Hey, everyone. This month’s Legends and Lore post takes place in the state of Alabama.
Huntsville is a city in Alabama, located in the hills north of the Tennessee River. Its population is around 215,000, making it the most populous city in the state. Founded in 1805 as Twickenham, it was renamed Huntsville in 1811.
Today Huntsville is a thriving city with its main economic influence from aerospace and military technology. The Redstone Arsenal and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center are located there.
Historic rockets in Huntsville (Public Domain)
But the modern city also has its share of legends and folklore, one of them involving the ghost of Sally Carter and Cedarhurst Mansion.
Stephen Ewing built Cedarhurst as part of a larger estate in 1823. It didn’t take long before tragedy struck the home when Mary Ewing’s sister, Sally Carter, came to visit.
Sally, just three weeks shy of her sixteenth birthday, took ill and died on November 28, 1837. She was buried in the family cemetery on the estate grounds. The epitaph on her tombstone read:
My flesh shall slumber in the ground
Till the last trumpet’s joyful sound
Then burst the chains with sweet surprise
And in my savior’s image rise.
Stories say Sally loved the estate and that’s the reason some say her presence is still there today. The legend began in 1919 when a seventeen-year-old boy visiting from nearby Dothan slept outside Sally’s bedroom. There was a storm during the night (yes, a dark and stormy night). The teenager claimed to have dreamed Sally visited him and asked him to prop up her headstone.
When he awoke the next morning, he told his family about the dream and said he was going to visit Sally’s grave. Strangely enough, Sally’s tombstone had toppled over during the storm.
Other stories claim Sally still walks the halls and grounds of Cedarhurst Mansion. A guard claims to have heard Sally walking upstairs one night. After her shift ended, the guard realized she had lost some money while doing rounds. After searching the grounds in vain, the guard gave up on finding the money. It was then she heard footsteps following her and her flashlight began flickering. When she returned to the guardhouse, the flashlight flickered brightly and shone directly on the cash she had given up for gone.
Another person who knew both families who lived in the mansion had a friend who slept in Sally’s room. The friend said doors opened and closed by themselves, covers were snatched off the bed, and lights turned on and off.
Other women claimed they had jewelry broken in the area of Sally’s room, with beads scattered everywhere.
Mapel Hill Cemetery, Huntsville. Creative Commons photo by Lonely Pilgrim via Wikimedia
The stories drew much attention and many visitors to the area, especially to see Sally’s grave. In 1982, the family had her body exhumed and relocated to an undisclosed location in Maple Hill Cemetery.
Today, Cedarhurst Mansion is now a part of a gated community with the home serving as a clubhouse. Sources say Sally’s bedroom has been preserved, but visitors aren’t allowed. Those wishing to catch a glimpse of Sally can always purchase one of the many condominiums.
A rather expensive price just to see a ghost, don’t you think?
25 Responses
Definitely an expensive price, lols 😂! Did make me chuckle, though. I love these fascinating stories you share, Joan. Thank you 💕🙂
I could certainly find a less expensive ghost to chase. I enjoy sharing these stories, Harmony. The research is fascinating.
Assuming the “eye witnesses” are telling the truth, they make a good case for the existence of Sally’s ghost.
I find most people have vivid imaginations, Liz. I enjoy sharing these stories and researching them, but I’ll just say I don’t have ancestors from the “show me” state for nothing! 🙂
I agree that it’s very easy to fool oneself into seeing things that aren’t there. 🙂
I love these posts, Joan. They’re so creepy, though Sally doesn’t seem to be an ornery ghost. How interesting that the family had her body moved, and that her room in the “club house” has been preserved. Wow. Thanks for the fascinating research.
Sally seems like a “good” ghost for sure, Diana. If the stories are true, Sally would have been much happier staying near the mansion.
Oh, that’s a good point. I didn’t think of that. Perhaps she’s not limited by where her bones are buried. 🙂
I definitely that’s an expensive way to catch a glimpse of Sally’s ghost. 🙂 Very interesting post, Joan. I love these stories!
A little outside my price range, Jan. 🙂 Alabama (and much of the deep south) is rampant with stories like this one.
That is by far the most expensive way to ghost hunt. It is surprising they moved her body, but I doubt that would stop the hauntings.
Exactly, Denise. Definitely an expensive ghost hunt!
Dear Husband was born on Redstone Arsenal, small world! Well, if Sally is still roaming around, it appears she’s having fun pulling pranks with bedcovers and jewelry!
It is a small world, Priscilla. I have relatives in Northwest Alabama near the Muscle Shoals area. I’ve been through Huntsville several times, but I never saw Sally’s ghost. 🙂
I enjoyed the story, Joan. I would think Sally would enjoy having all those folks visit her grave. Typical kill buzz family move. Thanks for sharing.
They should have left her at the place she loved. Thanks, John.
Yup. I agree.
Sally sounds like a nice ghost who helps people when she can…unless jewelry is involved. I hope she’s happy with her body in a new location.
Yep, there’s something about that jewelry, Judi!
At least Sally appears (pun intended) to be a good spirit. It’s a shame the family relocated her. But it is interesting that she likes jewelry, especially beaded jewelry.
I love it, Michele!
Joan, I’m thrilled you’ve shared this story! Huntsville is less than an hour from my home, and I know the story of Sally Carter quite well. Maple Hill Cemetery has its own interesting lore, by the way. It’s an interesting place for sure! They have a Cemetery Walk with reenactments & such every year, and I was able to attend a few years back. I couldn’t leave without seeing the story of Sally play out in front of me. It was a wonderful experience. Thank you so much for sharing, Joan! <3
I forgot you live in Alabama. How need that you’ve done the cemetery walk. I love a good ghost story!
I’d like to interact with a ghost, but not for that amount of money, lol.
Yes, that would be one expensive ghost! 🙂