Encyclopedia of Horror Lore

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Ma Me Mo My

Maman Brigitte

Vèvè of Maman Brigitte

Date of Discovery

It is speculated that Maman Brigitte came into being when African tribes were forced into slavery and were relocated to Haiti during the 1700s.

Name

Her name is Maman Brigitte, or Manman Brijit, which in English roughly translates to “Mama Brigid.” In other regions, she’s also referred to as Saint Brigid or Gran Brigitte.

Physical Description

Maman Brigitte is the only fair-skinned loa and the consensus is that she didn’t originate from Africa like her fellow loa. Instead, Maman Brigitte is thought to come from Ireland, a representation of the Celtic Goddess Brigid, or the Christianized version of the pagan deity, Saint Brigid of Kildare.

Origin

While it may seem strange that a European deity would be in the company of loa that originated from Africa, it’s theorized that due to the trend of indentured servitude that brought many English, Scottish, and Irish people to the Caribbean and United States. These indentured servants were overwhelmingly female in number, so they brought with them the tradition of the Goddess Brigid, who came to keep company with the loa that were brought with the enslaved peoples of Africa.

Mythology and Lore

Due to a heavy Catholic influence upon voodoo, Maman Brigitte is often referred to as a sort of Mary Magdalene; because of her origins, Maman Brigitte is portrayed as a red-headed, fair-skinned and wispy woman. Like her consort, Baron Samedi, she is part of the family of loa who has authority over the cemeteries and death. Maman Brigitte stands guard over graves and tombstones; in typical voodoo tradition, in a new cemetery, the first woman who has been buried within bears a special cross at her grave and is said to belong specifically to Maman Brigitte. Maman Brigitte is associated with death, but also with life–her particular brand of power is healing, especially sexually transmitted diseases, fertility, and divine authorities and judgment. While she heals those who deserve it, she is also a champion for those who have been wrong, by severely punishing the wicked.

Devotees of Maman Brigitte will leave this loa an offering of candles, black roosters, as well as pepper-infused rum. As the protector of women, she is primarily worshipped by females and she is often called upon to assist women who are battered, cheated on, or during rough childbirth.



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Meeker Mansion

Date of Establishment

The Meeker family, Ezra, and Eliza were pioneers in the establishment of the City of Puyallup. Their mansion construction began in 1886 and finished in 1890, and today is a nationally recognized Puyallup landmark that is being restored. From 1914 to 1969 the mansion served as a GAR retirement/nursing home before being closed for good. In 1973 the Puyallup Historical Society stepped in and stopped the planned burning of the building, and started restoration efforts.

After the Meeker’s passed they left the mansion for their daughter to “dispose” of as they saw fit. In 1912 the building was leased to serve as a hospital, but that didn’t last very long. The building was turned into a home for orphans and widows by 1915 and served as such for some time. By 1948 the building needed serious over-hauling and major remodelings were underway, leaving the building to be sold to a nursing home.

The buildings final owner is the Puyallup Historical Society, which currently still operates it as a museum. Over time restorations have brought this historic building back to its original state. These steps continue to this day to help preserve its historical value.

Name & Location

Though Meeker Mansion does not share in having tons of nicknames the mansion is for a significant historical site. Still standing in the heart of downtown Puyallup’s, is a must-see for any visitors to the town. Puyallup Historical Society was formerly known as the Ezra Meeker Historical Society before the 19th century.

Physical Description

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The exterior of this Victorian-style building features white siding and ornate wooden trims. The front porch is spacious and has a 2nd-floor balcony above it, with another matching it on the east side of the house. Porches and balconies have decorative wooden railings and pillars, as well as the original front porch posts.

Inside this 2-story mansion were 15 rooms, 6 fireplaces, custom gold leaf molding, and 12-foot ceilings. There are speaking tubes and gaslights fitted throughout the entire house, as well as matching metal decorative fittings. Bathrooms are fitted with interior plumbing, marble fixtures, tin bathtubs, and beautiful wooden trims. Almost every type of wood can be found in this house. Ash and walnut frames, teakwood flooring, cedar paneling, redwood library, walnut panels, cherry wood posts, and the list goes on as you look at this house. No detail of elegance was spared during its construction.

Origin

Ezra Manning Meeker was an Oregon Trail pioneer, known as the “Hop King of the World. He became the girts mayor of Puyallup, Washington, and worked to memorialize the Oregon Trail that he traveled through-out his youth. The Meeker family first settled in Puyallup in 1862 and lived out their lives growing hops for brewing beer, as well as numerous other ventures. Meeker fell in on one of his many re-tracings of the Oregon Trial trips, shortly after dying on December 3, 1928, at the age of 97. The Meeker Mansion Museum details Ezra’s life story as well as his detailed experiences of the Oregon Trail.

Mythology and Lore

The Meeker Mansion is rumored to hold a multitude of restless spirits that haunt its walls. Sightings of the founder’s spirits are heavily reported, sometimes in realistic form and others as full-on phantom figures. There are also heavy reports of an overwhelming perfume smell that strongly takes over suddenly. This is said to be the presence of Eliza Meeker’s ghost passing by you.

One personal account of the haunting of Meeker Mansion reported being approached by the Meeker couple within 10 minutes of being in the master bedroom. She goes on to say Eliza Jane showed her an “evenings of quiet companionship in their lamp-lit bedroom”. Eliza even shared details of how the restorations were wrong, and which maids she didn’t care for. Lynne goes into great detail on her experiences with the spirits of the former owner in her Paranormal Blog.

Modern Pop-Culture References
Books & Literature
  • Meeker Mansion Mysteries: A Fiction Anthology by Northwest Writers (1994)
Television Series
  • Travel Channel’s “Mysteries at the Castle” (2014- )
Index
  • Seattle Terrors
  • Meeker Mansion Museum
  • Puyallup Washington
  • Lynne Sutherland Olson’s Paranormal Blog
  • Definition.org

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Morgan House – Kalimpong, India

Date of Discovery

The mansion was built in the 1930s by an English jute baron – George Morgan.

Name

Morgan House Kalimpong or Morgan House

Physical Description

The mansion is built in a colonial British style. It sits on a 16-acre estate on the Durpindara mountain with views of the Kangchenjunga mountain range, and the valleys of Relli, Labha, Deolo, and Kapher.

Origin

The mansion was built as a summer getaway for the wealthy jute baron and his wife where they held extravagant parties when visiting. It is currently operating as a boutique hotel and is open to tourists.

Mythology and Lore

It is rumored that many tourists in the house have felt a presence while staying there. Further reports include hearing voices when no one was around and the sounds of high heels walking on the wooden floors. These are presumed to be made by the ghost of Lady Morgan haunting the mansion. It is believed that lady Morgan may have died in the house and is unable to let her treasured home go.

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CCO photos by Subhrajyoti07

Modern Pop-Culture References

Movies

None known

Television Series

None known

Books

None known

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Myrtles Plantation – St. Francisville, Louisiana

Date of Discovery:

1796

Physical Description:

Creole Cottage with nine bays, a double door entrance, and 125ft long veranda. 

Origin

Built by General David Bradford in 1796 in St. Francisville, Louisiana.

Mythology and Lore

 The Myrtles Plantation

Known as one of the world’s most haunted homes, Myrtles Plantation is filled with ghost. The plantation was called Laurel Grove until 1834 when new owners Ruffin Gray Stirling and his wife Mary bought the land. After an extensive remodel the house doubled in size and was named Myrtles Plantation for the trees that grew close to the property. Stirling died in 1854 and his wife took over the plantation. 

She hired William Winter to help her manage the property. He married her daughter Sarah and they had six children. William Winter was shot and killed on his front porch in 1871. Sarah stayed on the property with her children and her mother until her death. Upon Mary’s death, the property went to her son. But the plantation carried a heavy debt and ended up changing hands several times. In 1891 it was bought by Harrison Williams and when he died the property was divided amongst his heirs. In the 1950s Marjorie Munson bought the house. In the 70s James and Frances Kermeen Myers bought it and ran it as a bed and breakfast. The plantation is now owned by John and Teeta Moss. The owners hold tours of the property and even allow overnight guest.

Many ghost stories and strange occurrences have surrounded the property over the years. In the 1950s Marjorie Munson was the first owner to give any validity to these stories when she moved in and started noticing strange things. 

The most well-known ghost is Chloe, a slave that loved to eavesdrop on the owners, Clarke and Sara Woodruff. When she was caught, her ear was cut off. Chloe took to wearing a turban to hide her missing ear.  According to the legend, Chloe really wanted to get back in the family’s good graces, so she devised a plan to make them sick and then cure them. She poisoned a birthday cake and fed it to the family. Sara and her two children ate the cake and got sick. But instead of Chloe being able to nurse them back to health, they died, and Chloe was hanged.  Chloe haunts the property and was even captured in a photo taken in 1992. 

Sara and her children’s spirits also haunt the house and are allegedly trapped in a mirror that wasn’t covered when they died.  Visitors and staff have seen the apparitions of the family in the mirror. Small handprints have even been seen on the glass even though there was no one around that could have made them. Another owner is also believed to haunt the house, William Drew Winter. He was shot while standing on his front porch. Allegedly Winter staggered back into the house and crawled up the stairs before collapsing and dying on the 17th step. His last steps can still be heard in the house today. There’s the sound of someone walking into the house, followed by sounds of something slowly moving up the stairs and then it stops…on the 17th step.

Modern Pop Culture Reference:

TV Series:

Unsolved Mysteries (2002)
Ghost Hunters (2005)
Ghost Adventures (2014)

Youtube

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