Woodburn Governor's House

Stories & Folklore

Stories & Folklore are just that. Stories and personal accounts that have been reported about the location and passed down from generation to generation. This section could also contain research notes as well.

The ghost stories of Woodburn Governor's House date back nearly as far as the home itself. One of the earliest reported encounters occurred in the early nineteenth century when a visiting preacher claimed to have passed a well-dressed gentleman on the staircase. The hosts insisted no such guest was present, and the description matched the long-deceased builder Charles Hillyard III, marking what is often considered the first documented haunting at the residence.

Over the years, Hillyard's spirit has remained the most commonly reported presence in the house. He is often described as appearing in colonial-era clothing, quietly moving along the staircase or through the halls. A long-standing tradition suggests that he enjoys wine, with stories claiming that glasses or decanters left out overnight are found empty by morning, as if the former owner still indulges in his favorite habit.
Other apparitions have appeared throughout the mansion, including a man dressed in Revolutionary War clothing who drifts silently through rooms.. Residents and guests have described hearing footsteps on the stairs late at night when no one else is awake, adding to the sense that the house is still occupied by unseen residents.

One of the more frequently mentioned spirits is that of a young girl in a red or gingham dress, often seen near the gardens or interior rooms. Witnesses have described her as calm and quiet, sometimes appearing briefly before vanishing. Reports of her presence date back to at least the twentieth century and continue to circulate among visitors and staff.

Perhaps the darkest legend tied to the property involves a supposed slave raider connected to the Underground Railroad era. According to local lore, the man died in a tree on the property and now lingers as a restless and more aggressive spirit. Stories describe chilling sensations, unseen touches, and even the sound of chains or distant cries, suggesting that not all presences at Woodburn are as welcoming as others.

Added by: sdonley on 04/14/2026 DB#: 1877
Source(s): Various Sources

Paranormal Claims

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