The tall iron fence around the White House has not kept out tragedy and suffering over the years. Built between 1792 and 1800, the home of America's presidents has witnessed intrigue, mystery, and death. The White House was burned down in 1814 by British troops. Abraham Lincoln's ghost has reportedly been sighted, as have those of Andrew Jackson, Dolley Madison, and Abigail Adams—doing her laundry in the East Room. Lincoln's widow, Mary Todd, studied the occult and held seances in the White House.