History

10 More Haunted Tales From Central New Jersey

Believe it or not, the dead is alive in central New Jersey especially in northern Somerset County. The question is not whether they are real or not, but more like are they disturbing or friendly? As we share, The Mr. Local History Project is looking for the public to share their paranormal experiences they’ve experienced at the end of this story.

1. Phyllis Parker Ghost – Bernardsville, New Jersey

Phyllis, the daughter of John Parker, at the Parker Tavern (Old Library) in Bernardsville. She commits suicide after finding her lover was hung and put in a cellar coffin.

Local lore
Old Bernardsville Library c.1907 used to be the Parker Tavern home to daughter Phyllis the ghost.
Phyllis-Parker-Color-Somerset-Hills-Mr-local-history
Probably the most famous ghost in the area – Phyllis Parker.Click to enlarge.

2. The Astor Estate Ghost – Basking Ridge, New Jersey

The 3rd Floor “Spirit of the Astor Estate” in Basking Ridge. A spirit has haunted owners and workers wandering the third floor causing ghostly havoc at times.

Reported by a number of Bernards Township Employees at the Astor Estate.
The Astor Estate in 1968 just after Bernards Township acquired the property. Source: Courier News.

3. The Devil’s Tomb – Peapack, New Jersey

Known as the gateway to hell, it is said that the nuns from Blairsden covered the devil himself and the gateway to hell, hence the naming “the devil’s tomb”.

4. The Killing Blairsden Nuns – Peapack, New Jersey

The crazed and murderous nuns of the Blairsden estate in Peapack, New Jersey from the mid-1900s who captured delivery boys and supposedly tortured them in the gated estate.

Weird New Jersey

5. Great Swamp Witches, Devil, Headless Hessian

The Devil’s Den in the Great Swamp. Legend has it that the Jersey Devil, the Headless Hessian, the White Witch and other ghoulish creatures inhabit the Great Swamp.

Local Lore
There is a building case that Washington Irving’s “Headless Horseman” is actually the “Headless Hessian” from the Great Swamp. You decide.

The “Milk Mother” at Cerino Brothers in Basking Ridge and her baby in the cemetery casket. A wandering mother cries for milk but was buried in the nearby cemetery. They open the casket and find the mothers baby, who wanders the village on foggy nights.

Local Lore

6. The Haunted Tour Map

7. Phareloch Castle Ghost – Liberty Corner, New Jersey

Phareloch Castle in Liberty Corner has been known to be haunted by the original owner Bill Beatty, the man who died before his dream was completed. Bill has been seen causing mischief, been on TV paranormal shows, and plays his organ.


8. The Devil’s Tree – Liberty Corner, New Jersey

Nick the Farmer murdering his family at the devil tree in Liberty Corner.

Weird New Jersey/ Haunted Roots
Learn about Nick the Farmer, the KKK, and other mysteries about this tree and the area.

9. The Jacob’s Ladder – Gladstone, New Jersey

Jacobs Ladder and the Devil’s Tomb in Peapack.

Weird New Jersey

10. The Runaway Phantom Carriage – Bernards Township, New Jersey

The runaway ghost carriage at the Grain House. Rumor has it that a runaway stagecoach often haunts Route 202 by the Grain House Mill in Basking Ridge.

Innkeeper at the Olde Mill Inn
There is the story of the runaway “Phantom Carriage” that has been spotted by residents who often stopped at night outside the Grain House. Credit: The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills

Bonus: Haunted Tale Videos

Video Playlist of some of the recordings of the horror tales from the Somerset Hills

Additional Jersey Urban Legends

Know the Tales? Take the Survey

Have a tale to share about the Jersey Horrors in Central New Jersey?
Post in the comments section below.

A collection of ghosts and historic scary tales from around Central New Jersey



Mr. Local History Project

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