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The Spy House Museum in Port Monmouth, New Jersey
was originally the home of Thomas Whitlock. Built in 1663,
it is thought to be the first house on the Jersey shoreline.
Additions to the simple log cabin have changed the house
into what is now a three story wood-framed structure.
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Over the years, it has been utilized as a private home, meeting hall for the British military
and the colonists, a pirates hangout, bordello and a museum. During the American
Revolution, Colonial spies kept an eye on the British fleet from its windows. Thomas’s
widow converted the house into an inn to enhance its purpose. The British sailors would
leave their ships to eat at the inn. Once ashore, a signal would be given to the Colonists
who would then attack the unmanned vessels anchored offshore. The Colonists gave the
inn the nickname “the Spy House.”
In the late 1960’s the inn was scheduled for demolition, but was spared when “retired
concert singer Gertrude Neidlinger and her brother saved it.” They turned the inn into a
“hands-on” museum to preserve the natural history of old New Jersey. Some of the visitors
to the museum got a whole lot more than they paid for. Not only did they get a good lesson
in the natural history of the Shoal Harbor area; they also got a good lesson of the
supernatural kind as well. Visitors reported feeling “bad vibes” in certain rooms,
particularly upstairs. They felt cool breezes rushing by as they walked down hallways and
staircases. Some of them smelled the strong aroma of burning pipe tobacco. They also
heard sobbing noises and quite often, caught glimpses of ghostly inhabitants in the
museum and on the museum grounds. It quickly gained the reputation of being the most
“haunted house” along the Jersey shore. In October 1990, Jane Doherty started ghost
tours at the museum. “Thirty different haunting spirits have supposedly been counted and
verified” at the museum. The tours continued until 1993 when new owners closed the
museum to the public.
The ghost of Thomas Whitlock is said to make “banging and clanging sounds around the
old pot-belly stove.” Tom has been called “the ghost that follows you home” by some of the
participants in Jane’s ghost tours. “Tom loved people so much he often left the Spy House
to follow visitors to their homes.” Some were delighted to have “Tom” as a house guest,
but others quickly sent him packing, back to the museum.
The spirit that has visibly materialized the most often is that of “Abigail.” On several
occasions, she has been seen at the back upstairs window staring out to sea. The woman
wore “a long black skirt with a red blouse with billowy sleeves. Her hair was tied back with
a big black bow and she wore a bonnet on her head that was tied under her chin.” Abigail
stares longingly out to sea, waiting for her husband’s return. “He was a sea captain who
was lost at sea.” Her loud sobs have been heard emanating from the upstairs bedroom,
as she continues her mournful watch.
Another apparition that is sometimes seen at the Spy House is that of an evil sea captain,
who has been seen sitting on the benches behind the house looking out to sea through his
spyglass. “A man named Roger, who participated in a Revolutionary War re-enactment at
the museum saw the captain dressed in his uniform in the back upstairs bedroom. At first
Roger thought the figure was a man participating in the re-enactment until the sea captain
turned his head, frowned and then disappeared right in front of his eyes.”
The ghost of Reverend William Wilson has been seen in the back bedroom. Holy Bible in
hand, it is said that he continues to conduct his funeral services. “Attendees of funeral
services are seen and heard in the lower rooms. Historical accounts revealed the
Reverend Wilson’s wife and mother-in-law died within ten days of each other.” Penelope
Stout, once a resident at the Spy House, also shows her ghostly form from time to time.
Although she is said to have died childless, her image has been seen in the front bedroom
holding a baby in her arms. Penelope is not afraid to interact with people who visit the
house.
Another spirit that seems undisturbed by visitors is a woman dressed in colonial attire who
routinely walks to and from the fireplace as if tending to her chores. Witnesses claim to
feel a cold chill if they happen to stand in her path.
The playful spirit of an 18th century gentleman, possibly a patron of the old bordello, likes to
let female visitors know he is present by giving them a quick pinch on the buttocks. Also
quite mischievous, is the spirit of a young English boy named Peter. Clad in 19th century
shirt and knickers, he reportedly is known to turn off cameras and push the buttons of
recorders when a person tries to photograph him.
The ghost of a pirate named Robert who was Captain Morgan’s first mate, a British soldier
who also stares blankly over the bay, and young girls that play in the yard are also some of
the numerous entities that haunt the Spy House. As one person put it “there seems to be a
ghost in every window.”
Ghost Pictures taken at the Hampton Court Palace:
Spy House Museum Ghost Picture
For more information visit the:
Spy House Museum Article
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