Lowcountry Ghost Stories ~ Part 3
Part 3 – Colleton County
Beaufort isn’t the only Lowcountry town with a famous light. The Jacksonboro Light is a scary destination east of Walterboro. A drive down Parker’s Ferry Road is an experience that most local teens make multiple times on dark, spooky evenings. Here’s the story of the Jacksonboro Light.
Long ago, the young daughter of the local preacher went missing along Parkers Ferry Road. Her father searched throughout the night, using a lantern for light. Some say he was struck and killed by a car. Others report he was hit by a train. To this day, his form can be seen wandering along the dark and desolate road, swinging the lantern, and looking for his daughter. Locals claim if you park along the road and flash your headlights five times, you will hear the distant sound of a train and his ghostly lantern will appear from the darkness.
Cottageville is a tiny town in Colleton County that lies on HWY 17-A. The community cemetery is reported to be one of the most haunted cemeteries in the state. It was built on donated land and bodies were moved here in the 1880s. Others were added over the years. The oldest remains and tombstone that was moved to the cemetery belong to Daisy Eleanor Ackerman, who was butted to death by a goat when she was just an infant. According to legend, if you drive around the cemetery three times, then park in the middle and flash your lights three times, you will awaken the dead. Ghostly figures will crawl from the earth and roam throughout the hallowed grounds.
Edisto Island is home to one of the oldest Presbyterian churches in the country. Established in 1685, the churchyard is home to some very historic graves dating as far back as 1787. The church building that is in use today was constructed in 1831. Union troops occupied the island during the Civil War, forcing residents to flee. The Freedmen remained on the island and used the church during Reconstruction.
The church graveyard contains the Legare Mausoleum. Visitors will notice that the beautiful final resting place is missing its door. That’s because the ghost that haunts the cemetery won’t leave the door alone!
Julia Seabrook Legare died in 1852 at the tender age of 23. Wife of John Berwick Legare and mother to Hugh, Julia was the first to be buried in the family crypt. She succumbed to a feverous diphtheria and was pronounced dead by the family physician. Julia was placed in the mausoleum and sealed inside behind a marble door. Tragically, her six-year-old son Hugh died two years later in 1854. When the door was opened, Julia’s body was found by the mausoleum door, having woken up from a deep coma. It was discovered that she died a second time trying to scratch her way out. After the horrific discovery was made, family members reburied her and once again sealed the door shut. The next morning the door was found open again. This happened several more times before the family, realizing it was Julia’s spirit opening the door, decided to leave the crypt open. By 1856, John died and joined his family in the crypt.
Several methods were used over time to try to secure the door before the family finally gave up. Chains, locks, bricks and concrete were used, but the ghost of Julia would not let the door remain closed. Some believe Julia is standing guard, making sure no other family member is buried alive.
Four ghostly images were altered for your enjoyment! Did you find them? Happy Halloween! Stay tuned for the fourth installment of the Lowcountry Ghost Stories. Up next Hampton!
