👻🏛️ Ferry Plantation House in Virginia Beach, VA – Historic Haunted Mansion and the Witch of Pungo!

Simba and I visited Ferry Plantation House in Virginia Beach, Virginia, a historic 1830 brick mansion with centuries of fascinating local history, mysterious ghost stories, and an intriguing connection to the legendary Witch of Pungo! Tucked into a residential neighborhood near the Lynnhaven River, this remarkable landmark offers a glimpse into Virginia Beach's colonial past, when the surrounding area was part of Princess Anne County and waterways served as essential transportation routes.

Located at 4136 Cheswick Lane, Ferry Plantation House is known for its handsome Federal-style architecture, historic brick construction, and unusual collection of stories spanning nearly four centuries. Although the surviving mansion was built in 1830, the property's history stretches back to at least 1642, when a ferry crossing began operating along the Lynnhaven River. Over the following generations, the location became associated with early county government, plantation life, prominent local families, and one of Virginia's most infamous witchcraft cases.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Ferry Plantation House is its reputation as one of Virginia Beach's haunted historic landmarks. Stories of mysterious footsteps, unexplained sounds, and ghostly apparitions have circulated for years, attracting paranormal enthusiasts and visitors curious about the mansion's unusual past. While these supernatural claims remain folklore rather than verified events, they have become an important part of the property's modern identity.

For Simba and me, this was another opportunity to discover a fascinating historic landmark right here in Virginia Beach. Between the centuries-old ferry crossing, the tragic story of Grace Sherwood, and the mansion's eerie reputation, Ferry Plantation House is certainly one of the area's most interesting hidden gems!

🏛️ Discovering Ferry Plantation House in Virginia Beach

Ferry Plantation House stands in the Thoroughgood area of Virginia Beach, surrounded by a residential neighborhood not far from the Lynnhaven River. The two-story brick residence is a surviving example of 19th-century architecture, with a history that reflects the transformation of the region from a colonial settlement into the modern coastal city we know today.

At first glance, the building appears to be a traditional historic Virginia home, with its symmetrical design, brick exterior, and restrained architectural details. However, the stories associated with the property extend far beyond the construction of the present mansion. The surrounding land was once connected to an important ferry crossing, early government activities, and generations of families who lived and worked in Princess Anne County.

The house's setting is particularly interesting because the surrounding neighborhood has changed dramatically over time. What was once part of a rural plantation landscape is now embedded within a developed section of Virginia Beach. Despite those changes, the mansion remains a physical connection to an earlier era, preserving architectural details and historical associations that might otherwise have disappeared.

Unlike many historic properties that are remembered primarily for their architecture, Ferry Plantation House has developed a reputation for combining documented history with local legends. Its connections to the Witch of Pungo, colonial courthouses, and reported paranormal activity make it especially appealing to people interested in unusual historical destinations.

⛴️ 1642 – A Colonial Ferry Crossing on the Lynnhaven River

The history of the Ferry Plantation property reaches back to 1642, when a ferry service began operating along the Lynnhaven River. During the colonial period, rivers and waterways played an essential role in transportation because roads were often primitive, difficult to maintain, and unreliable during periods of heavy rain. Ferries provided important connections between settlements, farms, trading locations, and government centers.

The Lynnhaven River and its surrounding tributaries were especially important to the development of what would become Virginia Beach. Early residents relied on waterways to transport agricultural products, reach neighboring communities, and conduct business. A ferry crossing in this area would have served as a practical link between different parts of the county, helping travelers navigate a landscape shaped by rivers, marshes, and tidal creeks.

The ferry operation eventually gave the property its enduring name. Although the present mansion was constructed nearly two centuries later, the association with the historic crossing remained part of the site's identity. This connection makes Ferry Plantation House more than an architectural landmark; it also represents the transportation networks that supported the development of colonial southeastern Virginia.

Today, it's easy to overlook how important these crossings once were. Modern bridges and highways allow residents to travel across waterways in minutes, but colonial travelers often depended on ferries and carefully selected crossing points to move between communities.

⚖️ Early Princess Anne County Courthouses

The area surrounding Ferry Plantation House also played an important role in the early government of Princess Anne County, the historic jurisdiction that eventually became part of modern Virginia Beach. During the colonial period, courthouses served as centers of local administration, where officials handled legal disputes, property matters, public records, and other government responsibilities.

Historical accounts associate an early courthouse with the vicinity of the ferry crossing, while another courthouse was constructed on the plantation grounds in 1735. These government buildings reflected the importance of the location as a gathering place for residents conducting official business. Before the development of modern municipal centers, county courthouses were among the most important public buildings in rural Virginia.

The courthouse connections are particularly significant because they link the property to the region's colonial legal history. Disputes over land, inheritance, debts, and personal conduct were handled through a legal system that differed considerably from modern courts. The proceedings also reflected the social attitudes, religious beliefs, and inequalities of colonial society.

One of the most famous stories associated with the area's early judicial history involves Grace Sherwood, a woman accused of witchcraft in 1706. Her case has become one of the best-known episodes in Virginia Beach's colonial past, and it remains closely connected to the folklore surrounding Ferry Plantation House.

🧙‍♀️ Grace Sherwood – The Legendary Witch of Pungo

Few figures in Virginia Beach history are as well known as Grace Sherwood, commonly remembered as the Witch of Pungo. Born during the 17th century, Sherwood lived in what was then Princess Anne County and became the subject of accusations involving witchcraft, unusual behavior, and disputes with neighbors.

Sherwood was a real historical figure, but the stories surrounding her have evolved considerably over the centuries. Some accounts describe her as an independent woman who challenged the expectations placed on women in colonial society. She reportedly practiced activities associated with farming and herbal knowledge, although not every detail repeated in modern retellings can be established through surviving historical records.

During the late 1600s and early 1700s, accusations of witchcraft could have serious consequences. Colonial communities were influenced by religious beliefs and superstitions that sometimes attributed illness, misfortune, or unexplained events to supernatural causes. Women who were viewed as unconventional or who became involved in disputes with neighbors could find themselves accused of practicing witchcraft.

Sherwood's case became particularly notorious because of the unusual method used to test the accusations against her. The event would eventually become one of the most frequently discussed episodes in Virginia's history of witchcraft prosecutions.

🌊 1706 – The Infamous Trial by Water

In 1706, Grace Sherwood was subjected to a trial by water, sometimes described as a witch ducking or swimming test. The procedure reflected a disturbing belief that water would reject someone guilty of witchcraft, causing the accused person to float rather than sink.

According to historical accounts, Sherwood was bound and placed into the water as part of the proceedings. The test created an impossible situation for the accused: floating could be interpreted as evidence of guilt, while sinking placed the person's life in danger. Sherwood survived the ordeal, but she was subsequently imprisoned.

The event is remembered as one of the most notorious witchcraft-related proceedings in colonial Virginia. It illustrates how fear, superstition, and social prejudice could influence legal practices during the period. Today, the treatment of Sherwood is widely regarded as a troubling example of injustice rather than evidence that she possessed supernatural abilities.

An important historical distinction is that the 1706 proceedings took place long before the present Ferry Plantation House was constructed in 1830. The property's connection to Sherwood comes through the history of the surrounding area and its earlier courthouse associations, not through events that occurred inside the surviving mansion.

📜 The Witch of Pungo and Virginia Beach History

Grace Sherwood's story has remained an important part of local history for more than three centuries. Over time, the details of her life became intertwined with folklore, ghost stories, and accounts of colonial superstition. The nickname Witch of Pungo reflects her association with the Pungo area of Princess Anne County, although the legal proceedings connected to her case occurred elsewhere in the county.

Her story also provides an opportunity to examine the treatment of women during the colonial period. Accusations of witchcraft were often influenced by community tensions, personal disputes, and social expectations. Women who did not conform to prevailing norms could become vulnerable to suspicion, particularly in communities where unexplained events were sometimes attributed to supernatural forces.

In modern Virginia Beach, Sherwood is remembered through historical interpretation, local storytelling, and public commemorations. Her case has become an enduring symbol of the dangers of superstition and unjust accusations.

The connection to Ferry Plantation House adds another dimension to the property's historical significance. Even though the surviving residence did not exist during Sherwood's lifetime, the surrounding landscape preserves associations with the colonial institutions and communities that shaped her story.

🏡 1751 – The Walke Family Mansion

The history of the plantation entered another chapter in 1751, when the Walke family constructed a mansion on the property. By this period, plantation agriculture had become an established part of the economy in southeastern Virginia, and prominent landowning families built substantial residences that reflected their wealth and social position.

The Walke residence stood for several generations, serving as part of the plantation's domestic and agricultural landscape. Like other plantations of the period, the property was connected to a broader system of landownership and labor that included enslaved African Americans. Their work and experiences formed an essential part of plantation life, even though surviving historical accounts have often focused more heavily on the families who owned the land.

The mansion's location near the historic ferry crossing and former courthouse grounds added to the property's longstanding importance within the surrounding community. By the 18th century, the area had already accumulated more than a century of transportation, government, and residential history.

Unfortunately, the original Walke mansion did not survive into the modern era. A devastating fire in the early 19th century destroyed the structure, setting the stage for the construction of the house that visitors recognize today.

🔥 1828 – A Fire Destroys the Original Mansion

In 1828, a fire destroyed the earlier Walke family mansion, bringing an end to a building that had stood on the property since 1751. Fires were a serious threat to historic homes, particularly during an era when fireplaces, candles, oil lamps, and other open flames were common sources of heat and illumination.

Although the original mansion was lost, not all of its building materials disappeared. Historical accounts indicate that bricks from the damaged structure were salvaged and reused in the construction of the surviving residence. This detail is especially interesting because it creates a physical connection between the present house and the earlier 18th-century building.

Reusing bricks and other materials was a practical decision during a period when construction resources were expensive and labor-intensive to produce. In the case of Ferry Plantation House, it also means that portions of the surviving structure may incorporate materials associated with the property's earlier architectural history.

The destruction of the Walke mansion marked a major transition for the plantation, but the site would soon receive a new residence that continued its long history.

🧱 1830 – Construction of the Surviving Ferry Plantation House

The present Ferry Plantation House was constructed in 1830 by George and Elizabeth MacIntosh, who used salvaged bricks from the earlier mansion in the new building. The resulting residence reflected the architectural preferences of the early 19th century, incorporating features associated with the Federal style.

Federal-style architecture became popular in the United States during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Influenced by classical design principles, the style often emphasized symmetry, balanced proportions, and relatively restrained decorative details. Brick residences were especially common among established families in Virginia, where the material offered durability and a sense of permanence.

The Ferry Plantation residence features the traditional proportions and historic brickwork that give it much of its architectural character. Its design reflects the period when Princess Anne County remained largely rural, with agricultural properties and waterways shaping the surrounding landscape.

An addition was made around 1850, demonstrating how the house evolved to accommodate the needs of later occupants. Such alterations were common in historic residences, where changing family circumstances and architectural preferences often led to expansions or modifications over time.

🏛️ Federal-Style Architecture and Historic Brickwork

One of the most appealing aspects of Ferry Plantation House is its Federal-style architecture, which provides a visual connection to early 19th-century Virginia. Unlike the elaborate ornamentation associated with some later Victorian buildings, Federal-style residences generally relied on carefully balanced proportions, symmetrical arrangements, and understated decorative features.

The mansion's brick exterior is particularly important because it reflects both the building practices of its era and the property's earlier history. The reported reuse of bricks from the 1751 mansion creates an unusual architectural continuity, linking the surviving residence to a structure that existed decades before the American Revolution.

The house's overall appearance also reflects the changing architectural traditions of the early republic. During this period, American builders frequently drew inspiration from classical European architecture while adapting designs to local materials, climates, and construction methods.

For visitors interested in historic buildings, Ferry Plantation House offers an opportunity to appreciate a surviving example of these traditions. Its architecture may appear relatively modest compared with enormous plantation mansions elsewhere in Virginia, but the building's age, materials, and layered history make it a significant local landmark.

🌾 Plantation Life in Historic Princess Anne County

During the 18th and 19th centuries, much of what is now Virginia Beach consisted of farms, plantations, waterways, and small rural communities. Princess Anne County's economy depended heavily on agriculture, with landowners cultivating crops and managing properties that varied considerably in size and productivity.

Plantation households were complex places involving domestic work, farming, maintenance, and other activities necessary to sustain the property. Enslaved African Americans performed much of this labor under a system that denied them freedom and control over their own lives. Their contributions were essential to the operation of many plantations, even though historical records often provide only limited information about their individual experiences.

Understanding Ferry Plantation House requires acknowledging this broader history. The mansion is not simply a story of prominent families and architectural preservation; it is also connected to the lives of the enslaved people who worked on the property and experienced the inequalities of Virginia's plantation society.

Preserving historic houses provides opportunities to explore these complicated histories more fully. By examining the experiences of both property owners and enslaved residents, visitors can develop a more complete understanding of the communities that shaped early Virginia Beach.

👻 The Haunted Reputation of Ferry Plantation House

Beyond its documented history, Ferry Plantation House has become famous for its ghost stories and reported paranormal activity. Over the years, visitors and people associated with the property have shared accounts of unexplained footsteps, mysterious sounds, unusual sensations, and apparitions believed to resemble former residents.

These stories have contributed to the mansion's reputation as one of Virginia Beach's most intriguing haunted landmarks. Historic houses often become associated with ghost legends because of their age, unusual architecture, and the many generations of people who lived within their walls. Ferry Plantation House has an especially rich background for such stories, given its connections to colonial history, plantation life, and the Witch of Pungo.

It's important to distinguish the property's documented history from its supernatural folklore. Reports of ghosts and unexplained activity are personal accounts and local legends, not scientifically verified paranormal events. Nevertheless, these stories have become part of the house's cultural identity and continue attracting people interested in historical mysteries.

For visitors who enjoy haunted locations, the combination of a nearly 200-year-old mansion and centuries of surrounding history creates an atmosphere that naturally encourages curiosity and imagination.

👩 The Ghost of Sally Rebecca Walke

One of the figures mentioned in Ferry Plantation House ghost lore is Sally Rebecca Walke, whose name appears in stories associated with the property. According to local traditions, an apparition believed to represent her has reportedly been encountered by people visiting or working in the historic mansion.

As with many ghost stories, the details vary depending on the source and the person telling the tale. Some accounts describe unexplained sights or sounds, while others focus on the idea that former residents may somehow remain connected to the property long after their deaths.

Although these stories are intriguing, they should be understood as folklore rather than established historical events. The reported apparitions cannot be independently verified, and unusual experiences in old buildings can have many possible explanations.

Still, the Sally Rebecca Walke legend has become part of the mansion's haunted reputation, adding another chapter to the collection of stories that make Ferry Plantation House such an unusual destination.

🕯️ The Legend of Henry

Another figure associated with the mansion's ghost stories is Henry, an enslaved man whose name appears in local accounts. Some versions of the folklore describe unexplained activity believed to be connected to him, contributing to the property's reputation for multiple spirits or lingering presences.

The story also serves as a reminder that enslaved people were an important part of the plantation's history. Their lives, labor, and experiences deserve recognition beyond the supernatural legends that have developed around the property. Historic interpretation is most meaningful when it acknowledges the real people who lived and worked at a site, including those whose stories were not always preserved in official records.

As with the mansion's other reported hauntings, claims involving Henry remain part of local folklore rather than verified paranormal evidence. The historical reality of slavery, however, is not folklore, and understanding that history is essential to appreciating the property's past.

The combination of documented history and later ghost stories makes Ferry Plantation House a particularly interesting example of how historic places develop layered identities over time.

🌙 Ghost Tours and Paranormal Interest

Ferry Plantation House's haunted reputation has helped make it a popular subject for ghost tours, historical storytelling, and paranormal investigations. Visitors interested in supernatural folklore are often drawn to the mansion because of the reported apparitions, unusual sounds, and connections to centuries of local history.

Historic ghost tours can provide an entertaining way to learn about a property's past, particularly when they combine storytelling with information about former residents and important historical events. At Ferry Plantation House, the stories of Grace Sherwood, the Walke family, and other people associated with the property create a fascinating backdrop for these experiences.

However, paranormal accounts should not overshadow the building's genuine historical significance. The ferry crossing, early courthouses, 1830 construction, plantation history, and preservation efforts are all important parts of the story regardless of whether visitors believe in ghosts.

Anyone interested in attending a tour or special event should check current information from the organization responsible for the property. Tour availability, admission requirements, and event schedules may change throughout the year.

🏚️ Preservation and the City's 1996 Acquisition

Like many historic buildings, Ferry Plantation House experienced periods of deterioration as the surrounding area changed and the costs of maintaining an aging structure increased. Preserving a brick residence dating to 1830 requires ongoing attention to its roof, masonry, foundation, windows, and other architectural features.

In 1996, the City of Virginia Beach acquired the property, helping establish a path toward protecting the historic building. The acquisition was an important step because the mansion represented a surviving connection to centuries of local history, including the area's colonial transportation routes and early plantation development.

Preservation efforts by the Friends of the Ferry Plantation House played a significant role in caring for the property and sharing its history with the public. Organizations dedicated to historic preservation often rely on volunteers, fundraising, educational programs, and community support to maintain buildings that might otherwise be lost.

These efforts helped ensure that Ferry Plantation House could continue serving as a historic landmark rather than disappearing as the surrounding neighborhood developed. Its preservation also created opportunities for future generations to learn about the people and events associated with the site.

📜 Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005

Ferry Plantation House received an important historical distinction when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. The National Register is the United States' official list of properties recognized for their significance in history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture.

Listing on the National Register helps document a property's historical importance and can support broader preservation efforts. It also brings attention to places that might otherwise be overlooked, particularly when historic buildings are surrounded by modern development.

For Ferry Plantation House, the recognition reflects the significance of its surviving 19th-century architecture and the property's long association with the development of Princess Anne County. The house represents multiple periods of regional history, from colonial transportation and government to plantation life and later residential development.

The designation also highlights the importance of preserving historic structures within growing cities. As Virginia Beach continues to evolve, buildings such as Ferry Plantation House provide tangible reminders of the communities and landscapes that existed long before modern neighborhoods, highways, and commercial districts.

🏘️ A Historic Mansion Surrounded by Modern Virginia Beach

One of the most interesting aspects of Ferry Plantation House is its location within a modern residential neighborhood. Today, visitors encounter the mansion along Cheswick Lane, surrounded by a landscape that looks very different from the rural plantation property that existed during the 18th and 19th centuries.

This contrast illustrates how dramatically Virginia Beach has changed over time. What was once part of Princess Anne County's agricultural countryside gradually became incorporated into a growing coastal city, with residential developments, commercial areas, and modern roads replacing much of the earlier rural landscape.

The surviving mansion provides a rare architectural connection to that older environment. Its historic brick walls and traditional proportions stand apart from the surrounding development, making it a reminder that today's neighborhoods often occupy land with centuries of history.

For people who enjoy discovering lesser-known landmarks, these unexpected historic buildings can be especially rewarding. They demonstrate that fascinating stories are not always found in famous museums or large historic districts. Sometimes they are preserved along quiet residential streets, surrounded by ordinary modern homes.

📸 Photographing Ferry Plantation House

Ferry Plantation House is an appealing subject for historical photography because of its age, architectural details, and unusual setting. The brick exterior, traditional windows, and Federal-style proportions provide a visual connection to early 19th-century Virginia, while the surrounding grounds help establish the building's character.

Photographing historic architecture offers an opportunity to appreciate details that might otherwise go unnoticed. Brick patterns, window arrangements, rooflines, and the relationship between different sections of a building can reveal information about construction methods and later alterations.

The mansion's haunted reputation also adds an interesting dimension for people who enjoy photographing mysterious or atmospheric locations. Even without any supernatural activity, a historic house associated with centuries of stories can create a memorable setting for photographs and video.

For my visit, I focused on capturing the exterior of Ferry Plantation House and its surrounding grounds, documenting the architecture while learning about the remarkable history connected to the property.

🐕 Visiting Ferry Plantation House With Simba

Naturally, Simba joined me for our exterior visit to Ferry Plantation House, adding another unusual Virginia landmark to our adventures. What immediately made this destination interesting was the contrast between the historic brick mansion and the surrounding residential neighborhood. It's remarkable to find a building with such a long and complicated history tucked away in a place that otherwise feels like an ordinary part of modern Virginia Beach.

I was particularly fascinated by the property's connection to Grace Sherwood, the Witch of Pungo, whose 1706 witchcraft proceedings remain one of the most unsettling stories from Virginia's colonial past. Although the present mansion wasn't built until 1830, knowing that the surrounding area was associated with early county government adds an entirely different perspective to the location.

The house's ghost stories were another intriguing part of the visit. Whether or not someone believes in paranormal activity, the legends involving former residents, unexplained footsteps, and mysterious apparitions have certainly contributed to Ferry Plantation House's reputation as one of Virginia Beach's most unusual historic landmarks.

For Simba and me, it was another opportunity to explore a fascinating place close to home and discover how much history can be hidden within an otherwise familiar community.

📍 Visiting Ferry Plantation House in Virginia Beach

Ferry Plantation House is located at 4136 Cheswick Lane, Virginia Beach, VA, in a residential area near the Lynnhaven River. The historic property is associated with centuries of local history, including a colonial ferry crossing, early Princess Anne County courthouses, plantation life, and the surviving 1830 brick residence.

Visitors interested in exploring the property should check current tour information and access requirements before arriving. Historic houses often operate with limited schedules, special events, or guided tours rather than unrestricted daily admission. Because the mansion is located within a residential neighborhood, it's also important to respect nearby homes, parking restrictions, and property boundaries.

The house has been associated with historical tours, educational programs, and paranormal-themed events, although availability may vary. Anyone interested in learning more about the building's architecture, former residents, or ghost stories should look for current information from the Friends of the Ferry Plantation House or the City of Virginia Beach.

Even an exterior visit can provide an interesting opportunity to appreciate the architecture and discover the property's remarkable history, provided visitors remain in areas where public access is permitted.

🌎 Why Ferry Plantation House Matters

Ferry Plantation House is historically significant because it preserves connections to several important periods in Virginia Beach's development. The property's story begins with the 1642 ferry crossing along the Lynnhaven River, which helped connect colonial communities at a time when waterways were essential transportation routes. The surrounding area's association with early Princess Anne County courthouses adds another layer of significance, linking the location to the development of local government.

The surviving mansion also represents an important chapter in the region's architectural history. Built in 1830 by George and Elizabeth MacIntosh, reportedly using bricks salvaged from the earlier Walke family mansion destroyed in 1828, the house preserves elements of Federal-style design and 19th-century construction. Its later alterations reflect the changing needs of residents over multiple generations.

The property's plantation history also requires recognition of the enslaved African Americans whose labor contributed to life on the estate. Their experiences are an essential part of understanding the social and economic systems that shaped historic Princess Anne County.

Finally, the mansion's connection to Grace Sherwood and its collection of ghost stories have made it a distinctive part of Virginia Beach folklore. Although the supernatural accounts remain unverified legends, they demonstrate how historic buildings can continue capturing the public imagination long after their original occupants are gone.

🎥 Watch the Video

Join Simba and me as we visit Ferry Plantation House in Virginia Beach, Virginia, a historic 1830 brick mansion with centuries of local history, mysterious ghost stories, and a fascinating connection to the legendary Witch of Pungo! We'll explore the exterior of this remarkable Federal-style residence, admire its historic architecture, and discover the stories that have made it one of Virginia Beach's most intriguing landmarks.

Along the way, we'll learn about the 1642 ferry crossing along the Lynnhaven River, the property's connections to early Princess Anne County courthouses, and the construction of the surviving mansion in 1830. We'll also explore the disturbing history of Grace Sherwood's 1706 witchcraft proceedings, the legends surrounding the house's reported hauntings, and the preservation efforts that helped protect the building for future generations.

Whether you enjoy historic architecture, colonial history, haunted locations, or discovering unusual landmarks hidden in unexpected places, Ferry Plantation House offers a fascinating glimpse into the past!

👀 In This Video You'll See

- Our exterior visit to Ferry Plantation House in Virginia Beach, VA
- The historic brick mansion and its Federal-style architecture
- Views of the building and surrounding grounds
- A landmark associated with Grace Sherwood and local ghost legends
- Simba joining me for another unusual Virginia discovery

⭐ Why Ferry Plantation House Is Worth Discovering

Ferry Plantation House in Virginia Beach, Virginia, is worth discovering because it combines centuries of local history, distinctive 19th-century architecture, and an extraordinary collection of ghost stories and colonial legends. Located at 4136 Cheswick Lane, the surviving brick mansion was constructed in 1830, but the property's history reaches back to a ferry crossing established along the Lynnhaven River in 1642.

The location is also associated with early Princess Anne County government, including historic courthouses that once served the surrounding community. One of the region's most famous colonial stories involves Grace Sherwood, the Witch of Pungo, who was subjected to a notorious trial by water in 1706. Although those events occurred long before the present house was built, they remain an important part of the area's historical associations.

The mansion itself was constructed by George and Elizabeth MacIntosh using bricks reportedly salvaged from an earlier Walke family residence destroyed by fire in 1828. Its Federal-style architecture, historic brickwork, and later additions reflect generations of life in what was once rural Princess Anne County.

Over time, Ferry Plantation House also developed a reputation for paranormal activity, with local legends describing mysterious footsteps, unexplained sounds, and apparitions associated with former residents. These stories remain folklore rather than verified supernatural events, but they have helped make the property a popular subject for ghost tours and historical storytelling.

After experiencing deterioration, the property was acquired by the City of Virginia Beach in 1996, and preservation efforts helped protect the historic residence. Its addition to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005 further recognized its architectural and historical significance.

For Simba and me, the highlight was discovering a nearly 200-year-old mansion hidden within a modern residential neighborhood and learning about the remarkable stories connected to its past.

From a colonial ferry crossing to an 1830 mansion with a haunted reputation, Ferry Plantation House has an extraordinary story to tell. It's one of those places where history and legend meet!

If you enjoy historic houses, colonial mysteries, haunted landmarks, or discovering hidden pieces of Virginia history, Ferry Plantation House is a fascinating destination to learn about while exploring Virginia Beach.

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