Jonathan Pitney House

The beautifully restored 1800s home of Jonathan Pitney, known as the "Father of Atlantic City." Pitney was instrumental in developing the railroad that transformed the area into a resort destination.

Built in 1799 and expanded in 1848, the Jonathan Pitney House served as home to Dr. Jonathan Pitney, the physician who became known as the "Father of Atlantic City." Pitney moved to Absecon in 1820 and spent decades transforming the region, championing the Camden and Atlantic Railroad that opened in 1854 and petitioning Congress for the Absecon Lighthouse after witnessing devastating shipwrecks. He drew his final breath in this very house on August 7, 1869, in the room now known as Caroline's Room.

The haunting centers on a promise Dr. Pitney made to his wife Caroline Fowler Pitney (1812-1882): that she would live in their home forever. Caroline seems to have taken this literally, as her spirit is the most frequently encountered presence in the house. Guests in Caroline's Room report sensing someone getting into bed with them, feeling a protective presence, and witnessing apparitions. One skeptical guest documented his experience in the guest book: "Upon opening my eyes, I was looking toward the fireplace and perceived the figure of a man dressed in a dark brown or black long coat, regarding me. When I focused on the apparition, all I could see was the mantel, the fireplace, and the picture hanging over the mantel."

Multiple witnesses have seen ghostly figures in the house. One guest watched two spectral men stroll through Caroline's Room before walking through the wall and disappearing. In the Victoria Room, a woman observed a mysterious light emerging from a dresser drawer that grew brighter before vanishing into thin air. Orbs of light and the sound of soft fife or flute music are reported throughout the property.

Dr. Pitney himself seems to communicate through the house's electronic systems. Guests report hearing disembodied voices through the speaker system, sometimes interrupting recorded music or radio broadcasts. One group heard what sounded like an unearthly voice thank them for coming. A woman cleaning while listening to the radio heard a voice clearly tell her to stop singing along. During a pre-Halloween gathering hosted by former owner Vonnie Clark with over 50 guests present, bells began ringing throughout the house—though there were no bells in the home.

Guest experiences have been documented since the property became a bed and breakfast. In November 2018, David Perez reported feeling pressure on his back while sleeping and seeing "a white cat looking face with cat like eyes" as the room turned extremely cold. The owner confirmed he had "met Caroline." Another guest named Chez experienced objects being thrown across rooms and window shades shooting up at night until they acknowledged the presence peacefully. Current owners Ed and Wendie Fitzgerald, who restored the house in 2015, confirm the spirits remain active. The house operates as a bed and breakfast where guests can book Caroline's Room or the Victoria Room to experience the paranormal activity firsthand.