Courtney McInvale - Revolutionary War Ghosts of Connecticut

A CKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To write about the history and haunts surrounding a pivotal colony during the forging of nation is far too large an undertaking for one author, and this book could not have been completed without hours of talks, tours and discussions with historians, spiritual mediums, homestead interpreters, archivists and more. Each person contributed unique and unrivaled knowledge to this book, and I want to extend wholehearted thanks to each and every one of you who shared your knowledge and your locations with me.

To Jennifer Emerson: the titles of author, consultant, actress, historian and spiritualist dont begin to cover the extent of your ability and knowledge. Your passion for historical material, your connection with Lucretia Shaw and your ability to immerse yourself in the authenticity of eighteenth-century society in order to paint a beautiful picture transported me back in time and allowed me to feel as if I truly walked among the most powerful women and men of the 1770s. You shine a beautiful light, and I am in awe of your knowledge and dedication to those who walked Connecticut centuries ago.

To Robert Lecce: whether its through your work as a guide, a colonial reenactor, a budding spirit sensitive or historical researcher, you breathe new life into the tours, the investigations and everything you put your heart and soul into. Your willingness to don your Revolutionary-era best and exchange in conversation with spirits of the past, educate locals of the amazing history that surrounds them and participate in paranormal investigations gave enormous contribution and motivation to this book. Your enthusiasm and respect for the living and the dead is unrivaled. This book, these investigations and Seaside Shadows could not exist without you.

To Stacey Phillips and Austin Mann: the sharing of your spiritual gifts and your loyalty mean the world to a para-historian like myself. You have the ability to sense the importance of historic figures and commensurate spirit activity by just stepping into a building. You possess true dedication to the spiritual and historical missions we embark on together. Thank you for joining me in the dead of night at places across the state to learn of all things history and ghosts together.

To Bill Lee, town historian emeritus of Fairfield, artist and true renaissance man: our conversations where you imparted your detailed knowledge of the Sun Tavern to me, alongside your personal experiences of life within the Sun Tavern alongside your beautiful wife, Anne, will live forever in my memory. I can only hope to have given enough credit to you for your salvation of the Sun Tavern and in allowing me to tell both yours and the taverns colorful story.

To the Connecticut Sons of the American Revolution Chapter, former president Stephen Shaw and property steward Dave Packard: your contributions were numerous. Stephen, your knowledge of the Lebanon War Office is something that could not be found anywhere elseyou truly knew more of that buildings history than is available in any book. Dave, you drove me all over the state to each location, talked to me of history, met at each place late at night for investigations and believed in me and this book from our very first conversation.

To Lou Sorrentino: what can I say except thank you for following your heart, for dedicating your life to others, for your empathetic nature and for finding the millstone at Chapman Falls in Devils Hopyard. From the moment you uncovered the millstone, your quest for knowledge about Abner Beebe and the Sons of Liberty was unending. I cannot wait to see the exhibit in the Smithsonian in 2017all because of your dedication to a previously untold story. Thank you for sharing with me your research and passion.

A special thanks to the following people whose contributions were essential and crucial to the completion of this book: Stephen Marshall; Nathan Hale Homestead, as well as Ted Jarrett, Linda Pagliuco, Matthew Flegert; New London Country Historical Society, as well as Kayla Correll, Steve Manuel, Marilyn Davis; Society of the Founders of Norwich, Leffingwell House Museum, as well as Greg and Cam Farlow and Richard Guidebeck; Connecticut Department of Environmental and Energy Protection, as well as Eric Gileau; Fairfield Museum and History Center, as well as Georgiana Platt; Hempsted Houses, as well as Barbara Nagy; Connecticut Landmarks; Paranormal Research Society of New England, as well as John Zaffis, Carlos Reis, Dominick Onofrio, Dan LeRoy; Evan Andriopoulos; New London Landmarks, as well as Constance Kristofik; Brent Colley and Shamus Denniston; New England Spiritual Team Inc., as well as Michael Carroll; Elisabeth Angel Pfeifer; Ghosts of New England Research Society, Kurt Knapp; DKS Paranormal; CCSUs Society of Paranormal Research, as well as Brian Field and Tom Keane; Shelby McInvale and Jeff Fillback; Tom DAgostino; Pine Grove Spiritualist Camp; Niantic Book Barn, as well as Randy White; and author Eric Lehman. There are not enough words to express my gratitude to each and every one of you.

Last but certainly not least, I thank my family and friends for their unwavering support during the completion of this book.

My thanks go out to everyone I met along this incredible journey. Without you, Revolutionary War Ghosts of Connecticut would not be in print, and the amazing history and ghosts of the Nutmeg State would not be able to transport readers back in time to Connecticuts rebellious roots.

A BOUT THE A UTHOR

Courtney McInvale is a Connecticut native and descendent of numerous Revolutionary War Patriots. She was born and raised in a real-life haunted house in East Hampton. In fact, her childhood home was investigated by the Warren family during her teenage years. Since then, she has always been attracted to the paranormal and has learned of her unique abilities as a spirit medium and put them into practice. Courtney also developed a love and passion for the study of history and a dedication to the importance of blending both historical and paranormal research for accurate assertions. Ms. McInvale is a graduate of Catholic University of America with a degree in international politics. After varying government jobs, Courtney migrated back to Connecticut, where she established Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours in Mystic Country, Connecticut, and that is where she began writing paranormal history books. McInvale is the author of Haunted Mystic, published by The History Press in 2014. Courtney is also a radio personality on classic rock station 102.3 The Wolf and resides in eastern Connecticut with her loving husband, Marty. When Courtney and Marty arent chasing ghosts of New Englands colorful past, they can be found spending time with their furry friends: Danny Boy, Lennon and Lovebug.

B IBLIOGRAPHY

BOOKS

Baker, Mark Allen. Connecticut Families of the Revolution: American Forebears from Burr to Wolcott. Charleston, SC: The History Press, 2014.

. Spies of Revolutionary Connecticut: From Benedict Arnold to Nathan Hale. Charleston, SC: The History Press, 2014.

Child, Frank S. Being an Account of the Thaddeus Burr Homestead: Fairfield, Connecticut, 16541915. N.p, 1915.

Ellet, Elizabeth Fries. The Queens of American Society. Philadelphia, PA: Porter & Coates, 1873.

Lee, William D. The Sun Tavern and the Red Admiral. Agawam, MA: Damianos Publishing, 2013.

Lehman, Eric D. Homegrown Terror: Benedict Arnold and the Burning of New London.