Social - October 2003

Woodside holds history of haunts

By DIANE TURBYFILL, Staff Writer

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Her weathered tombstone sits securely in the graveyard of Our Savior Episcopal Church, but local lore says Malvina Ramseur Richardson resides at Woodside.

The historic home that sits off N.C. 182 often stirs up talk of paranormal activity.

Myra Ramseur, who lives in the plantation home with her husband, Rick, and mother-in-law, Sue, says many tales are told of ghosts at Woodside — but Malvina’s is the most popular.

Myra opens the front room of the home — the air in the room has a bite.

Because of its age and draftiness, the room isn’t heated. The cool air adds to the sad story. She stands at the foot of the staircase and tells of Malvina, who lived in the home in the mid-1800s.

After the Civil War, the Richardson family took in boarders who would stay in rooms in the attic.

“She fell in love with this one Yankee,” says Myra.

The couple began planning their wedding, but Malvina’s fiancé died before the ceremony. He was buried on the property but was later removed by his family, who wished to bury him up north.

The grave was left open, and when Malvina died shortly after, she was buried in the grave.

Over the years people have claimed to see Malvina descending the stairs of the home in her wedding gown. Myra hasn’t completely surrendered to the suggestion, but she also hasn’t dismissed it.

“I almost caught a glimpse of something once — maybe a silk hanky,” she says.

Some say Malvina’s spirit is joined by another at Woodside.

During the 19th Century, Jean Lafitte, also known as Lorenzo Ferrer, came to work at Woodside Plantation.

Ferrer met and killed an enemy who legend says was burned in an upstairs fireplace.

Rumors say the victim still roams the estate.

Myra says the old home has seen many births and deaths.

“There are a lot of stories in the house,” says Myra. “Rick’s grandmother and grandfather died in this house.”

She says the family doesn’t feel threatened by possible ghosts.

“The ones that are here wouldn’t hurt you,” she says.

The residents do admit to hearing strange sounds from time to time.

“There are lots of noises in the house,” says Myra.

She says the culprits could be squirrels in the attic, “but we just call them ghosts.”

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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