A Ghost.
Union-Hall.
A gentleman, named Irwin, residing at Claremont Cottage, on the Wandsworth road, attended this office, for the purpose of entreating the magistrate’s advice and assistance under the following curious circumstances:-
He commenced his application by stating, that he came down to the office at the request of a very decent woman, a laundress, named Beekington, who lives near the Nag’s Head at Clapham. About a month or five weeks ago, the laundress called upon him, and declared that she could not rest at home, in consequence of the frightful noises occasioned, she had the weakness to suppose, by a ghost.
She described to him, that when night approached it was almost impossible to remain in the house; for as soon as darkness set in, dismal howlings, together with the clattering of all the windows and the bells in the house, were heard, and sometimes to such an extent as to endanger the whole fabric, which was built of rather slight materials. She represented to him that when the unusual noises were first heard in the house, she sent for her three sons, young men, who remained in the house for some nights, in order to discover whether they could ascertain how or by whom such nightly disturbances were caused; but strange to say, notwithstanding their presence, as soon as night came the hubbub commenced – every bell in the house rung with violence, although no hand was to be seen near the wires – the windows shock as if agitated by a storm – and loud thumps were heard against the partition that divided the passage from the front and back sitting rooms, with a force almost sufficient to stave in the whole of the wood work; and yet no creature was to be seen, although her sons and applicant had watched most assiduously, and indeed, left nothing undone to solve the mystery.
Mr. Irwin further stated, that Mrs. Beekington informed him, that about six weeks ago she discharged a female servant, who expressed great sorrow on leaving the house, and appeared very loth to go away. When however she was about to quit the house, she in a very emphatic manner told her mistress, that as she was not permitted to remain, her ghost should visit the abode nightly. Ever since her departure, it seems the inmates have been annoyed by the disturbances above mentioned.
Mr. Chambers, in compliance with the request of Mr. Irwin, directed one of the officers to proceed to Mrs. Beekington’s house, and endeavour, if possible, to get hold of the parties concerned in the disturbances.
Star (London), 21st December 1826.
Union Hall.
It would seem, from an application that was made to the presiding Magistrate of this office (R J Chambers, Esq.), which we are about to state ,that a ghost, or rather a mischievous person hitherto unknown, has been annoying a family named Bedington, residing near the Chapel, in the Wandsworth road.
A gentleman named Irwin, who said that he lived at Claremont Cottage, on the Wandsworth road, presented himself before Mr chambers for the purpose of having his opinion in what way the mischievous individual was to be detected.
From the detail given by Mr Irwin, we collected the following particulars:- Some time ago Mr Irwin converted a coach-house on his premises into a dwelling-house, which he let to a laundress and her husband, named Beckington, who had a family of children; and, being in circumstances to keep a servant, they hired one from the country, whom they recently discharged; and this female, there was reason for believing, was in some way or other accessory to the annoyance.
Beckington, who is a coachman to a highly respectable family in the neighbourhood, hired another servant, and since her entrance in his dwelling, noises were continually heard every night, such as ringing of bells, knocking against the walls, rattling of windows, which so alarmed the girl and Beckington’s family, that they knew not how to act, having in vain endeavoured to discover by whom the noises were occasioned.
So ingeniously were the tricks (if tricks they were) contrived, that although a watchman was stationed at the door, the house bell, which was connected with it, would ring in his presence.
It was only on Monday night that, as the children were going to bed, attended by the servant, they were frightened by a thumping on the wall; their parents ran, and the noise ceased for a while, but presently commenced again. Mr Irwin, anxious that his tenants should dnot be annoyed, resolved upon seeing the Magistrate, and requesting his advice.
Mr Chambers having heard the story, smiled, and said that he would send an officer down, if Mr Irwin pleased; but in all probability the ghost would not exhibit its tricks as soon as the officer was known to be in waiting. His Worship then put some questions respecting the servant maid and her connections, to which Mr Irwin replied that she belonged to a decent family, and had been accosted in a rough manner by a strange man more than once. The Magistrate told Mr Irwin that if the girl thought proper to have a warrant issued against the fellow who had thus treated her, she had only to present herself at the office, and one should be granted. Mr Irwin seemed disposed to believe that the man to whom he had alluded might be involved in the mysterious affair. “If you think so,” replied the Magistrate, “you may have a warrant, on the girl coming to this office, and swearing to the fact which you have named.”
Mr Irwin then retired, after expressing a hope that his neighbours might not be made acquainted with his application.
English Chronicle and Whitehall Evening Post, 21st December 1826.
A Ghost.
On Wednesday, a gentleman named Irwin, – not the preacher – requested the assistance of the Magistrate, at Union Hall, to lay a ghost which, not having the fear of the Red Sea before its eyes, has lately haunted the house of a laundress, named Beckingham, near the Nag’s head, at Clapham, and made awful noises, thumped the wainscot, shook the windows, and rung the bells, contrary to the peace of our Sovereign Lord the King, his crown and dignity.
The gentleman stated, that the laundress could not sleep for the fearful uproar that disturbed and alarmed her – she had called in the aid of her three stout hearted sons, but they could not find the ghost, and the gentleman, in his own proper person, had visited the house a few evenings previous: he described the noises as most appalling – every window in the house shook, and every bell rung – loud knocks were heard under the floor of the room, in which the servant girl stood, and wherever she moved the blows followed.
Mr Irwin stated, that Mrs Beckington, about six weeks ago discharged a female servant, who, on leaving the house, told her mistress that as she was not permitted to remain, her ghost should visit the abode nightly.
Ever since her departure, it seems, the inmates have been annoyed by the disturbances above mentioned. Mr Chambers directed one of the officers to proceed to Mrs Beckington’s house, and endeavour, if possible, to get hold of the parties concerned in the disturbances.
Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette, 28th December 1826.