Ghosts at Morristown: Tales of Belief and Skepticism

Hauntings at Morristown National Historical Park

As an area steeped in history, Northern New Jersey has plenty of monsters, ghosts, and scary stories. Many of these are world famous in their own right - the "Jersey Devil," for example, is a particularly popular tale that has captured the imaginations of cryptid-hunters all over the world. Morristown, New Jersey has its own share of ghost stories - including Morristown National Historical Park!

Ford Mansion in October; Photo Credit: Amy Hester

MNHP has several historic structures and properties that date primarily to the 18th century and each of them have been the scene of inexplicable events. Strange lights, disembodied voices, and figures in the windows have all been reported in the Ford Mansion. In the 80s, a park ranger reported hearing the sound of muttering voices during a time when there were no visitors. Much more recently, a professional paranormal investigation yielded audio recordings of sounds that may be interpreted as human voices. In that session, a male and female voice were recorded in the northwest bedroom and kitchen, respectively. That investigation suggested that there may be several spirits that visit the Ford Mansion. People have also reported a sense of "not being alone" when the house is otherwise empty.

Wick House in October; Photo Credit: Amy Hester

Visitors to Jockey Hollow have also reported ghostly encounters: disembodied music, shadowy figures at the soldiers' huts, and the apparition of a woman in white wandering the trails. The Wick House, located on the grounds of Jockey Hollow, is also the site of unexplained events. One evening, as park law enforcement was closing the house, they heard the sound of something heavy dragging across the wood floor in the room beyond them. The noise was reported as being too loud for normal house-settling and, upon investigation, they found no other people in the house. Local lore also suggests that many residences on the perimeter of the park and surrounding area also experience hauntings. One such residence is the Cross Estate, an MNHP property that houses park staff, in which the apparition of a lady in a white chemise was witnessed descending the spiral staircase.

Cross Estate Stairs; Photo Credit: Amy Hester

Are these unusual situations the result of hauntings, or perhaps a figment of our imaginations? That answer depends on those who experience them and if a person is open to ghost lore. A confident believer, though, would certainly not be surprised by these tales considering the long and storied history of our park. The spirit of history is certainly present to all of us, but perhaps there are other spirits that...linger.
 

The Morristown Ghost: A Case of 18th Century Fraud

Ghost skeptics may not have much interest in tales of the paranormal but would, perhaps, appreciate a different local ghost story. This story features much intrigue - buried treasure, disguises, and fraud - and at the time of its occurrence resulted in much embarrassment in the community of Morristown.

The Wonderful History of the Morristown Ghost
NPS Photo, MORR 11565

The story begins with local myths about the existence of a secret treasure trove buried by British troops at Schooley's Mountain. However, locals could never find the treasure and ascribed this failure to the existence of ghosts and goblins that guarded it. One man, Ransford Rogers, saw an opportunity to exploit these beliefs and took it. Rogers was a schoolteacher (although he was described as being more charismatic than he was literate) and his position in the community made him a trusted person. In 1788, after settling in Morristown and setting up a schoolhouse, Rogers met in secrecy with several prominent members of the community and convinced them that he possessed the ability to commune with the spirits and could help them claim the lost money as their own. And so he did - Rogers led a group of about 40 men met in the woods for a ritual in the woods during which they heard terrifying noises, witnessed an explosion, and saw a gruesome figure that told them to come back in order to commune with even more ghosts. Convinced, the men returned on a subsequent night, where they witnessed more explosions and infernal voices. At this point, Rogers brokered a deal with the spirits: That the ghosts would give up the treasure, but only if each man came back with $30 to prove their good intentions. This was a significant amount of money at the time, but the men did indeed return, handing to Rogers what amounted to a small fortune. 

Yet, the "ghosts" reneged on their vow and never gave up the treasure, while Rogers was able to retire from his position as a teacher. Suspicious as this was, at least fifty people in Morristown agreed to meet with Rogers (this time with two acquaintances helping him) to try once more to work the spirits. This time, however, the ghosts ordered the men to burn their paper money and produce 12 lbs. of gold each in order to appease them and would visit their homes at night to harass them for money. Other members of the community, particularly women, took notice of money disappearing and were skeptical about their husbands' meetings. Eventually, the "ghosts" became sloppy - one wife noticed that the spirit was wearing shoe buckles that looked identical to those of Rogers. And so they were - the whole event came to an end when Ransford Rogers was arrested after fleeing the home of one of his believers disguised as a ghost. Once the charade was fully uncovered, it was found that Ransford Rogers and his accomplices had scammed more than $1000 from the people of Morristown. Rogers escaped, however, perhaps with the aid of his victims who did not wish to be named before the courts. Not much is known about him after his departure from Morristown, besides that he was later accused of participating in a similar fraud several years later in Pennsylvania. 

Passage from The Wonderful History of the Morristown Ghost
NPS Photo; MORR 11565

In 1792, the whole debacle was published in a pamphlet that proved to be a best-seller, although the author is not known. Some posit that it was Rogers himself that wrote it, as an act of defiance against the people of Morristown - and as a way to profit off them one more time. This, however, is only speculation. What is known, however, is that the popularity of the text demonstrates a growing sense of skepticism towards matters of the supernatural, an enduring quality of Enlightenment discourses that were the foundation of the Revolution, founding documents, and principles of the Early Republic. The people of Morristown moved on from the regrettable incident many years ago, but it remains a good parable for the utility of reason and skepticism. 

Morristown National Historical Park holds several 19th century re-printings of the Morristown ghost story in its rare books collection.

For more information about Jockey Hollow ghost stories and a great summary of The Morristown Ghost, take a look at: 

• Keith Seminerio, If you see these Revolutionary ghosts at Jockey Hollow, thank them for our Independence, The Morristown Green (2019).
• Peggy Caroll, The Morristown Ghost (or: Beware of Ghosts Promising Gifts), The Morristown Green (2016).

Post Courtesy of Amy Hester, Museum Technician