Chair-throwing Ghost.
Epworth, the birthplace of the founder of Methodism, has long been famed for its ghost of Old Jeffrey, and the mysterious “rappings,” which were heard at the old rectory in the time of the Wesleys. Lately the quiet of the little Lincolnshire town has again been upset by a “supernatural” at the house of a small farmer, whose wife died a short time ago after a long illness. Since her death, at frequent intervals, often several times during the day, most unusual loud noises have been heard.
It is said to have commenced by scratching and knocking under the bed, and has since been heard in different parts of the house. The whole family for the last three or four weeks have had scarcely any sleep, and on Friday last a chair in the bedroom was thrown down, and also a box containing clothes. Afterwards, the ghost of the departed woman appeared at the top of the landing and came downstairs, dressed in white, and was seen at the foot of the stairs by three persons.
Northern Daily Telegraph, 27th September 1906.
A Lincolnshire “Ghost”
“Rappings” stopped by prayer.
Epworth, the birthplace of the founder of Methodism, has long been famed for its ghost of Old Jeffrey, and the mysterious “rappings” which were heard at the old rectory in the time of the Wesleys.
Lately, says an Epworth correspondent, the quiet of the little Lincolnshire town has again been disturbed by reputed supernatural happenings at the house of Mr Thomas Johnson, a small farmer, whose wife died a short time ago after a long illness. Since her death, at frequent intervals, it is stated, unaccountable noises have been heard, and yet more alarming incidents have occurred.
The correspondent, who states that he was somewhat sceptical, called at the house on Tuesday afternoon, and was assured of the correctness of the current reports. He learned from Mr Johnson’s daughter and another young lady staying at the house that the whole family had, for the last three or four weeks, had scarcely any sleep on account of the disturbances, and that on Friday last a chair in the bedroom was thrown down, and also a box containing clothes. Afterwards the ghost of the departed woman appeared on the top of the landing, went downstairs dressed in white, and was seen at the foot of the stairs by three persons.
A number of persons not connected with the family, including the local highway surveyor, have stayed in the house for a time, and all say that they distinctly heard the noises. The correspondent was himself anxious to stay and hear the “rappings” but Miss Johnson said that the rector (the Rev. J. Greaves) had offered up prayer at the house the previous day, and that since then, they were thankful to say, the noises had not been heard.
Nottingham Evening Post, 27th September 1906.
A Lincolnshire Ghost Story.
People in all parts of the country are familiar with the famous ghost story associated with Epworth in the time of the Wesleys. Lately the quiet of our little town has again been upset by similar supernatural disturbances at the house of Mr Thomas Johnson, a small farmer living at Battle Green, whose wife died recently after a long illness. Our correspondent, on calling at the house to ask whether the report which was so much talked of in the town and district was correct, was told that on account of the noises and the violent throwing about of furniture, etc., the family had scarcely had any sleep for the last few weeks since the death of Mrs Johnson.
On Friday last a box containing clothes was upset and a chair thrown on the top of it, althought there was apparently no one in the bedroom at the time, and our correspondent was assured, although he urged that it was impossible to see the spiritual with the physical eye, that the deceased woman had appeared, dressed in white, at the foot of the stairs, and was seen by one of the daughters, who screamed, and that two others then came, and they also saw the apparition.
The circumstances are “not reconcilable with juggling.” Persons having no connection with the family have pooh-poohed the story, and have been invited to spend a short time in the house, and they too say they have heard the unusual and uncanny noses. Some of them will not venture a second time into the bedroom after dark.
Our correspondent wished to stay there for himself, but was told that the Rector, who at first was very sceptical, had paid a visit the previous day, and before leaving offered up prayer for the peace of the departed spirit, and that since, up to Tuesday afternoon, the noises had not been again heard.
Lincolnshire Chronicle, 28th September 1906.
Mystery Still Unsolved.
(From our own correspondent.)
Mystery still surrounds the strange noises and the ghostly appearances at the house of Mr Johnson, Battle Green, Epworth. Our correspondent called on Tuesday afternoon, and wished to stay and hear the noises for himself, but was told that the previous day the Rector had called and offered up prayer, and that since the noises had not been heard. However, the noises again commenced after about 48 hours, and our correspondent had an interview with a well-known local gentleman not given to romance, who went to the house early on Thursday morning.
He, like most people, was sceptical, and inclined to ascribe the peculiar noises to some natural agency, but he came away convinced that the sounds emanated from some mysterious and unexplainable source.
The young woman, Miss Dawes, went into the bedroom and instantly the sounds commenced quite as loud as could be made by a strong man hammering the wall with his fist. When the young woman left the room the sounds ceased, but were renewed when she re-entered the room. The sounds also came in response to questions asked by Mr Johnson, and whatever theories may be advanced as to the cause, the sounds heard were certainly uncanny, to say the least. The knocking varied in intensity at times, being so audible as to be heard at a considerable distance.
When the gentleman re-entered the room the knocking stopped, and every time he endeavoured to approach the threshold, without the knowledge of any person present, the knocking ceased; in fact, he could stop it at will by the slightest attempt to enter, but from his position he could seen [sic] the young woman, and was convinced there was no deception on her part.
Hull Daily Mail, 28th September 1906.
Haunted Epworth Farm.
Ghostly visitant laid by prayer.
Considerable sensation has been caused in the quiet little town of Epworth by reputed supernatural happenings at the home of Mr Thomas Johnson, a small farmer, whose wife died a short time ago, after a long illness. Sounds have been heard in different parts of the house, so loud as to be audible in the adjoining yard, chairs have been seen to rise bodily from the floor and fall over, while the pillows are alleged to have been, by some ghostly agency, removed from under the heads of the children, and fall upon the floor.
Our correspondent states that when he called at the house he was assured of the correctness of the uncanny occurrences. He learned from Miss Johnson, and another young woman staying in the house, that for the last three or four weeks the family had had scarcely any sleep on account of the disturbances, and that on Friday last a chair in one of the bedrooms was thrown down, and also a box containing clothes. Afterwards, it was alleged that the ghost of the departed woman was seen at the foot of the stairs by three ladies, who emphatically statet that they are all certain they saw the apparition.
Many people have pooh-poohed the story, and a number of persons not connected with the family have stayed in the house for a time, and all say they have distinctly heard the uncanny noises. Some of them say they would not again venture into the bedroom. Our correspondent was himself anxious to stay and hear the “rappings,” but Miss Johnson said that the Rector had offered up prayer at th ehouse the previous day, and that since then, they were thankful to say, the noises had not been heard.
Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 28th September 1906.
The Epworth Ghost Again.
Mysterious noises.
Mystery still surrounds the strange noises and the ghostly appearances at the house of a Mr Johnson, Battle Green, Epworth. It was said that the Rector had called and offered up prayer, and that since the noises had not been heard. However, they again commenced after about 48 hours. A well-known local gentleman went to the house on Thursday morning. He, like most people, was sceptical, and inclined to ascribe the peculiar noises to some natural agency, but he came away convinced that the sounds emanated from some mysterious and unexplainable source.
The young woman, Miss Dawes, went into the bedroom, and instantly the sounds commenced, something like a strong man hammering the wall with his fist. When the young woman left the room the sounds ceased, but were resumed when she re-entered the room. The sounds also came in response to questions asked by Mr Johnson. The knocking varied in intensity, at times being so audible as to be heard at a considerable distance.
Manchester Evening News, 29th September 1906.
A haunted house in Lincolnshire.
The occupants of the house in Epworth, in Lincolnshire, shown in the accompanying photograph, have been much troubled lately by the appearance of a “ghost” and by mysterious rappings. Since the death of the householder’s wife, unaccountable noises are said to have been heard, and alarming incidents are reported. For the last few weeks the family have had scarcely any sleep, on account of the disturbances. According to their story, a chair and a box containing clothes have been thrown on the floor; the ghost of the dead woman has appeared on the landing, has walked downstairs dressed in white, and has been seen at the foot of the stairs by three persons at the same time. Other persons outside the family declare that they have heard the rappings.
Leeds Mercury, 18th October 1906.