Case Studies - Smithville Mansion - Eastampton, NJ - April 28, 2007

What an absolute honor it was for SJPR to be afforded the opportunity to investigate this gorgeous, sprawling mansion!   The main house was erected in 1840, along with several out buildings.  The property is expansive and surrounded by a brick wall, which from the outside looks very foreboding and uninviting.  But step through the facade and you will be captivated by the splendor of this place!  The brick wall gives way to lush, green lawns, rose gardens, and ornate, wrought iron arbors grappling with ancient grape vines.

Sitting aside the Rancocas Creek was the perfect spot for this once mill village.  Within the brick wall was a bustling community that was virtually self sufficient!  The residents grew their own food and there was even a school for the children.  The buildings also include a cottage that was built specifically for the gardener, who probably had the most demanding job of ensuring the upkeep of several gardens on the property. 

The property was purchased in 1865 by Hezekiah B. Smith, better known as H. B. Smith, who was an accomplished inventor and entrepreneur.  He loved to entertain and to the mansion was added an annex that included a casino, card room, billiard room, and bowling alley.  H. B. even kept exotic animals on the property, including a moose named February that he tried to tame.  When they could manage it, a harness was placed on the wild animal, much to its dismay, and H. B. would tour downtown Mt. Holly in his carriage pulled by February!   H. B., along with his wife Agnes, were the most gracious of hosts who liked to travel.  Once they were home, a flag was raised to alert everyone that the casino was open! 

But as much as his success brought him, his personal life was shrouded in betrayal and controversy.  Once his life in Mt. Holly became public, the wife and several children he abandoned in New England finally discovered to where he had wandered off!  The ruse was unraveled and Agnes was revealed as his mistress.  His children despised Agnes and once she and H. B. had passed to the next life, they smashed a life-sized statue of Agnes that had adorned the front garden, the pieces of which are in the bottom of the Rancocas Creek to this day.  Knowing his children would continue to try and destroy them, even in death, H. B. and Agnes lay side by side, their remains encased in concrete and iron so no one could ever separate them.

The mansion was owned by H. B. Smith's direct descendants until it went up for sale in 1975.  A prospective buyer named Hugh Hefner contemplated the purchase, but decided against it!  The property is now owned by the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Seventeen of us investigated the mansion this night and of the 1800+ pictures we took, 95 were positive for spirit activity.  We also captured many video clips, and children were audibly heard!  Among the 100 EVP we recorded during the investigation, was a little girl who was heard by some investigators!  

We offer some of findings here....

-Click on a photo for a larger image-

Copyright © 2001 - 2008 South Jersey
Paranormal Research and its investigators.
All content may not be used or reproduced 
without the express written consent of South
Jersey Paranormal Research. SJPR is 
organized exclusively for scientific research
and educational purposes, as specified in
Section 501(c)(3).


Site maintained by Sochtek 




      

We have never before captured so many EVP from one investigation!  One hundred in all!  But, with 17 investigators, most of whom carrying recorders among their equipment, we had nearly 50 hours of audio to review from just 3 hours of investigating!  And we must not forget the audio from our video cameras!  We wish we could post them all, but offer a little more than 2 dozen of the best clips for your listening pleasure!

Spirits most foul!

At one point in the investigation, Investigator Bove' and her team were in the billiard room, but one member had wandered alone into the hall that was once a bowling alley.  After a few moments, he rejoined his team, stating that he was too uncomfortable to stay in the hallway.  It was at this time Investigator Bove' captured a very foul-mouthed male spirit!  No wonder the investigator felt unwanted in the hallway!  Investigator Sauter captured a salty-tongued male in the bedroom where the female investigators felt most uncomfortable!  And to round out being cursed at, Investigator K. Groff recorded what could be the same male that Investigator Bove's team encountered in the billiard room!                The clips can only be heard in our Adults Only section. 

Family friendly EVP!

Although this clip is not loud, it is astonishing and very relevant to what the investigators were experiencing.  Investigators Bove' and Gallagher were sitting in the billiard room and audibly heard a young girl who sounded as though she was just outside in the hallway.  Investigator Bove' captured her voice at the same time!  You will hear the little girl happily singing and then Investigators Bove' and Gallagher discussing what they had just heard!   Listen

Investigator Sauter was on the first floor of the mansion when she captured an exchange between and woman and a man.  You will hear the woman say, "Liar," followed by a man saying, "Ah, this is beautiful."  The voices are very clear and it should be noted that there were no men on Investigator Sauter's team.   Listen

While standing in at the top of the stairs on the second floor, Investigator Bove' was asking our guest investigator Bill if the camera he had was digital.  You'll hear him answer "no" in this clip and immediately following is a louder male voice saying, "No to you."   Listen

Investigator Halpin was investigating the billiard room when Investigator Sauter was receiving imagery of liquid metal and the making of products from the metal.  It was at this time that Investigator Halpin recorded this male stating, "Very, very hot."   Listen  

In the bedroom with President Polk's bed and the male spirit who didn't want us there, Investigator Sauter captured an unwelcoming male two times within the same minute.  He first says, "Stay outside," as if to confirm that he did not want anyone in the room.  He then says, "She'll service me."  Both recordings sound like the same man.   Stay   Service

Investigating the hallway leading to the casino, Investigator K. Groff recorded this young girl's voice saying, "It's me," followed by a little giggle.   Listen

Standing in what was a bathroom on the third floor of the mansion, Investigator Bove' was talking to our guest investigator Bill about the kinds of evidence we capture during investigations.  You'll hear Investigator Bove' say that we "get all kinds of stuff."  A male spirit then says, "Yeah, me."   Listen

While in the parlor, Investigator Halpin captured two female voices.  The first says in a taunting tone, "Gotta leave early," followed by a second woman saying, "That's gonna make a snap."  They are clipped separately to be heard more clearly.   Early   Snap

While investigating alone in the long hallway that was once a bowling alley, Investigator Bove' felt a strong male presence.  It should be noted that there is the artwork of local artists hanging in this hall and investigator Bove' was admiring them when she felt she was no longer alone.  You will hear her ask, "Somebody here with me?"  A male voice responds, "I don't miss this painting."  Listen carefully and you will hear a softer male voice at the end saying, "Save ourselves."   Listen

The third floor of the mansion, although a rather small area, proved to be quite active!  Investigator Sauter recorded this female voice saying, "Which one?  Look at 'em all."  She sounds to have a bit of an accent! Listen

In this clip, recorded by Investigator K. Groff on the second floor, is another female voice with an accent!  You'll hear her say, "He picked her, not me!" followed by another woman asking, "Really?"  At the end of the clip, there is another female whispering, "I like that."  The last voice is a bit difficult to hear.   Listen

Although this was recorded by Investigator Halpin, it is Investigator Sauter's voice you'll hear say, "Flash."  This is immediately followed by a female voice saying, "Pic-tures!"  A male voice then says, "Creep!"   Listen

On the third floor, Investigator Lewandowski recorded this woman saying the name, "Dorothy Smith."  This is very relevant considering the family who owned the house was named Smith!   Listen

Moments after capturing the above EVP, Investigator Lewandowski recorded this male voice calling, "Hey, Brit," followed by whistling, as though he was calling a dog.   Listen  

Just moments before the end of the investigation, Investigator Bove' was in the dining area when she recorded this male voice stating, "Strangers in the household."  He is followed by a smaller female voice saying, "I know."  Could this have been H. B. and Agnes?   Listen 

While in the long hallway that leads to the casino area, Investigator Sauter captured this clear female voice saying, "Talk to me.  I've got one."   Listen

In the very active third floor, Investigator Halpin was receiving imagery that one of the rooms once belonged to a teenager.  A woman then says, "My daughter's room.   Listen

Still on the third floor, Investigator Halpin captured this male voice saying, "Holy crap!"   Listen

While investigating the second floor, Investigator Lewandowski captured this female voice marveling, "There's a lot of people alright."  Her comment is followed by a man going, "Shhh."   Listen

Okay, this one is one of those EVP that just leaves you scratching your head!  Recorded by Investigator Sauter, in a clear voice, a man says, "Sure shot, stir the peas."  Um...we're not even going to venture a guess as to what this one is all about!   Listen

Investigator K. Groff was in the card room when she recorded the voices of two women.  The first says in a sultry tone, "All ready, guys."  Another woman then asked, "Is she hot?"  Hmmm...could there have been more than card playing going on in this room?  We wonder...  The voices have been clipped separately to be heard more clearly.   All ready   Hot

While on the first floor, Investigator K. Groff recorded this clear voice of a woman asking, "Wanna play with the baby?"   Listen

While on the third floor of the mansion,  Investigator K. Groff  commented on the old linoleum flooring when she recorded this clear female voice stating, "Looks like carpet."  If you listen carefully, there is also a male voice in this clip asking, "Who goes there?"   Listen

On the second floor, Investigator Halpin sensed some anxiety and tried to allay the fear by saying aloud, “We’re not here to hurt anything.”  A woman then asks, “Then why does it hurts?”  She sounds like an older female and her speech is a bit slurred, as if she may have had a stroke.   Listen

This is a rather disturbing EVP captured by Investigator Halpin in the bedroom with the nasty male spirit.  You'll hear a woman clearly say, "Killing him here on the floor."   Listen

While in the room with the mirrored fireplace, Investigator Lewandowski recorded this woman advising, "You can not do it alone."   Listen

As Investigator Halpin's team was finishing up their investigation of the second floor, this female spirit graciously says, "Thank you all for coming."   Listen

Another nice spirit, captured by Investigator Halpin in the same area as the EVP above.  In this clip, a male spirit offers, "Come here.  You can come here a lot, if you want to."   Listen

VIDEO EVIDENCE

Our videographer of the evening was Investigator Thornton, who managed to capture some surprising moments!  All of the following clips were captured by her during the investigation. 

While on the third floor, Investigator Thornton was filming towards Investigator Jonas, who was standing by a doorway to a storage room.  Investigator Jonas suddenly sensed something coming out of the room and you'll see him jump back in the video.  An orb then flies out of the room, brushing closely by his neck!  Investigator Jonas then looks into the room from where the energy had originated!   Watch

There is nothing visually paranormal in this clip.  Investigator Thornton was completely alone in the card room when her video camera recorded a series of knocks that sound deliberate.  You will then hear an exasperated sigh from an unseen male.  Investigator Thornton had heard nothing at the time.   Watch/Listen

While on the second floor, she pointed her video camera down the stairs.  Watch on the right and you'll see an orb come out of wall near the top of the handrail and then it flies down the steps.   Watch

During the same minute, Investigator Thornton then turned and trained her camera on the room containing the canopy bed.  Her infrared light extender had suddenly stopped working, which made the clip a bit dark.  But keep your eye on the doorway and you will see an orb come out of the room and into the hallway.   Watch

Investigator Jonas was not so in tune this time, when an orb flies right down the front of his body!  He begins to move forward, oblivious to the energy that had just passed in front of him.   Watch