Wheelocks Haunted Farmhouse

Reviewed by Josh N · Updated April 1, 2025 · How we verify

Exploring the Legacy of Deacon Jonathan Wheelock and His Haunted Homestead

In the verdant landscapes of Cavendish, Vermont, stands a farmhouse imbued with the rich history of its founder, Deacon Jonathan Wheelock. Constructed in 1789, this homestead is not just a relic of architectural heritage but also a centerpiece of local folklore and ghostly tales. Jonathan Wheelock, born on September 18, 1727, in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, was a figure of considerable repute, known both for his role as a Minuteman in the Revolutionary War and as a religious pioneer who established Cavendish’s first Episcopalian church.

The Wheelock Family Saga

After moving to Cavendish in 1789 with his wife, Anna Drury Wheelock, Jonathan acquired and farmed over 1,000 acres of land. As their children grew, he generously divided this land among them, ensuring that each parcel was within view of his own farmstead. This was perhaps a testament to his desire to keep his family close and under his watchful eye. Jonathan and Anna had seven children: Jonathan, Zeruiah, Ebenezer, Jotham, Joseph, John, and Anna. Jonathan Wheelock’s death on October 21, 1798, marked the end of an era, but the beginning of an enduring legacy.

Paranormal Encounters at the Wheelock Farmstead

Today, the Wheelock farmhouse is renowned not just for its historical significance but for the eerie occurrences reported by visitors and paranormal enthusiasts. Objects have been witnessed moving unaided and unexplained noises echo through the empty rooms, suggesting a presence lingering from the past. Some have reported seeing shadowy figures peering out from behind the farmhouse windows, though it remains unclear whether these apparitions are of Wheelock himself or other family members.

Further adding to the mystique of Cavendish are the numerous ghost stories emanating from the surrounding dense woods and the village itself. It’s a place where the past seems unusually present, and where the veil between the living and the dead appears remarkably thin.

Jonathan Wheelock’s Eternal Watch

Jonathan Wheelock’s resting place in the Old Revolutionary War Cemetery in Windsor County is a site of homage for history buffs and ghost hunters alike. The narrative of his life, detailed in Gertrude Bernadette Wilgus’s book, Sketch of the Life of Deacon Jonathan Wheelock of Cavendish, Vermont, offers insight into the character of a man who was as much a family patriarch as he was a community leader. Those interested in the paranormal speculate that perhaps Deacon Wheelock’s spirit still roams his beloved land, overseeing his descendants and the community he helped to build over two centuries ago.

Whether drawn by tales of ghosts or the allure of Revolutionary War history, visitors to Cavendish are in for a rich journey through time, set against the backdrop of Vermont’s natural beauty and the enduring mystery of the Wheelock farmhouse.

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