Monday, April 29, 2024

The Suicides at the Sorrel Weed House

sorrel weed house savannah

Some claim the mansion also has an odd effect on electronic equipment. It drains watch and cell phone batteries in a very short period of time, for example. Choking sensations and nausea are a few of the physical effects the home reportedly has on some unlucky visitors. They even offer an after-hours paranormal lock-in for those of you who prefer to use equipment to investigate the property in small groups. The foundation opened the home to the public in the 1940s, and in 1954 it was the first home designated as a state landmark in Georgia. Through the years, the Weed family owned many businesses in the city — including a popular hardware store on Broughton Street.

Want to learn more about the haunted history of Savannah?

The Revolutionaries dug up a trench right at Madison Square to bury the bodies of their dead. Hundreds of Revolutionary soldiers died in the span of just a few weeks. Injured soldiers were thrown into the ditch alongside the dead and were buried alive. My first thought was that something or someone was waiting for me to take notice of that particular photograph. I had spent the entire day silently asking to see or feel something while on my ghost hunts, so in a way, it all made sense. In one of the photos taken of the dining room mirror, there was an extra face in the reflection—someone who hadn't been standing in the room with us.

Paranormal Investigations

The Sorrel-Weed House is just one of many of Savannah’s most haunted locations. For more haunted Savannah, check out our article about the Andrew Low House and the infamous Hampton-Lillibridge House. We met in the ground-floor salon, where we learned about the house’s history, and then followed our guide through the various rooms.

The Sorrel Family Story

The Sorrel Weed House is often referred to as one of the most haunted places in America. Although we won’t bore you with tales of ghosts and apparitions, there is value in discussing the historical aspects that earned the home such a reputation. The slave then took him to Port Au Prince, where he was taken in by the caretaker’s relatives. Unbelievably, even after being rescued and taken care of by slaves, Sorrel still managed to become a slave trader, selling and purchasing people like objects.

sorrel weed house savannah

The city is chock full of haunted houses, streets, tunnels and cemeteries but the Sorrel-Weed House is one of the most infamous and a local favorite. It’s made multiple cameos in movies like Forrest Gump and even the Today Show. The home’s claim to fame is its beautiful architecture, massive size and multiple hauntings. Various people have viewed the image and the initial reaction is usually a combination of fear and confusion.

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Lucinda, his first wife, died of yellow fever in 1827, and Francis went on to marry her sister Matilda two years later. Much like the other historic 19th century homes in the city, the Sorrel Weed House also carries ties to the American Civil War as it was Confederate General Moxley Sorrel’s childhood home. The home was also visited somewhat frequently by Confederate General Robert E. Lee, who was a close family friend. You can take history tours of the Sorrel Weed House during the day or go on a haunted tour after dark.

The darker hauntings could be caused by the spirits of the soldiers who died in the Siege of Savannah, which occurred nearby in Madison Square. Some even believe that there are remains buried underneath the Sorrel-Weed House. Atop Madison Square in Savannah, Georgia, lies one of Savannah’s most historic houses.

In the letter, he also confirms that the suicide happened next door at 12 West Harris Street, where the family lived after Sorrel sold his home to Weed. In her reply, Jones’ mother states that she was aware of Matilda being depressed for some time, although it doesn’t seem like many other people knew of Mrs. Sorrel’s struggle. The already uncomfortable story takes a dark turn when Matilda jumps to her death from the second story after she discovers Francis having an affair with a slave girl named Molly. Molly is said to have committed suicide as well, hanging herself in grief. According to legend, the home’s paranormal activity stems from the tragic death of Francis Sorrel’s second wife, Matilda.

Echoes of the Past: The Ghostly Inhabitants

A man once rented the space to use as an office and was unaware of the history. He claimed to constantly feel a sense of uneasiness, as if he was constantly being watched. Others who’ve entered the room claim to feel sick or drowsy upon entering the slave quarters.

Its importance is enhanced by the allure it holds for paranormal enthusiasts. These ghost stories serve not only as entertainment but also as catalysts that draw attention to the more profound and poignant elements of the house's history. The home, built by Charles Clusky in the 1830’s for wealthy French Hatian merchant Francis Sorrel, was host to well known guests like Robert E. Lee and the Sorrel family’s many famed parties. The Sorrel Weed House quickly became known as one of the most significant homes in the United States and was the first home in the State of Georgia to be designated a State landmark. Featured on HGTV and a described a “must see” by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, come experience the Sorrel Weed House & Carriage House Museum and revisit the days of the Antebellum South! This Grand Savannah home will intrigue and entice you with her rich and extraordinary atmosphere of southern history, fine antiques and outstanding architecture.

This house was built by the shipping merchant Frances Sorrel in 1837. Sorrel had acquired a fortune while living in Haiti, but fled the island nation after its successful slave rebellion. He installed himself in Savannah, a city which still believed in the honorable institution of slavery, and proceeded to extend his fortune. The Sorrel-Weed House also served as the boyhood home for Brigadier General Moxley Sorrel, who fought for the Confederate States of America during the Civil War under General James Longstreet. After proving himself to be a hero at the Battle of the Wilderness in May 1864, Moxley Sorrel was promoted to Brigadier General.

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