Spirit Rappings at Bampton, Oxfordshire, Two Hundred Years Ago.
I found the following strange story in an old book published in 1689. It is entitled;- “A strange relation touching the family of one Captain Wood, of Bampton, near Brize-norton, Captain in the late Wars for the King, what strange knockings used to be heard a little before the Death of those in that Family.
The first knocking that was heard, or at least observed, was about a year after the Restauration of the King, in the afternoon, a little before Night, as it was apprehended by Mrs. Elenor Wood, Mother to Captain Basil Wood, who only heard it, none being then by, or about the House, but herself, at which she was very much disturbed, thinking it boded some ill to her of hers, and within fourteen Nights after she had news of the Death of her Son-in-Law, Mr George Smith, who died in London. About three years after that, there were three great knocks given very audibly to all that were then in the House, viz., to the fore-said Mrs. Elenor Wood, Mr. Basil Wood, and his Wife Mrs Hester, and some servants. Which knocks were so remarkable that one of the Maids came from the Well which was about twenty yards from the place, to see what was the matter. And Mrs Elenor Wood, and another Maid that was in the house, saw three great Pans of Lard shake and totter so upon a shelf in the Milkhouse, that they were like to fall down. Upon this violent knocking Mr Basil Wood and his Wife, being then in the Hall, came presently into the Milkhouse to their Mother; where finding her somewhat disturbed, and enquiring the Reason, she replied, “God Almighty only knew the Matter, she could tell nothing; but she heard the knocking;” which being within Doors Mr Basil Wood concluded must be for some of the Family at home, that upon the Door being for a Friend abroad. Which according fell out, three of the Family, according to the Number of knocks, dying within little more than half-a-year after, viz., Mrs Hester Wood, wife to Mr Basil Wood, a Child of Mr Wood’s Sister, and Mrs Elenor Wood, his Mother.
– About August, 1674, Mr Basil Wood Junior, Son of Basil aforesaid, living at Exeter, in Devonshire, heard the same kind of Knocking at which, being disturbed, he wrote word of it to his Father here at Bampton, viz., That on Sunday he and his Wife, and her Sister, and his Brother, did distinctly hear upon a Table, in their Chamber, as they stood by it, two several knocks, struck as it were with a Cudgel, one of them before, and the other after Morning Prayer, a little before Dinner, which Letter was shown by Mr Wood Senior (as the other knockings before the Deaths of any that died were beforehand told) to several neighbouring Gentlemen. After which, within about Fourteen Days, Mr Hester Wood the second wife of Mr Basil Wood Senior, and about a quarter of a year after, her Father Mr Richard Lisset, died both at Bampton, since which time they have heard nothing as yet.”
In the Bucks Herald, 5th January 1861.