Chagford – This much retired parish has been much excited for the last three weeks, in consequence of a supernatural visitation. On Saturday, the 14th ult., the parishioners assembled in the church for the purpose of electing a collector of Poor-rates. The only candidate was Mr Thorn, the clerk of the parish; twenty persons voted; ten for and ten against him. Much dispute arose in consequence of the evenness of numbers. Thorn being a rate-payer, settled the matter by voting for himself. The vote however was not taken without considerable opposition, and much railing and blasphemous cursing took place.
Our informants add, at this juncture an awful noise was heard, and at first it was thought that the pulpit had fallen down, but this was quickly discovered not to be the case. Next they searched the tower, to see if one of the bells had not fallen, but here also every thing was found to be correct, and no other explanation can be given of the matter, save that it was some supernatural indication of the extreme wickedness of the proceedings.
To this day the origin of the noise remains a profound mystery, and for miles round this primitive village is the subject of serious conversation. By the latest arrivals we learn that a farmer has seen Beelzebub walking outside the church; we fear that next week we may have to report that he is in the church; we trust not, though this is comoing to rather close quarters.
Western Times, 11th June 1836.