Legend of Alice Flagg
Alice Flagg was young woman, and the brother of Dr. Allard Flagg; the man famous for owning “The Hermitage” which at the time was a large rice plantation. After moving onto the land in 1849, Allard invited his widowed mother and 16-year-old sister, Alice, to live with him. Alice Flagg was a beautiful young girl with long hair and bright blue eyes.
While performing errands in town Alice met a handsome young man with whom she fell deeply in love with. The two began to date. One day the young man came to visit Alice at her home when he was met by Allard on the front porch. After speaking with the man for some time Dr. Flagg realized the man’s low social status and qualities and sent him away before he could speak with Alice.
Outraged by her brother’s treatment of her beau, Alice agreed to meet the man in secret and they soon became engaged. One day Dr. Flagg saw a ring on Alice’s finger. He scolded Alice and demanded she return it. Alice agreed but instead tied it around he neck with some string.
In an effort to keep the two apart, Alice was sent away to boarding school in Charleston. She never forgot her lover and as such never removed the ring. She stayed at the school for months. One evening however, Alice fell ill with what was believed to be malaria. Because her brother was a doctor, he demanded that she be brought home and put into his care.
By the time Dr. Flagg had gotten to her, Alice had gotten much worse. Dr. Flagg rushed to get her home, but Alice slowly fell victim to the illness. By morning Alice could no longer fight and silently died. Upon preparing her body to be buried, Dr. Flagg discovered the ring around her neck. He snapped the ring off and threw it out into the marsh. Alice was then buried at All Saints Cemetery near Pawley’s Island. A plain marble slab covers her grave. The engraving on the stone consists of only one word - Alice.
It is said that late at night, visitors can see Alice walking around the graves in a long white dress. To those a little more daring, they must circle the grave 13 times and place a coin on the stone before she “visits”. Other claim that she will only appear to true lovers who together place a flower or ring on the headstone. Our readers have sent messages around the legend telling us of strange noises, smells and even levitating rings that have haunted the people of South Carolina.
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