Brick House Ruins

Built in 1720, Brick House was destined to become involved in a romantic triangle. A very beautiful young lady named Amelia came to Brick House to visit her relatives. She had only recently become engaged to a prominent gentleman of a Charleston family, but as twists and turns often lead, she met a wealthy young planter and they immediately fell in love. She wrote to her betrothed to release her from their engagement and he refused, only to present himself at Brick House in demand of an explanation.

Amelia tried to explain to him that she no longer loved him, and she desired to marry someone else. The jilted suitor's pleas fell on deaf ears. Leaving Brick House in a rage, he yelled out angrily, "You will never marry him. I would rather see you dead!" Having spoken, he left.

Amelia's wedding day finally arrived, with the death threat having long been forgotten. Her uncle provided a lavish wedding for his niece. His private steamboat was waiting at his dock to take the newly married couple to Charleston. Brick House was overflowing with guests and servants. Hours had been spent preparing a lavish repast.

As Amelia was dressing for her wedding, she heard her name softly spoken. She went to an open window, and looked out into the twilight. Suddenly, shots broke through the air as the jubilation of the guests was silenced.

Rushing upstairs, among the throng, was the bridegroom. He was the first to reach Amelia, but neither he nor anyone else could help her. She lay dead on the floor, her white wedding gown heavily blood-stained.

At the window's edge was seen a small crimson hand print left by the slain beauty as she fell to the floor. And outside, sitting in a huge oak tree was the villian, the forgotten suitor, who turned the pistol on himself, his body falling with a thud to the ground.

Many attempts have been made to cover the death print at the window. None have been successful. The crimson print continues to bleed through coat after coat of thick dark paint. Each year on the night of the thirteenth of August, the anniversary of the tragedy, so the legend goes, screams can be heard coming from the ancient building - from the remains of Brick House. The interior of Brick House was gutted by fire long ago, but the lovely brick exterior remains intact - a monument to Amelia, where succulent aromas of a never-to-be-had wedding feast are often experienced by passers-by and music can be heard on the wind. At the corner of the house stand two orange trees, filled with fruit in season, and blossoms in their time, giving perpetual homage to the fallen flower of Brick House.

Amelia is often seen at her upstairs window with her wedding dress shimmering in the moonlight, while at the wharf, as the gentle waves lap in anticipation, the engines of the steam boat can be heard as they prepare for a journey never to be taken. So ends the tale of Amelia, the ghost of Brick House.

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