The Peyton Randolph House was home to some of the most elite figures in Virginia. Today, it’s most popular for housing some spooky vibes. Learn more here.
With all the preserved colonial architecture and cobblestone streets, Williamsburg is like a portal to the past. When walking through town, visitors can see people dressed in colonial fashion reenacting historical scenes.
Some buildings in Williamsburg are well over 200 years old, making it the perfect destination for history buffs. But one building in Williamsburg is famous for this and more sinister reasons.
The Peyton Randolph House has quickly become one of the most popular haunted destinations in town. This historical site attracts history buffs and those with an affinity for the strange. Learn more about the ghostly tales that give this establishment its thrill-worthy reputation.
The house was named after its first official owner, established politician Peyton Randolph. Randolph served as the first President of the Continental Congress during the Revolutionary War.
Numerous influential figures visited the Peyton Randolph house during the war. Perhaps the most famous of them was founding father and future third president Thomas Jefferson.
The house now serves as a historical museum, as it is one of the oldest surviving buildings from colonial Virginia. The house’s oldest portion dates to 1715, and the structure is on the registry of US National Historic Landmarks.
Sometimes known as the “Randolph-Peachy House,” the house was transferred to ownership by the Peachy family during the Civil War. It served as a hospital for Union and Confederate soldiers.
Several tragedies occurred at the property. Peyton transformed his home into a field hospital during the Revolutionary War, and many wounded soldiers perished inside.
That wasn’t the end of the fatal tragedies. During the American Civil War, a Confederate soldier fell ill and died in the home. Two individuals also lost their lives after getting into a contentious debate while visiting the property.
During the 19th century, two children also lost their lives around the house. A young boy fell out of a tree and succumbed to his injuries, and a young girl fell from the second-story window.
The famous French General Marquis de Lafayette believed that something haunted the Peyton Randolph house. During his stay there, he claims that he heard strange noises coming from the hallways. He also reported that there was a bone-chilling instance where an ice-cold hand had gripped his shoulder.
Legend has it that all residents who lived and died in the Peyton Randolph house still occupy the dwelling. As a result, it’s one of the most famous haunted destinations on the east coast.
With all the rich history that’s happened in this preserved colonial town, more than a few spirits wander around town. For a history-rich and spooky experience, check out our Williamsburg Ghost Tour.
Our guides know all the details about each haunted location, so you can learn the haunted and the historical on your tour of Williamsburg.
Since 2013, US Ghost Adventures has offered entertaining, historic, and authentic ghost tours of America’s most haunted cities. We deliver fun yet honest accounts of hauntings across the nation for curious people of all ages. Our ghost stories are based on historical research, but that doesn’t mean they won’t send a chill down your spine.
This video gives you a small taste of what you might experience on your ghost tour — subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more.
US Ghost Adventures also offers virtual tours, a self-guided mobile app, and an Alexa voice app.
