Soul Notes

UNUSUAL SPIRITUAL RESPONSE

My wife and I started this website after many years of research and study into religious doctrines around the world and, some very personal paranormal experiences that have convinced us of the continuation of our souls after the deaths of our bodies.

Our research has taken us down the paths pursued by many "ghost hunters", although I prefer to say we are "soul seekers"; trying to make contact with souls who, for one reason or another, have chosen to remain associated with the world they knew as physical beings. Many people hear sounds in the night, see glimpses of shadows out of the corner of their eye, hear whispers or music when they are alone, or, like we have done, find unexplainable shapes and colors on photographs they have taken. All of this leads one to suspect contact with the spiritual world, but, in reality, we need more proof. Clearly there is fakery and fraud in the paranormal arena, just like there are counterfeit dollars, circulating in our economy. Our efforts are oriented toward confirming the real, and exposing the false, and whenever possible, helping a wayward soul continue its journey away from its past.

In the summer of 2001, we were in south Georgia and had the opportunity of researching a very old home which is now under the control of the Briar Creek Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a wonderful group of ladies who own and have maintained the house in excellent condition.

The Dell-Goodall House is an historical structure of at least 180 years old, standing in the area once known as Jacksonboro in southeastern Georgia, five miles from the city of Sylvania. It has a rich and colorful history, which includes the befriending of a traveling preacher (Reverend Lorenzo Dow), by the owner of the house, Mr. Seaborn Goodall, a local religious leader, Clerk of the Superior Court, and son-in-law of the town sheriff. The town of Jacksonboro was a rowdy town that gained a reputation for catering to all of the needs of the flesh; certainly a place in need of a good preacher, but also, not a place that was out looking for one.

Reverend Dow traveled by foot spreading his fiery sermons far and wide and pointing out the consequences of sinful ways to the various townships he entered. When he came upon Jacksonboro, he saw a fertile field of sinful living to be plowed. Unfortunately, the folks in Jacksonboro liked their lifestyle and had little appreciation for the good reverend's effort to save their souls. On several occasions, he tried to conduct revival services but was met with angry mobs who beat him up and tried to run him out of town. Each time Mr. Seaborn Goodall would rescue him from the crowds and take him home to heal his physical wounds and his dejected spirit. The Goodall home was a port in a storm to the good reverend and the actions of Seaborn Goodall may have even saved his life.

On the day of his final confrontation, Reverend Dow was chased to the edge of town by the upset masses and told not to come back. The story goes that the Reverend was very angry. Stomping the dust of the town from his boots and waving his fists in the air, he cursed the town and all of its buildings and houses, except for one; that of Mr. Seaborn Goodall. Within a few years, every single structure in the town had been destroyed by fire or storm, except for one; that of Mr. Seaborn Goodall. That was over 180 years ago and the house is still standing and in excellent condition.

Although we had no reports of hauntings in the house, our curiosity was aroused by its unusual history, giving us sufficient reason to justify an examination.

The house is a two-story wooden structure which sits alone on the property, enclosed by a chain-link fence. It is located at the end of a dirt road off a main U.S. highway that runs from Maine to Florida. The sides of the dirt road are lined with very large oak trees complete with moss hanging down, giving the whole area a creepy look, even in daylight. No other houses are visible from the property.

We entered the home at approximately 3:15 p.m. on the afternoon of August 14th to examine the physical layout of the building and to determine the presence of any unusual electro-magnetic field (EMF) disturbances. The weather was clear and humid with light clouds overhead. No thunderstorm activity was in the local area. No electrical current was available to the house.

EMF meter readings were taken on the downstairs portion with negative results. In the living room, near an old piano, an EMF spike was observed momentarily, but did not repeat. Both of us felt a sense of comfort on the lower floor of the house, without anxiety or anticipation.

Narrow winding stairs led from the front room to the second level. The top of the stairs ended in a small room with a fireplace and a door to an adjacent, larger room. We went directly to the adjacent room and again, obtained negative results with the EMF meter. Upon returning to the small room and the stairs, a significant EMF reading was observed at the doorway. Also, at the top of the stairs a strong and consistent reading, indicating an electro-magnetic disturbance was present at the top of the stairs. Neither of us knew the purpose or use of this small room, but I sensed the strong presence of a female and a momentary sense of sadness. In my mind, I saw a young woman, mid-twenties to early thirties sitting in a small rocking chair to the front and left of the fireplace, and weeping. Even considering this sensation, we both felt a warmth and welcomeness to the second level.

Photos were taken throughout the house, using a 35mm SLR Canon Camera with Kodak, color, 200 speed film. These photos were later developed with negative results.

We left the house at approximately 4:45 p.m. and returned at approximately 9:30 p.m. that same evening. The night temperature was very comfortable and the dark night sky was without clouds. No lights existed on or near the property, or in the house, itself.

All windows had closed wooden shutters and we used the key to open the front door for entry. We closed the front door after we entered, but it could not be locked from the inside. Darkness was extreme and prevented seeing one's own hand when held within two inches of the face. Flashlights were used only when we were moving throughout the house, setting up equipment, and briefly to assist the taking of videos.

EMF readings were taken throughout the lower level of the house with negative results. Even in the complete darkness, my wife and I felt still no anxiety and even a total feeling of relaxation and "belonging". Climbing dark stairs to an empty second floor of an old house, usually increases the sensory anticipation level, however, again, we were surprised at our own feeling of calm, as if being accompanied by a warm and loving person whom we trusted entirely.

On the second level, EMF readings were negative with the exception of the top of the stairs, as had been observed earlier that day. Standing at the top of the stairs, we both felt the presence of something in the immediate vicinity. However, the sense of the female presence and the brief feeling of sadness, felt earlier in the daylight, did nor reoccur.

It was decided that a tape recorder would be left on the flat top of the banister at the top of the stairs and that the EMF meter would be placed on the floor at the top of the stairs, with the audible alarm set to alert us of any electro-magnetic disturbance that may occur in the darkness. My wife was at the top of the stairs holding a flashlight and I was standing on the stair tread, third from the top, setting the tape recorder when we both heard a very audible scrapping sound in the adjacent room (the sound of wood scrapping across another piece of wood, like a chair leg would make on a wood floor). Both of us made eye contact and acknowledged the sound, remaining motionless and listening. In approximately 10 seconds after the sound was heard, I advised that I was feeling a chill over the upper half of my body and the hair of my arms were observed, by both of us, to be extended, as if attracted by static electricity. Almost immediately, my wife felt a similar sensation on her legs, up to knee level. It is interesting to note that the positioning of the two of us on the stairs, placed the upper half of my body on a level to the ankle-to-knee area of my wife, corresponding exactly to where the sensations were felt. No other sounds or sensations were observed. The tape recorder and the EMF meter were positioned and we went down stairs to the front room (living room) to set up the remaining camera equipment.

The temperature in the house was warm, but not uncomfortable, especially considering all doors and windows were closed. A video camera was set up and directed toward the foot of the stairs, across the room from where we were seated. Photos were taken, using a 35mm SLR Canon Camera with black and white 400 speed film. These photos were also later developed with negative results.

Both of us remained silent and in darkness, occasionally monitoring the video being taken. No additional sounds were heard and the EMF audible alarm remained silent. We continued to be very surprised at the complete calm and lack of any negative or cautious sensations. At 11:40 p.m., we agreed that there was definitely a feeling of peace and happiness that prevailed within the house and that further investigation would be fruitless, so we went together to retrieve the tape recorder and the EMF meter from the top of the stairs.

Upon returning to the lower level and the front room, we began disassembling camera equipment and storing camera and other equipment in carrying bags. One regular size and, one large high beam flashlight, were on the floor, illuminating the center of the room. We were working about 5 feet apart, when we both felt a "chill" that overcame our entire bodies simultaneously. Goosebumps and hair was raised on our arms, legs, and neck and lasted for several seconds where both of us could discuss the event while it was taking place and observe the extended arm hair. There was no temperature change in the room or on our bodies; more like a strong wave of static energy that engulfed us both at the same time. During this episode there were no negative feelings or fear on our part. At the conclusion of the event, my wife and I sensed a strong feeling of comfort in our presence, as if we had been hugged before departing.

We have had some unnerving and even one very frightening experience in our research efforts. We have taken photos and a video with results that shocked and dismayed us as to what was captured on film. But, we never expected to be welcomed and then embraced in such a loving way by a spirit. It was truly an unusual spiritual response, but then --- based on the history of the former owners, it is nothing less than we should have expected.