When Cassandra Grey moved into her 240-year-old house in Hudson, New York, she found a letter waiting for her. It was a handwritten note from an earlier owner, informing Grey that she would be sharing the residence with a ghost. Hudson Bush Farm, as the 29-acre estate is known, was originally built in 1785 by Hendrick I. Van Rensselaer, a Revolutionary War veteran who belonged to one of early America’s wealthiest families. In addition to entertaining and hosting Federalist bigwigs (Alexander Hamilton was a guest), Van Rensselaer was known for pouring himself three glasses of wine before retiring and toasting to God, country, and George Washington. According to the letter, his spirit would cause a commotion unless three glasses of tipple were left out for him. “We have the exact kind of Mad

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