VIRGINIA – GLOUCESTER COUNTY – MATHEWS COUNTY

The Tidewater region of Virginia, encompassing Gloucester and Mathews counties, is rich in history, particularly when it comes to its colonial plantations. Many of these grand estates were built during the 17th and 18th centuries, serving as homes to Virginia’s wealthiest families. However, beneath the surface of their opulence lies a darker past, filled with tragedy, hardship, and conflict. As with many historic sites, some of these plantations are said to be haunted by the spirits of their former residents—ghosts tied to untimely deaths, unresolved disputes, and the darker sides of colonial life.

Though lesser-known than Virginia’s more famous haunted locations, several plantations in Gloucester and Mathews harbor tales of ghostly figures, eerie sounds, and unsettling presences that have been reported for generations.

The Ghost of Toddsbury Plantation

One of Gloucester County’s oldest surviving homes, Toddsbury Plantation, was built in the mid-17th century along the shores of the North River. This grand estate served as the home of prominent colonial families, and it has long been associated with ghostly activity.

The most famous ghost story tied to Toddsbury involves the apparition of a man seen walking the grounds at night, often described as wearing colonial-era clothing. Visitors and staff have reported seeing this figure near the riverbank or standing near the main house, vanishing before anyone can approach. Some believe the ghost could be the spirit of Colonel Thomas Todd, the original owner, or a member of his family who met an untimely end.

In addition to the spectral figure, visitors have reported strange occurrences inside the house, including the sound of footsteps on the stairs and doors opening and closing on their own. Toddsbury’s long history and its connection to Virginia’s early colonial elite have made it a place where the past seems particularly close, with lingering spirits still tied to the land.

Poplar Grove Plantation: Tragic Spirits of the Past

Poplar Grove Plantation, located in Mathews County, is another Tidewater estate with a haunted history. The plantation, which dates back to the late 18th century, has been the site of several tragic events over the years, including the deaths of family members and enslaved people who lived and worked on the estate. These dark moments in the plantation’s past are believed to be the cause of the ghostly activity reported there today.

Visitors to Poplar Grove have reported seeing shadowy figures moving through the house’s hallways, particularly in the late evening. Some have claimed to see the apparition of a woman dressed in old-fashioned clothing, standing near the windows of the upper floor, staring out at the grounds. It is believed that this woman could be the spirit of a former resident who died under mysterious circumstances, her restless soul still tied to the home.

In addition to visual sightings, guests and staff have reported hearing unexplained sobbing or whispers late at night, often coming from the areas where enslaved people once lived and worked. The plantation’s dark history of slavery and loss has left an imprint on the land, with many believing that the spirits of those who suffered there still linger, unable to find peace.

Belleville Plantation: Unresolved Disputes

Belleville Plantation, also in Gloucester County, is another estate known for its haunted past. Like many plantations in the region, Belleville was home to a wealthy colonial family who accumulated land and power over the generations. However, the plantation’s history is marred by family disputes, including inheritance battles that are said to have torn the family apart. These unresolved conflicts may be at the root of the ghostly encounters reported on the property.

One of the most commonly reported paranormal events at Belleville is the appearance of two ghostly men, believed to be former family members who were embroiled in a bitter dispute over the estate. Witnesses have described seeing the two figures standing in the front yard, seemingly locked in an argument, though their voices cannot be heard. The figures are said to vanish suddenly, leaving behind a sense of unease.

Inside the house, visitors have reported hearing loud bangs and the sound of furniture moving, particularly in rooms where important family meetings and disputes took place. Some have even claimed to feel a heavy presence in these rooms, as if the energy of past conflicts is still lingering.

The Ghostly Residue of Slavery

The plantations of the Tidewater region were built on the labor of enslaved people, and many of the ghost stories associated with these estates are tied to the tragedies and injustices of slavery. At several plantations in Gloucester and Mathews, including those that are now privately owned or in ruins, there are stories of ghostly figures seen near the areas where enslaved people lived and worked.

One common report involves the sighting of shadowy figures moving through the old quarters or fields, often late at night or early in the morning. These figures are typically described as silent, with no interaction with the living, and are thought to be residual hauntings—the energy of the past replaying over time.

In some cases, visitors have reported hearing the sound of chains clinking or distant voices, believed to be tied to the enslaved people who once worked these lands. These stories serve as a chilling reminder of the painful history that underlies the grand architecture and wealth of Virginia’s plantations.

Conclusion

The plantations of Gloucester and Mathews harbor a darker side of Virginia’s history, where the legacies of wealth, power, and tragedy are intertwined with the region’s past. From the ghostly figures seen at Toddsbury and Poplar Grove to the unsettling apparitions at Belleville, these plantations are more than just relics of the colonial era—they are places where the spirits of the past seem to linger, unable or unwilling to let go.