An English girl had fallen in love with an English dry-salter and her father refused to let her marry a commoner. He sent her to Chatham in hopes of her marrying a man of social standing.
Her true love followed her to America and, after meeting secretly, they decided to elope. But their plans were thwarted and the girl was returned to England.
No one knows what happened to the young man, but the girl was rumored to have never smiled again after losing her love. She vowed on her death bed to return to the only place she was truly happy.
The apparition of the young lady, called the Lady in White, is seen once every 7 years on the anniversary of her death. She walks the path that leads to the river to search for her true love. The path is known today as the ghost walk.
What a great story - all throughout history we have thwarted love which doesn't end happily! This sweet statue has such a sad face it almost brings me to tears together with that story! Now look what you have done!
@ladymagpie Thanks, Heather. I agree it is a sad story! I thought it fittingly belonged with this statue, which always makes me feel sad when I see it.
@eyesmile Thanks, Gena! I appreciate the fav too! I'm glad you liked the ghost story, which is truly tied to the place where I found this bust in the garden.
@tristansmum Thanks, Stephanie! I appreciate the fav! I'm glad you like the combination of the ghost story and bust. They seemed to go together naturally, as they are both associated with Chatham Manor.
@catwoman2 Thank you, Mary! I appreciate the fav! I've always loved this particular bust in the Chatham Manor gardens and thought it represented so well the sad ghost story that is associated with Chatham Manor.
