The Old Burns Place

    I have not researched the following information regarding the "Old Burns Place", but the following information was provided by one of the great grandchildren of Thomas S. Evins.

    In 1894, Thomas S. Evins and his father-in-law, Jonathan A. Gullick, purchased a large farm consisting of 1375 acres in the third district in Wayne County, Tennessee from Samuel James and his wife for $16,664.14. The farm was known as the "Old Burns Place" and continued to be called that long after the purchase. Two-third interest in the farm belonged to Thomas while his father-in-law had the remaining one-third interest.
    The farm deed excluded half an acre of land close to the house, which was the Burns family cemetery.  The graveyard was completely surrounded by a two feet limestone wall with no gate. It was told that old Mr. Burns had a number of daughters. One of his daughters dated and later married a fellow that Mr. Burns did not like. In retaliation, Mr. Burns had large limestone blocks cut at the Buffalo River and hauled to the house. He proceeded to completely wall the family cemetery so his son-in-law could not be buried there.  Many years ago the wall was still standing in the good shape.
   After Thomas and Mr. Gullick purchased the farm, they tore down the existing house and built a new house. During the demolition, it was said that a skeleton was found under the front porch and that a lot of money was found in the chimney. These stories are unsubstantiated. However, they are the first of many strange stories surrounding the new house built by Thomas. The new two story  house was built on a bluff overlooking the Buffalo River with a spring and cave below the house. Unfortunately, this structure was destroyed by fire in the 1990s.
   It was widely rumored the Evin/Gullick's house was haunted and has been the source of many ghost stories over the years. Mrs. Anola Mayberry, whose family owned the farm in recent years shared the following stories with Thomas Evins's great grandchild.  Mrs. Mayberry reported on many occasions people have seen or heard ghosts in the house. At one point the house was rented to a family friend who only stayed one night and refused to go back after hearing someone rocking upstairs all night.
    Mrs. Mayberry also stated that Charles Peterson, a lawyer in Waynesboro, claimed he saw a man walking around in the house with long black sideburns and whiskers. She said all her ancestors were clean shaven and didn't know anyone matching that description, but our Thomas Evins wore a heavy dark beard. Hmmm...
    Rumors of treasure being buried behind the house close to the "old cave spring" were told.  Mrs. Mayberry reported there were lots of bones in the cave, and periodically people searched the cave. No one will ever know the truth behind the home and property, but the strange happenings make a great story to add to the continuing family history.