Courtney McInvale - Haunted Mystic

Published by Haunted America

A Division of The History Press

Charleston, SC 29403

www.historypress.net

Copyright 2014 by Courtney McInvale

All rights reserved

Unless otherwise noted, images appear courtesy of the author.

First published 2014

e-book edition 2014

ISBN 978.1.62584.950.2

Library of Congress CIP data applied for.

print edition ISBN 978.1.62619.414.4

Notice: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. It is offered without guarantee on the part of the author or The History Press. The author and The History Press disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Its truly amazing the amount of research, assistance and support that goes into the completion of any book. In fact, there is such an enormous scope of ground to cover that it would be next to impossible to do without the assistance, knowledge and support given by local historians, community members and, of course, beloved family friends.

Id first like to extend my utmost gratitude and many thanks to Dorrie Hanna, president of the Mystic River Historical Society. Without her tremendous help in locating historic photos and finding a large plethora of unique Mystic history to read through, this book could never have happened. Dorrie happily listened to my lists of spooky buildings and tales and then ventured out to find the perfect photographs and detailed factoids of each, searching her archives for the most pertinent information. Dorries hours of research and assistance enabled Haunted Mystic to come alive. In the process, I was also able to enjoy lots of laughs and good conversation as we delved into local history together.

An enormous thanks must also be given to the New England Spiritual Team, Inc., and founder Michael Carroll. Their authenticity, reliability and enthusiasm for all things paranormal are a force to be reckoned with in the ghost hunting world. Through their generous sharing of stories, experiences and investigations, I was able to get a true sense of such a hair-raising haunt in Mystic and develop such lovely friends well known in the paranormal arena.

To Michael Cardillo Jr. and Robert Lecce Jr., I thank you for opening up your beautiful inn, sharing your photos and your history and bringing to life such a stunning piece of New England history within your property. Your hospitality and your conversation put a smile on my face and brought back all the good memories that come with being in a haunted home. This gave me such excitement for this book and for the telling of your stories.

Thanks also to Allie Nasin of the Captain Daniel Packer Inne. You made Ada and the captain come to life with your recounting of their numerous haunts and your openness to sharing the spooky yet fascinating sides of your establishment. You were the first confirmation for me that Mystic was the perfect place for a ghost tour and a haunted book. Allie, not only have you introduced me to the Mystic community, but your contributions also helped bring new light to Daniel Packers colored past, successfully setting the wheels in motion for all my research into Mystics ghostly past.

Debbie Gross, your tales of friendship and ghostly visits at two of Mystics favorite haunts helped me to depict the deep-seated belief and knowledge that those we love and know in this life are always watching over us and, even more interestingly, that they never lose their sense of humor. Thank you for sharing your personal stories of such friendly spirits.

To the volunteers at Indian and Colonial Research Center (ICRC) and their fearless leader, Joan Kohn, your support from the moment I walked through your doors and told you about this book and my tours was astounding. The generous sharing of research materials was invaluable. Because of the folks at the ICRC, the Pequot War and the Mystic Massacre no longer remained words on a page in a history book but an event whose picture was so clearly painted for me in detail that I was able to gain the most incredible insight to the events that happened that fateful night of May 1637.

Anne Thacher, at Stonington Historical Society, I cant thank you enough for poring over maps over a century old trying to pinpoint exact locations and property owners with me. Your assistance in locating information for all my sites on the Stonington side of the river was astounding.

To the staff at the Voodoo Grill and Margheritas, thank you for sharing your ghostly tales and recounting for me your frightful experiences. Your experiences bring the veracity and the soul to this entire book.

Denny Kitchin and Jeff Fillback, what supportive friends and pseudo-brothers you have been. Thank God, I was able to have two English majors so close to me looking over my writing with no judgment passed, providing the necessary criticism any writer requires. What a phenomenal help you have been.

Finally, last but definitely not least, to my mom, my sisters and my husband, your patience with me as I have labored over these pages, come to you for guidance and pursued research on such an unconventional pursuit has been unbelievable. There are no words that could thank you enough. You all are the light of my life. Shelby, the photos you contributed are incredible, and your preliminary research helped me to hit the ground running. Savannah, your positive attitude and constant motivation keeps me going every day in doing what I love and reminded me to never abandon my love of writing. Mom, your support and bragging keeps me always striving to be the best I can be and reminds me what enormous love I have backing me in all my pursuitsno matter how strange they may be. And Marty, your constant, consistent reminders of what Im capable of and your patience with me as I research and write remind me how proud you are of me and prove to me what a lucky gal I am. Without that emotional support, I may have never even attempted this pursuit.

INTRODUCTION

So many different parts of my life journey so far have led to the development of a book about the hauntings of Mystic Country. As a native of the Nutmeg State and a connoisseur of any and all literature involving history, my passion for local lore was established. This combination, thrown in with a lifelong dream to become an author, confirmed that the foundation had been set. I, Courtney McInvale, was well on my way to write a book set in authentic, antiquated New England.

A haunted book, however, would arise from a different journey. Penning the stories, tales and experiences of local paranormal phenomena was admittedly not where I initially saw my passion taking me and would require such a unique perspective.