Ringwood Manor just a bit spooky

northjersey.com ^ | August 20, 2007 | CATHERINE MARTINEZ

[Coleus]

For Kathleen Tanis of West Milford, the mines and ghosts of the historic Ringwood Manor will always have special significance. Tanis grew up listening to stories of her great-grandfather's death by beheading after a mining accident at Peter's Mine located near the grounds of the 200-year-old estate. Her grandmother firmly believed that his ghost haunted the Manor.

"My grandmother said that after that, he could never rest in peace," she said. "She said he haunted the upstairs bedroom, and she was glad he did!" Ringwood Manor is one of two historic estates in Ringwood State Park. (The other estate is Skylands Manor.) The Manor, located on Sloatsburg Road, had been owned by several families -- the Erskines, Ryersons, Coopers and lastly Hewitts -- before becoming state property in 1936.

Today, Ringwood Manor houses art, artifacts and furnishings reflecting the period between 1854 and the early 1900s. Generations of area residents long believed that several people who once lived in the Manor were also spending the afterlife there. For years, area residents have reported sightings, strange sounds and eerie feelings while visiting Ringwood Manor and its surrounding grounds. "I always said there were no ghosts except for the Holy Ghost in the Trinity," said Ringwood Borough historian Elbertus Prol, who has been the curator of Ringwood Manor since 1968. "Then ... I had an experience."

Prol said that while working in the Manor one day about 12 years ago, he suddenly felt a presence. "I didn't see it," he said. "I felt a sense of approval ... (an) appreciation for what I was doing." Prol said that following some research, he and a co-worker concluded that it was the ghost of Abraham Hewitt, the ironmaster who owned the home from 1854 to 1903. "We measured the area where (the presence) manifested, and it was about 5-foot-4," he said. "(Hewitt) would have fit right in there. He was of short stature."

In addition to his own experience, Prol has also heard his fair share of ghost stories from local residents. About 35 years ago, Prol said, a woman claimed to hear the skip car used for cargo running in Peter's Mine while visiting the grounds with her grandchild. "They closed the mine in 1957," he said.

[Coleus]

Ringwood Manor

Ringwood and the American Revolution
During the American Revolution, Robert Erskine managed the three principal ironmaking plantations from his headquarters at Ringwood. Siding with the Patriot cause, he became General Washington's map maker. As the army's first geographer and Surveyor-General, Erskine produced more than 200 highly accurate maps. The Colonial Manor House at Ringwood saw at least 5 visits from General Washington on important business. Ringwood iron was used for parts of the great Hudson River chain, as well as for camp ovens, tools and other hardware. Erskine died here in 1780 and is buried in the old cemetery along with more than 400 pioneers, early ironmakers and Revolutionary War soldiers, including French soldiers of Rochambeau's army. General Washington valued Ringwood for its iron products, Erskine's map-making defense agency and as a safe route through northern New Jersey. The military road was actually routed right through Ringwood, the half-way point from West Point to Morristown. General Washington was also at Ringwood on April 19, 1783, the very day that a cessation of hostilities was declared between American and Great Britain. This momentous day in history was 8 long years to the day from the first shots of the war fired on Lexington Green.

[martin_fierro]

Stylin' crib, yo.

[JennysCool]

Pingoroonie!

[JennysCool]

Way better than Ringworm Manor.

[Clemenza]

Ping!

[Clemenza]

So, where is the “dividing line” between rural, Republican Passaic County and urban, Dem Passaic county? Its always seemed to me that the place goes from Paterson and Clifton to West Milford in the blink of an eye.

[SunkenCiv]

An "oh so mysteriouso" topic.

Just adding this to the GGG catalog, not sending a general distribution.

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[CurlyBill]

Sorry for the delayed ping. I was away at a conference in West Virginia when JennysCool pinged me on this, which is much appreciated.

[BlackVeil]

Beautiful mansion - it looks the role for a haunted house.

[Ciexyz]

Spooky tales bump!

[beckysueb]

I wonder if the Ryersons who once lived there were the same Ryersons who were on the Titanic when it sunk.

[Artemis Webb]

Thanks for the ping Bill...it’s been awhile. Damn lazy ghost.

[hedgetrimmer]

I thought that but I didn't post it ;-)

[hedgetrimmer]

THE GHOSTS OF RINGWOOD MANOR

According to "Old Burial Grounds of New Jersey," Erskine's ghost was seen for years in the early nineteenth century sitting on the crypt and holding a blue lantern. When Mrs. Hewitt repaired the bricks and foundation, the ghost disappeared. Below is a closeup of his grave.

[DJ MacWoW]

I’ve been there but it was years ago. I have some beautiful pictures of the place. There are HUGE links from a chain that closed the Hudson River. They were made at Sterling Forge near Ringwood.

[johnny7]

Time to call...

[mtbopfuyn]

Interesting Washington link.

Creepy looking house.

[VRWCer]

Thanks, CurlyBill! I love these pings!

[DJ MacWoW]

It's not creepy. It's actually a beautiful house.

Ringwood Manor Tour