Lavinia Fisher – First Female Serial Killer
The annals of American history, often painted with broad strokes of heroism and progress, occasionally reveal darker, more unsettling portraits. Among these shadowy figures is Lavinia Fisher, a name whispered with a mixture of fascination and dread. Legend casts her as the first widely recognized female serial killer in the United States, a claim that, while steeped in folklore, continues to capture the imagination. Born in 1793, the details of Lavinia’s early life remain shrouded in mystery. Her birthplace, maiden name, and formative years are largely unknown, lost to the vagaries of time and unreliable historical records. Despite the gaps in her biography, the legend of Lavinia Fisher persists, fueled by tales of deceit, robbery, and murder in the early 19th century.
The core of the Lavinia Fisher story revolves around her marriage to John Fisher and their shared enterprise near Charleston, South Carolina. The couple operated a hotel, known as the Six Mile Wayfarer House, a name derived from its location six miles outside the bustling city. In the early 1800s, Charleston was a thriving port and commercial center, attracting travelers from all walks of life. The Six Mile Wayfarer House offered a convenient respite for weary travelers seeking lodging and refreshment. However, beneath the veneer of hospitality, a sinister plot allegedly unfolded.
Reports began to surface of men disappearing after visiting Charleston. As the number of missing persons grew, a disturbing pattern emerged. The last known sighting of many of these men was traced back to the Six Mile Wayfarer House. The authorities, initially hesitant to suspect the seemingly respectable Fishers, launched an investigation. However, the lack of concrete evidence and the couple’s popularity within the local community hampered their efforts.
Lavinia, in particular, was known for her beauty and charm. She possessed a captivating personality that endeared her to many. This charisma, however, allegedly served a darker purpose. It is said that Lavinia used her charm to lure unsuspecting male travelers into a web of deceit, ultimately assisting her husband in robbing and killing them. As the disappearances continued, rumors began to circulate, painting a grim picture of the Six Mile Wayfarer House and its proprietors. The legend of Lavinia Fisher began to solidify, fueled by fear and suspicion.
The growing unease among the local populace eventually led to action. In February 1819, a group of vigilantes confronted the Fishers, seeking to put an end to the alleged criminal activities. The details of this encounter remain unclear, but the vigilantes seemed satisfied with their intervention, leaving one man, David Ross, to keep watch on the Fishers.
The following day, David Ross was attacked by two men and dragged before Lavinia Fisher and a group of accomplices. Ross, hoping for mercy, turned to Lavinia for help. However, instead of offering assistance, she reportedly choked him and smashed his head through a window. Despite the brutal assault, Ross managed to escape and alert the authorities, providing crucial testimony against the Fishers.
Around the same time, a traveler named John Peeples arrived in Charleston from Georgia. Weary from his journey, he stopped at the Six Mile Wayfarer House seeking accommodation. Lavinia greeted him warmly, informing him that there were no rooms available but inviting him in for tea and a meal. Peeples, charmed by Lavinia’s hospitality, accepted her offer, ignoring the unsettling glances he received from her husband.
During their conversation, Lavinia plied Peeples with questions, gathering information about his background and travels. When she excused herself momentarily, she returned with tea and the welcome news that a room had become available. Peeples accepted the room and took the cup of tea. Peeples, however, disliked tea and secretly poured it out when she wasn’t looking. Afterwards, she showed him to his room. He grew suspicious, wondering why she had asked him so many questions. Why was her husband staring at him all evening?
Feeling increasingly uneasy, Peeples decided to sleep in a chair by the door rather than in the bed. His instincts proved correct. He was awakened by a loud noise and discovered that the bed had disappeared into a deep hole beneath the floor. Realizing he had narrowly escaped a deadly trap, Peeples jumped out the window, mounted his horse, and fled to Charleston, where he reported the incident to the authorities.
The police swiftly arrested John and Lavinia Fisher, along with two other individuals believed to be their accomplices. A thorough search of the Six Mile Wayfarer House and its grounds revealed a disturbing scene. Hidden passages, items belonging to numerous travelers, and a tea laced with a powerful sedative were discovered. In the basement, the authorities reportedly found the remains of as many as a hundred victims.
The Fishers pleaded not guilty to the charges against them but were ordered to remain in jail pending their trial. Their co-conspirators were released on bail. In May, the trial commenced, and the jury found the Fishers guilty of multiple robberies and murders. They were sentenced to hang, but granted time to appeal the conviction.
While awaiting their fate, the Fishers devised a plan to escape. They fashioned a rope from jail linens and, on September 13, attempted to lower themselves to the ground. John successfully escaped, but the rope broke, leaving Lavinia trapped in the cell. Unwilling to abandon his wife, John returned to the jail, and both were subsequently placed under tighter security.
In February 1820, the Constitutional Court rejected their appeal, and their execution was scheduled for later that month. A local minister, Reverend Richard Furman, was sent to counsel the couple. John readily spoke with Furman, seeking spiritual solace. Lavinia, however, remained defiant and refused to engage with the minister.
On the morning of February 18, 1820, the Fishers were led from the Charleston Jail to the gallows. John prayed with the minister and requested that he read a letter to the crowd, in which he proclaimed his innocence and asked for forgiveness. Lavinia, however, remained unrepentant. She requested to wear her wedding dress and, refusing to walk, had to be carried to the gallows.
Before the crowd, she launched into a tirade, blaming Charleston socialites for her conviction. As the executioners prepared to tighten the noose, Lavinia screamed, "If you have a message you want to send to hell, give it to me – I’ll carry it!" Then, she jumped off the scaffold herself, dangling before the horrified onlookers. Witnesses later described a chilling sneer on her face.
While the legend of Lavinia Fisher paints a vivid picture of a ruthless serial killer, historical records offer a more nuanced perspective. While the Fishers were undoubtedly involved in criminal activities, the extent of their alleged murders remains a subject of debate. Some historians argue that the claim of finding hundreds of bodies in their basement is an exaggeration. Records confirm that some bodies were discovered on the property, but their connection to the Fishers was never definitively established.
Furthermore, the Fishers were never formally charged with murder. They were convicted of robbery, a capital offense at the time. The question of whether Lavinia Fisher was truly the first female serial killer in the United States remains open. Some historians suggest that distinction belongs to Jane Toppan, who confessed to 31 murders in 1901. Regardless of the truth, the legend of Lavinia Fisher continues to fascinate and terrify.
Adding to the mystique surrounding Lavinia Fisher is the persistent belief that her ghost still haunts Charleston. Almost immediately after her death, locals reported seeing her face in the windows of the jail where she was held. Following the Great Earthquake of 1886, sightings of her wandering the neighborhood and the Unitarian Cemetery became more frequent.
The Old City Jail, where the Fishers were incarcerated, has a long and storied history. Constructed in 1802, it served as the Charleston County Jail until 1939. The site had previously been used as a workhouse for runaway slaves, a hospital, and a poorhouse. Over the years, the jail housed a diverse array of inmates, including pirates, slaves accused of participating in Denmark Vesey’s planned revolt, and Confederate and Federal prisoners of war.
The jail was often overcrowded and plagued by disease, torture, and violence. It is estimated that over 10,000 people died on the property during its operation. After being abandoned for 61 years, the Old City Jail was acquired by the American College of the Building Arts in 2000 and is currently undergoing restoration.
Since the restoration efforts began, reports of paranormal activity have been rampant. Workers have found unexplained footprints, and visitors have reported seeing apparitions, hearing strange sounds, and experiencing physical sensations such as choking and being touched. One of the most frequently reported apparitions is that of Lavinia Fisher, often seen wearing her wedding dress.
Whether the legend of Lavinia Fisher is based on historical fact or embellished by folklore, it remains a captivating tale of crime, punishment, and the enduring power of the supernatural. Her story serves as a reminder that even in the most seemingly civilized societies, darkness can lurk beneath the surface.