The Ghosts of Sweetwater Mansion

By Crusader1307

 The American State of Alabama has it's ''fair share'' of Ghost Stories. From Native American, to Spanish, to English – it seems all past Cultures injected a ''Tale or two''. The is brings us to Sweetwater Mansion, in Florence, Alabama and a genuine ''Southern Ghost Story''. The Mansion was built in 1835 by John Brahan – it's Antebellum-style included (8) Rooms and at one time, 4,000-acres. Brahan's daughter married The Governor of Alabama – one Robert Patton. As a gift He gave the Couple the House as a Wedding Gift. They had a Son – William (or ''Billy''). Then came The American Civil War. As with most ''Southerners'', Billy too wanted to ''defend Southern Honor''. His Mother pleaded and begged for Him NOT to go. Billy did....and naturally was killed. His body was recovered and brought back to Sweetwater, where His grieving Mother placed His Coffin in The Living Room for Memorial. It was supposedly buried in The Family Cemetery...(at least ''officially'').

As The Sweetwater Legend goes, (or at least one of them) – Billy's Mother just couldn't left go. She refused to allow Him to be buried and had His Casket ''hidden'' in The Basement (where is began to ''naturally'' decompose). But more on this ''later''....It turned out that Governor Patton had Sweetwater abandoned when Federal Forces began to invade Alabama. The Mansion became Headquarters for both Federal and Confederate General Staff during The Conflict. Amazingly, The Mansion survived The War relatively unscathed. It would eventually be brought by other Owners after The War, which brings us back to ''Billy''. The Legend states that a Housemaid ''heard'' what she thought was ''crying'' coming from The Family Living Room Downstairs.

When She went to investigate, it was as if She had ''stepped back in time''. The Maid ''saw'' a Casket in The Room, with what appeared to be the body of a young Confederate Soldier, lying in State. ''Kneeling'' before the body, was a 'Woman, dressed in Black...crying mournfully''. The Maid screamed and ran upstairs to get her Son. When the two went back to The Room, NOTHING was there and nothing was ''out of order''. The ''Crying Woman'' was often ''heard'' in Sweetwater for many years. In addition, reports of ''Shadowy Figures'' – walking ''back and forth'' on the 2nd Floor, lend credence to The Quarters once used by Army Officers. And finally, the bizarre ''smell of decay'' – which at times, is detected in ''The Basement''. Sweetwater is still privately Owned, but part of The State's Historic Locations Roster. As such, it can be sure The ''Crying Lady'' and Her ''Ghostly Associates'' will be ''active'' for many more years to come.