Perhaps the servants were having him on. But nevertheless it’s an interesting example of Bells, and the use of prayer to get rid of the problem.
Mr Harlakenden, who lived at Coln-Priory in Essex, (where I often was, his only Son being my Pupil,) formerly the House of the Earls of Oxford: Off from the house was a Tomb House, with a Chamber over it; his Butler, Robert Crow, and William, his Coach-man, used to lie in that Room. At Two of the Clock in the Morning there was always the sound of a great Bell tolling: They affirming it so, Mr Harlakenden slept in the Evening, so as to be awaked at One of the Clock, and lay betwixt his two Servants to satisfie himself. At Two of the Clock comes the usual Sound of a great Bell tolling, which put him into a Fright and Sweat, so as he jogg’d his Servants; who awaking, said, Hark, Tom is at his Sport. It revived him to hear them speak.
Upon a particular Occasion, Mr Thomas Shepheard, (who after went to New England,) with some other Ministers, and good People, spent a Night in Prayer, and had some respect to the place, serving God, to cast out the Devil: And from that time, never was any such noise heard in the Chamber.
This I had from Mr Harlakenden’s own Mouth, and his Servants, Ear-witnesses, when I was upon the place.
Thomas Woodcocke, writing a letter in July 1691, printed as part of The certainty of the Worlds of Spirits (1691) by Richard Baxter.