about anywhere. If you have, answer me this, how scared are you at night?
Civil War Put An End to Some Unobvious Things Too:
· Corsets. Women could no longer afford to not move from the waist or breath, so this fashion went out of style. Not a bad thing considering these death machines killed many women by breaking their ribs, which then proceeded to puncture their lungs.
· Typically, women were married by 16. The Civil War brought around change to this ridiculous concept as well. Twenty-year olds were considered old maids. One of the daughters at Heritage Hall was married off at 14! Have they considered maybe she’s the ghost who came back to haunt her dad because he stole her childhood?
(Photo Madison CVB)
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