Lunenburg is not only one of the most historic towns in Nova Scotia, it is also one of the most Haunted! From the ghosts that still reside in the local Inns, to the tales of hangings and Legends, one story touched our hearts.
During a recent visit to the historic town, we heard the tragic story of Sophia, a young girl whose tragic death will forever be remembered.
Those who knew Sophia remembered her as a pretty girl, and at the young age of 14 she was eager to find work, and was apprenticed to a Mrs. Trask, who owned a dress making shop which was located at 242 Lincoln St.
Things were going very well, and Mrs. Trask would often leave Sophia and her son Charles in the shop alone, while she went about other tasks around town. One day, after counting the till, Mrs. Trask was short $10.00, which in those days that was a large amount of money, and she accused Sophia of stealing from her.
Sophia denied taking the money, but Mrs. Trask didn’t believe her and went around the town telling everyone she met that Sophia was a thief. Sophia was devastated, and her family’s reputation was ruined.
Pleading her innocence Sophia became very ill, and was often observed lying on her sister’s grave, crying and reading her bible. With her mother’s acceptance of Mrs. Trask’s story, Sophia’s conditions worsened, confining her to her room, at what is now the site of 169 Pelham St.
At the insistence of a friend, a doctor was called, but he could not prevent her death, and on September 19th, 1879, Sophia passed away.
Amid much speculation by the members of the community, a coroner’s jury was summoned to hold an inquiry into Sophia’s death. The unanimous decision for the cause of her death was by “Paralysis of the heart, brought on by extreme agitation and peculiar circumstances.”
Just prior to her death, Sophia wrote the following letter;
To her accuser she maintained her innocence, stating “I am near gone, my hand trembles so that I can scarcely write. There will be many a long hour that you may think of this, if you have any heart at all. I did not take your money, it is a fearful thing to lie.
Tell ______ to read for my sake xx chapter of Exodus 16 verse, also Matthew chaps V, V1 and VII. I am not afraid to fear death.
I know a secret but I ain’t going to say anything about it.
I can’t write anymore”
Your friend,
Sophia L. McLaughlin
Exodus XX.16 - Though shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor
Matthew V.IV – Blessed are they which are prosecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew V.XI – Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Matthew V.XII – Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that which were before you.
Sometime after Sophia’s death, Mrs. Trask’s son Charles admitted to the theft. Some believe that Charles and Sophia were in love, and that he took the $10.00 so he could by something nice for her, but was too ashamed to admit it before she died. Was this the secret that Sophia was referring to?
Mrs. Trask and her son Charles moved away from Lunenburg shortly afterwards. No record of their place of residing exists. Sophia’s family maintained their residence in Lunenburg, where Sophia’s father Joseph, applied his trade as a shipwright.
Some say that if you visit Sophia’s grave, you may just hear her sigh, and hear her laughter as she plays with her sister, who is buried beside her.
You can find mention of this story, and many others from Lunenburg area in the following video.
Video was produced by Clinton Reid in 2007 for Eastlink TV
Sophia L. McLaughlin was laid to rest in the Hillcrest Cemetery, on Gallows Hill, Lunenburg NS
If you know of any Ghost stories from your area, or have a story of your own that you would like to share, we would love to hear from you!
Read another great story! Peggy's Cove "Ghost of the Lady in Blue"