Comments on: American Revolution

By: Kelsey

Kelsey — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:18:08 +0000

This story is not quite accurate. First, the house in question dates to the late Victorian period, and there were no Revolutionary War battles or encampments anywhere near the spot where this house would be built well over a than a century later. Second, the court did not state that this house was haunted, nor did the court state that a seller in New York State must disclose the fact that his home is haunted to any potential buyer. The court case, at least as it was decided on appeal, was about disclosure much more than it was about the existence or non-existence of ghosts. The owner of the home had told many, many stories about her allegedly haunted house over the years. She called local newspapers, spoke to magazines, participated in local “haunted house” tours, and even published an article about it in a nationally syndicated magazine (Reader’s Digest), all the time claimng the house was haunted by a number of spirits. Then, when it was time to sell the house, she failed to disclose this information to the person who agreed to buy it. When the buyer became aware that the home had a reputation as a haunted house, he cenceled the sale and asked for his deposit back. He was not forced to proceed with the purchase but the original supreme court judge ruled that he could not get his deposit back. He appealed this decision, and the appelate court overturned the first decision, saying that since rumors of a haunting could potentially affect the value of the real estate AND since this particular home’s seller had gone out of her way to widely spread these rumors herself, it was her duty to share this information with the buyer. Since asking if there are any ghosts in a house you’re thinking of buying is not a reasonably common practice and since local legends and rumors are not things that a potential buyer or his inspector would normally uncover on thier own, the court felt that this seller was at fault, and so they gave the man his deposit back. But the court certainly never concluded, stated or implied that this house (or for that matter, any other house) could actually, officially, or legally BE haunted.

By: Nereida

Nereida — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:11:49 +0000

I went to college in Nyack and I have to admit the entire area is haunted. I was living in a house off of 9W not far from Broadway and had several experiences including not so nice feeling black mists moving within and outside of the house. There are also MANY stories about the abandoned military bunkers up in the hills, unmarked Indian burial grounds that were discovered while developing the area and bones being tossed away leaving behind angry spirits, activity at the many small cemeteries from the 1800′s around the town & how can we forget Hook Mountain.

By: Henry

Henry — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 21:47:13 +0000

My father Sid was a good friend of George and my family was invited one weekend (im guessing 30 years ago…1978?? I was probably 10 or so.). We enjoyed listening to the Ackley family tell of the strange happenings. We were witness to a door suddenly moving during dinner. It was dismissed as just the friendly ghost. It didnt freak me out too much because they were so insistant that this ghost was so friendly. I could actually “feel” that this was a good one. Later in life in Maryland I had an encounter with a not so friendly haunted place…Ill save that for another time.

By: Zaneta

Zaneta — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:13:28 +0000

The Revolutionary War was my favorite war to study, are these spirits aggressive at all? I think i will try to pay them a respectful visit, and maybe even thank them….

By: Timothy McCorkell

Timothy McCorkell — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 01:57:37 +0000

I remember reading about this story in the former Rockland Journal, now simply renamed The Journal News. And yes, this story is really true.

At the time, the Judge ruled that the former owners of the house knew it was haunted when they sold it. So when the new owners were frequented with visits by Revolutionary Soldiers, the Judge declared that the former owners should have disclosed that the house was haunted, and the sale was deemed null and void.

However, since that Court ruling, legislators in Rockland County altered the Real Estate Laws, and under the new laws it is legal not to report leaky pipes, termites, and even a haunted state, as long as the seller pays an upfront fine of five thousand dollars for not disclosing all problems.

Anyway, I’ve always found this story interesting, especially due to the fact that a court ruled that a house was really haunted. And I would like to see the house myself if I’m ever up that way.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 01:53:59 +0000

my mom grew up on the street two houses up where i still live with my family.

the address is 1 laveta place
its a hot pink house at the bottom of a dead end.

By: Heidi

Heidi — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 07:47:42 +0000

I forget where the house fully is. The house used to belong to my Grandmother when the court case was brought up.

My family still has many stories about the house, and all newspaper and news footage.

I’d really love to get the house back in the family, if I’m able too.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 06:54:23 +0000

I used to go to school in Nyack and we kind of had a informal club because the area has so many hanuts. This house is def. haunted among other thing in the area.

By: liz

liz — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 16:31:03 +0000

yes i know the house i live 2 streets away its off n. broadway laveta pl.

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 04:59:28 +0000

Yea i lived in New city, which is right next to nyack and my mom lived/ where my aunt lives now/ was right next to that house i have seen that and so has almost everybody who has stayed at the house next door..you can see it all over the street revolutionary war vets wandering the streets