Annandale was a huge Maidson County plantation built in the 1840s. The plantation owner’s daughter, Helen Johnstone, fell in love with the dashing Henry Vick, and their wedding was planned for May 21, 1859, at the Chapel of the Cross. But mere days before the nuptials, Henry was killed in a duel. He was buried at midnight in the churchyard behind the chapel, and the devastated Helen wore her wedding gown to the funeral.

Kirkpatrick from Off the Beaten Path, Mississippi.

It was a damp, dreary day in February and we were in the mood for an adventure. S. drove  us to Madison to meet the bride of Annandale. We found the simple brick church and we made our way over to the building to investigate.

If I recall correctly, the doors were bolted shut and we walked around the building and into the yard.

To those who thought I was making S. up, that’s her on the right! (S. saved me, remember?)

Visitors to Chapel of the Cross often report sightings of a sad woman clad all in white, sitting on a bench near Henry Vick’s grave.

Maybe it was Helen’s day off. We couldn’t spot a woman clad in white – but the moment we stepped out of the car we were swathed in a strange stillness that hung over the churchyard and the nearby lake.

So we explored the area, took pictures and jumped back in the car (well before sunset; it’s illegal to “prowl the cemetery after dark”) but I have to admit that we were a little spooked. I can’t report any strange sightings or noises, but the haunting silence definitely got to us. We were practically whispering to each other!

Got a spine-chilling story for us? Do share!

If you want to read more about the adventures of a Kuwaiti women living in Mississippi click here.