Alice Riley’s story begins in Ireland where in 1733 she was able to escape the Irish famine. She was only 15 when she escaped and came to America. Due to her Irish descent she wasn’t sure how she would be accepted by the American people. Although that thought passed her mind she had the protection of her husband, Richard White, who had made the voyage by boat with her. Together they hoped for a new and bright future.
William Wise was known as an untrustworthy man from England. He’d made his way to Savannah Georgia and found himself responsible caring for a cattle farm. Alice and her husband Richard were servants, amongst others, assigned to Wise.
There’s one thing about Alice that I haven’t told you yet. Alice was beautiful, so beautiful in fact that she caught the attention of slave owners and the other male servants alike. Her new master Mr. Wise also had eyes for Alice.
It wasn’t long before Wise began to sexually abuse Alice. It is not clear whether or not Richard, her husband, knew the abuse was happening right away or did it take him some time until he found out. But eventually he found out and I’m sure he was mad like any husband would be or should be.
From there Alice and Richard began to conduct a plan on how they were going to kill their master, William Wise. Alice and Richard were responsible for Wise’s hygiene. The plan was to choke Wise during his bath time with one of the handkerchiefs Richard always had around his neck. While Richard choked him, Alice was going to hold his head under water. They waited for the perfect time. Wise had gotten sick, and we all know no one is their strongest when they are sick.
Their plan worked, Alice Riley and Richard White were successful at killing William Wise. Not only did they kill him but they were suspected of stealing Wise’s personal items to potentially sell them. Wise’s body was found on March 19, 1735. Richard and Alice were both caught some time after. Richard had managed to escape the jail he was being held in waiting for his fate. Richard was caught again. He was found guilty and hung immediately after.
As for Alice, who was also found guilty, had her looming death postponed. The hanging of a woman in Savannah back in the 1700’s was unheard of, let alone a pregnant woman. Yes, Alice was pregnant, but not by Richard. Alice had gotten pregnant by her master William Wise.
Alice was kept alive for months until the birth of her child. I’m sure she grieved the loss of her husband and the loss of her own life. I’m sure Alice asked herself questions like, Who would care for her child? or What would happen to the baby? I think those are questions any mother with a death sentence would ask. Alice did give birth to a baby girl and Alice was put to death after the delivery. As if there aren’t enough spins and turns in this story I have one more. After the hanging of Alice, the baby girl she birthed also died. This is the part where you would think this is the end of the story, but it’s not, it’s actually the beginning of forever.
Since Alice’s death it is said that her ghost can be seen on Wright Square in Savannah Georgia. To this day people have reported seeing the spirit follow women who are with children or pregnant trying to take their babies.
Don‘t take my word for it. Next time you’re in Savannah Georgia be sure to go down and walk Wright Square at dusk when the area is thick with tourists. Will you see Alice’s spirit following the children?
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The facts for this story were gathered during years of going to museums, getting on tour buses, and talking to seasoned locals about Savannah’s history. Details on dates and other facts were gathered from:
Johns, Vanessa. Savannah Morning News; Love and Tragedy: The story of Alice Riley. Sept. 12, 2024. http://www.savannahnow.com
Nealon, Tim. Ghost City Tours, The Ghost Story of Alice Riley-Savannah. http://www.ghostcitytours.com.
Thank you for reading. Please stay tuned as we get ready for a new ghost story next Saturday.
