The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

WHEN SETTLERS WERE PUSHING INWARD, ONE FAMILY BY THE NAME OF
MOON, SETTLED IN ALBERMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, ALONG THE JAMES
RIVER. AFTER THE CIVIL WAR, THE HOUSE BECAME UNINHABITED, IN
TIME TO BECOME FAMOUS FOR THE MOON GHOST. THERE ON DARK, STORMY
NIGHTS, MANY WEIRD TALES ORIGINATED BY PASSING TRAVELERS.
ONE PERSON WHO DIDN'T BELIEVE IN GHOSTS, DECIDED TO PROVE HIS
POINT. WITH A LAMP AND BOOK, HE SETTLED DOWN FOR A BORING NIGHT.
JUST THEN, A LARGE CAT WALKED INTO THE ROOM. THE CAT ACTED REAL
SOCIABLE, AND JUMPED ON THE TABLE. HE SAID TO THE MAN, "THERE
DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANYONE BUT YOU AND ME HERE TONIGHT." THIS
WAS TOO MUCH FOR THE MAN, SO HE SAID, "IN A MINUTE, THERE WON'T BE
ANYONE HERE BUT YOU."
HE THEN RAN FOR THE DOOR. HE WAS WILLING TO ACCEPT THE MOON
GHOST.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE ; COLLEGE ASSIGNMENT

Date learned: 03-07-1969