The South Carolina Ghost Story That Will Leave You Absolutely Baffled
By AnneMarie|Published March 15, 2024
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AnneMarie
Author
South Carolina has been home for AnneMarie since 2001. Her favorite part of the state is Lake Jocassee. An App State alumna, it's always the mountains; the lake bonus makes it heavenly. When not writing about the state, she may be spending time with family, relaxing by the pool, or out somewhere enjoying nature.
Have you ever explored South Carolina’s haunted history? If so, you know there is plenty of it, just like the other types of history throughout the state. And if you have not, you’ll be fascinated with all the varying types of paranormal activity people have reported, such as at hotels, bridges, and even playgrounds. Perhaps one of the most interesting is the ghost hound of Goshen Hill. But how about a little mystery mixed in? Of all the South Carolina ghost stories we’ve read so far, this one has to be the most baffling, by far!
Part of the intrigue of this South Carolina ghost story is the fact that it involves the third vice president of the United States, Aaron Burr, whose legacy centers around killing Alexander Hamilton.
Alexander Hamilton was a Founding Father and the former Treasure Secretary when Burr challenged him to a duel in 1804, the culmination of the bitter rivalry between the two of them. (And we thought today's politics was nasty!)
The dueling pistols were sold in 1930 to the Chase Manhattan Bank, now part of JP Morgan Chase, and are currently housed at the JP Morgan Chase headquarters. Unfortunately, they're not open for public viewing.
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Aaron Burr's daughter, Theodosia, became South Carolina's First Lady in 1812 when her husband became Governor. They owned various homes across the state, with the two most popular being Charleston and Murrells Inlet (the ruins of which are at what is now Brookgreen Gardens, the former Oaks Plantation).
Theodosia's life came to an abrupt, tragic, and mysterious end just after her husband was sworn in as Governor and they lost their son to malaria at the age of 10. She set sail to visit her father upon his return from exile in Europe after having been acquitted of the treason charges for his role in Hamilton's death.
The ship left Georgetown for New York and was never seen or heard from again. Rumors spread regarding the possibilities of what happened, some alleging to be from the deathbed confessions of sailors and executed criminals.
One analysis of known facts led some scholars to believe that the Patriot was most likely wrecked by a storm off Cape Hatteras.
Another rumor suggested a pirate captured the ship after discovering it dismasted off Cape Hatteras following a storm. This version has Theodosia being forced to walk the plank and "disappear" into the sea after the crew was murdered.
An extension of that tale holds Theodosia's clothing was left untouched as well as a portrait of her, which was later discovered by wreckers who carried the clothing and painting ashore. Some later claimed that she roams the beaches looking for the painting.
Theodosia's ghost has also been seen around the rice fields of the former Oaks Plantation at Brookgreen Gardens, in Georgetown around the old brick warehouse near the dock where she boarded the schooner, and roaming Debordieu Beach where she and her husband had a summer home.
And it's also believed that Theodosia haunts the restaurant in New York located in what used to be her father's carriage house.
To add even more interest and intrigue to this mystery, check out the speculation by some that Theodosia Burr Alston could be the woman buried in the Tomb of a Female Stranger in Alexandria, Virginia:
