Solitude Farm, Cashmere

Solitude Farm is located in Monroe County, and was built in the 1840s by William Peck.  It is rumored that William Peck had sent one of his slaves to England to study architecture and brick-laying, and thus he built L-shaped, two story home.  Additions were made in the 1880s, and again after the turn of the century.

The house has only seen five owners in its existence...the Lowe family of Lowe's Hardware, Sean Mann and his family (1967-1998), a cattle rancher who never lived in the home, and then in 1999, Bill Gadd.

Voices, doors slamming, and footsteps are commonplace in this home, but there are several apparitions experienced as well.  The first is a Confederate soldier, often seen on the staircase.  He is in full regalia, and will often bow to women who spot him.

The second ghost is that of a crying infant.  Legend states that Mrs. Peck became pregnant, and when she gave birth, it was obvious the child was racially mixed.  Mr. Peck is said to have hunted down the suspected father and hanged him from an oak tree on the property.  The infant was allowed to live in the home, but before its first birthday, it was either pushed or fell down the stairs to its death.

The suspected father of the child is also said to haunt the home, especially the area around the stairs.  Witnesses have reported seeing a black man standing on the staircase or the landing with a red brick in his hand.  This man is rumored to have been both the slave who was sent to England, AND the father of the child.

An upstairs bedroom called the "Pink Bedroom" is home to another ghost, experienced by Sean Mann among others.  As Sean was in the bed, he saw the apparition of a young teenage girl wearing a white summer dress edged in lace.  She asked him what he was doing in her bed.  Legend states that a relative of the Peck family was staying in the home, when she fell in love with a black man.  They had made plans to meet at a church picnic, but the girl's father found out.  He attempted to shoot the man, but missed and killed his daughter instead.

Troy Taylor Article