Abingdon’s Tavern was built about 1778 and has been a post office, the home of many businesses, and apparently a makeshift Civil War hospital where soldiers were bedded and cared for in the attic. But, have all their tortured spirits left? At 222 East Main Street, some people have reported hearing phantom footsteps and doors slamming in the attic when no one is up there. The Tavern, as far as anyone can tell, contains five more ghosts:
- The disembodied spirit of a young Confederate soldier has been seen more than once, wrapped in bloody bandages.
- A “lady in white” appears in the kitchen from time to time.
- A man was allegedly killed long ago after he was caught cheating at poker, and his spirit is said to still linger here.
- One local legend tells that in 1880, Stephen Alanzo Jackson shot Captain Gordon William Riffe when Jackson found out that the Captain was sleeping with his wife. Even though, it is said, Jackson dragged Rifee’s body to the front steps of the courthouse so everyone could see justice had been served, the Captain’s spirit is said to remain in the Tavern. 1, 2
- Another legend concerns a ghost know by the semi-offensive name of the “Tavern Tart.” She is believed to be the spirit of a prostitute who was murdered in the Tavern by a John. Whilst she is very affectionate with the male employees, she can be quite mean to the women, throwing things at them. 3
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