The Haunted History of Cousin Martha’s Bed & Breakfast — Beaufort, North Carolina

There’s a particular hush that falls over Turner Street at dusk — not quite silence, more like the town leaning in to listen. Lanterns wink on in windows across Beaufort, gulls wheel over the harbor, and on the front porch of a pale, two-story house with rocking chairs and a faded sign, you can almost hear the past arranging itself on the stair treads. That house is Cousin Martha’s Bed & Breakfast — a cozy inn that wears its history on its porch and its legends in the corners — and if you believe the locals, it’s also a place where memories refuse to stay put.

A House with a Long Memory

Cousin Martha’s traces its roots back to the early 19th century, and the building still carries the architecture and atmosphere of that period: narrow stairways, original floors, and the kind of imperfect corners that give old homes their charm. Over the decades it has been a family residence, part of the evolving heartbeat of Beaufort’s historic district, and eventually a beloved bed and breakfast known for friendly hosts, homemade hot sauces, and a porch perfect for watching the world drift by. It’s a home made for stories — both the ones lived and the ones whispered.

The First Whispers — Laughter, Footsteps, and a Presence Upstairs

Ask long-time residents or ghost-tour guides about the inn, and they’ll likely mention the same three strange happenings: soft laughter that seems to come from the upstairs hallway, heavy footsteps on floorboards when no one is there, and sudden cold pockets that linger in certain corners of the house. Guests sometimes report a feeling of being watched, though always gently, as if by someone curious rather than threatening. These aren’t dramatic hauntings — they’re small, persistent moments, the kind that settle under your skin.

A Man Without a Clear Story: Murderer or Murder Victim?

Every haunted house seems to have one spirit whose legend can’t quite settle into a single version. At Cousin Martha’s, that figure is a nameless man who, depending on the storyteller, was either a murderer hiding out in the home long ago or a murder victim whose story was never fully uncovered. The ambiguity is part of what makes the tale compelling: the house holds space for both possibilities, as if the walls remember a tragedy but can’t—or won’t—clarify it.

The Human Side of the House

In reality, Cousin Martha’s is a warm, bright, and welcoming place. Guests praise the hospitality, the hearty breakfasts, and the personal touches that make the inn feel like a visiting relative’s home. The owners embrace Beaufort’s rich folklore without leaning too hard on it; the ghost stories are more a shared wink than a marketing ploy. The inn is part of the town’s everyday life — hosting travelers, sharing local art, offering a quiet corner to rest — all while carrying a gentle veil of the uncanny.

Eyewitnesses and Sleepers Who Woke

Over the years, countless little stories have accumulated: a rocking chair moving on the upstairs porch; the faint smell of pipe tobacco in a room where no one has smoked; guests waking because they felt a hand brush past the foot of the bed; a child’s giggle drifting through a closed door. No single account stands out as spectacular, but together they weave a pattern — consistent enough to make even skeptics pause for a moment at night before turning off the light.

Beaufort’s Larger Ghost Story

Beaufort is a place where time stacks itself like layers of sand. Pirate lore, Civil War skirmishes, old maritime tragedies, and centuries of storms have all left impressions on the town. The historic homes and narrow streets carry echoes of the past, and Cousin Martha’s is just one of the many buildings that seem to hum with lingering presence. Ghost tours often include it as a quieter stop — a place less about spectacle and more about atmosphere.

Skepticism, Hospitality, and the Fun of Fear

For some, Cousin Martha’s is simply a charming old inn. For others, it’s a place where the air seems to shift when you’re not looking. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, there’s something undeniably compelling about a home filled with both living stories and supernatural rumors. The best stays here balance the two: comfort and curiosity, warmth and wonder.

If You Go — A Few Practical Notes

1. Cousin Martha’s Bed & Breakfast sits in the heart of historic Beaufort, close to museums, the waterfront, and walking tours.
2. The hosts are friendly and down-to-earth; treat the home with respect, and you’ll likely hear a story or two.
3. Whether you come for the hauntings or simply for the hospitality, the inn has a way of staying with you — sometimes literally.

Final Thought

Not all haunted places creak and scream. Some whisper. Some rock gently in their chairs. Some smell faintly of pipe smoke at midnight. Cousin Martha’s Bed & Breakfast is one of those places — a house with a soft, lingering presence and a long memory. Whether you leave believing in ghosts or simply in the power of a good story, one thing is certain: the house will remember you, too.