Her daughter’s death drove Sarah to the edge of madness. The Winchester family amassed a vast fortune running the Winchester Repeating Arms Company where they developed the 1860 Henry Rifle, better known as “The Gun that Won the West.”ĭuring their marriage, Sarah gave birth to a daughter, Annie, who unfortunately passed away from marasmus in July of 1866. This undoubtedly unique girl married to William Winchester. She was recognized for her knowledge of literature and refined musical skills and ultimately dubbed the “Belle of New Haven.” By the age of 12, she was fluent in French, Italian, Latin, and Spanish.
Coming from an affluent middle-class family, Sarah was a child prodigy. It all started in the town of New Haven, Connecticut, where Sarah Lockwood Pardee was born. Legend says she built the house to appease the many spirits haunting her. Stairs end abruptly at the ceilings, doors open onto brick walls, and glittered stained glass windows are adorned with spider web designs.
For 38 years, Sarah Winchester dedicated her life to building the Winchester Mystery House, a labyrinth of stairways, windows, and trap doors.
