The Hauntings of Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown [Paperback]

Jackie Eileen Behrend (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1998

Binding is tight and pages unmarked.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown comprise Virginia's historic triangle. Some of the most important chapters of America's history unfolded in these settlements. The region has been the scene of violent confrontations between settlers and the original natives, an emotional struggle for independence, a bitter civil war, and, most recently, a transformation into one of the country's finest examples of historic restoration. Some parapsychologists believe that spirits can be awakened by a sudden flurry of activity. With so much activity occurring throughout the area's history, it is little wonder that there are so many documented sightings of ghosts in this triangle. In this book, Jackie Behrend brings together thirty-seven of the region's most intriguing spirits. From Williamsburg come tales about the Wagon of Death, which can still be heard rolling down Nicholson Street as it brings prisoners to the gallows; the colonial celebrations that continue at the Raleigh Tavern; the residential area where all is quiet except for the ghosts still fighting the Revolutionary War; and the ongoing wedding that brings men from both sides of the Civil War together. From Yorktown come stories about the sounds that emanate from the cave where Lord Cornwallis hid during the town's siege in 1781; the mournful tune that is heard on Surrender Field; and the melancholy feeling that overcomes people retracing the path where slaves were once marched. From Jamestown comes the tale of a deserted lover's angry ghost who still haunts the banks of the James River. From Carter's Grove comes the story of a slave who still searches Old Country Road for his lost family. Just as you can step back in time by visiting the restored settlements of the historic triangle, you can now revisit the past through the stories about the ghostly spirits who haunt Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown.

About the Author

Jackie Eileen Behrend is the owner of J.B. Tours, which offers guided tours of the historic triangle. One of her most popular tours, "The Haunted Williamsburg Tour," uses several tales from this book. This tour is conducted by lantern light nightly during tourist season.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: John F. Blair Publisher (March 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0895872102
• ISBN-13: 978-0895872104
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #915,556 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #43 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Occult > Parapsychology

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Our Ghostly Elders, October 19, 2005

By 

Dennis Phillips "The Book Friar" (Bulls Gap, Tennessee USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Hauntings of Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown (Paperback)

The author of this book runs a ghost walk tour in historic Williamsburg and I would imagine that if her tour is half as interesting as this book then it must be a great success. She has gathered ghosts stories from not only Williamsburg but also several of the other communities in the area and has chosen the stories that make up this book with great care. With all of the historic figures that have at one time or another passed through this area it must have been tempting to spice things up by adding a few old unsubstantiated legends that have the ghosts of a Washington, Jefferson or Lee haunting the area. Tempting though it must have been, this author kept to the high ground and stuck with stories that she could back up with first person eyewitness accounts or that she had experienced herself.

This is not to say that the stories that are included in this book are dull or lack flare for the ghosts that roam the " historic triangle" are an interesting lot indeed. This book is filled with specters that date from the very founding of English America and as with any good book about Southern ghosts there are a number of Civil War ghosts wandering through the pages of these pages. Be warned however that Ms. Behrend gives a decidedly Southern slant to her Civil War stories. Of course to my way of thinking this is a good thing.

This book contains all of the elements that make for a good ghost book. First, there is a basic history of the haunted location and then a history of the person who is thought to be haunting the location. Once the background is firmly established the author adds testimony from modern day people who have witnessed the haunting and has in some cases found old diary entries that attest to experiences that closely parallel the testimony of the modern witness. At the end of each story the author gives directions to the location discussed in that chapter and tells the reader if the place is open to the public and if there is a touring fee.

If all of this weren't enough, the author manages a fairly high chill factor in her stories. Having read dozens and dozens of these books I long ago became fairly immune to the chill bumps that these books raise on some people. I must admit however that while reading this book I found myself pausing and looking around at the least little noise. "In Cold Blood" was the last book to do that to me so even the most jaded and skeptical reader can expect at least a few goose bumps while reading this book. My recommendation is that you read it during the day but whatever you do don't miss this book.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars HAUNTINGS a mystery, March 25, 2000

By 

Michelle - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hauntings of Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown (Paperback)

This book was about a bunch of mystifing stories from the past. It really spooked me out. I highly recomend this book for thrill seekers of all ages.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Collection of Ghost Stories, March 8, 2008

By 

L. Walkoviak - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Hauntings of Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown (Paperback)

Very interesting to read about the sites that are still haunted by Revolutionary War ghosts. After reading this book I definitely want to go on the tour!