Haunted America: Jimmy's Haunt Steak & Seafood Grille in Morristown, New Jersey

If dining with spirits, and I am not talking about the distilled beverages that you drink, thrills you to no end then Jimmy's Haunt Steak & Seafood Grille comes highly recommended as your kind of place to enjoy paranormal experiences while you savor great food. Diners are highly entertained to no end with everything from spirited activities that include sitting with apparitions to seeing them walk through the dining room. It is not abnormal for objects to move or to be discovered in another location then they were originally placed.

This spooky restaurant comes complete with an eerie atmosphere that keeps you intrigued throughout your meal, and not only are the spirits entertaining, the food is fantastic. It is rumored that the restaurant is haunted by several active entities that like attention. The story behind the famous grills haunted reputation starts with Samuel Sayre, his wife Elizabeth and their servant Phoebe who were all murdered on location by a trusted employee known as Antoine Le Blanc. Antoine hid out after slaughtering his fellow employees with a shovel and a ax for some time, but was eventually caught for his heinous crime and publicly executed by being hung and dissected at the Morristown Green, known for its deep history and beautiful architecture, and is now a public park that is on the National Register of Historical Sites.

This horrific story is sadly a true one that begins in 1833 when Mr. & Mrs. Sayre moved into the stately home that was built in 1749, and is known for many legends including being the romantic site where Alexander Hamilton proposed to his beloved Elizabeth. The restaurant has worn many hats since it was first built and transformed from a home into a restaurant in 1947. The Sayres started a large business that required the assistance of employees. A beautiful immigrant girl named Phoebe became their servant, and soon other immigrants learned of the available employment opportunities at the Sayre home, and were more then happy to work for the higher wages that Mr. Sayre offered them. Antoine soon became his right hand man, however he quickly became angry once he understood that he was not in charge of the other laborers, but was merely one himself.

Antoine was irritated that the stunning Phoebe refused to give him even so much as a second glance, and instead peered at him as if he had two heads. He was mesmerized by her beauty, and could not understand why a lowly servant would not give him the time of day. With his confidence attacked by both Mr. Sayre for not offering him a position that held title, and then being snubbed by the beautiful Phoebe, Antoine snapped. He beat the Sayres to death with a shovel and severed Phoebe's body parts with a dull ax.

Their brutal demise happened so quickly that it is felt that this is the very reason that they remain in the structure today; possibly searching for reasons for their attack or not understanding that they are in fact deceased. Whatever the reason for their being there, diners enjoy the antics brought on by these active spirits who still walk around the home today that has become one of New Jersey's favorite eating establishments. A death mask which now hangs in the upper bar is all that is left of the murderous Antoine, however it appears to remain in a peaceful state, and diners enjoy discussing the sorted tales that go with the plaster cast of Antoine le Blanc's face.

Eye witnesses who enjoy paranormal activities and spirited antics love Jimmy's Haunt Dinner & Spirits for more then the upscale menu. The restaurant is simply gorgeous with sparkling chandeliers that tend to swing from time to time due to naughty spirits in the mood to play, and diners have witnessed doors opening and closing completely on their own. Music and everything from whispers to loud noises that emulate a crowd have been heard during the middle of the night when the place shows no signs of human life mainly due to it being closed down tighter than Fort Knox, but the spirits refuse to be quieted just because the place has been locked up for the night.

One other known death has been recorded in the restaurant, but it was during the time that the house was still used as a residential living space. Alderman James Ledgerwood once used the grand home as a place of business despite the fact that he lived there. Civic duties, meetings and political functions were often held here, and during one event a man committed suicide without reason in the home. Some people believe that he was scared so badly by an apparition that he died from a heart attack precisely at the very spot where his body was found.

Eye witnesses who have visited the famous eatery and most of the employees claim that Mr. & Mrs. Sayre appears to enjoy sitting at various tables and booths throughout the restaurant, but they typically can be found at the bar or roaming around the kitchen. Phoebe has been seen walking directly through the restaurant in her servant attire, and a few unknown male entities donning period clothing have been spotted at various locations throughout the bar & grill. Whatever the reason these spirits choose to remain today nobody knows for sure, but it is thought that they quite possibly cannot get enough of the good food or hospitality that lives on today at Jimmy's Haunt Steak & Seafood Grille.

Documented paranormal phenomena from investigators, psychics, eye witnesses, employees and one member of the clergy include statements that staff members working in what would have been Phoebe's old bedroom claim that they have seen Phoebe's reflection in the looking glass instead of their own. Other reports include eye witnesses seeing objects move on their own accord or they find them displaced, especially keys. Candles often relight after being blown out, and orbs are constantly captured on film on the ceiling by the chandelier. Chairs move by themselves, silverware flies off of tables, and the lights flicker whenever they feel so inclined to do so.

Over the years, psychics and a priest have been brought in to perform releasements or exorcisms of whom they believe are the tormented spirits of Le Blanc and Phoebe; however, cooks and wait staff at Jimmy's continue to describe eerie happenings.

Address: Jimmy's Haunt Steak & Seafood Grille, 217 South Street, Morristown, New Jersey 07960 Phone: (973) 455-7000 Web Site: www.jimmyshaunt.com

Sources:

http://www.njhm.com/wedgewood.htm

http://www.jimmyshaunt.com/628850.html

http://abirdinhand.com/antique-details.asp?stockID=43

http://www.cromwellcrew.com/WedgewoodInn.html

http://www.fold3.com/page/3221_a_witness_to_history_the_haunted/?id=3221

http://foodio54.com/halloween.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morristown_Green