It’s Christmas! After you’re done opening presents and enjoying a wonderful dinner, it’s time to sit down and enjoy a story. Keeping with tradition, what’s Christmas without a good ghost story session?
The Headless Horseman
When I see anything to do with “Headless Horseman”, I’m immediately taken to Washington Irving’s story and images of Ichabod Crane. But this isn’t quite the same story, but it’s just as charming and spooky. Located in Suffolk, Roos Hall is reportedly one of the most haunted places in the United Kingdom. The hall dates back to the 16th century and has seen a lot of history in its time. With lots of history, come stories of ghosts and specters. Inside one of the cupboards, there are reports of the Devil’s cloven hoofprint.
There’s also a hanging tree rumored to be haunted. Also known as Nelson’s Tree, the tree was on a gibbet where multiple criminals were executed. Now to the Christmas ghost story. Every Christmas Eve, a headless horseman is seen galloping down the driveway. But that’s not all. He’s pulling a coach with four horses. The horseman and his crew rush silently towards the hall before disappearing. Why does this happen? It’s a mystery.
Brooklyn Doorbell Dasher
In December 1878 at 136 Clinton Avenue in Brooklyn, NY, Edward F. Smith was dealing with a strange occurrence. You can read the original story here if you have an account with the New York Times. A few weeks before Christmas, his doorbell rang. When he went to answer the door, no one was there. Sure, maybe this was a case of Edward being the victim of doorbell dash. But then the ringing happened again. Edward checked the door again…no one. The ringing continued throughout the night with the same result; no one was there. Then, the ringing escalated to banging. But no one was at the door. This continued nightly.
Edward enlisted the help of family and friends and stationed them throughout the house, trying to find the culprit. He even sprinkled ash and flour along with the doorway and the path leading up to the door. Nothing. He also called the cops, and detectives were sent to the house. The detectives were blown away by the occurrence and they came back with reinforcements the next night. That same night, a brick was thrown through the window. But again, no one was there. Even the cops stationed outside didn’t see anything. The house was also checked for wires and anything indicating fraud. Again…nothing.
Anne Boleyn
This may be one of the most heartbreaking holiday ghost sightings. We know Anne Boleyn as the second wife of Henry VIII. Even though Henry went through so much to divorce his first wife so he could marry Anne, he still had her beheaded after a whirlwind of wrong. Anne had a hard time in life, and she truly didn’t deserve what happened to her. She grew up at Hever Castle in Kent, UK, and it seems that where she was the happiest. According to legend, every Christmas Eve, the spirit of Anne Boleyn glides over the River Eden heading towards Hever Castle.
The Singing Spirit
In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania there sits the Hotel Bethlehem. This is a location very familiar to paranormal investigators, as there are a number of reports of hauntings. One such story is that of May Yohé, a stage actress whose talents earned her critical acclaim around the world. She married a wealthy lord and she soon joined the British aristocracy. However, that wealthy lord went bankrupt. May’s life went down a terrible path. She eventually married an American soldier, but he too robbed her of her wealth. Throughout her life, May said that she spent some of the best days of her life in Bethlehem. Visitors at the Hotel Bethlehem have reported seeing May Yohé’s spirit next to the Christmas tree. She’s in elegant attire and is sometimes heard singing songs next to the piano.
Brown Lady of Raynham Hall
Most paranormal investigators and researchers are familiar with the famous photos of the Brown Lady of Raynham Hall. But what many don’t know is that the ghost story tied to this photo is actually a Christmas ghost story. In the 1700s, Charles Townsend married Dorothy Walpole. They lived in wedded bliss until Charles started becoming paranoid that Dorothy was cheating on him. Instead of sorting through it like a rational human, Charles locked Dorothy away in Raynham Hall. He actually told her friends and family that she had passed away. Dorothy lived the rest of her days in captivity and secrecy. All she could do is wander the halls of her home. Since then, a woman in a brown tattered dress is seen around the hall.
The first report of the Brown Lady was in 1835 by Lucia C. Stone during Christmas time. One of the reports even said that they saw a woman with a glowing face and empty sockets where her eyes should have been.
