Date: Thursday, August 27th, 1998
Time: Investigation started around 7:50 p.m. and ended around 10:45 p.m..
Location: Bolton Mansion, Levittown PA.
Weather: Temperature was around 80 degrees on the first floor, and the second and third were a little warmer.
Equipment: E.L.F.-Zone EMF meter, flashlight.
History: Bolton Mansion was the home of the Moris & Pemberton families built in the late 1600's. These families were very prominent in the Philadelphia area. Like most older homes, this one had a story to tell. Jim S. gave the background of the "supposed sightings" to us. The story he tells is of a young girl named Mary who lived in the house at one time. Her family forbade Mary to continue seeing her young confederate suitor so she hung herself on the third floor of the house.
Those Present: Bob R., Ilene R., Lew G., Sharon G., Debbi D., Danny S., Nancy S., Jen J., Joani S., Kenny B., Donna B., Andy K., Damarys L., Barb, and Jim S. (Friends of Bolton).
Report: This was my first investigation and I was a little apprehensive at the start, this feeling would only grow worse by the end of the night. When we first arrived everyone gathered on the front lawn of the mansion. We proceeded to the front of the mansion were we were greeted by Jim S.. Jim then gave us the history of the mansion & asked for any questions. While Jim was talking I caught something out of the corner of my eye. It looked like something was fluttering horizontally. When I turned to look, Sharon asked me if I saw something move also. Neither of us saw enough to determine if it was a leaf, paper, or maybe something paranormal.
We then were let to freely roam the house & property. Since this was my first investigation I followed Bob like glue. We went into the house with Jim. Bob was anxious to get to the third floor, so that's where we headed. Jim gave us some more history as we went. I followed Bob & Jim as far as the steps to the third floor when I felt very, very apprehensive. Afraid I wouldn't be able to continue I said good-bye to Bob & returned to the first floor.
On the first floor there were a few other investigators, but nothing seemed to be happening, so I continued on to the basement were I met Nancy, Dan, Jen & Damaris. As we walked around Dan was claiming that he felt a presence. Danny then tried to coax the "ghost" to come out by telling it that he wasn't going to hurt it. That took me a little by surprise & made me a little uneasy. As I stood there with the other investigators in the back part of the basement I started to hear noises like tape-recorded voices. I went up the steps to se if maybe the voices were any of the people in the house. I didn't hear any sounds like I had heard in the basement. When I returned to the basement I heard the same sound. By this time several investigators were starting to experience things. By this time I was very unnerved & decided to step outside for a few minutes.
While outside I met up with Donna & Jim S.. Donna & I were asking Jim about the plans for the mansion once it is restored. Then we sat on the front porch for a little while. Several other investigators walked passed and told us about all the activity we were missing. We sat outside a few minutes longer & then went back inside to join the rest of the group. When we got inside Jim was getting ready to turn the lights out for a few minutes. I took up a spot in the right side of the house, just before the baking area. As the lights went out I took time to see who was with me.
Debbie, Sharon, Jen, & Damaris were all in the room with me. Nothing happened when the lights first went out. As I stood there I thought I heard a group of people singing. Sharon asked if anyone else heard the same thing. I replied that I was hearing it also. We then yelled for the group to in the baking area to be quite. When we did that the singing stopped. When the singing started Bob was saying from the baking area that he felt something brush against him. Shortly after all of this we ended the investigation.
Impressions: Since this was my first investigation I have nothing else to compare it to, but I definitely think there was something "playing" with us that night. I would like to do another investigation & see if we get the same results. I would also like to thank Jim for all of his answers to our questions. Although he is a skeptic, he was very open & helpful. Thank you Jim & good luck with the restoration.
Ilene R.
PGHA member
September 7, 1998