Witch of Winnsboro Courthouse

In the warm humid air of South Carolina in 1792, a plague of sorts shook the residents of Fairfield County.  Many folks were thought to be possessed and at the same time herds of cattle began to fall ill.  People began to suspect that a local band of Gifted Brethen were behind it all.  They were known to use hypnosis and entertain unorthodox customs.  Among them, was a well respected German immigrant named Mary Ingleman.  She as well as a few of her brethren friends were accused of witchery.

The Fairfield County Courthouse in Winnsboro, South Carolina is said to be haunted by the ghost of Mary Ingleman, known as the Witch of Winnsboro Courthouse.

Mary and the others were put on trial, if you could call it that.  It did not take place in any courthouse or local with authorities, but in a barn of a local farmer, Thomas Hill.  The accused were put on trial by their neighbors.  One even accused Mary of turning him into a horse.  Something which may seem like it is right out of a scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Mary and her friends were of course found guilty and they were severely beaten and had their feet burned by the locals.

After the incident, Mary Ingleman reported those who beat and tortured her to the authorities.  Those who did the actual beating were put on trial and were found guilty.  However, they received nothing more than a slap on the wrist.  Mary was furious and protested to the authorities that justice was not done and never forgave her neighbors for what they had done.  It is said to this day the ghost of Mary Ingleman can be seen on occasion sitting on the steps of the courthouse, continuing her protest for justice into the after world.  She is affectionately know to those who have seen her as The Witch of Winnsboro Courthouse.

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Phantom Dogs of Pawley's Island, South Carolina

On the shores of Pawley's Island, there is a legend of a haunting at the Pelican Inn that is not your usual ghost story.  This one involves a pair of ghostly dogs that roam the beaches.

It is said that two phantom dogs roam the beaches of Pawley's Island, South Carolina

Long ago an old woman was the caretaker of the Pelican Inn.  She lived there with her two Boston Terriers.  Occasionally she would take her dogs for walks along the beach where they loved to run and play.  They were the best of friends.  One weekend, a family was staying at the inn and were having an outing on the beach.  One of the small children ventured out into the surf too far and began to struggle.  The old lady and her dogs happened to be walking nearby and one of the dogs ran out to the distressed child allowing it grab on to its collar.  The small dog struggled to swim to shore and was pulled under the water a few times.  However, both the dog and the youngster made it to shore.  Sadly, the dog having taken in too much sea water, became ill and passed away.  It's friend, the other dog, was not the same after that and it too fell ill and died.

The beach at Pawley's Island, South Carolina

To this day it is said that the ghostly image of two terriers can be seen  along the surf near The Pelican Inn when the sun goes down on Pawley's Island.  They can be seen running and playing in the sand and water, but in an instant they are gone, leaving only footprints behind.

The Pelican Inn on Pawley's Island, South Carolina

The Pelican Inn
506 Myrtle Avenue
Pawleys Island, SC 29585 USA
Phone:     843-325-7522

The Pelican Inn

Myrtle Beach - South Strand on Dwellable