The Daniel Benton Homestead

Last night, I was watching one of my favorite programs

on the Biography channel, called "Haunted History."

It's one of my favorites because it involves two of my

keenest interests: history and the paranormal :)

Last night's special was on Haunted New England,

and featured a story that really intrigued me:

In Tolland, Connecticut, during the Revolutionary War,

a young man named Elisha Benton, and a local girl, Jemima Barrows, were deeply in love with one another but, for unfounded reasons, forbidden to wed. Presumably heart-stricken over this,
Elisha went off and joined with the Continental Army.
A year into his service, he got captured by the British,
and became infected with Smallpox; in fear of contagion,
he was sent back home and quarantined.
Jemima, after hearing this news, immediately ran to her beloved's side and insisted on caring for him (regardless of the fatal consequences). She proceeded to nurse him for three weeks then,
until his death.

On account of this direct care, Jemima herself contracted the disease, and died shortly after. She was one month shy of her 18th birthday.

The Benton family consented to her being buried near Elisha, but since they were unmarried, she had to be placed a few yards away.
To this day, they remain apart.

 Jemima's grave

 And Elisha's.

The Daniel Benton Homestead, now a museum, 

has had many reports of ghostly occurrences over the years.

Some have claimed to hear the sound of a woman weeping;

The woman is thought to be Jemima Barrows.

Her said apparition is often seen as well,
wearing either a wedding gown, or late colonial garb. 

Witnesses say she appears to be searching for something, or someone...

So, are these accounts the results of a wild imagination,
or is Jemima still mourning the loss of her love?

I leave that for you to decide.

♥