5 hidden secrets of Jeffrey, Alabama’s most famous ghost

13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey remains an iconic piece of Southern literature, written by the equally iconic Kathryn Tucker Windham and Margaret Gillis Figh.

Originally published in 1969, this collection breathes life into thirteen of the state’s most haunted places, along with the mischievous household spirit who haunted the Windham family themselves—known simply as Jeffrey.

Be sure to read on, because we had the pleasure of speaking with Dilcy Windham Hilly, daughter of the late Kathryn Tucker Windham, who shared special memories of her childhood and her family’s encounters with their famous ghostly companion.

Who is Jeffrey?

Jeffrey first appeared in the Windham household in Selma, Alabama in 1966.

The ghost would make his presence known by mysterious stomping and moving heavy objects. Even the family’s cat, Admiral Hornblower, would jump up from a deep sleep and flex his claws when he felt Jeffrey was near.

One night, Nikki Davis, a staff member of the Selma Times-Journal, happened to be photographed with Jeffrey when she was visiting the Windham Household.

It was only later, after the photo was developed, that Jeffrey could be seen. Many people tried to recreate the photo in the Windham household using photography techniques to no avail.

From that day forward, even skeptics remained mystified.

Dilcy Windham’s first encounter with Jeffrey

Although 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey highlight some of Jeffrey’s early activity, Dilcy remembers her first encounter.

“I was in the kitchen of our home in Selma, and mother and I were baking tea cakes. There was a tremendous noise in the living room, like somebody was ripping furniture and pictures off the wall. So, we scurried out to see what was going on, and everything was in place. Everything was very quiet.

Mother and I went back to making our tea cakes, and soon the disturbance began again. We went back into the living room, and everything was perfectly quiet and normal.

That is my first recollection of having an encounter with Jeffrey.”

Dilcy Windham Hilly

Jeffrey followed the Windham family wherever they went

Dilcy believed Jeffrey had the ability to follow them around. He just caused mischief, not harm.

One time, he even knocked down a “Roll Tide” banner after Kathryn remarked her distaste for it.

“Mother was an avid Auburn fan. One day, she was speaking to a civic club of men who were all Alabama fans. There was a big “Roll Tide” banner on the wall. My mother made some mention of how it was offensive to her. As soon as she said that, the banner fell. We all believed Jeffrey had been there somehow.”

Dilcy Windham Hilly

Jeffrey was loved, not feared by the Windham family

Jeffrey was not just a house guest—he was part of the Windham family.

Everyone who knew the Windham’s knew Jeffrey. He wasn’t a legend, he was accepted.

“We all enjoyed having Jeffrey around. He became a normal part of our lives and I was very fond of him. He was like a brother to me.

He was a good scapegoat for us. If things were lost, Jeffrey took them. If we were late, Jeffrey reset the clocks. The only time it didn’t work was when we brought home poor grades from school and blamed them on Jeffrey.”

Dilcy Windham Hilly

Jeffrey may have moved to the Kathryn Tucker Windham Museum

The Kathryn Tucker Windham museum, located at Coastal Alabama Community College, is dedicated to preserving Kathryn’s legacy as a journalist, photographer and storyteller.

The museum features photographs, a rocking chair Jeffrey often used and outfits worn by Kathryn during storytelling.

Dilcy, who has always thought Jeffrey could go where he pleased, believes that he may have moved to the Kathryn Tucker Windham Museum, surrounded by familiar objects and memories of Kathryn.

Jeffrey is more than a ghost, he’s a legacy

Kathryn Tucker Windham, who passed away in 2011 at the age of 93, is more than her ghost stories.

Kathryn was passionate about recording and preserving Alabama’s history and folklore. She was a passionate, talented journalist and photographer who had a talent for storytelling.

We may have covered some lesser-known facts about Jeffrey, but it’s no secret that Kathryn touched the hearts of people all around the world and will always be remembered through her work.

To learn more about her legacy, visit her website + museum.

Other haunts featured in 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey

Jeffrey may be a famous name in Alabama, but there are plenty of other ghostly tales worth sharing around the campfire. Here are the other spooky spots featured in 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey:

• Rocky Hill Castle in Courtland
• Drish House in Tuscaloosa
• Carlisle Hall in Marion
• Now demolished garden maze of C.C. Pegues in Cahaba
• Eliza Battle Steamboat in Mobile
• Gaineswood Plantation House in Demopolis
• Pickens County Courthouse in Carrollton
• Sea Captain who lived in Downtown Mobile
• Sturdivant Hall in Selma
• The hole that won’t stay filled in Newton
• Former Pratt Hall Dormitory at Huntingdon College in Montgomery
• Purifoy-Lipscomb House in Furman
• Gravesite of William “Grancer” Harrison in Kinston

Searching for more spooky stories? Give these a read:

• 12 haunted spots in Alabama that will get you into the spooky spirit
• 10 haunted spots in Alabama to get you into the spooky spirit [Part 2]
• 7 haunted restaurants in Alabama that will give you goosebumps

What is your favorite story in “13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey?” Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn.