
Sorrel-Weed House
The sorrel-Weed House is one of the first two houses in the State of Georgia
to gain the distinction of becoming a State landmark. The house represents
one of the finest examples of antebellum Greek Revival/Regency architecture in the
United States. It was designed by one of the leading architects, Charles Cluskey.
The Sorrel-Weed house was completed between 1839-1840 for Francis Sorrel.
As one of the most accomplished gentlemen in Savannah at the time, Francis and the
Sorrel home became the toast of the town. When it was built, the home stood
on the southern edge of town. During the 1840s and 1850s this was "the house"
to be invited to for social parties and celebrations. Savannah's renowned
names were frequent guests; the Habershams, Greens, Lowes, Gordons and numerous
others.
Prior to and during the Civil War, General Sherman, as well as General Robert E.
Lee, were entertained in the home.
Sorrel lived there with his wife and son, Gilbert Moxley Sorrel, who became the
youngest General of the Confederacy, at age 26.
The story is told that Francis Sorrel's wife jumped to her death from the second
floor balcony,after learning that Francis was having an affair with a slave girl.
The story, as told by the staff employed at the house, is that the slave girl was
found hanged two weeks after Mrs. Sorrel's suicide.
In 1862 the Sorrel House was acquired by
Henry Davis Weed, one of Savannah's largest business owners.
In Oct.2005, The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) conducted an investigation for
the Sci-Fi channel Ghost Hunters special. TAPS obtained EVP's from within the slave
girls quarters, where an African American woman's voice is screaming, "Get out.....Get
out....Help me..my god...my god." A man's voice was heard with the woman but his
words are inaudible.
It is said that in this home there is a sense of energy that can be felt, which is best described
as similar to static electricity in the air.
Several full body apparitions can be seen in digital photos taken in the court yard
of the house on Aug. 25,2007, and again on Aug. 26,2007 full body apparitions are
visible.
There is now an 'infrared room' in the basement where paranormal activity is recorded.
|