At over three and a half centuries old, the haunted Bacon’s Castle holds swaths of history within its massive boundaries. This Virginia home has tales of spirits haunting the halls and enigmatic objects hiding within its walls, teasing historians with their possible meanings.
Bacon’s Castle exists as the longest-standing brick residence in North America. A scarcely seen example of Jacobean architecture, this massive property showcases an English formal garden recreated by the Garden Club of Virginia, an 1830s-era slave dwelling, and a restored and furnished interior.
But a dark and lengthy past remains beneath these marvels and architectural rarities. Read on to behold the story behind this impressive structure, its connection to Colonial rebellion, and its peculiar hauntings that echo through time.
Are you looking to learn more about Virginia’s uncanny and haunting history? Book a ghost tour with Colonial Ghosts to explore more of Williamsburg’s chilling past.
When Was Bacon’s Rebellion?
Strangely enough, the hauntings tied to this centuries-old brick residence have little to do with Nathanial Bacon or his rebellion. Still, the estate’s name remains closely tied to these historical events.
Bacon’s Rebellion occurred in 1676 and early 1677, a century before this country’s founding. Numerous grievances fueled this insurgence against Governor William Berkeley in Colonial Virginia. A more lenient attitude toward the Native American tribes, high taxes, and dropping tobacco prices sparked the infamous revolt.
Although Bacon’s Rebellion may be staged today as one of the colonies’ first stands against tyranny, it is essentially a battle for power between two men, Governor Berkeley and Nathaniel Bacon. Bacon opposed Berkeley’s endeavors to negotiate peace between Native tribes and White settlers and was very vocal about it.
The History of Bacon’s Castle and the Significance of Bacon’s Rebellion
Although commonly referred to as Bacon’s Castle, Nathaniel Bacon never owned this massive brick estate in Surry. This 1600s-era home was the property of Arthur Allen, who acquired the 500 acres on which this structure was built in 1661.
Little is known of Allen other than that he was appointed as one of Surry County’s Justices of the Peace and must have been extremely wealthy.
He erected his massive brick home in 1665 at the mature age of 57. His enjoyment of the property, sadly, would be short-lived. Allen died in 1669, leaving the residence to his son Arthur Allen II, known by many as Major Allen.
Major Allen staunchly supported Governor Berkely during the rebellion. But, when other Surry Justices decided to send supplies to the rebel leader Nathaniel Bacon, Allen abandoned his home. Shortly after Berkeley left, he left Surry County to become one of Bacon’s officers.
On September 18th, a mass of 70 participants, among which were Allen’s brother-in-law, captured and fortified Allen’s residence. Occupying the property for over 3 months, they looted, plundered, killed, and even ate his cattle. In the process, much of his tobacco and grain crops were destroyed.
The rebel group did not leave the home until December 27th after British marines arrived in Surry. The rebellion had lost much steam after the death of their leader two months earlier, who died from dysentery.
After Bacon’s passing, Berkeley soon retrieved command, hanging several of the rebellion’s major leaders and seizing rebel properties.
Allen regained his residence, although it was much damaged. It would stay in the Allen family for another 160-plus years until being sold at auction in 1843.
Ghost Stories of The Haunted Bacon’s Castle
Is Bacon’s Castle haunted? Several paranormal investigators believe so. Many odd occurrences have been reported on the grounds of this brick estate. One of the most renowned happenings at this historic site is its mysterious fireball or ghost light.
This strange phenomenon begins between the garret and the second floor neighboring the stair tower, where the bizarre fireball is said to originate. From here, it speeds down the tower and propels through the now-bricked-over back door, streaking across the field outwards towards the cemetery and parish ruins.
Another renowned figure involves the spirit of a woman. Clad in a white dress, her ghostly apparition has been sighted in the castle yard or upon the wing stair tower. Some accounts say this mysterious lady relishes tickling children while they sleep.
Other odd happenings include furniture moving from within the home, bodiless voices whispering at visitors to leave, and periodically, ghostly gunshots reverberating throughout the rooms.
The Center for Paranormal Research and Investigation has undertaken Paranormal investigations at the property. One of their members, Brad Bradley, declared Bacon’s Castle one of the most haunted places in Virginia.
Certain investigators surmise these numerous spirits and spirit activity might be traced to the slaves who endured much trauma on the land. Hundreds of slaves were kept on the property in the Colonial era in 18 different slave quarters. Just one of these quarters remains today, and inside its fireplace, a very strange set of belongings was found.
What Was Found In The Wall at Bacon’s Castle?
Bacon’s Castle stayed a private residence until 1972 when it came under the ownership of Preservation Virginia. Preservation Virginia began restoring the home in the 1980s, during which they discovered many strange objects beneath the floors and within the walls.
In the basement, a 1675 coin was uncovered underneath a floor tile. They found a curious assortment of objects in the attic inside the knee wall.
Among other artifacts dated more than 350 years, they unearthed bottle fragments and a shard of a glass window etched with the name W. W. Rowell. Additionally, shoes thought to be from the 1820s to 1840s were also excavated.
More items were uncovered in a detached outbuilding, including a key, white tobacco pipes, a knife without a handle, and several loose iron nails. All these were found on the fireplace’s other side of a loose brick.
Who might have hidden these items remains unknown. This detached structure originally housed slaves before the Civil War and was later converted for use by sharecroppers.
While some of these items may have become concealed in certain locations by falling through cracks or become included in rat’s nests, others are thought to be intentionally placed as part of a practice known as “ritual concealment.”
Such items usually have significance in their placement, often intended as charms to protect the residents from harm or evil spirits.
Iron has long been considered protective, particularly when sharp or pointed. Thus, the iron nails might have been a protective charm adopted by slaves.
Theories also abound about the symbolism of the concealed shoes, which could indicate various meanings, from preventing bad luck and thwarting witches to grieving.
Haunted Williamsburg
The grounds of Bacon’s Castle are open seasonally for visitors. Tours of the home’s interior are available on weekends from March to December. Preservation Virginia also rents the space for meetings, personal events, or paranormal investigations by special arrangement.
On rare occasions, they even host haunted history tours in the evening hours, although attendance is limited. Are you looking to book a spectral experience with more flexibility?
Book a hair-raising ghost tour with Colonial Ghosts to hear more strange tales of Virginia history. To learn more about haunted places in Virginia, keep reading our blog. To widen your net and discover even more spooky destinations across America, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.
Sources:
- https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/experiences/virginia/bacons-castle-va-haunted-history
- https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/bacons-rebellion-in-memory/
- https://www.nps.gov/jame/learn/historyculture/bacons-rebellion.htm
- https://historicjamestowne.org/history/bacons-rebellion/
- https://www.nps.gov/jame/learn/historyculture/a-brief-history-of-bacons-castle.htm
- https://surrycountytourism.com/165/Bacons-Castle
- https://surrycountyvahistory.org/articles/2019/1/22/bacons-castle-ghost-light
- https://www.smithfieldtimes.com/2021/12/07/behind-the-walls-of-bacons-castle/
- https://preservationvirginia.org/historic-sites/bacons-castle/
- https://www.cbs42.com/top-video/paranormal-researchers-dont-call-them-ghost-hunters/