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The Gardner Pingree House

 

In the summer of 2002, my ex-husband and I went on vacation to Salem, MA. I remember being so excited to finally get the chance to visit one of the most historical and haunted places in America. Once we checked in at the Carriage House Inn B&B, I grabbed all the brochures I could find and started to check off all of the ghost tours and places I wanted to visit. One of the tours started at the Peabody Essex Museum and continued outdoors visiting buildings connected to the 18th and 19th century maritime history.

It was a beautiful summer day and we started our Peabody tour. One of the buildings on the tour was The Gardner Pingree House. Our tour guide walked up to the house to see if it was ok for us to enter because there was some repairs being done. He came back to the group with a puzzled look on his face and told us that the workers must be out to lunch because their stuff is in the front room but nobody is in the house. I remember him saying in a sarcastic tone "Nice of them to lock up".

We started on our tour of the house looking at all the old furniture and fireplace with the old cauldron type pots and cooking utensils hanging in front of it. The guide starts telling us that the house belonged to a sea captain named Joseph White. He was very successful and wealthy but had a very bad habit of keeping his gold and doubloons in a trunk in his room.

Captain White also liked to drink and party when he came home from his voyages. Normally inviting strangers into his home and letting it slip that he keeps his money in the house. At this point the tour guide had led us upstairs to the Captain White's bedroom where he continued the story.

One night the captain went to bed a little earlier than usual he was in his 80's so he probably was not feeling well. In the morning his son Benjamin White found a window open on the ground floor with a plank leaning up against the back of it. He then ran upstairs to get his father for fear that someone robbed them, but found him dead; bludgeoned to death in his bed.

I was listening to him so intently that I jumped when I heard the front door slam shut. The tour guide stopped and said "it looks like the workers are back from lunch". I then started to hear heavy footsteps. It sounded like someone was coming up the stairs wearing a pair of work boots. The guide looked annoyed and said. "What is with these people today? They know they are not supposed to come upstairs when a tour is going on."

I stuck my head out of the bedroom to see who was coming, but the sound of the footsteps stopped almost immediately. Nobody was on the stairs. The guide called out, but there was no answer. Everyone got real quiet wondering what was going on. I looked at my ex-husband and said. "I think the Captain is home." After I said that the hair on both of my arms stood straight up and it got cold in the room.

The guide turned pale white and blurted out "Tour's over" and literally went running down the stairs, everyone in the group following closely behind and out the door.

I couldn't believe I actually had an experience in Salem, MA. I will never forget it, and I can't wait to go back again. Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed it.

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cosmogal926 (9 stories) (1223 posts)
 
13 years ago (2011-07-27)
Hi NpN4poisoN, Thank you for your comment. I guess growing up in a house that had a resident spirit has some what opened me up to the paranormal. It certainly has sparked an interest over the years. 😆 I just always believed that if a spirit wants to communicate with you it will. Zzsgranny actually found a link to a blog that someone made after having almost the same exact experiences. There are photos too. She posted the link in one of her comments below. Check it out if you get the chance. Thanks again, and take care 😊
NpN4poisoN (2 stories) (36 posts)
+1
13 years ago (2011-07-27)
Honestly, I think you have a thing for the paranormal... Lol... 😉
You really have some good experiences... Nice read. Keep Writing.
Take Care.
cosmogal926 (9 stories) (1223 posts)
+1
13 years ago (2011-06-30)
Thanks otteer, it was quite a shock, mostly to the poor tour guide. LOL! 😆 Can't wait to read about your tour experience. 😊
otteer (8 stories) (398 posts)
+2
13 years ago (2011-06-30)
Awesome story! I too had an experience on a tour that I now will have to write about! You were so lucky to experience this! ❤
cosmogal926 (9 stories) (1223 posts)
+1
14 years ago (2011-03-29)
Hey Jav, I am hysterical right now. Funny you mention GH because when I saw that "Dude Run" episode I was brought right back to that tour. The guide and Brian had a very similar "run fer yer liiiife" expression. LOL! 😆 I think he did have smoke coming out of his shoes. Talk about leaving a cloud of dust behind ya. I'm surprised the stair case survived the thundering herd. Whooo! 😲 LOL

Hi LucidDreamer, I'm glad you enjoyed my story. It probably was one of the shortest tours I've ever been on. But so totally worth it. Thanks for your comment. ❤
LucidDreamer (2 stories) (12 posts)
+2
14 years ago (2011-03-29)
That is an awesome story as well as hilarious. Shortest tour ever recorded. I can see it all in my head now. "Here is the front door" (Everyone goes in and goes up to the bedroom). "This is the bedroom his son found him in that morning" (Cue footsteps followed by room temperature dropping). "Tours over! Every man, woman, and child for him/herself!" OMG priceless. 😆 😆
Javelina (4 stories) (3749 posts)
+2
14 years ago (2011-03-29)
Cosmo,
I just now found this story and started reading before I even looked at who wrote it, then I started laughing and when I looked up I laughed even louder! This is too funny, and awesome at the same time. The first thing I thought of when you heard the footsteps and they were obviously in boots was Jack in the beanstalk "Fee-fie-foe-fum!" 😲
That tour giude probably didn't give many tours after that huh? Like on GH, Dude Run! Aahahahaha! I bet his loafers were smokin' by the time he got outside!
Great story Cosmo, as usual.
😆 😆
aussiedaz (19 stories) (1566 posts)
+1
14 years ago (2011-03-29)
No worries mate, look forward to it... We might have to open up a cunning kit to save for our trip to Salem. 😆 😆 😆
DARKNESS (3 stories) (2022 posts)
+2
14 years ago (2011-03-29)
Hahaha Aussie, mate I don't think they would even allow a chuckie doll on the plane, let alone seeing a grown male with one under his arm for that matter lol.
The title of the story will be called A Trip To My Grandparents House! And will submit it no doubt tommorow. I'm not sure how long it takes them to upload it but its definitely happening. Dont expect something really out there and frightning though haha. 😁
aussiedaz (19 stories) (1566 posts)
+3
14 years ago (2011-03-28)
Good stuff Darkness, I look forward to it... But if you really do have a chuckie doll that has come to life... The trip to the states is of... 😆
Miracles51031 (39 stories) (5000 posts) mod
+2
14 years ago (2011-03-28)
DARKNESS - finally? Finally there's going to be a story! Yay! Cannot wait, mate!
cosmogal926 (9 stories) (1223 posts)
+1
14 years ago (2011-03-28)
Hey Aussie, Thanks for checking in. Always good to hear from you 😁 I don't know, after the way that tour guide ran out of the house I wouldn't be surprised if he quit right after that. LOL!

Darkness, thanks for the heads up on your story. I will be looking for it. 😊 😉
DARKNESS (3 stories) (2022 posts)
+2
14 years ago (2011-03-28)
Hey Aussie keep your eyes peeled mate I want you to read a story I'm going to submit this week so I want all the loonies thoughts on it. 😊 And yes I big nod from me regarding the US. 😁
aussiedaz (19 stories) (1566 posts)
+3
14 years ago (2011-03-28)
Great story Cosmo, I check up now again on the loonies just in case I miss some of your latest stories and I 'm glad I didn't miss this one... Poor tour guide probably should join us loonies, I 'm sure he would have a few of his own stories... And Dan one of these days mate we will do it, we have too... 😁
PestilentPixie (4 stories) (52 posts)
 
14 years ago (2011-03-23)
Thank you for sharing this story with us. I would love to go visit historically haunted places in my spare time. 😊
cosmogal926 (9 stories) (1223 posts)
+1
14 years ago (2011-03-23)
OMG granny! Thank you so much for finding this link. I'm in total shock that other people have claimed to hear ghostly footsteps while on tour! 😲 This link is just fueling my fire to go back. I need to plan another trip soon. This great thanks again 😊 ❤
zzsgranny (18 stories) (3329 posts) mod
+2
14 years ago (2011-03-22)
Cosmo: Here's a link I found while doing a little research... Pretty cool stuff:

Http://mouseski.blogspot.com/.../tale-of-salems-gardner-pingree-house.html
DARKNESS (3 stories) (2022 posts)
 
14 years ago (2011-03-22)
Thats awesome Cosmo haha can't believe he left you to fend for yourselves lol that's hilarious and he is the tour guide!😆 And yeh Aussie cmon mate we got chowder to eat I love chowder! Haha reminds me of that Simpsons episode. 😆
cosmogal926 (9 stories) (1223 posts)
 
14 years ago (2011-03-22)
Thanks Scooby, I hope you do get a chance to go there one day. It I so worth it. 😊 ❤
Scooby (20 posts)
+1
14 years ago (2011-03-22)
I have ALWAYS wanted to go there! It sounds just as cool as I thought it would be. Thanks for sharing your story. Made it one of my favorites!
One of these days...
cosmogal926 (9 stories) (1223 posts)
 
14 years ago (2011-03-22)
Thanks DA! 😊 Yeah he was pretty freaked out. Thing is we still had a few more stops on the tour and he had someone else take over for him. I think he hit the bar after he left us. LOL!

Oh Darkness I'm so sorry I forgot to answer your question. It was a small group of maybe 6 including the tour guide. We took the first tour of the day because we had lots of other stuff to see. 😉
DeviousAngel (11 stories) (1910 posts)
+1
14 years ago (2011-03-22)
Great story, cosmo! Thank you for sharing it! Hahaha, I can just imagine that poor tour guide's expression... How creepy it must have been!
cosmogal926 (9 stories) (1223 posts)
+1
14 years ago (2011-03-22)
Hey everybody! Thank all of you so much for your comments. I have to say I really wasn't expecting to have an experience in broad daylight in a not so popular place. I did the night tours, the witch's museum, House of Gables, Hawthorne's house and Nothing, Nada, Zilch. One little old house on tour and WHAMO! LOL 😊

Granny, I actually was too shocked to even react. When the hair stood up on my arms it was like I went into trying to process the situation mode. But before I knew the guide and everyone was running down the stairs so I just followed. LOL! It was awesome, and beautiful. The Wharf was my favorite with all the ships and old lighthouse. It really feels like you step back in time.

Miracles, the trip to Salem was after the ghost of Susan scratched the heck out of my ex-husband and right before I left him. We actually went there to see if we can patch things up but it didn't work. My mother said the ghosts of Salem whispered in my ear because I left him like a week or so after we came back. LOL! His face was priceless though, kind of like this 😲 LOL! I would love to visit the Lizzie Borden house too, that would be very interesting and exciting.

BJJ, Thanks ❤ It was awesome!

Hi Petersspirit, It was crazy because everyone heard the door and the footsteps, but when nobody was there everyone had this confused look on their faces. I agree with you the must have came home and been like... What the heck are all you people doing in here?

Darkness my friend, I am fine. Hope all is well with you. The guide's face was priceless he turned white as sheet and his eyes were real wide and then he just bolted down the stairs leaving us all behind to fend for ourselves. You and Aussie should definitely take the trip and the rest of us Loonies can meet you in Salem at Pickering Wharf we'll have some chowder and then hit the tours.

Hi Trix, It was pretty funny. I still crack up when I remember how he went running out of the house. LOL! You know I thought of that too. Capt. White liked having guests and entertaining even in his 80's. He probably saw us all there and wanted to have a little party, then watched us run out and had himself a good laugh. I vaguely remember seeing that movie about Black Beard's Ghost. But now that you mention it, it does sound similar.
Trix (14 stories) (407 posts)
+2
14 years ago (2011-03-22)
Hi cosmogal926, I very much liked your story. Wow... The poor tour guide, lol. Sorry I couldn't help to laugh the way you told it-he running first down the stairs. I would have thought that he would actually be the brave one since he is the one leading the team. I even won't be surprised if captain white also found it funny since he is a party animal.
Great story. Captain White reminds me of a very, very old movie called Black Beards Ghost'. I would love to tour Americas' ghost tours it sounds amazing. Thanks for sharing this scary experience. Trix.
DARKNESS (3 stories) (2022 posts)
+1
14 years ago (2011-03-22)
Ahhhh Cosmo my friend how are you? How awesome is that experience lol I can just picture the tour guides face whilst you being relatively cool about it, how many of you were in the tour? I have heard a lot about Salem Massachusetts would be great to visit one time in my life. Me and Aussiedaz should make something of it one day would be great!😊

Great story Cosmo hope all is well.😁

Dan
Petersspirit (4 stories) (144 posts)
+1
14 years ago (2011-03-21)
Hello cosmogal926,

This was one very spooky happening which you witnessed and a bunch of people with you! He must have come home that day, perhaps getting scared himself from seeing all of you there?

Greetings,
Peter
BadJuuJuu (guest)
+1
14 years ago (2011-03-21)
Oh wow.
Salem by itself would be well worth the trip, but to have an experience like that as well? Amazing! Favorites! 😁 ❤ 😁
Miracles51031 (39 stories) (5000 posts) mod
+1
14 years ago (2011-03-21)
cosmogal - yeehaw! OMG girl, that is definitely a fantastic experience.

Okay, I gotta ask 😆. Was this before your ex pissed off the ghost in your apartment or after? And what was his expression when you told him you thought the Captain was home? OMG, I'd love to have seen that 😆. Yeah, I know, that's just wrong, but... Ever thought about staying in the Lizzie Borden B & B?

Incredibly awesome! Favs for sure!
zzsgranny (18 stories) (3329 posts) mod
+3
14 years ago (2011-03-21)
Cosmo: WOW!...I bet you and everybody else wanted to mess their pants!...I know I would have 😆...This is so cool... You know my list of "places to visit before I die"?...Yeah, Salem's definately on it!...

Thank you for posting a truely scarey experience, I really enjoyed it 😊 ❤

LBC

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