A Ghost!
It is reported that a ghost has been tantalizing the nerves of some of the superstitious of Aylesbury. On Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, the neighbourhood of the Market-square, appeared to be in a state of great excitement. The scene the ghost chose for its operations was a small cottage nearly adjoining the Bull’s Head, and at the back of Mr Elliott’s, grocer. In this cottage resides an aged female, named Steel, widow of the late Mr John Steel, “cow-leech,” and with her resides a grand daughter also named Steel. It seems that the old lady’s nerves have been before shaken; – report says by the apparition of some deceased relative.
However that may be, on this occasion, it is certain that she was much alarmed. On one occasion, after the disturbance had attracted her attention and excited her curiosity, she was fetching some coal up stairs, when “bang” goes the door, as if struck by some heavy weight, and down goes the old lady, coal, &c., into the cellar. Fortunately she was more frightened than hurt; but the consequences of her terror soon became apparent.
Alarmed herself, she quickly alarmed others- and hundreds crowded round the door, with the view of discovering by whom the ghostly character was personated. On Sunday night there were about 200 persons present, and among them the policemen; doubtless with the view of protecting the curious from any attack their “supernatural” disturber might make upon them. Every now and then the “bang” was heard (for it was by sounds only that the presence of the supposed “ghost” was manifest), and fortunate was the individual who was near enough to describe to his wondering and gaping neighbours his ideas of what the sound was like.
Still nothing was discovered: but the opinion gained ground that a real live ghost was paying us a terrestrial visit. Monday was ushered in by the same reports – the “bangs” were still continued, but no one could discover the cause of them. Now another class took the affair in hand, and one more than ordinarily devout endeavoured to act as exorcist; but although he prayed much and “struggled” long, he also was unsuccessful.
In the evening of Monday the numbers round the house were greater than ever, but few of them could hear the “awful” sound – some did so, however, and they at once declared that the sound was caused by something being thrown against the door; and Sergeant Cornaby declared that the granddaughter had flung a ball at the door when the old lady’s back was turned. Whether this was the cause of the disturbance is not known; but it is reported that the old lady declared that she never heard the noise excepting when her back was towards the door.
The illusion was now destroyed; and those who had been sorely frightened began to laugh. Yet has the truth of Mr Cornaby’s conjecture not as yet been discovered, nor has the “ghost” ceased its frolics!
Bucks Chronicle and Bucks Gazette, 10th February 1849.
The Haunted House.
Who would suppose that in the county town of classic Buckinghamshire, in 1849, we should hear anything of haunted houses and ghost stories. Still such is the case, and we blush for shame to record it of our town. A mob of men, women, boys, and girls have, for days and nights, congregated round the door of a cottage, near the Market-place, for the purpose of gratifying their propensity for the marvellous.
There is a small house situate in the alley between the Crown and Bull’s Head Inns, occupied by a widow, at which house, report says, some marvellous noises had been heard. On Thursday week, the ghost made his, or her, or its appearance in the form of a “knocking at de door,” which knocking was continued at intervals of twenty minutes, much to the annoyance of the occupiers of the house, none of whom could give any account of the extraordinary visitation, as nothing could be perceived, notwithstanding the closest watching, to explain the mystery.
The knocking continued at stated times, and became so loud as to attract the notice of the passers-by, and it soon became notorious that the house was haunted. Forthwith a collection of old dames surrounded the house, and their numbers increased until the street was impassible; and there might be seen groups of people recounting the ghost stories of the last three or four centuries; but, notwithstanding the assembly present, the ghost continued, knock! knock! knock! knock! satisfying many of the existence of some supernatural agency. Towards midnight, the congregation dispersed, but only to rally, in increased numbers, at the return of daylight. On Friday, the house was again surrounded from morning till night. On Saturday, the treat was extended to many villagers who attend market, and numbers were fully satisfied that it was a “rale ghost.”
Some “highly respectable people” became interested in the matter, and four farmers are said to have visited the house at the same time; there were also two gentlemen actually courageous enough to venture into the cellar of the house without exhibiting any symptoms of fear. Still Mr Ghost could not be found, and he had the audacity to keep on knocking, even in presence of a policeman. The door is said to have been taken off, but the perverse ghost still continued knocking. On Sunday night, the ghost farce was at its height, and hundreds are said to have crowded round the house; one woman is stated to have seen the handle of the door move about of its own accord, and another to have smelt a “werry strong smell of brimstone.” The whole neighbourhood was annoyed by the concourse of people assembled round the house on Sunday night.
On Monday, the same scene was again acted, but the number of visitors now began to decrease, and Tuesday was the last day of excitement. The ghost, however, keeps on knocking, although it has tired out all its friends, and has no listeners, so that: It’s no use a knocking at de door any more; It’s no use a knocking at de door.
The cause of the noise has not been explained, but there is some suspicion that the whole is a trick. If that should be the case, we give the author of it great credit, for the spree has been wonderfully successful.
Bucks Advertiser and Aylesbury News, 10th February 1849.
A Haunted House, or “Somebody Knocking At The Door.”
During the past week some amusement has been caused in Aylesbury by a report having been circulated that a house in Sharp’s Alley, occupied by Mrs Steele, has been visited by a supernatural spirit, who annoyed the inmates by repeated thumps at the street door. The news spread quickly, and during the whole of Saturday the thoroughfare in that locality was completely blockaded by crowds of idle people, several of whom declared that they distinctly heard the noise in question, for which there was no accounting.
A thorough investigation of the house was made by the police, but the “ghost” was not to be found; probable, having been alarmed at the sight of the civil power, he had made his exit sine die. The knocks were repeated soon afterwards, and some terrible stories were soon afloat, which were talked over by the credulous with grave countenances.
In the evening the town crier was sent round the town to inform the inhabitants that the “ghost” was tired of his performance, and those parties who were desirous of honouring him with a visit, might do so by applying to the overseers, who would inform them where he was to be found. This announcement, however, appeared to have been made up for the purpose of dispersing the crowd assembled round the house, much to the annoyance of the neighbours, who showed their disapprobation by administering to them large quantities of water from their top room windows.
On Sunday night the excitement appeared to have gained its highest, and at eight o’clock there were not less than two or three hundred people on the spot, behaving in a very disorderly manner. The consequence was that the police were obliged to interfere, and in a very short time they succeeded in clearing the passage, and took active measures for preventing the re-assembling of the mob. The affair still continues to be talked of, and at present no satisfactory explanation has been made to account for the strange sounds in question.
Bucks Herald, 10th February 1849.
The Haunted House.
During the last fortnight the greatest curiosity has prevailed in this town, from a report being circulated that a house, situated in Bull’s Head-passage, was visited by a supernatural spirit, much to the annoyance of the inhabitants residing on that spot. The house in question is occupied by a widow of the name of Steel, and who has been much annoyed by repeated knocks at the door, which there was no accounting for, and some very strange rumours got abroard, which brought a great many persons from the neighbouring towns and villages.
The sounds proceeding from the door have been distinctly heard both day and night, and resemble the blows of a heavy sledge hammer. On the night of Thursday, the 8th instant, about twelve o’clock, the noise, when all was quiet, was distinctly heard by the policeman on duty, who was passing down the passage at the time.
On the following night the house was watched by two respectable persons, one of the name of Hamilton, a person connected with the Aylesbury News, and a young man of the name of Birch, and it appears from the facts that we can glean, that as Mr Hamilton was in the act of opening the door, the same knock came again, which quite shook his whole body, and he compared it to the shock of an electrifying machine.
So great was the noise on the night of Thursday, that the neighbours were so alarmed while reposing in balmy sleep that they could not rest, from this strange and unaccountable knocking at the door. The vibration of the door we can assert with truth; but whether this is occasioned by some secret wires from an electric machine we cannot at present state, but there is strong suspicion that such is the case.
In this, as in all other sights, there were plenty of the fair sex assembled around the house, and on one occasion, so sudden was the blow on the door, that they took to their heels, and in making their escape they tumbled one over the other, and one of them in running away fell down and cut herself in a most shocking manner.
So great was the mob on Saturday and Sunday nights that there could not have been less than two or three hundred persons assembled round the house (many of them having actually come 14 to 17 miles) to witness this supernatural wonder.
The whole affair, it is said, proceeded from an air gun, and by this report being set afloat it has to all appearances shot the mob away, as on Tuesday night not a person was to be seen near the house.
Some persons are of opinion that it is a combination of foul and pestilential vapours, while others believe that it is the transformation of old Jack Steel, who is “doomed for a certain term to walk the night, and for the day confined to fast in fires.” Notwithstanding the various rumours that are going abroad, the people still believe that it is a ghost.
The knocking at the door during the day on Wednesday was much stronger than has been heard before, and for which there cannot at present be any account given. If this is a trick played on the occupier of the house it is to be hoped that the parties will soon be detected.
Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette, 17th February 1849.
The Noisy Hobgoblin of the Alley.
Our readers in the country will perhaps be astonished when we tell them that the Knocking Ghost continues its mad pranks with more than its wonted solemnity. Night and day, with the most indefatigable energy, does the evil spirit play at boisterous-bang with the harmless door of the quiet and respectable matron. The curious thing is, that the more the affair becomes public the more strenuously and the more frequently is the bang heard. For example, last Saturday, knowing well that market day had arrived, it performed specially for the benefit of the agricultural population, announcing its existence in short intervals throughout the whole of the day, to the infinite consternation of a multitude of earnest men and women. Then on Sunday, the apparatus performed with great energy and eclat for the purpose of enlightening church and chapel people, who congregated round the seat of the fatuity.
In order that the noise may be heard to the best advantage, the public must congregate in impassible numbers in the narrow street. It does not materially matter whether in daylight or in midnight darkness – but the latter is certainly preferable. And it is further observable, that if you put a strict watch upon the door, when the street is cleared, and have the latchet in your hand so conveniently as to open the door in a jiffy, then the ghost makes no disturbance, because it will not suffer itself to be handled. But block up the door well with people, and the thundering knocks will come in rapid succession.
Will our readers believe us when we tell them that we have been fortunate enough to hear, see, touch, taste, and smell out the divinity and divinities of this awful visitation? And when we tell them that this interview, however reluctantly, took place at the dismal hour of midnight, we trust they will see that it will be unfair for them to press us for any “revelations.” All we can unfold to them at present is, that there certainly be many evil spirits in Aylesbury, who have a great deal too little to do, and who ought to be ashamed of themselves for disturbing the home of one of the most quiet and composed persons of the town – an aged lady who needs the composure and respect due to her years, rather than the mad frolics of cowardly spirits, who seem to have more sense than commit their frolics at the door of those who would soon be capable of paying them out in lynch-law coin.
We never yet heard of a ghost who did not turn out to be a consummate coward, preferring to deal with aged grandmothers and young children rather than able-bodied and full grown sons of the soil and knights of the anvil. However, the present game has been ingeniously played. The town has had the benefit of the fun; and the easiest way to allay the spirits is for the people to take no more notice of them. These spirits are largely developed in the organs of popular applause and approbation. They are human in this respect, and will cease to perform when they cease to be regarded by the multitude.
Bucks Advertiser and Aylesbury News, 17th February 1849.
The “Aylesbury Ghost” has again been most actively employed during the week in endeavouring to instil terror into the minds of the inhabitants of this town. The “knocking at de door” has become louder and more frequent, and the fact has gained such publicity that the house is surrounded day and night by multitudes of people, all anxious to hear “Old Joe’s” performance.
On Sunday night there was an immense crowd congregated in front of the house, when the raps occurred so frequently as to afford them ample opportunities of satisfying their curiosity. Some of the persons present endeavoured to assign a cause for these unnatural sounds, and three or four sentinels were engaged to keep a strict watch over the “haunted” establishment; notwithstanding which, the noises were repeated at intervals, to the utter dismay of all present.
The police have been indefatigable in their endeavours to find out the perpetrators of the trick, and bring the offenders to justice, but at present without success. A person undertook to keep guard in the house on Sunday night. The knockings, he stated, were heard till past twelve, when all was silent. Shortly afterwards he heard voices outside the house, and on his going to the door observed a small party of gentlemen emerging from the passage, one of whom had, what appeared to him to be, an air-gun, or some such instrument, in his possession. His supposition is, that the noise was caused by some substance being propelled against the door from one of the houses opposite. This, however, does not appear very feasible, for, if such were the case, there is but little doubt that some of the parties who assemble nightly round the house would have detected the trick.
The door continues to be operated upon night and day, and it is feared that something serious will occur before long if the whole affair is not brought to light, a report having been started that the house would shortly be “fired.” We advise the concoctors of this ingenious trick to forbear from future operations, while it remains a joke, else they may do it once too often, and have the laugh turned against themselves.
Bucks Herald, 17th February 1849.
(As above, to ‘to the utter dismay of all present’) one of whom actually declared he heard a “rattling of chains” in the cellar beneath! At present the affair is involved in mystery, although numberless reports are afloat concerning it. The general opinion, however, now appears to be that it is a trick cleverly performed by some persons versed in the art of door-knocking.
Oxford Journal, 17th February, 1849.
Buckinghamshire. A Haunted House.
Much amusement has been caused in Aylesbury, during the past week, by a report that a house in Sharp’s-alley, occupied by Mrs Steel, had been visited at intervals, during the day and night, by some supernatural being, who alarmed the inmates by repeated thumps at the street door. The curious were attracted to the spot, in the hope of being able, for once in their lives, of catching a glimpse, or even a sound, of this wonderful phenomenon.
Several parties announced that they distinctly heard the knockings; and the consequence was, that the police were obliged to interfere, when a thorough investigation of the “haunted” house took place, in the hope of something being found to account for the noise, and thus set the minds of the crowd at rest. But they were unsuccessful in their endeavours, and even they themselves owned that they heard the noises in question. There were at least three hundred people before the house, expecting every moment to see the “ghost.” But the police interfered, and threatened to take several of the parties into custody if they did not immediately disperse. This had the desired effect, and the ghost was soon “left alone in his glory.”
It is said that the noises, which are still to be heard, are caused by the water having found its way into the gas-pipes beneath the house.
Bell’s New Weekly Messenger, 18th February 1849.
“The Ghost.”
Mr Jones applied to the bench for their assistance under the following circumstances: – For some time past, a house occupied by Mrs Steele, and situated near the Bull’s Head, in this town, had been reported to be “haunted,” and great numbers of people assembled outside the house, both night and day, to hear the “knocking at the door;” and it had now become such an unqualified nuisance, by parties being continually looking in at the window, and even opening the door, that Mrs Steele was compelled to seek the assistance of the magistrates.
Mrs Steele and the other inmates were under no apprehension of being hurt by the repeated “knocking at the door;” and she prayed the magistrates to order the police to disperse any persons who assembled outside her house in future.
– In answer to the Bench, Superintendent Cornaby said he had dispersed the mob several times; and he had also heard the “knocking at the door,” which was certainly very singular. He had been there himself in the night, when no other person was near, and then he heard the “knock.”
– The bench advised him if he caught the “ghost” to bring it up before them; and if he saw any persons assembled about the house, who refused to disperse, to apprehend them also.
Bucks Chronicle and Bucks Gazette, 24th February 1849.
Information against the ghost.
At the Magistrates Chamber, on Saturday, the mad frolics of the ghost were the subject of conversation, Mr Jones applied on behalf of Mrs Steel, for the protection of the bench. He said the family were under no apprehension. The house was besieged night and day, and he asked the bench to see that the police did their duty effectively.
It was a positive and a most unqualified nuisance. Mr Jones was asked if he saw the ghost (loud laughter). Mr Jones – Most certainly not; but a large concourse of persons continually besiege the door, and a more intolerable nuisance never existed. Mr Cornaby said it was something very singular, and the knocking was going on still. He was told by the bench to bring the ghost before them immediately, or any parties suspected, or seen having anything to do with it. Mr Cornaby said he was very glad Mrs Jones had brought the matter before the bench, as he was most anxious to have the nuisance put down; but he had been outside and heard the noise, when no one was there (loud laughter).
Bucks Advertiser and Aylesbury News, 24th February 1849.
The Aylesbury “Ghost”.
Very little has been heard of this “monster” during the week, and some of the inhabitants of the town are beginning seriously to believe that it has actually “given up the ghost.” A party of three “intelligent young men,” at an unseasonable hour on Friday morning last, fearing that this disturber of the public peace might be tired by his continued exertions on the door, agreed to help him through his part. Accordingly they proceeded cautiously up the passage to the house in question, when one of the party administered to the unoffending door two or three tremendous kicks. No sooner, however, had he performed this feat than the door of the house flew open, and out rushed two old women, inmates of the house, who had been keeping guard. Two of the “gentlemen” were fortunate enough to get clear of these unwelcome visitors, whilst the third, in his hurry to escape, stumbled and fell. He was soon operated upon by the “old hags,” as he afterwards termed them, who appeared not a little pleased with having captured one of these nocturnal visitors. After he had received a just punishment from the hands of the two females he was “severely reprimanded and allowed to depart.”
The nuisance, it appears, had become so great to the inmates of the house that they could get no rest, night or day, and on Saturday last Mr Jones, solicitor, of Aylesbury, applied for an order at the Magistrates’ Chamber to enforce the police to take into custody those parties who were found loitering about near the house. Police-serjeant Cornaby, who happened to be present, stated that he had used his utmost exertions to keep order in that locality, and had repeatedly cleared the thoroughfare, but no sooner was his back turned than the mob would re-assemble and behave in the most riotous manner. The Magistrates gave him orders to apprehend those parties who continued to assemble after this notice, and they would punish them accordingly. This step has had the desired effect, and the “knocking at de door” is now seldom heard, the audience being so small that it would not be worth “Old Joe’s”while to continue his performance.
Oxford Journal, 24th February 1849.
The Ghost Nuisance.
Mr Jones appeared on behalf of Mrs Steel to request the assistance of the Magistrates in putting down the nuisance that had existed for some time past in the vicinity of her house. He stated that Mrs Steel was an aged and infirm woman, and that the assemblage of persons at all hours of the day and night around her door was an intolerable nuisance, and injurious to her health. He had been to the house himself, and he must say it was a very great nuisance, and a disgrace to the town. He wished the magistrates to request the police to discharge their duty and prevent the persons from assembling.
Serjeant Cornaby said he had dispersed the crowd a great many times, but the persons assembled again as soon as he had left the place.
The Bench desired the police to take all persons loitering about the house into custody.
Bucks Gazette, 24th February 1849.
The Ghost.
Mr Ghost has, within these last few days, revisited his old haunt, and has been knocking at the door with vehemence. He now continues his recreation both day and night, and his “– blows and knocks, / To prove his presence orthodox,” have become so loud as to wake the neighbours out of their first sleep. The cause of the disturbance still remains a mystery.
Bucks Advertiser and Aylesbury News, 3rd March 1849.
Information against the Aylesbury ghost.
At the Magistrates’ Chamber, on Saturday, the mad frolics of the ghost were the subject of conversation. Mr Jones applied on behalf of Mrs Steel for the protection of the bench. He said the family were under no apprehension. The house was besieged night and day, and he asked the bench to see that the police did their duty effectively. It was a positive and most unqualified nuisance.
Mr Jones was asked if he saw the ghost. (Loud laughter.) – Mr Jones: Most certainly not; but a large concourse of persons continually besieged the door, and a more intolerable nuisance never existed.
Mr Cornaby said it was something very singular, and the knocking was going on still. He was told by the bench to bring the ghost before them immediately, or any parties suspected, or seen having anything to do with it. Mr Cornaby said he was very glad Mr Jones had brought the matter before the bench, as he was most anxious to have the nuisance put down; but he had been outside and heard the noise, when no one was there. (Loud laughter).
Bucks Advertiser. – (Our readers will remember we gave some passages from our contemporary descriptive of the sensation caused by a continued knocking, without any visible agency, at Mrs Steel’s door).
Douglas Jerrold’s Weekly Newspaper, 3rd March 1849.
The Aylesbury ghost is still a mystery, and still keeps knocking at the door. “He now,” says the Bucks Advertiser, “continues his recreation both day and night, and his ‘–blows and knocks, To prove his presence orthodox,’ have become so loud as to wake the neighbours out of their first sleep.”
Roscommon Messenger, 21st March 1849.
Aylesbury. The haunted house. Dreadful revelations and exit of the ghost.
We have the satisfaction to announce that the troublesome spirit which, for the last few weeks has been creating so much commotion in the quiet home of a quiet old matron, has been allayed: but not before creating “confusion doubly confounded.” For a long time it did nothing more serious than continue its knockings at the outer door, to the terror of the whole neighbourhood and, we suppose, the consternation of the whole county.
But a fortnight since, the most extraordinary movements began in the bedrooms and attic. Huge boxes began to rise up on their narrow ends, making circuitous motions towards the staircase, and th emore attempts were made to still the perturbed spirit the more marvellous did the motions become. We found one immense trunk, filled with linen, in such a position that it wanted to go downstairs as soon as possible, and to humour the turbulent spirit we graciously saw it consigned within a quiet bedroom, but no sooner was our back turned than the trunk was vibrated the same as before, and made its way towards the staircase!
Next, obtaining plenty of rope, it was well secured to the bedstead: but lo! in less than half-an-hour afterwards, the bedstead itself was moved out of its position, and was making its way out of the house.
Having some dreamy apprehension that human forms might possibly obtain admission through doors and windows, these were carefully sealed up, so as to prevent all ingress, and the bedroom remained thus for a whole day; but it was of no use; no sooner were the seals broken and the door opened than the great box was found to have moved from its position, dragging the bed beneath its trail; and to render the performance more complete, a system of knocking began at another bedroom, which so astonished the inmates that in the dead of night they left the house and sought shelter elsewhere.
But this was not all. A day or two afterwards, gentle whisperings were heard in one of the rooms by the youngest inmate in the house, a shrewd young girl, who soon committed to paper the awful words which were heard. This important document is in our possession, and we may give it for the benefit of any of Mr Joe Smith’s followers who are interested in the matter: –
“1 ah herere I am! 2 you shant beye no more nor see 3 you shant see no more but here you shall who or what are you, tell us what this knocking containes, then we shall no answers there is something that ah person ought to have in this house and until then you shall here.”
The figures in the above document allude to the specific revelations, 1, 2, and 3, in the order in which the oracle delivered itself.
Matters now becoming rather alarming, a specific commission of ghost hunters assembled in the attic of the haunted house, determined to get to the bottom of these wonderful transactions. To detail the various plans and projects which they adopted, the evidence which they sifted, the corners which they examined, and the theories they propounded, would encroach ar too much on our pages, and indeed we have not yet received the consent of the gentleman to publish anything whatever that has transpired.
Suffice it to say that the dexterity and cunning of the ghost have been fairly vanquished, for during the last week it has been “idle as a painted ship upon a painted ocean,” and there is every reason to believe that it never will show face again.
Bucks Advertiser and Aylesbury News, 17th March 1849.
Aylesbury Ghosts.
[…] The most modern of the Aylesbury ghosts was “Steele’s”. The Rev. John Wesley and his household were annoyed by a ghost which had a propensity for making a great noise. Mr Wesley was so misled as to interrogate the ghost thus: “If thou are the spirit of my son Samuel, I pray thee knock three knocks and no more.” The rev. gentleman had no reply. Steele’s ghost was of this class, and was charged with making a noise which could be heard by the passers by in the street.
In 1849 Mrs Steele, an aged widow, resided in the back thoroughfare adjoining the Market Place, adjacent to the Bull’s Head Inn. Her grandchild was the only person residing with her. The frolics of this ghost consisted in thoroughly displacing the furniture of the house. After the old lady had neatly arranged her bedroom, on a subsequent visit to the apartment she would find it all in confusion, chairs turned upside down, the looking glass on the floor, chests of drawers removed, the bed clothes strewn about, and a large coffer turned out of its place. It was evident the ghost was no spirit, but was possessed of muscular power.
This confusion continued day after day, in addition to which a great noise was heard, and the house was shaken from top to bottom. The poor old lady was so persecuted by the ghost that she had to leave her house. The ghost became so popular that crowds collected outside to see or hear its performances, insomuch that the traffic of the public street was interfered with.
Cornaby, who was then sergeant of the Aylesbury parish police, applied to the magistrate for advice. “What is your business, Mr Cornaby?” enquired the magistrates’ clerk. “About the ghost,” replied the sergeant. “Ghost,” said the chairman, “What about a ghost?” “There’s a haunted house, sir, in the Market Place,” replied Cornaby, “and the ghost —” “Stop, stop!” said the chairman, “we can hear no evidence in the absence of the accused (laughter). You must bring the ghost before us if it has transgressed (much laughter). Will you, Mr Cornaby, have a summons or a warrant?” (renewed laughter). “Couldn’t give his Christian name,” says Cornaby, “but I know the last place of his abode, and as for a warrant I couldn’t run him in, as he hasn’t got a collar-bone, and no doubt he would ‘slip the darbies’. ” “Well, then, Mr Cornaby,” said the chairman, “don’t trouble about the ghost, but at our next meeting bring before us some of the crowd who have obstructed the thoroughfare, and we will deal with them.”
Eventually the ghost over-acted its part and spoilt the fun, by writing a letter and leaving it in the house, thus: “I ha herer I am 2. You shant here no more nor see. You shant see no moor but here you shall who or what you are tel us what this knocking containes then we shal no answers there is something that ah peron out to hav in this house and until then you shall here.”
It has already been said that the only occupiers of the house were the old lady and her gradchild; one of the two were the concoctors of the farce, but no suspicion ever attached to the grandmother.
SEPTUAGENARIAN, Aylesbury, August, 1892.
Bucks Advertiser and Aylesbury News, 20th August 1892.
Gleanings from the “Advertiser” of May 17th, 1856.
Excitement at Aylesbury.
On Saturday night the bustle of the Market Day was lulled by a tremendous knocking proceeding from Sharp’s Alley, near the Bull’s Head. It was loud and continuous, and arrested the attention of passers-by. A crowd collected in Sharp’s Passage, and their attention was fixed upon a house with a green door. The noise appeared to proceed from the door, and although it was opened by the inmates and pushed back against the wall, yet the noise continued as fiercely as ever.
The occupier of the house was remarkably frightened, and implored the protection of the respectable persons who had gathered. Several gentlemen at her request went over the premises, but failed to discover any clue to the mysterious noise, which appeared solely to proceed from the door. It is the same house at which inexplicable noises were heard about four years ago, when the Editor of the “Aylesbury News” and several other spiritually affected individuals, went to the house with the idea of exorcising the spirit, but were nearly frightened out of their wits by the extraordinary noises, for which they could not account.
In consequence of the great excitement the house was closed. It has recently become habited, and the noises have again resumed.
Uxbridge and West Drayton Gazette, 26th May 1916.
Aylesbury was a “Ghost Town”
Do you believe in ghosts? You don’t? Well, read this story of a ghost which became a public nuisance in the Aylesbury of 1849 and influenced many local people into becoming “converts of witchcraft.” Like most ghost stories this one begins in a haunted house, writes Norman Kirkham, who continues to delve into the past.
The house was near “The Bull’s Head” Hotel, and one tenant too many was a ghost which was never seen but constantly heard knocking. So noisy was the ghost that it became the talk of the town and people anxious to hear it would crowd outside the house until the roadway was crowded and impassable. The Law did not turn a blind eye to this unusual happening and an Aylesbury policeman complained at Aylesbury Magistrates’ Court in February. The magistrates agreed that they could not hear evidence in the absence of the accused and amid laughter asked the officer if he would like a warrant for the arrest of the ghost.
The strange disturbances continued for a month until on March 13th the ghost wrote a letter. The message, although almost unintelligible, contained one significant sentence: “There is something that ah person out to hav in this house and until then you shall here this nocking.” – Obviously the ghost was not educated.
Apparently the ghost departed, for the sensation died down and there are no further records of it.
Bucks Herald, 12th December 1952.