Myrtles Plantation, Louisiana – A Most Haunted Place
Nestled amidst the verdant landscapes of St. Francisville, Louisiana, stands the Myrtles Plantation, a stately antebellum home steeped in history and shrouded in mystery. This grand estate, sprawling across 650 acres, is not merely a relic of a bygone era; it is widely regarded as one of the most haunted locations in the United States, drawing paranormal enthusiasts and history buffs alike. The Myrtles Plantation, with its intricate ironwork, sprawling verandas, and centuries-old trees, exudes an undeniable Southern charm, but beneath its picturesque façade lies a tapestry of tragic tales and lingering spirits.
The story of the Myrtles Plantation begins in 1796 with General David Bradford, a figure of considerable notoriety in early American history. Bradford, a wealthy judge and businessman from Washington County, Pennsylvania, found himself on the wrong side of the law when he assumed a leadership role in the Whiskey Rebellion. This uprising, sparked by opposition to a federal tax on distilled spirits, posed a significant challenge to the fledgling government of President George Washington. Facing the might of the federal army in 1794, Bradford was forced to flee westward, eventually seeking refuge in the Spanish-controlled territory of Louisiana. There, he secured a land grant of approximately 650 acres, laying the foundation for what would become the Myrtles Plantation.
However, the land upon which Bradford built his home carried a history that predated European settlement. Before the arrival of the Spanish, the area served as sacred burial grounds for the Tunica Native American tribe. This fact, often cited by paranormal investigators, is believed to contribute significantly to the purported supernatural activity that plagues the Myrtles Plantation. The disturbance of ancient burial grounds is a common theme in ghost lore, often cited as a catalyst for restless spirits and unexplained phenomena.
Years after Bradford established his plantation, a significant shift occurred in the ownership and familial dynamics of the estate. Clark Woodruff, a law student and family friend of Bradford, married Bradford’s young daughter, Sarah Matilda. This union, while perhaps unsettling by modern standards given the age disparity (Woodruff was 35 while Sarah Matilda was 14), was not uncommon for the time. Together, Clark and Sarah Matilda had three daughters: Cornelia Gale, Jane, and Mary Octavia. Following Bradford’s death in 1808, the Woodruff family moved into the Myrtles Plantation, assuming control of the estate and its operations.
As was the custom in the antebellum South, the Woodruffs relied on enslaved labor to maintain their plantation and household. Among the enslaved individuals was a young woman named Chloe, who served as a house servant and was particularly close to the Woodruff family, especially the daughters. Legend has it that Chloe was responsible for cooking and caring for the children, fostering a close relationship with them. However, a dark cloud hangs over Chloe’s story, one of alleged infidelity and tragic consequences.
According to local lore, Chloe engaged in an affair with Clark Woodruff. The truth of this alleged relationship remains shrouded in speculation, but it is said that Chloe began to fear for her future within the household. Eavesdropping became a habit, as Chloe sought to glean information about her fate and the potential for being relegated to the arduous work of the fields. She overheard conversations about new slaves arriving, others being sold or traded, and, most importantly, what Mr. Clark had planned for her.
One fateful day, Chloe’s eavesdropping was discovered, and the punishment was swift and brutal. As retribution for her transgression, one of her ears was severed. The act served as a stark reminder of the power dynamics inherent in the institution of slavery and the vulnerability of those subjected to its cruelty.
Driven by fear and a desperate desire to maintain her position within the household, Chloe devised a plan, a misguided attempt to regain favor with the Woodruff family. She gathered leaves from an oleander plant, a known source of poison, and brewed them into a toxic liquid. Her intention, according to the most prevalent version of the story, was not to kill, but rather to induce illness among the Woodruff family, allowing her to nurse them back to health and secure her place as a valued and indispensable member of the household. She planned to introduce the mixture into a cake she was baking for one of the daughters’ birthdays.
Tragically, Chloe’s plan went awry with devastating consequences. She underestimated the potency of the oleander poison, and within hours of consuming the cake, two of the Woodruff daughters, Cornelia Gale and Jane, along with their mother, Sarah Matilda, succumbed to its effects. The household was thrown into chaos and grief, and Chloe, overwhelmed by guilt and remorse, confessed to her actions.
In the aftermath of this horrific event, a mob of enraged individuals, both black and white, sought retribution for the deaths of the two young girls and their mother. Chloe was seized and summarily hanged from a tree on the plantation grounds, her life extinguished in a brutal act of vigilante justice. The tree where Chloe was hanged is said to still stand on the property, a silent witness to the tragedy that unfolded beneath its branches.
Clark Woodruff remained at the Myrtles Plantation until 1834, when he sold the property and relocated to New Orleans. He died in 1851, leaving behind a legacy forever intertwined with the tragic history of the plantation.
Today, the Myrtles Plantation has been meticulously restored and operates as a bed and breakfast, welcoming guests from around the world who are drawn to its history and its reputation as a haunted location. Many visitors report experiencing unexplained phenomena, from disembodied footsteps and whispering voices to apparitions and unsettling feelings.
The ghosts of the Woodruff daughters, Cornelia Gale and Jane, are frequently cited among the most commonly encountered spirits. They are said to be seen playing throughout the house, particularly upstairs, and on the grounds, their youthful energy forever imprinted on the landscape. Sarah Matilda Woodruff’s ghost is often observed on the main staircase, descending as if to greet arriving guests, a spectral echo of her former role as mistress of the house. And, perhaps most poignantly, the ghost of Chloe is said to wander the grounds, often near the tree where she met her tragic end, a reminder of the human cost of slavery and the enduring power of remorse.
The Myrtles Plantation, located off US 61 North in St. Francisville, Louisiana, stands as a testament to the complex and often brutal history of the American South. It is a place where the past and present intertwine, where the echoes of tragedy and injustice linger in the air, and where the veil between the living and the dead seems thin indeed. Whether one believes in ghosts or not, a visit to the Myrtles Plantation is an experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression.