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Paranormal and Supernatural => Australian Hauntings Portal => Topic started by: KANACKI on September 23, 2020, 01:10:41 AM

Title: The ghost of Stoke House Newtown Hobart: TAS
Post by: KANACKI on September 23, 2020, 01:10:41 AM
Built in 1887 by the then Lieutenant Governor of Tasmania, Sir John Dodd, this spectacular Gothic Revival mansion is home to more than 20 rooms and is located in a private sanctuary at New Town. 

Impressive detail and fine craftsmanship can be seen in the Italian mosaic tiling - which was laid by an Italian craftsman - the hand-crafted timber fireplace mantles, a Waterford chandelier and the Cathedral-like entrance. In all its Gothic beauty it like any allegedly good Gothic house is haunted.

You can see a picture of the Gothic beauty below. For those who cannot I suggest you sign up to this wonderful interesting forum which gives a unique insight into haunted locations around Australia.

To be continued.....

Kanacki
Title: Re: The ghost of Stoke House Newtown Hobart: TAS
Post by: KANACKI on September 23, 2020, 01:14:53 AM
 In 1914 he notified the government that he would retire in August, but he died at his home, Stoke, New Town, on 23 June 1914. He was predeceased by his wife and survived by two of their four sons.

According to his contemporaries, Dodds was able and quick, with a capacity to reduce the issues and avoid the determination of superfluous facts. As chief justice he administered the government from 14 August 1900 to 8 November 1901, and entertained at Government House the Duke and Duchess of York during their visit to open the first Federal parliament.

He was appointed lieutenant-governor on 3 August 1903 and held this office until he died. He acted as governor from 16 April to 28 October 1904, from 21 May to 29 September 1909 and from 10 March until 4 June 1913. In the Boer war he raised by public subscription enough money to equip and send out a contingent of mounted infantry. With a deep interest in education, art, literature, music and sport, he served on the Council of the University of Tasmania and was chancellor in 1907-14; he was also patron or president of a host of societies in southern Tasmania.

Lady Dodds was of retiring disposition and did not enjoy her necessary participation in public life. It was her  stories that circulated that her ghost was haunting the mansion.

Kanacki
Title: Re: The ghost of Stoke House Newtown Hobart: TAS
Post by: KANACKI on September 23, 2020, 01:35:17 AM
The haunting surrounds  Lady Emma Augusta Dodds, born in Sorell in 1833 and died in 1910 age 77. It is believed she withdrew from society because of Dementia and became a virtual recluse.

The death occurred at Hobart on Friday of Lady Dodds, wife of the Lieutenant-Governor and Chief Justice of this state (Sir John Dodds, K.C.M.G.). The deceased lady had been confined to her room for a long time past, and her condition caused much anxiety to her husband and family.

The remains were interred in the family vault at the Cornelian Bay Cemetery on Saturday afternoon, amid every mark of respect. The cortege was a large and thoroughly representative one, and included their Honors Justices Mclntyre and Nicholls, the Bishop of Tasmania (Dr. Mercer), Monsignor Gilleran, the secretary of his Excellency the Governor, representatives of the Southern Tasmanian Law Society, and members of the legal profession, and many others.

Many beautiful wreaths were sent. The chief mourners were Sir John Dodds and Mr. Warren Dodds. The service at the graveside was conducted by Dean Kite, assisted by the Rev Martyn.

Many people have claimed an eerie presence in the room where she spent her final years. Years after wards there was reports of sightings of her in the sprawling mansion of a white headed elderly lady looking dazed and confused only to vanish into thin air if startled.

Kanacki

Title: Re: The ghost of Stoke House Newtown Hobart: TAS
Post by: Simon2 on September 29, 2020, 10:48:42 AM
A lovely setting up of  what I know will be a very interesting (I also add "exciting", but not sure why yet) tale.

Also I loved the pictures of Stoke House, simply well crafted and beautiful, KANACKI and look forward to the next chapter.
Title: Re: The ghost of Stoke House Newtown Hobart: TAS
Post by: KANACKI on November 03, 2020, 12:46:29 PM
Hello Simon Its my pleasure. I have some great pictures to post of the inside.

Kanacki
Title: Re: The ghost of Stoke House Newtown Hobart: TAS
Post by: KANACKI on November 08, 2020, 11:54:33 AM
Here is some pictures of inside the historic house.

For those who cannot see the picture I suggest you join the forum to see an amazing insight into the dark history and folklore of Australia.

To be continued.....

Kanacki
Title: Re: The ghost of Stoke House Newtown Hobart: TAS
Post by: KANACKI on November 08, 2020, 12:07:29 PM
The house although very grand probably never felt like a family home because the grand house was built much later in live of the Dodds family.

In an era where there was little understanding of dementia people was shunned away out of sight to society. What is clear with Lady Emma Augusta Dodds he last few years was under the care of Servants in the grand old house until the time of her death in 1910.

Sir John Dodds passed away in 1914 and afterwards the house was occupied by many people who experienced the lingering presence of Emma a hunch over white headed old lady lurking in corridors of the house as if she was still living.

Such encounters was behind many servant staff to resign from service. Some times the face of Lady Emma Augusta Dodds would be seen staring vacantly out of the upstairs windows.

Why she had not passed over into the great unknown is not certain but even today some visitors detect the lingering presence of Lady Emma Augusta Dodd.

Kanacki
Title: Re: The ghost of Stoke House Newtown Hobart: TAS
Post by: KANACKI on November 10, 2020, 10:09:07 AM
Here is picture of the room that Lady Emma Augusta Dodds spent her final years retreating from the rest of world as her dementia increased. In the Victorian era not much was understood about dementia and thus many were dumped into asylums. Back then it would of been a social stigma especially for a society lady to be inflicted with such an illness. Most of all Dementia creates social isolation that feeds on the Dementia.

The was likelihood of personality traits changing to vast emotional changes that was quite a challenge for the servants tasked with looking after her. She was said to have spent her final years in the blue room.

Kanacki
Title: Re: The ghost of Stoke House Newtown Hobart: TAS
Post by: KANACKI on November 10, 2020, 10:12:51 AM
After her death staff reported encountering her on the stairs in the picture below.

Kanacki
Title: Re: The ghost of Stoke House Newtown Hobart: TAS
Post by: KANACKI on November 10, 2020, 10:16:34 AM
One of the staff in the 1920's saw her in the mirror above the fire place. You can see a picture of the fireplace below.

Kanacki
Title: Re: The ghost of Stoke House Newtown Hobart: TAS
Post by: KANACKI on January 10, 2021, 10:28:03 AM
Another encounter was the garden staff saw a White headed ghostly apparition of an elderly women staring vacantly out the window 6 days after the burial of Lady Emma Augusta Dodds.

Does Lady Emma Augusta Dodds still haunting mansion enjoying her property in death more than could in life?

Kanacki
Title: Re: The ghost of Stoke House Newtown Hobart: TAS
Post by: Christine on April 27, 2021, 01:22:35 AM
What a stunning house.
Title: Re: The ghost of Stoke House Newtown Hobart: TAS
Post by: KANACKI on May 04, 2021, 07:45:55 PM
Hello Christine

It is one of most beautiful examples of gothic revival architecture in Australia. I was surprised it was still in private ownership.

Kanacki
Title: Re: The ghost of Stoke House Newtown Hobart: TAS
Post by: KANACKI on August 10, 2021, 02:49:09 PM
I would of loved to have the money to buy the place. But sadly out of my league.

Kanacki
Title: Re: The ghost of Stoke House Newtown Hobart: TAS
Post by: Simon2 on November 12, 2021, 09:06:02 AM
I agree, a very grand house, which is also a very calm house, especially the "Blue Room". Lady Emma is lost and needs someone kind to show her the way "Home".
Title: Re: The ghost of Stoke House Newtown Hobart: TAS
Post by: KANACKI on November 15, 2021, 11:11:44 AM
Hello Simon the question is will she take guidance or be forever lost in the shadows?

Kanacki
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