A favorite destination for drinks and food, Abigail’s Bar and Grille, formally known as Pettibone’s Tavern, may provide more than the traditional spirits. Those who reside in Connecticut as well as many more who have dined there while visiting the state have reported a number of unusual events and several individuals who were not familiar with the story of the tavern left in a hurry stating the restaurant “simply wasn’t to their taste”. Waiters and hostesses noted however, during such rapid leave takings, the departing patrons appeared quite pale and some seemed even a bit shaky.
Rapid Flight and Other Phenomena Attributed to Abigail
The generally accepted explanation for such occurrences – these individuals had come into contact with the ghost of Abigail, of course. In fact, other patrons didn't seem the least bit nonplussed when diners suddenly fled from the establishment. Those of us living in Simsbury, Connecticut for a while, simply took such behaviors in stride. And when the iron grillwork wine grotto, allegedly kept locked at all times unless being accessed, slowly swung open and wine bottles suddenly slid from their racks to shatter on the floor in the upstairs bar, few took more than a cursory look. Those sitting in the area simply moved elsewhere so the glass could be swept up and the splashed table which sits in front of the grotto cleared and reset. After several such occurrences, the table was removed such that nothing stood near the wine storage area, reportedly to prevent guests from ruined garments should the shattering bottles bear red wine.
If able to speak with someone who worked there when the table was moved however, they will likely tell you in an undertone, the response actually resulted from a unanimous decision of the staff working upstairs. Dropping their voice lower, they will add this was done in recognition of the possibility that Abigail simply didn’t care for a table placed in front of the grotto. Why only the upstairs staff? While encounters were known to happen in other parts of the building, it is the second floor where Abigail is said to reside, for this was where her bedroom was located and where she is said to have died a brutal death at the hands of her husband. When further investigations were done and descriptions of the structure surfaced when Abigail lived there, the wine grotto was found to stand almost precisely where her bed was located. One can understand given that it became her death bed, she might take offense at patrons coming too near.
Historical Background
Previously known as Pettibone’s Tavern for over 200 years, the building built in 1780 during the American Revolution, has hosted many travelers and locals alike including George Washington, Ethan Allen and John Adams who stayed there during their travels. Recently sold to new owners after a fire all but destroyed it, the restaurant and bar is simply called Abigail’s now, named after its resident ghost.
The structure was originally built as a residence for Jonathan Pettibone Jr., and his young wife,and later became a tavern and hostile for travelers. Over the years it has alternated between residence and tavern, though it hasn’t served as a residence for a number of decades.
Evidently, the Pettibone’s didn’t reside in the home for many years, due to the events reportedly resulting in the current spectral inhabitant.
According to the story, Abigail Pettibone was married to a Sea Captain who was absent for long stretches of time. Never knowing how long she’d be alone for or if her husband would come back each time he left, she became lonely and took solace in the arms of another man. Returning unexpectedly one evening, the Captain entered his residence and climbed the stairs to the second floor. Upon entering the bedroom he found Abigail together with her lover and in a rage was reported to have murdered them both with an ax.
Abigail Remains and Makes Herself Known
It is understandable Captain Pettibone chose not to remain in the home following this incident but according to legend Abigail did. It is not unusual for patrons to report certain common experiences including feeling as if they’ve been touched on the shoulder, feeling a chill when passing the second floor ladies room, or hearing a voice calling their name. Frequently she has been said to appear in the women’s restroom mirror. Her ghost has reportedly been seen by numerous guests and employees alike, (Bendici).
She also appears to have a mischievous side to her nature according to the Examiner.com which stated she is known to enjoy moving tables and rearranging the furniture after closing and candles and fireplaces that have been extinguished have been seen to relight themselves. There have been numerous reports of individuals strolling by the structure long after it had closed for the night and, looking in a window, seeing glowing shadows produced by the candles lit on each table.
Abigail and Other Apparitions
The tavern is believed by many who have observed figures that don’t fit Abigail’s appearance to have more than one resident ghost, the most frequently viewed additional spectral figure being that of a child. Those who live in Connecticut and have visited the Tavern will often stated that while perhaps they hadn’t seen evidence of Abigail or any other apparitions, they felt as if “a presence” was watching them at various times throughout their meals. Yet no one who has reported either experiencing a sensation attributed to Abigail or simply having sensed “a presence”, has ever reported feeling threatened or frightened. If anything, many believe Abigail appears to those in need of solace or comfort.
Psychologists Theories Fall Short When Attempting to Explain the Paranormal
While it may seem outside the purview of Psychologists, given its unscientific nature, theories related to the paranormal have been put forth and actually investigated in an effort to show that such experiences can be explained logically by the characteristics the individual reporting the experiences possesses. For example, an early theory asserted that those who believed in paranormal activity also believed they had little control over the events in their lives (Adams & Shea, 1979). However, the implication that they attributed such external causes to ghosts or other paranormal phenomena would appear more frightening than comforting.
Another researcher added to the previous theory, stating that those who believe they have experienced paranormal activity and strongly believe in the supernatural are individuals with a strong need to be able to explain the world around them even when it seems impossible to do so. The ability to attribute the inexplicable to something paranormal, thereby providing an explanation even if the actual specifics of the explanation are lacking, makes such individuals feel less anxious (Irwin 1992). This theory seems to lack logic in that it’s just as easy to say, “I know there was a reason for what just happened even if I don’t know what it is,” or to attribute it to God or a greater being, not ghosts.
Others have theorized that believing one has experienced a paranormal event is associated with being in a negative mood which is associated with less ability to think critically (Kreiner, 1995). Dudley (1999), furthers this theory stating, “Since the absence of critical thought is linked to labeling events as paranormal, it follows that a negative emotional state could lead to a greater likelihood that we will think we are experiencing something that is supernatural, or to an increased willingness to accept claims of the paranormal.” Unfortunately, this theory simply doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. After all, there are a large number of people who are in a negative mood state on any given day yet there's no evidence that a significant number of them report experiencing any type of paranormal activity.
Some researchers have pointed out that individuals with psychiatric diagnoses, in particular psychosis, are more likely to have reported paranormal experiences (e.g. Thalbourne, 1998). This also fails the logic test since if someone reports weird or unusual experiences that most individuals do not have, such as seeing ghosts or hearing sounds or voices, this will be translated as seeing and hearing things that aren’t really there and obviously result in a diagnosis of psychosis, even if many similar reports were documented in the same location. Of course, were this the case it would likely be dismissed as a shared delusional system and attributed to a stressful event these individuals had in common.
A Comprehensive Review of Attempts to Disprove the Paranormal
The author of an extensive article focusing on explaining away paranormal experiences through various normal physical explanations and thought processes concludes her article by stating, “It is quite easy to jump to the most readily available explanation when we experience something that we cannot immediately explain. However, with a little bit of thought, examination of the circumstances and evidence, and good old fashioned common sense, most reports of ghosts and hauntings can easily be attributed to the fallibility of our nervous system!” (Keyser, 2008).
Concluding Remarks
Uncertain of the origin of Keyser’s theory, this author would argue that if jumping to the most readily available explanation for unexplained events, this would most likely not consist of ghosts or the paranormal. It could be argued that these actually would be among the last explanations to be used. There are simply far too many horror movies that have been made with demonic, back from the dead, serial murdering main characters to make the paranormal a comforting first explanation.
So, for all those who believe they have seen, heard or felt the presence of the ghost of Abigail or experienced other paranormal activities in the building now housing Abigail’s Grille and Wine Bar, as Freud would say, “Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.” Though I wouldn’t recommend anyone referring to Abigail as anything so crass as a cigar. They might just find a bottle of wine shattering at their feet!
Sources
- Adams, G.R., & Shea, J.A. (1979). The relationship between identity status, locus of control, and ego development. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 8, 81-89.
- Bendici, R. Pettibone Tavern (Abigail’s Grille & Wine Bar), Simsbury. Damned Connecticut: All That’s Weird, Unexplained and Unusual in Connecticut. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
- Dudley, R.T. (1999). Effect of restriction of working memory on reported paranormal belief. Psychological Reports, 84, 313-316.
- Irwin, H.J. (1992). Origins and functions of paranormal belief: The role of childhood trauma and interpersonal control. Journal of the American Society for Psychicial Research, 86, 199-208.
- Keyser, T., (2008, October 19). Psychology and Hauntings: The role of belief, memory, neuroscience, and memory [Internet].. Knol. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
- Neslusan, L., (2011, March 16). St. Patrick's Day spirits in Connecticut. Examiner.com. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
- Thalbourne, M. (1998). Technical note: The level of paranormal belief and experience among psychotics. The Journal of Parapsychology, 62, 79-81.
Join the Conversation