The Dancing Ghost of Grancer Harrison

William “Grancer” Harrison (1789-1860) was a successful plantation owner. He had the largest number of slaves in Coffee County. His nickname derives from “Grand-Sir” which he was called by the slaves. He was renowned as somewhat fun-loving man who loved dancing and feasting and would hold dances every Saturday. He had his slaves build a large dance hall for this purpose, and was particularly attached to his favourite pair of wooden dancing clogs. Harrison wore these clogs every Saturday to his dances.

As Harrison neared old age he began to make plans for a large above ground tomb for him to be buried in. He let it be known that he wished to be buried in the tomb on a feather bed, wearing his dancing clothes and favourite clogs. When Harrison died in 1860 he was buried exactly as he’d wanted, but his descendants were less keen on dancing than him and his beloved dance-hall eventually fell into disrepair.

Over the years people have reported eerie lights coming from the Harrison tomb late on Saturday nights, accompanied by the sound of fiddle music. some who have been brave enough to investigate further have reported seeing Harrison’s grand but ghostly figure dancing by his grave.