Lansingburgh and Ghosts!The only fairly conventional tale of a ghost below is from 1915, concerning tales of a ghost of Aaron Burr. Most of the other items might be more of a stretch, referencing ghosts but then going in other directions, but nevertheless the elements are there:

"From the Gothic, women ghost story writers inherited a context for describing what Kate Ferguson Ellis calls the 'failed home' (ix), and a precedent for addressing issues that could not be confronted openly: 'The conventions of the Gothic novel, then, speak of what in the polite world of middle-class culture cannot be spoken" (7). From the female Gothic, they inherited a series of themes and images—of women victimized by violence in their own homes, of women dispossessed of homes and property, of the necessity of understanding female history, and of the bonds between women, living and dead, which help to ensure women's survival."Carpenter, Lynette and Wendy K. Kolmar, eds. Haunting the House of Fiction: Feminist Perspectives on Ghost Stories by American Women. Knoxville, TN: U of Tennessee P, 1991. 11. (Citing Ellis, Kate Ferguson. The Contested Castle: Gothic Novels and the Subversion of Domestic Ideology. Urbana: U of Illinois P, 1989.)

The two items below from 1869 and 1870 of only five and four words each respectively are a mystery. To what were they referring? If the reader should learn, let us know!

☞ AS EVERY CLOSET is entitled to its skeleton, so every decent village is entitled to its "haunted house." Lansingburgh has had one of the latter for a long time, situated on an otherwise quiet and beautiful street. Peculiar shrieks and piercing cries, as of a female under torture, came from the house on different occasions, but they ceased, temporarily, when, about a year since, a rose wood coffin was borne from the house. The coffin contained the body of the lady of the house. Her surviving husband was inconsolable in his grief, yet "the funeral baked meats furnished forth the marriage supper"—he was re-wedded within six weeks time of his irreparable loss. The new joy of his bosom was none the less affluent from the fact that it embraced houses and lots, the fruits of the industry of the bride's previous husband. A protracted honeymoon closed the other day amid the gayities of Saratoga, when, with a glass of Congress [mineral water] in his hand, the re-wedded lord suggested the propriety of the lady's transferring the title of certain real estate property to himself. Lady opened her eyes very wide; a new idea worked itself into her bridal bonnet—she was astonished, yet made no utterance except that of a speaking countenance. He persisted—she resisted. The next morning the pair were at the station—they went father North—a few days later they were at home, and evidently in a perturbed state of mind. Words of an unamiable nature passed between them. So things went on until a couple of evenings since, when the husband's well-grown invalid daughter, the result of the first of these marriages, mentioned that that was the anniversary of her dear mother's death—the mother upon whom her father had published a most tender and elaborate obituary memorial. The father, incensed by this allusion to a former wife, seized the girl with a fiendish grip and choked her. The stepmother, startled by her shrieks, came to her rescue. For this interference she was simply knocked down once or twice, or so. The screams rang out through the early night to the distance of two or three blocks from the scene—neighbors gathered, policemen were hurriedly sent for. At this point the curtain dropped—the gas-lights were turned off—the ladies became quiet, whether from terror or insensibility we are not informed. It is to be presumed that after this course of gentle reasoning, the lady will at once consent to the desired change of title deeds. We would not have said so much of the matter, but a man of means sufficiently industrious to bury one wife, marry another and knock her down repeatedly, all in the course of a few months, certainly deserves "a first rate notice." A strong feeling against the policeman who neglected to arrest is felt in the burgh.Troy Daily Times. July 26, 1865: 3 col 4.
—Lansingburgh has a haunted house."Miscellaneous." Schenectady Evening Star. January 5, 1869: 2 col 4.
THE STATE.
—Lansingburgh has a ghost.Syracuse Daily Courier. December 3, 1870: 2 col 1.
—We furnish in another column, a detailed account of a strange mystery on River St. We give the facts of the case as furnished by Miss Jones, the occupant of the house, leaving the responsibility of the same to our informant."Jottings About Town." Lansingburgh Gazette. February 1, 1873: 3 col 2.
A HAUNTED HOUSE.—A Singular Mystery.—Supernatural Manifestations.—
Nocturnal Yells—Moving of Heavy Furniture—Falling of Bodies, Creaking of Walls and swaying of Floors, etc., etc.—Communication From a Lady.All houses wherein men have lived and diedAre haunted houses. Through the open doorsThe harmless phantoms on their errands glide,With feet that make no sound upon the floors.
* * * * * *
The above lines from Longfellow's "Haunted House," have often been admired by us on account of the poetical euphony and vivid imagination evinced in the same. But we must confess that we are incredulous in regard to the existence of perturbed spirits in our midst, and always have been of the opinion that the spirit finding a more congenial clime, would not venture again on this mundane sphere, assuming a hobgoblin shape, owing to the existence of too many kindred goblins in the flesh, who might seize the wandering spirit in overwhelming numbers, and prevent its "spiritship" from continuing a life of etherial bliss. But, notwithstanding our utter disregard of "witchcraft and goblins," we have a genuine sensation in Lansingburgh, which is mysterious, to say the least. The following communication from a lady of culture, sound sense and veracity, proves conclusively that there is a mystery connected with her house, which should be investigated. We herewith publish the communication:—
A STARTLING LETTER — WHAT MISS JONES SAYS.
EDITOR GAZETTE: Are we retrograding? Are the days of witchcraft and goblins returning? or are the principles of science applied to the vilest purpose?—that of destroying the peace and comfort of human beings. Sometimes our house sways to and fro like a vessel on a rough sea; sometimes is suddenly shaken as if by an earthquake. Again the tramping, as of huge feet; and long strides, like men in seven league boots, shake it to its very foundation. Then a muffled step is heard, and a door or window tumbles, as if with an ague fit, which continues from a few minutes to nearly an hour. Sometimes we hear dancing and jumping,--besides many indescribable noises, jolts and jars. Late at night are heard the shutting of doors in rear and the emptying of various materials. On night, long after I supposed all in the house were asleep, stealthy walking and strange voices, as if in close consultation, appeared above and below. I heard no one enter the room above; and although I listened long, I heard no one leave it. What does it all mean? Will some one investigate it? I am not superstitious. Yet, I feel as if surrounded by evil spirits. Much of what I have described has been witnessed by persons from different parts of the village.CLEMINTINA JONES.The lady signing the above communication, keeps a select school on the corner of River and Grove streets, and is a graduate of Mrs. Willard's Seminary, Troy, at which institution she acted as teacher prior to removing to this village. She is a lady very generally known; bears an excellent reputation as a teacher and several of her literary productions have occasionally appeared in the GAZETTE and Troy Whig, which is an evidence that she is a lady of ripe culture and sound judgment. Her age is, apparently, between fifty and sixty, and she still follows her calling as a teacher. Thinking that Miss Jones might be of an excitable temperament, we resolved, Thursday evening to call at her house and dispel any imaginative ideas that might destroy this lady's peace of mind. So, with the company of another gentleman, we proceeded to the house in question. Miss Jones, with care worn countenance, welcomed us, and after a few remarks concerning the weather, we broached the subject of her communication, and questioned her as to her nervous condition, she replied that she was neither timid or nervous, but said that
THE MYSTERY
wore upon her exceedingly. She said that her common sense revolted at the idea of a house being "haunted;" but she said that the strange manifestations have positively occurred from time to time, and fears that some malicious persons are annoying her. But, even admitting this fact, she claims, that no living person could perpetrate such outrages without the aid of legerdemain and the "black art." On being asked how long since these disturbances commenced, she replied that last summer the strange noises were heard. But, it was not until Thanksgiving the windows jarred and
THE FLOOR ROCKED TO AND FRO.
We then asked the following questions:"Why did you not communicate this annoyance before?""I was afraid people would think me superstitious, and it would injure my school.""Do you not suppose that it will injure your school now to have your communication published?""I can't help it; I have borne the annoyance so long that my health is becoming impaired—and, I can bear it no longer.""Perhaps you aggravate the case by dwelling on the subject?""No. You are mistaken. I told you once that I was not superstitious. I do not believe in ghosts or goblins. I fear some persons are annoying me.""Are you a believer in Spiritualism?""No. I have heard of their rappings and manifestations; but have never seen it tried.""If you are not superstitious perhaps you can devise some means by which this annoyance will cease?""I leave that for the authorities to do. This has worn on my aged mother as well as myself; and we are both wearing out.""Has any one besides yourself and mother witnessed these strange manifestations?""Yes, several of my pupils, but I have endeavored to allay their fears by telling them that it was merely the wind.""Has any one besides yourself, mother and pupils witnessed it?""Yes, several visitors, and it has mortified me more than once.""Do you own this property?""I do and it is all paid for.""Any one in your family besides your mother and yourself?""No.""We have been here some fifteen minutes and have heard nothing. How do you account for this?""I am sure I can't account for anything connected with the unnatural proceedings.""Relate some of the incidents which are so very singular:"Miss Jones then commenced in a very cool and decided manner, and said that almost every day the floor rocked to and fro at certain intervals, which caused a feeling akin to that which is generally felt by the sea-sick. Then, again
"UNEARTHLY YELLS"
would arise from the cellar; and on examining the same the noise would be directly over their heads. On one occasions he saw the stove dancing, and the stove-pipe tumbled down, without being jarred. Long and heavy strides are heard; voices, as if in solemn consultation greet her ear. Her mother, although very deaf, has heard the same noise. The house would rock to and fro, as if a ship on the turbulent billows of the deep; then all is silent! All of a sudden
THE HOUSE IS JARRED FROM ITS VERY FOUNDATION,
as if by a terrible earthquake. Again [all was] silent. Then the supernatural yells again greet the ear—the falling of bodies is heard—and then the emptying of vessels, all in the brief period of a few minutes.At this juncture of her recital, we endeavored to test her excitability by suddenly pointing to a cat, which was seen disappearing under the table. But she laughed and calmly replied, that it was only her pet cat. Miss Jones was suffering from a severe head ache, so we concluded to go.
THE ROOM
where the interview occurred, is that used as a school-room; and the house appears appears to be substantially built, and no one would consider it a quiet retreat where perturbed spirits are wont to roam. There's no horrible story connected with the vicinity, and the superstitious have now food for considerable speculation. Whether it be a spirit from heaven, or goblin damned we know not. We can only say that the whole affair is very mysterious, and smacks of the supernatural. It should be investigated."The stranger at my fireside cannot seeThe forms I see, nor hear the sounds I hear;He but perceives what is, while unto meAll that has been is visible and clear."Lansingburgh Gazette. February 1, 1873: 3 cols 3-4.TIME TO STOP.—The trouble about the haunted house seems all to arise from a mischievous desire to trouble and annoy the two lonely old ladies in the lower part of the house and the owners of the property. The individual or individuals engaged in this cruel and inhuman deviltry should be discovered and punished by the authorities. The scare has been allowed to go too long without notice and it is hoped that the officers will try and stop the disgraceful performances at once."Lansingburgh." Troy Daily Whig. February 3, 1873: 5 col 5.And now Lansingburg, N. Y., comes forward with its haunted school-house. The spirits there “yell,” but what they yell about no fellow can find out.Evening Star [Washington, DC]. February 5, 1873: 4 col 3.Lansingburgh, N. Y., has the latest haunted schoolhouse, though it appears to be a dwelling house where Miss Clementina Jones receives pupils. Miss Jones told a reporter of the unearthly yells heard and the rocking of the whole house. Mysterious noises, light footfalls and heavy, have been bravely followed from cellar to attic, and still were heard, yet there were no visible boots or bodies. Falling bodies, the emptying of vessels, and other interesting phenomena, are heard; also strange voices. Miss Jones does not believe in ghosts or hobgoblins, and says she is not superstitious, yet she feels as if surrounded by evil spirits."News Summary." Brooklyn Daily Eagle. February 5, 1873: 2 col 5.St. Lawrence Republican. February 11, 1873: 2 col 4.
The Last Sensation in Lansingburgh—The Spirits Proceed to Discover the Whereabouts of Certain Bonds Stolen from the Waterford Bank—A Foolish Old Woman—An Outrageous Affair.
A highly sensational and disgraceful affair, in which the arts of old women combined with the gullibility of followers and modern Spiritualism were interestingly exhibited, too place in the village of Lansingburgh yesterday afternoon. Miss Clementina Jones owns a large frame house on the corner of River [First Avenue] and Grove [118th] streets. She, with her mother, both aged and remarkably eccentric females, occupies the lower floors, the upper portion being rented by the Haines family, worthy and respectable people, the parents of Jackson Haines, the celebrated skater. Miss Jones considers herself a singularly persecuted female, and is constantly communicating her thousand troubles to either the police or the newspapers, who in common with others regard her as the source of all her own unhappiness, and of various annoyances and discomforts to her tenants and neighbors. Her latest idea is that her habitation is the abode of perturbed spirits, and the story appeared in a late issue of the Gazette. Her tenants, the Haines's, seem for some unknown reason to have found great disfavor in her eyes, and several times of late she has announced by placards on her front door that "stolen goods were received up-stairs," "performances every day," etc. On Wednesday evening a number of persons held a spiritual seance in Miss Jones's parlor, when the medium of the party discovered to the rest that silverware and bonds belonging to David Brewster, and stolen from the Waterford Bank, were secreted in Haines's apartments and in the cellar of the house, the bonds being buried in a certain designated spot in the cellar. This seance was repeated at Dr. Benton's rooms on Thursday evening. The result was that yesterday Mrs. Brewster appeared before Justice Davenport, who, upon the woman's oath that she believed and suspected upon the best of grounds that her property was in the above mentioned place, furnished her with a search warrant. In the afternoon Mr. Brewster summoned an officer and searched a certain portion of Mr. Haines's rooms. Trunks were ransacked and packages of private letters examined, but they disclosed no traces of bonds or spoons. With the aid of one of the seancers a great hole, large enough to bury the whole party, was then dug in the cellar, but the lost treasure would not turn up, although the precise spot had bene marked off, according to the "spirit's" directions, two feet from the wall and three feet deep. The bonds didn't appear but another officer did, who, at the instance of Mr. Haines, arrested Mr. Brewster for malicious trespass, and proceeded with him to the station house. Mr. Brewster at once sent word to Gen. Bullard of this city, who went up and, with Wm. Bradshaw, became his bondsmen in the sum of $100 before Justice Hearmans to appear before the next criminal court in Troy. As we have said Mr. and Mrs. Haines are people of the highest respectability and honor, and the proceeding of yesterday is regarded as shamefully outrageous. The whole affair seems to have been contrived by an addled minded and maliciously inclined old woman. As to the other actors in the performance their conduct can only be regarded as silly as it was unwarrantable. Even the police declare themselves ashamed of the part they were compelled to perform in the matter.Troy Daily Times. February 8, 1873: 3 col 3.—It is but justice to the Miss Clementina Jones, to say that we erred in stating that the recent spiritual seance was held at her house. It was held at the office of Dr. Benton, in the Wilson block, and the premises searched were those of Alexander F. Haines, father of Jackson Haines.Troy Daily Whig. February 11, 1873: 4 col 3.It is but justice to the Miss Clementina Jones, to say that we erred in stating that the recent spiritual seance was held at her house.—Whig.The Whig was correct at first, and errs in making this apology.Troy Daily Times. February 11, 1873: 2 col 3.
The Haunted House "Hoax."
The haunted house sensation, which had its origin in Miss Clemintina Jones sending a communication to the GAZETTE to the effect that she was "surrounded by evil spirits" died out some time ago, as far as public interest was concerned, and our readers have probably dismissed the hobgoblin subject from their minds, in fact we ourselves had almost forgotten the circumstance, and were indeed surprised to hear the subject revived the other day. We certainly were never superstitious in the matter, further than to enjoy an item, which smacked of the supernatural, of course in this civilized age, any one who believes in such things is no better than a fool, but there is hardly a person but enjoys a "sensational item," written up in genuine "ghost story" style, but we understand that Miss Jones indiscretion in rushing into print has terminated unfortunately in a financial point of view. The lad as every one knows, is a school teacher of superior ability, and has depended on the income of a select school for a livelihood. Since this sensation the scholars have one by one left the school until now it is entirely broken up. The upper part of the house is vacant and her income from that quarter has been cut off, and we understand that Miss Jones is in a destitute condition and merits the sympathy of friends. We are indeed sorry that Miss Jones acted as unwisely as to request the affair published, otherwise the "seance" would never have damaged Miss Jones' interests. We trust our good people will show a kind charity in the matter by sending their little ones to Miss Jones for instruction, who is in every way worthy of a generous support.Lansingburgh Gazette. July 4, 1873: 3 col 2.
A Ghost Story.
The last motor car was coming up from Troy the other evening. The night was dark, cold and starless. The only occupants of the car were a gentleman, seemingly about thirty, and a lady whose age — but then, it's pretty hard to tell a lady's age, nor is it a good form to do so. At the corner of [One Hundred] Twelfth street and Second avenue, the two occupants left the car and turning to their right went down Third avenue as far as the cemetery. They entered the city of the dead, when the young lady spoke and said: "George Henry Jones, we have been married nearly five months, I cheerfully admit that before marriage you were very good to me. I am willing to concede that before we were married you took me to the theatre, bought ice cream and carmels and promised that after marriage you would furnish me a nice home. You have not kept your promise. Now, sir, I solemnly say, that if to-morrow morning you don't put a gait on you and go to I. Hough's Carpet, Oil Cloth and Furniture Stores in Opera House Block, Cohoes, and redeem your promises, why then I will stay in this forlorn place until the cows come home." George Henry took the hint and said: "Sarah Jane I promise you to see Mr. Hough in Opera House Block, Cohoes, to-morrow morning and pick out Brussels carpets, ingrain carpets, oil cloths, chair, tables, pictures, lace and chenille curtains for our new home—of course I can't pay all cash, but then he will extend me a credit and I will pay him on weekly terms—I am also thinking, continued George Henry, of buying one of Mr. Hough's fine baby carriages at the same time, but perhaps I'd better wait till next year." The last seen of the couple was at I. Hough's carpet and furniture store in Opera House Block, Cohoes, next day, when George Henry ordered his home furnished and Sarah Jane was happy.Lansingburgh Courier. May 5, 1892: 3 col 4.
Recalling Aaron Burr.
Only a few months ago [Mrs. Peebles] gave a representative of The Troy Times information regarding the story that Aaron Burr had lived sometime in seclusion in the house she occupied after his duel with Alexander Hamilton that resulted in the death of the latter, which formed the basis of an article of great interest that was widely read and gave rise to many arguments. Although several who searched historical records and delved deeply into the subject maintained that chronology justified the belief that Aaron Burr could not have been in Lansingburgh at the time stated, Mrs. Peebles too a firm stand and related many incidents to prove the contention that the story was based on facts. She was firmly convinced of its truth and gave details of traditions and of information that had been given her when she first came to the house that were intensely interesting and strongly corroborative of the statements made. So strong was the belief in Lansingburgh that Aaron Burr had made the Peebles house his home after the celebrated duel that long after, Mrs. Peebles stated, people assembled at the corner to see the "ghost" of Burr that appeared nightly in an attic window. Mrs. Peebles said that it was before the days of the electric light and on nights when there was no moon and the gas lamps were lighted the reflection from the light of the lamp at the corner produced a figure in the window that bore a strong resemblance to a man and which was accepted as the "ghost" of Aaron Burr. To the people of this generation Mrs. Peebles was little known because of the seclusion of her latter days, but she had intimates who to the last found in visits to her home moments of rare pleasure and who bestowed upon her infirmities love, admiration and respect. She was a superior woman, exceptionally gifted in many ways and had lived a long life filled with usefulness and worthy the emulation of all. She embodied it in her personality the sentiment and influences of the past blended with the spirit of the present, and was in all respects a high type of true Christian womankind."Mrs. Mary Louise Peebles." Troy Times. April 27, 1915: 5 col 4.See also Diamond Rock, Bad Ghosts, "The Death Craft" by Herman Melville