|
|
:.
Blackbeard Plank House,
Marcus Hook, PA
Jan
20, 2006 9:00pm - 12:00am
About the house
Recent
article from Delaware County Times: Historically speaking, Hook's Plank House rates a 10
By CAROLYN SEAGRAVES, Times Correspondent
01/18/2006
MARCUS HOOK - Michael Manerchia, owner of the Marcus Hook Plank Log House, otherwise known as Blackbeard the Pirate's mistress' house, recently received some good news regarding the historic structure.
Preservation Pennsylvania, a statewide non-profit historic preservation organization, has named the plank house one of the top 10 historic properties in the state.
Advertisement
The organization is part of the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission and its top 10 list has been a sought after distinction for Manerchia.
"It's taken us about two years to get on the list. We initially applied when we first found out about the house," he said.
Finding out about the house dates back to July 2004 when Manerchia, 48, purchased what he thought to be an old, somewhat historic log cabin home at 221 Market Street in Marcus Hook. He and his wife Pat were looking to downsize from their home in Bethel Township after raising their daughters. The legend of the house involves Blackbeard the Pirate, who was a known visitor to the Port of Marcus Hook in the 1700s. It is told that his mistress, known only by the name of Margaret, once lived in the house.
According to Manerchia, the house dates back to 1680. One peek inside the narrow doorway seems to confirm the building's history. The low ceilings, brick fireplaces, and exposed wooden planks are just some of the features inside the cabin.
The twisting, triangular-stepped staircase leads to a small attic with exposed stone walls.
After settlement on the house, Manerchia decided to upgrade the kitchen area. He lifted up the flooring and began digging in the dirt when he stumbled upon a treasure trove of artifacts.
"We started to find everything from bones to cannonballs," he said.
With almost every shovel of dirt, Manerchia would find something, pieces of dishware, a porcelain doll, and buttons made of whale bones.
Today, Manerchia finds himself working side by side with archaeologists and other historians who have found the house to be an historical gold mine. The experts and volunteers have uncovered more than 10,000 artifacts. "Every 15 seconds an artifact comes out of the ground," Manerchia said.
Manerchia has formed a non-profit organization called "The Marcus Hook Plank Log Cabin Association" and is seeking funding through various grants. He also welcomes any interested volunteers to the site.
For more information about the Marcus Hook Plank Log Cabin visit the Web site at www.bbplankhouse.com or e-mail Manerchia at
bbplankhouse@gmail.com
|
 |
 |
Moon: Third quarter, waning, 53% of full
Solar X-rays: Normal
Geomagnetic field: Quiet
|
Investigators present: Anne Palagruto,
John Nilsen, Audra Isanski. Jill Putro, Kelly Krause, Elena Borchelt,
Kara Keeler, Jim DeWyer
| Total
photos |
147 (
not all photos are in) |
| Total
positive photos |
8 positive
Many others contain what in most likely dust.Photos still being tallied |
| Apparitions |
|
| Physical contact |
at least 5 events -
not all reports in yet
|
| EVP's |
not reviewed yet
|
| Positive
video events |
n/a |
| EMF
fluctuations |
one
questionable so far |
| Temperature
drops |
none
recorded so far but not all reports are in |
Work in Progress
 |
 |
| Above
photo taken by Investigator Isanski as investigators Putro
and Keeler were discussing Investigator Keeler's impression
that a young girl was present. This was on the second floor
of the original building. |
Above
photo taken about the same time that shows what is probably
dust. |
|
 |
 |
| Above
photo taken by investigator Palagruto when Investigator
DeWyer felt that someone touching his head. This was also in
the room on the second floor. |
| These
photos that were taken by Investigator Palagruto
moments before and after this event. |
|
|
|
|
|
