Legend has it that colonial settlers killed some Wampanoag tribe members by hanging them from the nearby trees, and drivers report seeing the eyes of the dead men looking out from the trees, especially in mid-summer. claims Lillard Hall is haunted by the ghost of a former student who took his own life, though it acknowledges there are very few reports of this apparition being seen or heard. Instead, he watched in horror as a massive wave destroyed everything on the island and took her with it. She watched him get hit by a wave and tried to take a rowboat to save him. When the hurricane hit, lighthouse keeper Arthur Small left his wife in the oil house, which was the highest point on the island, while he went to light the lamps.

There was even a hotel and amusement park, but all but the light were destroyed in the 1938 Hurricane. The island was used as an internment camp for Native Americans during King Phillip’s War (1675-1676) and as a garrison during the Revolutionary War, according to Destination New Bedford. The light was built after New Bedford sea captains petitioned for its construction. Located at the entrance to New Bedford Harbor, the island was named after William Palmer, an original settler of Old Dartmouth. Harlow was known for being very disorganized, and he apparently likes to play practical jokes on the staff.Ī haunting tale: What this clerk has to say about the Mattapoisett Town Hall ghost PALMER'S ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE Mattapoisett Town Hall also has a prankster poltergeist named Abner, employees claim. Abner Harlow was a town clerk from 46. As well, a ghost named Sarah reportedly wanders the halls looking for her father.

Guests have reported seeing a sea captain looking out to the sea in one of the bedrooms.

Haunted House by Rick Wood