“I would die a thousand deaths before I would betray a friend,” said 21-year-old Sam Davis; and then he was hanged. Davis was born and raised in Smyrna in 1842. Davis served in the Civil War as a member of the Confederate Army’s Coleman Scouts. He was captured by Union Forces while on a secret mission and accused of being a spy. He was offered his freedom to give up his source but refused and was executed in Pulaski, Tenn., in 1863. He was revered as a hero.
The Sam Davis Memorial Association was founded in 1930 at the home the Davises lived in. Located in Smyrna, off Sam Ridley Parkway, the home is open to the public for visitation and holds various events. The grounds are sprawling and rich with history, as I witnessed when I attended the “Wine on the Veranda” tasting event on Sept. 7. The wine tastings, food pairings and promotional education were provided by a number of local vendors including Devine Wine and Spirits, LaVergne Beverage Depot, Spirits of Nissan, Goodness Gracious, Jo’s Custom Cakes and Catering, Toot’s, Andrea’s Home of Breaking Bread and Fred’s Diner.
But October brings out spirits of a different sort.
Events this month include A House in Mourning (a mock funeral), A Frightful Night, “witch” features a dinner and a frightful movie in the theater and Ghost Tours, where visitors will go on a haunted hayride and hear the tales of the property. The Ghost Tours are not recommended for children as they are extremely morbid and graphic.
A Frightful Night begins Saturday, Oct. 20, with a catered dinner in the Creek House and continues into the movie theater within the museum where a frightful film will be shown. Guests will then embark on a haunted hayride on their journey to the front of the Sam Davis Home. On the hayride, as well as during the walking tour of the historic Sam Davis Home and outbuildings, guests will hear true haunting tales from the staff and volunteers who have experienced such things at the Sam Davis Home. Reservations are required for this special program.
Ghost Tours will be held Oct. 19-20 and 26-27 and offer an answer to the commonly asked question: Is the Sam Davis Home haunted? This storytelling event gives visitors a chance to hear a different tour of the historic house and property. Visitors will first board a haunted hayride and hear tales of the property before being dropped off at the front walk of the historic Sam Davis Home. Storytellers inside the house and outbuildings will share the hauntingly true tales experienced by visitors, staff, and volunteers as guests are guided along the walking tour. The event begins at 7 p.m. with tours departing about every 15 minutes until 10 p.m.
For more information, reservations, directions and a list of more upcoming events, visit samdavishome.org.
