Not every spirit manifests itself, but make their presence known through a variety of other means, including sound and smell. A number of witnesses – including guests and members of staff – have reported hearing spectral noises in various parts of the White House, some of which has been bits of ghostly conversation. Still others have experienced the presence of a spirit through the sensation of smell.
The wife of President Grover Cleveland – the first woman to give birth in the White House – can be heard screaming from the pangs of childbirth on occasion.
Of all of the hallways within the structure of the White House, perhaps the most commonly visited by spirits is the second floor hallway. Quite often, footsteps can be clearly heard pacing back and forth – believed by most to be those of Abraham Lincoln.
When President Grant was in office, a number of his staff members reported having conversations with the spirit of Willie Lincoln – one of the sons of Abraham Lincoln who died during his childhood.
David Burns, who gave the government the land on which the White House stands, has never been seen, but has been heard on a number of occasions. Each time, witnesses claim to hear him say – quite clearly – “I am David Burns,” and sometimes, “I’m Mr. Burns.”
In the East Room of the White House, the smell of damp clothing and soap are commonly experienced, and believed to be another manifestation of Abigail Adams, who used to wash and hang the laundry in that room.