On November 30, 1864, the Battle of Franklin was fought in Franklin, Tennessee, during the Civil War. The battle is considered a disaster, as more Confederate generals died than in any other Civil War battle.
Near the town square sits a home that now operates as Shuff’s Music. The older home once served as a residence during the Civil War. It is also rumored to be haunted by Sally Carter, who was a beautiful Confederate spy who lived in the home. Sally would dine and liquor up the Union soldiers, while secretly collecting their secrets. She goes to the county courthouse, which served as the Union headquarters, and invites the officers over for dinner.
After plenty of food and whisky, the men would freely give up their secret information to Carter.
According to a WKRN news article, Margie Thessin conducted the Franklin ghost tours when the article was written in October 2016. She stated, “She takes a deep breath, opens the door, and sees in the rocking chair the spirit of a very old woman.”
“She is petrified. She can’t move. She is scared, so the spirit rocks a few more seconds, notices [her], turns to look at her, and says, ‘I used to live in this house,’ and that is when [she] bolted out of the place,” Thessin continued.
It was also reported in that same article that people hear footsteps when no one is home, lights have turned off and on, and other strange things while inside.
I called Shuff’s Music this afternoon to ask about the stories. The gentleman I spoke with confirmed that he had heard all of the stories associated with the building, and mentioned that ghost tours do stop at the building, but he has never seen an actual apparition in the building.
Written By: John G. Clark Jr.