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The Ghostly Hopewell Presbyterian Church Cemetery and the Ghostly Horseman

In February 1781, American General William Lee Davidson was killed in battle during the Revolutionary War at the Battle of Cowan’s Ford. His men secretly went across enemy lines at the time to retrieve Davidson’s body.

General Davidson was laid to rest at the historic Hopewell Presbyterian Church Cemetery. If you remember, I recently wrote an article about the ghostly horseman, believed to be the apparition of Davidson, who is spotted on horseback on Beatties Ford Road, heading toward the old battlefield that now rests under Lake Norman.  

What I failed to mention, for good reason, is that this cemetery is on the same road where he has been seen. And people have reported some eerie occurrences on the hallowed grounds over the years.

Is Davidson leaving his burial spot at this cemetery, when motorists have captured his spirit to finish the fight, even in death?

The ghostly horseman is a tale not widely known, but it links three locations in Mecklenburg County to his passing and his ghost.

Written By John G. Clark Jr.