Dudley Digges House
Location submitted by: sdonley on 07/03/2025
DBA Approved: Y
Larger Map
605 Main St
Yorktown, VA 23690
Open to the public: Yes
Lat: 37.233981
Lon: -76.506280
PANICd#: 2205
Publication date: 07/18/2025 Last visited: 06/25/2025The home of Dudley Digges was built around 1760. It was damaged enough during the fighting at Yorktown that Digges moved to Williamsburg after the war, where he died in 1790.
Database Summary:
Demographic Rank: 0
History: 1
Stories: 1
Claims: 9
Evidence: 0
Resources: 2
Retrievals: 58
Vistor Rating: 0.0
Votes: 0
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History
History information is some background and history about the location. This is meant to be a basic summary. Below the history records you will find sources in which you can click on to find out more information. There may be multiple history records per location.
The Dudley Digges House in Yorktown, Virginia, stands as one of the most historically significant structures in the town, dating back to the early 1760s. It was built by Dudley Digges, a prominent lawyer and patriot who played a key role in Virginia’s political life during the years leading up to the American Revolution. The house reflects the classic architecture of the colonial era, with its symmetrical design, brick construction, and gambrel roof, offering a strong example of the kind of homes built by Virginia’s gentry in the eighteenth century.
Dudley Digges was an active participant in the revolutionary movement and was known for his opposition to British policies. He served in the Virginia House of Burgesses and later in the revolutionary government. His home became a gathering place for political discussion and planning during the years when tensions with Britain escalated. The Digges family was well connected, and their estate in Yorktown placed them near the center of major events during the war.
During the Siege of Yorktown in 1781, the house was heavily damaged by artillery fire as American and French forces laid siege to the British troops under General Cornwallis. Its proximity to the battlefield meant that it witnessed the chaos and violence of one of the most decisive confrontations in American history. Some parts of the structure were destroyed, and the house had to be rebuilt and repaired in the years that followed. Despite the damage, the building survived and continued to be a part of the Yorktown community for generations.
In the centuries after the war, the Dudley Digges House passed through many hands, with various owners making changes to the structure. Despite alterations, much of its original character remained intact, and the house eventually came under the care of preservationists seeking to restore it to its colonial appearance. Restoration efforts have aimed to return the house to the state it would have been in during the time of Dudley Digges, preserving both the building and its role in the story of the American Revolution.
Today, the Dudley Digges House stands as a restored landmark within the Colonial National Historical Park. It represents the lives of colonial patriots and the physical toll that war left on private homes and communities. As visitors walk through Yorktown and pass this historic structure, they are reminded of the personal sacrifices made during the birth of the United States and the enduring legacy of those who helped shape the nation's founding.
Added by: sdonley on 07/18/2025
DB#:773
Source(s):
Various
Stories & Folklore
Stories & Folklore are just that. Stories and personal accounts that have been reported about the location and passed down from generation to generation. This section could also contain research notes as well.
The Dudley Digges House in Yorktown has long been the subject of eerie tales and whispered legends among locals and visitors alike. Known for its deep Revolutionary War roots, the house is said to carry a lingering energy from the past, especially from the time of the Siege of Yorktown. People have reported hearing unexplained footsteps echoing across the wooden floors late at night, even when the building is completely empty. Some say these sounds are from soldiers or residents who once walked those halls and have never truly left.
One of the most frequently mentioned apparitions is that of a woman seen staring out from one of the upper windows. She is believed to be Mrs. Digges, who tragically died during childbirth in the house. Witnesses describe her as wearing colonial-era clothing, her face pale and sorrowful as she gazes out as if waiting for someone who will never return. Her spirit is thought to remain bound to the house by grief and loss, appearing most often in the quiet hours just before dawn.
Inside the house, people have described cold spots in rooms where no drafts should exist. These sudden drops in temperature are often accompanied by an overwhelming feeling of sadness or tension, as if the house is still holding onto memories of trauma. At times, objects appear to move slightly without explanation, and a few have claimed to hear whispers or distant voices coming from empty corners of the rooms. These subtle signs suggest a presence that is neither seen nor easily dismissed.
Some paranormal investigators who have visited the property believe there is residual energy trapped within the walls. Audio recordings have allegedly captured faint voices, and equipment has picked up spikes in electromagnetic fields in areas with no modern wiring or explanation. The basement and attic are considered especially active, with multiple reports of unexplained sensations, flickering lights, and the sound of someone quietly moving in the dark.
Though the Dudley Digges House has been beautifully restored and maintained, the past seems to remain close to the surface. Its long history, marked by war, loss, and quiet tragedy, may have left an imprint that time cannot erase. Whether the stories are the product of active imaginations or something more mysterious, the house continues to attract those curious about what might still linger behind its historic walls.
Added by: sdonley on 07/18/2025 DB#: 1731
Source(s):
Various
Paranormal Claims
Here are the paranormal claims for this location. These have been found through Internet research, reports from members, or reports from personal interviews. To add a claim, please contact PANICd.com, and we will review and add your information.
Claim # | Added | Added By | Claim |
3929 | 07/18/2025 | sdonley | Footsteps are heard when no one is there. |
3930 | 07/18/2025 | sdonley | A woman is seen looking out an upstairs window. She is believed to be Mrs. Digges, who died during childbirth. |
3931 | 07/18/2025 | sdonley | Cold spots appear in rooms without explanation. |
3932 | 07/18/2025 | sdonley | Whispers echo from empty corners of the house. |
3933 | 07/18/2025 | sdonley | Objects move slightly on their own. |
3934 | 07/18/2025 | sdonley | Faint voices are captured on audio recordings. |
3935 | 07/18/2025 | sdonley | Strange activity is reported in the attic and basement. |
3936 | 07/18/2025 | sdonley | Lights flicker with no electrical issues. |
3937 | 07/18/2025 | sdonley | Visitors feel a heavy sadness in certain rooms. |
Additional Resources
This is a collection of Internet resources for this location. This section will house links to other websites that contain information related to history, claims, investigations, or even the location's website.
Wikipedia Entry
Added: 07/18/2025 By: sdonley |
Wikipedia entry for this location. |
Dudley Digges House, Williamsburg - Encyclopedia Virginia
Added: 07/18/2025 By: sdonley |
Information about the house. |