Story Five: Cobblestone Farms

 

 

2781 Packard Road, Ann Arbor, MI
Password: tic4044
Investigative Team:
Highland Ghost Hunters
 

 

 

Ann Arbor, home to the University of Michigan (Go Blue!). Its quaint downtown district is a hub of activity. People of all age groups and walks of life meander through its streets lined with an eclectic blend of boutique shops, independent book and music stores, coffeehouses, pubs, and elegant restaurants.

Though it has a small-town feel, Ann Arbor is actually a sophisticated community known for its state of the art technology, education and medicine. Much of its popularity has to do with an abundance of cultural offerings that appeal to many. From nationally acclaimed art festivals to museums and nightclubs, the city offers appealing activities for every visitor and resident.

Ann Arbor embraces its history. Just outside of the city limits, in Pittsfield Township, lies one of its hidden historical gems, Cobblestone Farm.

Built in the 1830s, it is nearly as old as the City of Ann Arbor. About thirty years ago, Ann Arbor purchased the farm and, with the help of the Cobblestone Farm Association, ensures ongoing restoration and maintenance. Today, on its beautifully maintained grounds, the association hosts seasonal programs, weddings and other celebratory events. Families often come to spend the day.

Though Cobblestone Farm is enjoyed by many, there are still countless others who drive by the quaint stone farmhouse on Packard Road oblivious of its past. And, for those who do come, how many stop to think that within the walls of this historic home are the memories of the Ticknor, Booth and Campbell families. Real people, real families and a home filled with their love, laughter, sadness and tragedies.

How strong are the energies of these families and is it possible their spirits remain? For some time there have been reports of unusual phenomena at the home. The vision of a woman was seen looking out from an upper floor window. Other reports include the apparition of a man seated in the dining room and another of a little boy who supposedly drowned in the well on the home’s property. We hoped to find out if any of these reports were true during our investigation.

It was a beautiful but cool spring evening. We met Jenny Marcus and Lisa Mann, founders of Highland Ghost Hunters, at a local eatery before heading out to Cobblestone Farm. Joining them on this hunt were teammates, Scott and Sue.

Over dinner, the evening’s strategy was discussed. Of course, there was still plenty of time to share other important topics of the day. This led to Jenny telling us about her culinary expertise and how frozen tacos can just explode in a microwave oven for no apparent reason.

After a few laughs and a good dinner, we headed over to Cobblestone Farm. Waiting for us were several welcoming members of the Cobblestone Farm Association, including George Taylor, President; Jane Carr, Vice President; Tracey Miller, Secretary; and Jane’s brother, Ray. After introductions they took us on a tour of the property and shared some of its history.

Cobblestone Farm Association L to R:
George Taylor, President; Jane Carr, Vice President; Tracey Miller, Secretary. 

 

Dr. Benajah Ticknor was a well-respected surgeon with the United States Navy. As he neared retirement, he began looking for places to settle down. Benajah eventually chose Michigan because of its affordable land costs.

In 1835, Benajah asked his brother, Heman, to help scout out good land. Since Heman was also interested in relocating to Michigan, he was happy to assist. He found a small cabin on 183 acres of farmland in Pittsfield and purchased it from Ezra Maynard on behalf of his brother. Shortly after, Heman, his wife and their six children moved into the cabin and began farming the land.

During those first years, Benajah and his wife, Getia, were seldom around. Most of the doctor’s time was spent at sea or on duty in naval hospitals on the East Coast.

Benajah Ticknor 

Courtesy Cobblestone Farm Association

 

It wasn’t until a visit in 1840 that Benajah noticed how cramped the family’s quarters were and decided a larger home was in order. Construction of the cobblestone house began soon thereafter and was eventually completed in 1844. This was the beginning of Cobblestone Farm’s incredible history.

The life of a farming family, especially in those early days, was difficult. Long hours and hard work were a part of that life and so was death. Sadly, Heman Ticknor and his wife, Eliza, lost 11 of their 12 beloved children. Five of them died at the farmhouse. Their deaths were not merciful, quick, or painless. An inflammation of the brain took one, Tuberculosis three, and typhoid fever another.

A sick room was setup on the first floor to care for the children. Initially, each feared their disease and impending death, but when their time came they were ready to meet God. As the obituary of their daughter, Caroline, reads:

“Her last hours were peaceful and her death tranquil. Conscious that end was near, she called for her physician and asked how many minutes she had to live. ‘Not long’ was the response. Hers was the only dry eye. Hers the only calm voice, as with more natural composure, she said, ‘Weep not for me,’ as she bade each friend adieu.”

In grief, the family’s bond grew closer.

Benajah met his own demise in 1858. Two years later, his widow sold a portion of the land to Heman and the remainder to the Horace Booth family.

Under the Booth family, the farm prospered. Horace’s son, Nelson Booth, raised and sold nursery stock and expanded the Ticknor apple orchard. He was also a fancier of thoroughbred racing horses and found considerable success in their racing and breeding.

In 1880 the Booths sold the property. It changed hands twice before being purchased by William Campbell. The farm remained with the Campbells from 1881 to the 1970s.

They were a very close-knit family. Though serious about work, they shared a great sense of humor, quick with a smile and a lighthearted joke. William’s son, Robert, enjoyed the new and novel hobby of photography and captured many of the family’s good times on film. Their closeness was obvious.

The Campbell family loved having fun and the new hobby of photography.  

Courtesy Cobblestone Farm Association

 

The farm prospered as a result of the Campbell’s innovate farming approach and prized herds of Durham cattle and sheep. Life was good as the decades rolled by; then came the 1920s. Though much of America prospered, it was tough economic times for farmers. The Campbells were struggling but managed to hold on until the fire of 1924.

Mary Campbell, a child at the time of the fire, recalled the events of that tragic day. It was around sunset. Mary was in the kitchen looking out the window and noticed a beautiful reddish glow reflecting on the buildings. Thinking it was the setting sun she called her mother to see. When her mother got there, she immediately knew it wasn’t the sun. The barn was burning.

The kitchen looks very much like it did in its early days. 

 

In those days, a barn was the heart of a farm. Everything was kept there, including supplies, expensive vehicles and machinery.

Intense flames spiraled into the air and could be seen for quite a distance. Hot embers drifted to outlying buildings and within a short time nearly all the farm’s buildings were aflame. In a desperate attempt to save their home, the Campbell’s threw wet comforters and blankets on the roof. Water supplies ran out as their cisterns dried up or were consumed in flames.

When the smoke settled, the house was saved but just about everything else was destroyed. The Campbell’s were devastated and never fully recovered from this terrible loss.

How the fire began remains a mystery. Some speculated Mary’s brother, William, might have been the incendiary. His actions were sometimes unpredictable and erratic. Even an uncle was a suspect.

However, something happened just days before the mysterious blaze which might also explain its cause. Henry Ford had visited the farm in search of antique equipment for his new venture, The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. He found an old reaper in the Campbell’s barn and made plans to have it picked up for his collection. Unfortunately the reaper was destroyed in the fire.

During an interview, Mary made a comment that added to the mystery. Apparently, there had been barn fires at other locations following Mr. Ford’s visits.

At this time in American history, Henry Ford was a controversial figure because of his outspoken social and political views as well as anti-union activities. He was not well loved by all. Could the fire have been started by one of Mr. Ford’s strong adversaries? Perhaps it was someone who wanted to destroy his dream by preventing construction of The Henry Ford Museum.

After the fire, the Campbells began to slowly sell off parcels of land to pay the bills. Mary and her brother, George, remained in the home until the death of their brother, William. He died of a heart attack in the early 1970s somewhere on the grounds of Cobblestone Farm.

With our tour completed and points of paranormal activity identified, it was time to begin the investigation. There was a lot of ground to cover and Highland Ghost Hunters wasted no time setting up equipment.

(L) Lisa Mann and (R) Jenny Marcus getting ready 

 

(L) Sue and (R) Scott take equipment setup seriously. 

 

The first floor gift shop that had served as the Ticknor family sick room would be covered. Cameras were also positioned in the attic, dining room, bedrooms and staircase. These areas had reports of apparitions, voices and footsteps.

Yet another place of interest was the Willis Log Cabin, built around 1837. It was moved from Willis, Michigan, to the Cobblestone property in 1981. Though there had been no reports of paranormal activity here, because of its age, Jenny and Lisa thought it might carry some type of spirit energy.

Additional time would be spent in the barn. Jane mentioned several members had heard frequent and unusually loud bangs. Some so loud they were almost threatening in volume.

The new barn built on the same site as the original out buildings. 

 

We wondered why such a new building, constructed in the 1980s, might be paranormally active. Then Jane informed us it sat on the foundations of the original out buildings destroyed in the 1924 fire. There may be some relationship to the activity and the events surrounding that fire.

Once equipment was set, Jenny and Lisa broke the team in groups and the investigation began. All was quiet until Lisa’s team and Bev, entered the attic. A narrow stairway led them to the gloomy confines of the uppermost floor. Moonlight spilled across the cluttered room revealing countless heirlooms.

The small group carefully made their way to the center of the room and sat down. Almost instantly faint sounds crept from the darkest corners. Initially they were ignored, the team thinking it was just the sounds of an old home. Yet, there was a prevailing sense that something was near.

Sue, a member of the Highland team, began the questioning. “Is there anybody in the attic? Do you want to come and talk to us here?”

Silence. Then, ever so subtle, the quiet in the room was interrupted by indefinable sounds, a collection of hushed whispers, creaks or groans.

Lisa wondered if it might be something else. “Is someone trying to communicate with us?” Nothing but dead air and the sounds of their shallow breathing.

The questions continued and for the most part centered on the children. Then a voice, soft and low that only Lisa heard. It was an unusual sound, perhaps a word tinged with a foreign dialect or accent. She wasn’t certain.

The attic where Lisa thought she heard a voice. 

 

Sometime later, the sounds in the attic quieted. It seemed whatever had been there was gone. Everyone headed downstairs to their next location.

Meanwhile, I was in the first floor sick room with Jane, Tracey, George and Scott. I called out to Abigail or Caroline, coaxing them to come near the device with the green light on it (the EMF meter). There were no movements or sounds throughout our time here, at least none that we noticed.

The gift shop was used as a sick room for the Ticknor family. 

 

The next several hours our teams traveled between locations. The investigation moved smoothly but from our prospective, unremarkably.

After a break Jenny’s team, along with Ray, George and Bev headed to the Willis Log Cabin while Lisa, Scott, Jane, Tracey and I went to the barn. It had been a tiring investigation and we were getting a little crazy.

To be honest, though loud knocks had been heard in the barn, we weren’t expecting much to happen. Even in total darkness, this place was very comfortable and the atmosphere pleasant.

Everyone was a little lighthearted and a bit silly as chairs were positioned in a circle near the center of the room. As we sat, Tracey skillfully recreated the memorable scene from the Blair Witch movie. She brought my camera close to her face, and muttered, “I’m so scared.” We all chuckled. It was an Academy Award winning performance.

Tracey Miller’s acting début. 

 

Eventually our group settled down and Lisa began the EVP session. “Is there anyone here that would like to communicate with us?”

The EMF meter was flat. In the silence, smiles were exchanged. No one expected a response. That’s when the first light knock was heard. It was likely just the wood barn’s natural sounds.

Lisa continued, “We mean you no harm.” Her eyes scanned the darkness of the empty room.

She turned to Jane, “You said it was built in the 1980s.”

“Yes, but it was built on the site…” Her words were interrupted when another soft knock was heard. Jane was about to remind us it had been built on the exact site of the original barn.

Again, everyone dismissed the sounds as natural settling. Then the third knock came. Smiling, I threw out the possibility that it could be a spirit responding and suggested the questions continue.

Scott took the suggestion. “If that was you, could you do that again for us? Let us know you’re here so we know that’s not just a coincidence.”

Another rap came from somewhere in the barn, but this time much louder. “Okay,” Scott’s voice trailed off as his eyes searched the darkness.

“That was pretty loud.” I murmured.

He agreed and continued. “Not to push my luck with you but….” His words cut off by a sharp bang, even louder than the last.

With raised eyebrows, we all shared a common question, was it indeed a response? Lisa checked EMF levels and temperature. Both remained steady.

None of us were ready to claim the sound paranormal, though we did wonder at its cause. Wind was dismissed. The night was very still, barely a breeze. The only other natural explanation was expanding and contracting wood. Yet, the steadily increasing volume to the bangs seemed out of the ordinary.

I took a turn. “If that’s someone trying to talk to us, that’s fantastic. Do you mind us being here? If you could make that noise once for yes, twice for no.”

We listened as one light tap was followed by a second. Surprise filled Jane’s eyes as she glanced at Tracey.

For a brief moment, all was quiet then a resounding boom that literally shook the walls. That got our attention.

Lisa directed her flashlight to the EMF meter and saw levels were beginning to rise. It signaled an increase in energy that is said to build when a spirit nears. Scott, taking Lisa’s digital thermal gage, went up to the balcony hoping its higher elevation would help him pinpoint the location of the sound, should it come again. He aimed the thermometer’s laser beam near Lisa and our circle. It was a steady 73 degrees.

Barn’s upper balcony 

 

I began a new series of questions about the fire. “Whoever is here, did you start the fire that burned these buildings down? Are you afraid to show yourself? Do you not want to get caught?”

Tracey added, “Was it an accident?”

Tracey feels a chill. 

 

It was then Lisa felt a tingling sensation as the hair on her left arm began to rise. It lasted briefly then faded just as Tracey felt a chill. The energy in the room was building.

It seemed the last series of questions might have stirred something up, so I continued.

“Did you set this fire? Are you the one that burned this building down? Why did you do it? Are you a coward? Tell us what you did.”

Scott’s voice echoed down from the balcony. Temperature had risen from 73 to 81 degrees.

“Was it an accident?” I continued.

Scott’s words again carried down to us, “Woah, woah, woah!” The air around him had gotten very thick and he felt the hair rise on his neck. Lisa noted EMF levels had edged upward from .5 to .9.

EMF Spike 

 

I began a more aggressive series of questions telling whatever remained that it was time to stop hiding, stop being a coward to come out and confess. EMF levels elevated with each use of the word, “coward” and then began to bounce erratically until it shot up to 2.1. I stopped speaking and watched as levels returned to normal.

Kat’s questions become more aggressive. 

 

Glances were exchanged among our group. This was getting interesting.

Lisa gently said, “You don’t have to hide anymore.”

I continued, “If we can help you, we will try to do that. But we can’t do anything unless you want to talk to us. Come out.”

Lisa began to feel that tingling sensation again. It was strange. She didn’t really feel cold yet her left arm had goose bumps and every hair stood on end.

Lisa experiences a tingling sensation on her arms. 

 

I placed my hand near her arm and felt a definite coolness then glanced down at the meter. It had rocketed to 4.6. Scott called down, the temperature was up to 87 degrees. Now that was crazy!

EMF reached 4.9 with a temperature of 91 degrees before things settled down. 

 

Lisa and I shared a quick glance. This significant increase in both EMF and temperature levels could indicate a paranormal event was beginning. The sudden rise in temperature was curious. The general theory is that temperatures drop when a spirit enters a room. This is believed to be a result of the spirit drawing energy to itself. It pulls that energy from many sources, including heat from the air, which drops the temperature. In this case, however, the temperature was rising.

We sat in unnerving silence. Waiting. My mind drifted again to the terrible fire. It started in the old barn and traveled to the out buildings on which this new barn was built. Could these rising temperatures be associated with the fire?

Though a disaster for the Campbell family, no deaths were reported, at least no one known. The blaze had been intense, its flames an inferno, and the amount of charred debris in its aftermath massive. Was it possible someone died in the fire and their remains overlooked?

I began directing questions along those lines. As I did, the temperature began to increase, slowly rising from 73 to over 91 degrees.

Lisa and Tracey stood and left the circle, briefly overwhelmed by the intensity of feelings they were experiencing. Taking one or two steps back they immediately noted a change in atmosphere. They stated it was much calmer outside of the circle.

The circle’s dissolving marked the culmination of whatever had occurred. Temperatures and EMF levels returned to normal and the heaviness vanished.

What just happened?

Checking our watches, we were surprised to discover more than an hour passed. It had seemed like minutes.

Sounds were heard outside. It was the other team arriving from their investigation of the Willis Log Cabin. The side door opened and Jenny peaked through with Bev and the others close behind. According to Jenny, the log cabin had been pretty quiet.

Standing L-R: George, Kat, Jane, Susie, Jenny, Lisa, Scott
Seated L-R: Bev, Tracey, Ray
 

 

We shared the strange events in the barn with everyone. Jenny, Lisa and Sue vowed to return, which they did 20 minutes later. It was quiet for the first few minutes until Lisa’s questions began.

“Did you get mad at Kat when she called you a coward?” A distant rap was heard.

“If that was you could you do it again? Kat called you a coward. She told you that you were afraid.”

Jenny asked, “Did that upset you. Did is upset you when she was talking to you like that?”

Lisa, “You can answer our questions by knocking one time for yes and two times for no.”

Jenny asked again, ”Did that bother you when she spoke that way?”

Seconds ticked by, then it came, one thunderous bang. They jumped as the sound reverberated through the empty room.

“Oh my, God.” Sue whispered.

Lisa confirmed, “That’s what we were hearing.”

Jenny was incredulous. “That just scared the holy heck out of me!”

During the next 30 or 40 minutes, questions continued. The knocks became less frequent and finally subsided. As their time in the barn concluded, Jenny, Lisa and Sue reluctantly left hoping audio or video would reveal evidence that the knocks were a response to their questions.

In the early hours of the morning we called it a wrap. Saying our goodbyes to George, Jane, Tracey and Ray and thanking them for bravely sticking it out with us to the bitter end, we headed home.

A week later we received a call from Jenny and Lisa. Though nothing had turned up on video, they had captured some interesting EVPs. After listening to them, Bev and I got excited. We cleared off our schedules for the day and began our own review of what we had recorded.

All of us were shocked at the volume of evidence collected. The first series of EVPs were recorded within the first minute of Lisa’s team settling in the attic.

It began when Sue turned to Ray and said, “I’m sorry, I can’t remember your name.”

Ray responded. What no one heard, however, was the other response. The whispered, “Winona.” Seconds after that, “Go back.”

Sue continued, “Is there anybody in the attic?” We are not certain of the exact words. It’s very quiet and may say “I hear you” or a long extended “yessss.”

The last in this series came with Sue’s next question. “Does anyone want to come and talk to us here?” The soft reply, “No.”

At the time Lisa thought she heard a soft voice with an accent, these whispered words were heard, “Here I am.” The words did, in fact, have an accident. The last word “am” sounded more like yeem.

As far as the name, Winona, we found several first names but we were unable to find anyone with that last name in the Ann Arbor area. Should we discover something after the publishing of this book, we will post it in our Web site’s Secret Room.

Other interesting EVPs came in the master bedroom. This bedroom is believed to be Benajah Ticknor and his wife’s. While Lisa’s group was in the attic and our group was downstairs, a single word was recorded, “Ben.”

Next came audio from my time in the sick room. We were standing just outside when the first EVP occurred. It is believed to say, “Jay Ticknor.” There are a few interpretations of the first name. One is “Jane” the other “Shane” but the last name of Ticknor seems fairly certain.

There was an Ellen Jane Ticknor in the family. She was Heman’s daughter and born at Cobblestone Farm. Ellen Jane was very ill with consumption (TB) but actually passed away in a home across the street in 1864. It could also be that Benajah Ticknor had the nickname of Jay (Bena-jah).

A few minutes into our sick room EVP session the name “Buck Weiner” was captured. From the diary of Robert C. Campbell, we know the Campbells sold oats and other goods to the Weiner family.

The unusual events that transpired in the barn did provide some surprising audio. The threatening sound of bangs quieted about 30 minutes into the investigation. It was after that we began picking up EVPs on the recorder. Some were so quiet we had to discard them for this story. Here are some of the more significant EVPs captured.

The first occurred about 55 minutes into the audio, while investigating the barn. I was asking some aggressive questions frequently using the word “coward.” A whispered voice replied, “Hate you.”

“It’s on fire here,” was recorded just seconds before Scott informed us the temperature had risen to 90.

At one point I asked if someone died in the barn fire, then added, “We need to find you.” A hushed response says, “Find me.”

There were other EVPs collected when Jenny, Lisa and Sue returned to the barn late in the investigation. The first was heard as Lisa was telling Sue about her earlier experience in the barn. She was describing how she felt when an unknown voice says, “Pull it together.”

The evening’s investigation held more surprises than we could have anticipated. Of course, we’re still not ready to say the loud bangs in the barn were ghosts. Yet, the EVPs collected in both the home and barn lead us to believe there is something paranormal going on at Cobblestone Farm.

What continues to baffle us is the mystery surrounding the fire that consumed the Campbell’s barn. Is there someone trying to reach out from the other side, eager to finally let the truth be known?

Whatever remains at Cobblestone Farm, one thing is certain; this home on Packard Road will remain forever a part of the Ticknor, Booth and Campbell families. Where once it was the families that brought the home life, it is the now the home that brings them life. This is certainly part of what makes Cobblestone Farm such a remarkable and cherished place in Ann Arbor, Michigan.