The Sorrel-Weed House, built between 1838 and 1840, is a Greek Revival mansion in Savannah, Georgia, known for its architectural significance, connection to a prominent Confederate officer, and tragic, reportedly haunted history.
Designer: Irish-born architect Charles Cluskey designed the residence for Francis Sorrel, a wealthy shipping merchant from the West Indies. The house is considered one of Georgia’s best examples of both Greek Revival and Regency architecture.
Sorrel family: Sorrel lived in the home with his two wives, who were sisters. He first married Lucinda Moxley, and after she died from yellow fever, he married her younger sister, Matilda. Francis and Matilda hosted extravagant parties for the Savannah elite, which were attended by figures like future Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
The Weed family: After the Civil War, the Sorrel-Weed House was purchased by Henry Davis Weed in 1859. The name “Sorrel-Weed” refers to the two original owners.
Tragic and ghostly legends
A famous but controversial legend surrounds the home’s paranormal reputation:
Matilda’s suicide: According to the story, Matilda discovered her husband, Francis, was having an affair with a young enslaved woman named Molly. Distraught, Matilda reportedly leaped to her death from a second-floor balcony.
Molly’s death: Shortly after Matilda’s suicide, Molly was reportedly found hanged in the carriage house behind the main house. Some variations of the legend suggest she died by suicide, while others claim Francis murdered her.
Recent historical re-evaluation: Some paranormal tour guides now acknowledge that the legend may be historically inaccurate. In 2023, one guide mentioned that historical research revealed the carriage house wasn’t built until after the Civil War, meaning it could not have housed enslaved people. Regardless of the truth, the tragic story remains the foundation of many tours.
Paranormal activity: The house is believed by many to be one of the most haunted buildings in Savannah. Visitors and paranormal investigators report encountering various phenomena, including disembodied voices, unexplained noises, shadowy figures, and the feeling of being touched. Due to its haunted reputation, the mansion has been featured on several television shows, including Ghost Adventures and a Halloween special for Ghost Hunters. It also appeared in the film Forrest Gump.
Reported paranormal experiences
Over the years, visitors and staff have described numerous paranormal encounters in the Sorrel-Weed House
Apparitions and shadowy figures: Visitors and ghost hunters report seeing shadowy forms and apparitions in photos, particularly in the parlor rooms and the uncomfortable breezeway.
Disembodied sounds: Eerie noises, such as footsteps from the upper floors, disembodied voices, and unexplained bangs and thuds, are commonly heard throughout the house. Strange screams are also reported, which some believe are from Molly.
Physical sensations: Guests and paranormal investigators have described feeling overwhelmingly ill inside the house and report physical contact, such as feeling a hand grab them in the basement.
Objects and equipment anomalies: Visitors report chairs moving on their own and electronic equipment, such as phone cameras, malfunctioning during tours or paranormal investigations.
The house has been featured on several paranormal television shows, including HGTV’s Ghost Adventures, which has contributed to its fame as a haunted location. Today, the house offers its own after-hours paranormal investigations in addition to its historical and ghost tours.
Paranormal activity: The house is believed by many to be one of the most haunted buildings in Savannah. Visitors and paranormal investigators report encountering various phenomena, including disembodied voices, unexplained noises, shadowy figures, and the feeling of being touched. Due to its haunted reputation, the mansion has been featured on several television shows, including Ghost Adventures and a Halloween special for Ghost Hunters. It also appeared in the film Forrest Gump.