In Comparison: Testimonial about a 'Talking Poltergeist' Haunting that Began Two Centuries Ago

 

Considering the Moffitt Family poltergeist case of 1987-1992, some of the anomalous mirror writing messages may be interpreted in alternative ways.  These two case study photos appear to be part of a spiritual lesson about discrimination concerning 'paranormal' occurrences.  The first photo shows an undated message that has been interpreted as "I hate Lee"; however, the message could also be read as "I hate" followed by three loops.  A photo dated 1-13-88 looks more like "Lee dee" than "Lee die."  In response, one might consider the life of John Dee, a famous man of the Elizabethan Age.  The extant manuscripts chronicling Dee's "actions with spirits" ("spiritual creatures" and "good angels") date from the end of 1581, continuing for six years and resuming during seven months in 1607.

 

In this blog article I am presenting one of the testimonials collected in the 1894 first edition of An Authenticated History of the Bell Witch and Other Stories of the World's Greatest Unexplained Phenomenon by M. V Ingram.  This excerpt offers descriptions of events that should inspire reflection among readers familiar with Deborah Moffitt's account of her family's strange predicament that shows parallels with other paranormal case studies.  The gamut of mysterious events recorded about the 'Bell Witch' case are chronicled to have occurred between 1817 and 1821.

Some Thrilling Incidents Told by Mrs. Nancy Ayers, the Baby the Witch Spanked.

(from Chapter XIII "Recollections.")

Washington Ayers and wife are two happy old people living some two miles from the old Bell place, and about the same distance from Cedar Hill, Tenn.  Mrs. Nancy Ayres is a daughter of John and Patsy Johnson, who had a most thrilling experience in trying to detect the authorship of the demoniac exhibitions, which disturbed the Bell family.  She was born in 1819, and is still a very active lady for one at her ripe age.  She is also intelligent and very entertaining, especially in describing the sensation which the Bell Witch left behind to live after the intensely exciting events of that period.  Mrs. Ayres is greatly esteemed in the community.  She inherited that rugged honesty which characterized the Johnson family, and is affectionately called “Aunt Nancy” by every one.  The writer was told before visiting Mrs. Ayers, “You can rely on everything Aunt Nancy says as strictly correct.”

Mrs. Ayers was asked if she was willing to tell all she knew about the Bell Witch?  “Oh no, I could not tell the half I have heard in a week; strictly speaking, I know nothing. I was born in the middle of the most exciting events, and they say that the witch was the first to carry the news of my birth to the Bell family.  All I know is hearsay from father, mother, Grandfather James Johnson, Uncle Calvin Johnson, Joel Bell, and everybody who lived in the neighborhood at that time, and, of course, I believe their statements as firmly as if I had witnessed the demonstrations.”

It is said that the witch, whipped you when a baby.  How is that, Mrs. Ayers?  “Well, that is what father and mother told me repeatedly after I had grown up.  It occurred in this way: Betsy Bell frequently came to our house to spend the night and get some rest if possible from the witch.  In fact, father invited and urged her to come.  He said he had two purposes in view; one was a desire to render any services possible that would relieve the family of the pest even for a short time.  His second reason was a determination to follow up every clue, or every line of investiga­tion, that had been suggested or could be thought of, in an effort to elucidate the mystery.  This he was doing on his own account and in his own way, and proceeded in a way to elude all suspicion of his purpose.  Several persons who had been trying to detect the cause of the remarkable exhibitions and failing, had arrived at the conclusion that Betsy Bell possessed some extraordinary gift akin to ventriloquism, and was practicing a deception in collusion with some other person, and that he had about arrived at this conclusion himself, but carefully concealed his convictions from her and all other persons, and he thought he would have a better opportun­ity of determining this matter if she were to come alone to spend a few nights at his house.  As before stated, she did come, and the witch came with her, keeping up so much talking, scratching, knocking over the chairs, pulling the covering from the beds, and other vexatious disturbances that it was impossible for any one to sleep while it was there, and this all went to confirm his opinion.  So it happened one night when Betsy and the witch were there, that I was fretful and worried mother a great deal, she having to get up frequently to rock my cradle.  Finally Kate, as they called the witch, spoke factiously, inquiring of mother, ‘Patsy, why don't you slap that child and make it behave itself?  If you won't I will.’  Instantly they heard something like a hand spanking me, and I yelled to the top of my voice, as if something was taking my life, when both father and mother sprang out of bed to my rescue. They searched the room all over, but could find nothing irregular, no persons but themselves in the room, and no possible way that anyone could have gotten in and out without a noise or detection.”

Did you behave after that?  “Well, they said I did behave like a little lady the balance of the night.”

Did your father's investigations satisfy him thoroughly that Betsy Bell was culpable in the witch demonstration?  “Oh no.  To the contrary he became thoroughly satisfied that Betsy was entirely innocent of the whole matter, and was a great sufferer from the affliction, as was her father.  It was said by those who had been watching Betsy, that the witch never talked when her lips were closed.  This was not true.  He said it talked to him not only when her lips were closed, but when she was not near, not in talking or hearing distance, and in fact would talk at old man Bell's when neither Betsy, Drew or young John were on the place, and yet seemed to follow Betsy wherever she went, going with her to grandfather's, James Johnson, when she visited Theny Thorn, and at bedtime go through the form of reading a chapter in the Bible, singing grandfather's favorite song, and offer prayer, just as he would.  Father said it did many things that would have been impossible for a young girl like Betsy, and told things that she could not possibly have known.  The witch talked almost incessantly, gabbing and spouting about everything that was going on in the country, seemed familiar with everybody's business, telling things that no one present knew anything about, called strangers by name and telling where they were from before they could introduce themselves.  It would also quote Scripture, discuss doctrinal questions, sing songs, and pray eloquent prayers, and never failed to answer any question concerning any passage, verse or text in the Bible correctly, giving full references as to where it might be found.  Then on the other hand it could be very wicked and out curse a sailor.  Mr. Bell sometimes sent for father to set up and entertain Kate, that the family might get a little rest.  He rather liked this, as it afforded him a better oppor­tunity for prosecuting his investigations.  The witch also seemed to like gossiping with him, and there was a peculiar excitement about it that interested him, and he would sit and talk to the thing just as patiently and earnestly as if he was discussing a very important matter with some person.  Father said that one night after the witch had gone on for some time prattling about everything in the country, he concluded to change the topic and lead it out concerning itself, and beginning with flattery he said, ‘Kate, I love to talk with you because you are so smart and can always learn me something.  You and I have been good friends, and I want to know more about you.  Now there is no person present but you and I; tell me confidentially something about yourself?’  ‘No Jack,’ was the reply, ‘I can't tell you that yet, but I will tell you before I leave.’

‘How long before you will leave?’  ‘I won't tell you that neither, but I will not leave as long as old Jack Bell lives.’  ‘Have you really come to kill old Jack?’  ‘Yes, I have told him so over and often.’  ‘What has old Jack done that you want to kill him?’  ‘Oh, nothing particular; I just don't like him.’  ‘But everybody in the country likes him and regard him as a very fine old gentleman, don't they?’  ‘Yes, and that is the reason he needs killing.’  ‘But Kate, if you kill old Jack without giving a better reason than that, people will think very hard of you, and then according to law you will be hung for murder, won't you?’  ‘No, it’s catching before hanging.’  ‘Yes, but isn’t the maxim, "murder will out” equally true?’  ‘That may be Jack, but still its catching before hanging.’  ‘Well Kate, tell me why you hate Betsy; aint she a sweet lovely girl?’  ‘How do you know Jack, that I hate Betsy?’  ‘Because you are always following and ding-donging after her.’  ‘Well, is that any evidence that I hate her?’  ‘But then you pull her hair, pinch her arms, stick pins in her.’  ‘Well, don't lovers play with each other that way sometimes?’  ‘No, I never did; no man who really loves a girl will serve her as you do Betsy,’  ‘How do you know that I am a man?’  ‘Because you get drunk and curse sometimes, and say and do things that no nice woman would do.’  ‘But Jack, why should I be a woman; may I not be a spirit or something else?’  ‘No Kate, you are no spirit.  A spirit can't pull the cover from beds, slap people, pull hair, stick pins, scratch, and do such things like you.’  ‘Well, I will make you think I am a spirit before you get home.’  ‘How are you going to do that, Kate?’  ‘I am going to scare you.’  ‘You can't scare me, Kate; I know that you are too good a friend to do me any harm, and therefore I am not afraid of you.’  ‘Well, just wait until you start through the woods home, and see if I don't make you hump yourself.’  ‘Oh phsaw, Kate, you are just joking and gabbing now.  Tell me where you live, and who and what you are, anyhow?’  ‘I live in the woods, in the air, in the water, in houses with people; I live in heaven and in hell; I am all things and anything I want to be; now don't you know what I am?’  ‘No, I don't; come and shake hands with me like you did with Calvin.’  ‘No, I can't trust you, Jack.’  ‘Why Kate, you trusted my brother Calvin and I am just as good as he is?’  ‘No you are not,’ returned Kate, ‘Calvin is a good Christian and a true man; he won't violate his promise for anything.’  ‘Neither will I.’  ‘Oh, but you are lying, Jack; I know you too well.  You are smarter than Calvin, but you are a grand rascal, old Jack Johnson.  You just want a chance to catch me; that is what you are here for, trying to find out who or what I am, and you want a chance to grasp my hand.’  After much gasing [talking] on this line, the conversation ended some time after midnight, and father started home.  Kate never would shake hands with him, though he importuned often, nor did he ever learn anything more about the witch than was manifested in this conversation, which I have heard him repeat so often that I remember it word by word.  Father said as soon as he reached the woods, the bushes and trees commenced cracking, like they were all breaking down, and sticks and chunks of wood fell about him thick and fast, as if thrown by someone.  He never would acknowledge that he run, but I always believed he did.  Father said the witch seemed to know his mind and purpose as well as he did himself, and that he was fully determined to try to catch it by the hand if it had shaken hands with him.”

Did you ever hear Calvin Johnson say it shook hands with him?  “Yes, I have heard Uncle Cal­vin make the statement frequently.  He said the Witch made him promise not to grasp or squeeze its hand before it consented, and he could not violate his Promise.  He said he held out his hand, and very quick felt the pressure of' another hand on his, which was laid lengthwise, and not across, in the common form of shaking hands, and that it felt very soft, like a woman's hand.  But it never would trust father, though it showed a preference for talking with him.  It told others as it told him, that old Jack Johnson was smart and cunning, that he was a grand rascal, always hatching plans and schemes to catch it, and he had to be watched."

Mrs. Ayres, your father, you say, addressed the witch as "Kate," did you ever hear him explain how it came by that name?  “Yes; people continued their expostulations with overtures and importunities to reveal its name, purpose, etc.  The witch had given many names and various explanations of its presence, but the biggest sensation of all came when it told that it was old Kate Batts' witch.  Mrs. Batts was a very sensitive, peculiar, blustering kind of woman, whose eccentricities subjected her to much ridicule, and her original oddity was a kind of jesting stock, and common talk.  So it was a popular hit, and started fresh gossip for all laughing tongues.  It made the old lady very mad; she cut tall capers and said more funny things in her maledictions and imprecations than was ever heard, and naturally everybody took to calling the witch ‘Kate.’”

Did anybody really believe that Mrs. Kate Batts was the witch?  “Yes, some people did, and they were afraid of her.  Father said the idea was the most absurd and preposterous that had been advanced; contrary to all reason.  Mrs. Batts, he said could not have had any conception of such a thing, much less practice the art, eluding detec­tion.  On another occasion father said he was postulating with Kate, begging the witch to tell something about itself.  Kate replied, ‘Well Jack, if you will agree to keep it a secret, and not tell old “Sugar Mouth,” (that was grandfather) I will tell you.’  Of course father agreed to that.  ‘Now,’ says Kate, ‘I am your stepmother.’  Father replied, ‘Kate, you know you are lying; my step­mother is a good woman, and the best friend I have.  She would not do so many mean things as you are guilty of.’  ‘Now,’ replied Kate, ‘I can prove it to you.’  Grandmother Johnson had an unruly servant who would go wrong, irritating her very much, and the old lady was constantly after Rachel, raising a sharp storm about her ears.  Father said the witch at once assumed the voice and tone of his step-mother, and got after Rachel.  ‘Tut, tut, Rachel, what makes you do so,’ imitating grandmother exactly.”

Did your father ever speak of meeting the witch doctors and conjurers at Bell's?  “Oh yes, ever so many came, and father used to tell many ridiculous and laughable incidents regarding the ex­periments of witch killers.  The Bells allowed every one who came along to experiment to his full satisfaction, and the witch always got the best of them.  I remember one incident that amused him very much.  This fellow put some silver, twelve dollars, in a bowl of water, performed his incantations, and set the bowl away, that the silver might remain in the water all night to work the enchantment when the witch came.  Betsy Bell had to drink the enchanted water.  Next morning the money was gone, which caused a mighty stir.  A negro was charged with stealing the money, and Mr. Bell was threatening the servant with a whipping.  This was one of the times that Kate came to the negro's rescue.  ‘Hold on, old Jack,’ spoke Kate, ‘that Negro is innocent; I can tell you who got that money,’ and did tell.  Mr. Bell dropped the matter and said no more about it.  Several evenings later father went over to entertain the witch while the family and visitors slept.  After all had retired and everything was quiet, father said he sat leaning his chair against the wall, waiting for Kate.  Presently he felt something touch him on the shoulder, and he was directly accosted by the voice of the witch.  ‘Say Jack, did you hear about that money scrape they had here the other evening?’  ‘Yes,’ replied father, ‘I heard something about it.’  ‘Well, it was funny; I saved that n****r from a good whipping by telling old Jack who got the money,’ and then went on to state that the person who got the money went to Spring­field yesterday and bought lots of nice things with it.  ‘Ha, ha, ha, I guess they will quit fool­ing with these witch doctors now.’  Father had occasion to go to Springfield a day or two later, and inquired about the transactions of this per­son as told by Kate, and found that the witch had reported correctly.”

Did you, Mrs. Ayers, ever hear Bennett Porter say anything about the witch?  “No; Bennett Porter moved away while I was quite a child.  I have, however, heard various persons say that Bennett Porter shot at the witch, and it made much ado about it, threatening something serious to him or his children.  I have also heard it re­peated by many that the witch was seen by Betsy swinging on the limb of a tree and looking like a little girl dressed in green.”

Did you ever hear Williams or Joel Bell express any opinion in regard to the witch?  “Nothing particular.  They discussed it in a general way when asked questions regarding the demonstrations, but never seemed disposed to talk much about it.  I suppose they had heard enough of it.  However, Joel told me that the witch gave him the severest whipping he ever felt, and one that he would never forget as long as he lived.”

Mrs. Ayers, did you ever hear anything detri­mental in any way to the character of John Bell or his family?  “Not a breath in the world.  No man or family stood higher in the estimation of the people than John Bell.  I have heard him spoken of as one of the leading men of the country, and father said the citizens had the utmost confidence in his integrity.  More than that, he raised his children to be honorable men and women, and the family influence is felt in Robertson county to this day; even the grandchildren are men of the same substantial character.”

Do you remember anything about Rev. Thomas and Rev. James Gunn?  “Yes, certainly; they were the founders of Methodism in this section, and Rev. Sugg Fort was the leading Baptist.  Their lives were full of good works and honors.  I have heard it said many times that they visited Mr. Bell often and sympathized with him in his distress.”