Est. 1830 · National Register of Historic Places · Antebellum Nash County plantation house · Tar River plantation seat of the Bunn family · Now managed for public access by Nash County Historical Association
Bennett Bunn, a prosperous Nash County planter, built Stonewall Manor around 1830 on a riverside tract along the Tar River. The property functioned as the operational and residential center of a large antebellum plantation. The Bunn family's roots in the region extended to the mid-18th century, and the manor's scale and architectural sophistication reflected their standing in Nash County's agricultural economy.
Bennett Bunn died in the house, and subsequent owners included Elizabeth Bryan Lewis, who lived at Stonewall for approximately fifty years until 1916. A distinctive granite wall surrounding the front lawn and a stand of mature oak trees are original features that remain intact. A young boy is also reported to have died on one of the upstairs porches, a detail mentioned in regional paranormal accounts of the property.
The manor is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Nash County Historical Association and its Friends of Stonewall board now oversee the property and have opened it for public paranormal investigation events under the name Spirits of Stonewall. The Onlyphantoms Paranormal team, led by Jason Smith and Sterling Hunt, and the Eden-based Two Rivers Paranormal team (Jennifer and Bryan Grill) have both conducted documented investigations. Certified psychic medium Jennifer Pearce of Raleigh has also conducted sessions at the site.
Sources
- https://www.rockymounttelegram.com/features/local/sleuthing-for-ghosts-is-a-year-around-gig/article_bd8a2f98-3ed9-11ef-b1b6-3be55ea9340d.html
- https://theghostguild.weebly.com/stonewall.html
Doorknob repeatedly falling out of upstairs door despite secure repairsObjects displaced from desk overnightPsychic medium sensed four spirits (two young boys, older man)General unexplained occurrences reported by caretakers over years
The reported activity at Stonewall Manor falls into two categories: physical anomalies and witnessed encounters. On the physical side, an upstairs doorknob repeatedly fell out despite being securely tightened on multiple occasions, and items placed on a desk were found on the floor the following morning.
During paranormal investigations, certified psychic medium Jennifer Pearce of Raleigh reported sensing at least four spirits on the property: two young boys and an older man. The older male presence may be connected to Bennett Bunn, who died in the house; a separate account mentions a young boy who died on one of the upstairs porches. No named individual has been formally identified as the source of the anomalies.
Onlyphantoms Paranormal (Jason Smith and Sterling Hunt) conducted two documented investigations at the manor. Two Rivers Paranormal (Jennifer and Bryan Grill) also investigated the site. The Ghost Guild has scheduled investigations and solicits visitor reports through a survey. The Friends of Stonewall board proposed public investigation nights emphasizing respectful inquiry rather than theatrical entertainment.
Notable Entities
Bennett Bunn (original owner, died in house)Unidentified young boy (reportedly died on upstairs porch)
Where this legend is told
