‘Silverton Abbey’ was actually Goldington Grange, now demolished (see https://bedsarchives.bedford.gov.uk/CommunityHistories/Goldington/Goldington-Grange.aspx )
A Haunted Home.
Haunted houses have long been heard of but seldom seen. One has, however, been found at last which has come through the ordeal of scientific inspection with flying colours. This is “Silverton Abbey,” situated within two miles of a Midland town. The ghosts of the Abbey are to be congratulated upon the result which has attended their efforts to obtain general recognition.
A recent tenant of the house left it because of their activity, and wrote to the papers about it. He also wrote to his lawyers, in the vain hope of being able to extract compensation from his landlord. The law could not help him. It takes no count of ghosts. But the law, we know, is “a hass.” However, the pathetic story of the tenant as told in the press attracted the attention of two gentlemen of scientific mind, who share the incredulity of the law in respect of ghosts. They resolved to spend two nights in the house. It is probable that the ghostly inhabitants of the Abbey knew something of the circumstances under which the visit was made. At any rate, they determined to resent the impertinence of the implied reflection upon their good faith. The two gentlemen examined the house carefully by daylight, took every precaution against anyone of material build coming in during the evening, and finally retired to rest, both in the same room.
Nothing happened before midnight. At the fashionable hour for ghostly promenades faint footsteps were heard in the corridor. The two scientific doubters first shouted and then rushed out. At the shout the faint footsteps ceased to be heard, and inspection failed to unearth any explanation of the noise.
The best experience was reserved for the second night. Bedlam must be a poor place for noises in comparison with “Silverton Abbey.” Doors opened and closed, apparently of their own volition, and heavy weights fell with loud bangs on the floor. The occasion was evidently regarded as a special one by the ghosts. They have at least justified their existence, and have come through the investigation without a stain upon their character. The two gentlemen are evidently mystified. It may be they are beginning to modify their ancient incredulity. At any rate, they do not offer to continue their examination.
Westerham Herald, 16th May 1896.
The ‘Ghosts’ of Goldington Grange.
The story of a Bedfordshire scare.
The ghostly superstitions surrounding Goldington Grange, a villa near Bedford, are, says a correspondent, so confirmed that it still remains untenanted. No one has lived there for years, owing, it is said, to the stories of unearthly noise and strange sights, and nervous villagers close by retain a dread of the place, and shun it night and day. Through these prejudices it seems almost impossible to let the premises, and a Bedford syndicate has been formed for the purpose of purchasing the property and converting the land into building ground. This has recently been done. The syndicate comprises a well-known retired builder, a couple of solicitors, a Town Councillor, a doctor, etc. The estate of 15 acres will be soon built upon. One hundred cottages of the artisan class are to be erected. It is outside the borough. The new front to the mansion, which the last occupier, Mrs Grimshawe added, will most likely be taken down, and the house itself, now of a good age, will either be let (if possible) or divided out. Anyhow, operations have commenced already, and the supposed ghosts are likely soon to find plenty of company.
There is a strange history connected with the house, which may be familiar to some of your readers, for articles on the subject and the wild fancies concerning the house have already appeared in your columns. It was just over four years ago when the sensation was started by a cleverly-written letter, signed by a Colonel Gladstone, said to be a cousin of the G.O.M., who had leased the house, which is a fine building, containing over thirty rooms, besides extensive stabling, yard, gardens, and paddock, the whole covering 15 acres of land, including the site of the villa. Mr Gladstone leased the house for a three years’ term, at, I believe, a reduced rental of £200 a year, and upon Mrs Grimshawe (the owner) quitting it for the purpose of travel and change of residence, Mr Gladstone went with his family to reside at the villa. The Colonel was subsequently called out to India upon Government business.
The house became vacant, and various rumours were afloat about Mr Gladstone’s reason for going away. Not long elapsed, however, before a letter came out in the London papers, signed by the lessee, and bitterly complaining of the presence of nightly apparitions in the bedrooms, staircases and landings, etc., at the house he had vacated. Messrs. Wells and Col, house furnishers, of High-street, Bedford, were agents for the letting of premises at Goldington, and gave permission for strangers to visit the empty house and pass the night there if wished. For such pupose they provided bedsteads, bedding, and necessary furniture for the room where the ghosts were said to be seen and heard. Many persons visited the place from curiosity (the writer included), a Northampton clergyman, and a representative of your paper, but nothing could be really seen or heard by them.
Meanwhile the Colonel was compelled to pay up his full rent, although he had hoped that the law, as in India, would free him from it owing to the alleged presence of ghosts, which it is said at the witching hour of midnight would come forth, banging doors, knocking walls, and make clattering noises along the passages. The whole affair is so mysterious, and has attracted so much attention, that I thought many of your readers would be interested in the developments now going on.
Northampton Mercury, 9th November 1900.