Near Kinston in Coffee County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Grancer's Ghost

— Legends & Lore —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 15, 2023

1. Grancer's Ghost Marker

Inscription.
Sounds of a fiddle and tapping feet can be heard near the grave of Grancer Harrison, buried in his dancing shoes in 1860.

Erected 2021 by Alabama Folklife Association; and William G. Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 124.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. In addition, it is included in the Believe It or Not, and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation Legends & Lore Series series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 31° 12.497′ N, 86° 8.665′ W. Marker is near Kinston, Alabama, in Coffee County. It can be reached from County Road 484 ¼ mile east of County Road 473, on the right when traveling east. Marker, gravesite and tomb are located on the east side of Harrison Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kinston AL 36453, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Wiregrass.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically,

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it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: New Providence Primitive Baptist Church and Rhoades Cemetery (approx. 3.9 miles away); Battle Branch (approx. 6.3 miles away); The Depot / Opp, Alabama (approx. 8.3 miles away); Holloway Tabernacle Church (approx. 10.9 miles away); Wellborn (approx. 11.7 miles away); New Ebenezer Cemetery (approx. 12.6 miles away); Gravesite of Mrs. Alberta Martin, the "Last Link to Dixie" (approx. 12.6 miles away); Site of Curtis School (approx. 13 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. Grancer Harrison. Excerpt:

Grancer was a successful cotton planter and is said to have owned the largest number of slaves in the county. He hosted barbecues, dances, and horse races every Thursday possible. He loved these things so much that he had his slaves build a large dance hall just for the parties he sponsored. Grancer had a pair of clogs, or dancing shoes, that he wore just for the parties he loved so
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 15, 2023

2. Grancer's Ghost Marker
(looking east • William “Grancer” Harrison tomb in background)
well.

(Submitted on July 16, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Grancer's Ghost. Excerpt:

If you find yourself in the Harrison Cemetery in Kinston, Alabama, you might hear the rollicking fiddle and passionate dancing of William “Grancer” Harrison, also known as The Dancing Ghost of Grancer Harrison or Grancer the Dancer. Upon his death, Grancer’s will instructed he be dressed in his dance shoes and laid to rest on a feather bed in a large brick tomb within earshot of his dance hall, where he could take in the merriment even if he could no longer participate.

(Submitted on July 16, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. William “Grancer - Grand Sir” Harrison (Find A Grave). Excerpt:

People going down the road near his tomb reported hearing a rollicking fiddle and dancing feet. These first stories brought scoffs of disbelief from listeners, but more and more people told of hearing old fiddle tunes and rhythmic tapping of shoes coming from the Harrison burying ground, particularly on Saturday nights.

(Submitted on July 16, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

4. William Henry Harrison Sr. (Find A Grave).

William “Grancer” Harrison Gravesite & Tomb image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 15, 2023

3. William “Grancer” Harrison Gravesite & Tomb

(looking northwest • Harrison Cemetery in background)

Excerpt:

The only known Revolutionary War patriot buried in Coffee County. The headstone dedication was conducted by ALSSAR chaplain Walter Reeder and Wiregrass chapter president Jim Gilmer. Harrison's grave sits next to that of William "Grancer" Harrison, whose story of fiddle playing and ghostly rituals is featured in 13 Alabama Ghosts.

(Submitted on July 16, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 15, 2023

4. William “Grancer” Harrison Gravesite & Tomb

(looking southwest • Harrison Cemetery in background)

William Henry Harrison Sr. Headstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 15, 2023

5. William Henry Harrison Sr. Headstone

(beside William “Grancer” Harrison gravesite)
Pvt
SC Militia
Rev War
1758-1832

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, June 10, 2026

6. Grancer's Ghost Marker

A shelter has been constructed over the grave.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,477 times since then and 118 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 16, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 6. submitted on June 14, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia.