Tale of Mystery.
The following curious Narrative appeared in The Morning Chronicle of yesterday:
– The inhabitants of a farm-house at Denham, near Tiverton, Devon, have been lately very much disturbed and alarmed by noises, which human reason is unable to account for: the many reports concerning them induced some persons in the neighbourhood, of the first respectability and character, to inquire into the circumstances, and ascertain their truth, or detect the imposition; to this end they made strict inquiries of the family, under an impression that the whole was an imposture – the family, however, all concurring in asserting the truth of the reports, some of those Gentlemen have sat up many nights in an adjoining room, and are fully satisfied, that the singular noises there heard are supernatural.
The Farmer’s female servants sleep in an upper chamber, into which they pass through an outer one; about midnight a tapping is heard against the wainscot of the outer room, which proceeds gradually into the chambers; the most horrid and supernatural noises immediately begin; a weight seems to press the bed, like a chest of drawers; an old sword that hangs behind the bed, is violently shook,and something is heard to pace the room, which, they say, is like the foot of a bear without claws; a young child, which slept with the maids, was nearly suffocated with this supernatural pressure, but nothing can be seen.
It sometimes visits the Farmer’s bed-room – one night, a brass candlestick which was on the floor spun round with the greatest velocity; the Farmer being alarmed, attempted to ring his bell, when the candlestick was thrown with great violence at the bed’s head, but fortunately missed the Farmer – the room was immediately searched, but nothing could be discovered.
The house is built with stone, and there is not any space between the wall and wainscot to practise a deception.
Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser, 3rd August 1810.
Ghost!
The inhabitants of a farm-house at Denham, near Tiverton, Devonshire, have for some time past been alarmed by supernatural noises, which commence nightly in the servants’ rooms, and afterwards extend themselves to other parts of the house. At times, those in bed feel a heavy pressure, without perceiving any thing; the furniture is afterwards moved, and some one appears to be pacing the room.
One night, the farmer being disturbed in this manner, and attempting to ring the bell, a candle-stick, which had been standing on the floor, was thrown at the bed’s-head, but fortunately missed the farmer. The house is built with stone, and there is not any space between the wall and wainscot to practise a deception.
Chester Chronicle, 17th August 1810.