A Haunted House at Dover (From the Greenwich Gazette of Saturday)
It will be in the recollection of many of our readers that a few years ago the greatest possible excitement was occasioned in Greenwich by a mysterious ringing of bells in the apartments belonging to Lieutenant Rivers, in Greenwich Hospital, the cause of which nobody could detect, although it continued for several days, and was carried to such an extent that Lieutenant Rivers’s family were obliged to quit the residence. The Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, the Secretary, the Solicitor of the Institution, and hundreds of other acute persons, visited the apartments – the bells rung in their presence, and no solution to the mystery could be obtained; at length one of the female servants who had been left in charge of the apartments confessed herself to be the author of the trick that had been played. A like circumstance is at this moment occasioning the greatest consternation in the town of Dover. This has been the all-absorbing topic of conversation; and it is certainly a most extraordinary circumstance.
Having carefully inquired into the matter, we are enabled to lay the details fully before our readers, leaving them to judge of the case as they may think proper. On Sunday week, the Misses Keys, daughters of Mr Richard Keys, pilot, in Limekiln-street, soon after going to bed, heard a knocking at their chamber door. It commenced with a gentle tapping, as though some one was at the door rapping with their knuckles wishing to come in. The noise increased louder and louder, until it became as one knocking with all his might, when it left off.
Ever since that time the same noise has been heard in various parts of the house. At one time it appears in the cellar; at another time under the floor; from thence in the chambers; and at other times in the parlour or sitting room. Neither is the noise confined to time, for it is heard at various times in the day as well as in the night, and by any person who visits the apartments. Sometimes the noise will leave the house for a whole day, and return at night; at other times nothing is heard all night, but returns with the rising sun.
It always commences in the same way – a gentle tapping, as with the knuckles, until it becomes of a most violent description. A few days since it came while a party was sitting in the parlour, when the door was a little way open ; the rapping then appeared to be on the top of the door, and when it increased to the highest pitch the door went to and fro as though some one was shaking it in a very vehement manner. Several scores of persons who have visited the house declare the noise to be most awful; and many who have gone to the house laughing at the folly and superstitions of those who have previously visited, have returned trembling.
As to the cause of this extraordinary affair various are the conjectures; some ascribe it to natural, others to a supernatural agency; some have supposed it to proceed from the water works near the spot, and others to a distillery which stands but a few rods off. Some again have averred it as their opinion that it probably proceeds from the foundation, thinking it probably may be sinking, although noting appears to bear out the supposition; while some have suggested that it probably may proceed from the railroad, thinking it not unlikely that a subterraneous passage may proceed from the works to the house, which conveys the sound. Whether any of these suppositions can have any claim to general credence we cannot at present decide; but if so, why does the noise always come in the same soft and gentle manner? And why not continue for a longer period of time?
The house has been in the possession of this family for may years past, neither has anything ever been heard till up to the time above stated. The effect produced by this circumstance on the family, and many others who have visited, has been exceedingly great; and the young ladies can on no account be prevailed on to sleep in the house. The floors have all been taken up, and every search imaginable has been made to ascertain, if possible, the real cause; but hitherto their exertions have proved unavailing. Whatever may be the cause of this singular phenomenon, we trust it will speedily be brought to light, not only to the satisfaction of the public, but for the peace of mind of the family.
Northern Star and Leeds General Advertiser, 7th December 1839.
Dover. – The Haunted House.
After an interval of nearly a fortnight, the mysterious knockings in a house in Limekiln-street were resumed on Friday se’nnight; and from that evening up to the present time this strange affair has continued. Many who had before treated the subject with ridicule have become converts to its being of supernatural agency.
On the Friday evening Mrs Keys thought she heard some one trying the latch of the back door, as though they wished to open it, but upon proceeding to the door no one was to be seen. On Saturday the knocking again returned, with redoubled violence, and Mr Keys, who was at home on the occasion, declared he was never before frightened in his life. The knocking now appeared to be, as frequent heavy knocks against the partitions of the various rooms in which it was heard, given by a weighty hand with a mallet. It appears to have been loudest on the Saturday; but on Sunday several who visited the house declared the noise to be more awful than anything they ever heard in their lives.
The noise is not, however, confined to knocking against the partition, for on Saturday the family were convinced that the mysterious actor in this drama had power to lift the latches of the doors, as one on a door in the passage, leading to one of the rooms, which is not usually shut, was exceedingly troublesome; the latch has since been tied up to prevent a like occurrence.
Every eye is now directed towards the house by persons in passing, and the applications to hear the noise are so frequent that it takes up almost one person’s time to attend upon the visitors.
The family, who are members of the Wesleyan Methodist Society, have therefore placed a Wesleyan missionary box to receive subscriptions for the Female Penitentiary Society, and another box for the fund for the Conversion of the Jews, next the door, in order that those who visit may have an opportunity of contributing a mite in support of one of the above institutions; and few leave without putting a shilling into one of the boxes; so that let the power be of natural, celestial, or infernal attribute, some good will undoubtedly acrue thereby.
In connection with this mysterious affair, the following statement will not be uninteresting: – About three years ago Mr Beal, a surgeon residing in Dover, heard a knocking against the partition of his own bed room. It commenced in the same soft and gentle manner, as with the knuckles, and continued to rap until it became almost unbearable, and greatly frightened the family. The knocking would appear for some minutes in the wainscoting of the room in which the family might be assembled, and in the next moment was heard to resound from the cellar, or the garret, and traverse every apartment in th ehouse. The watchmen were called in, and every search made during the hours of this invisible intruder’s visits, but nothing to elucidate the facts could be ascertained. Mr Beal in the meantime, however, informed his landlord of the circumstance, declaring he must quit the house; but the landlord, wishing the matter to be kept a secret, the circumstances did not transpire at the time. This noise generally came about 11 o’clock at night, and continued for about two or three hours.
Kentish Mercury, 14th December 1839.
The Dover Ghost Detected.
We gave an account in our last number of the mysterious noises heard at Mr R Keys’ house in Limekiln-street; and stated that the cause had been attributed to various circumstances, none of which proved satisfactory, and that the noises had discontinued for the last several days. Strange to say, at the very moment the article was put to press, the invisible and troublesome visitor again commenced its usual knockings, and continued them, at intervals, during the day, and still more annoying and louder than ever.
From the time of its commencement, Mr Keys and his family used every exertion, and adopted such plans as could be devised, in order to discover the cause of the annoyance. At length, great suspicion was raised in the minds of the family that it originated from the servant, a girl about 16 years of age, who, it appears, has been living with the family three months, and performed her duties greatly to the satisfaction of her employer. The suspicion was strengthened by the circumstance, that during the fair days the noise subsided; and also during the short time she had been absent at her mother’s, on account of ill health, which it was supposed by the family had been brought on by fear and the continued excitement she laboured under. Whenever the noise was heard she ran towards the family for protection, and often appeared to be greatly distressed from fear. They likewise recollected that the noise had ceased on Sundays when the girl was absent at a place of worship.
From these suspicions they kept a strict watch on her conduct. In addition to the loud knockings, she had sometimes contrived to make a noise with the latches of the doors, and to cause the doors to open without any apparent agency. The family laid a plan on Monday evening to detect the vile imposter. One of them were placed on the stairs, to command a view of the passage; and another looked through the keyhole. Soon they beheld the girl as she crept along the passage, to make the usual noise with the latches. On being detected she ran towards the kitchen; and on being accused of such conduct, she boldly denied it. After some further conversation, she acknowledged to have been guilty of moving the latches, but firmly denied any knowledge of the knockings.
She has since, however, acknowledged that she knocked twice – once to frighten her master. The reason she gives for this strange conduct, is, that she was fearful to be alone, and she thought it would induce the family to remain with her. The girl was immediately sent from the house, and the family have enjoyed their usual quiet. The annoyance have been very great, and the perpetrator of it certainly deserves severe punishment, particularly as she had ever been treated with much kindness by the family, who highly esteemed her apparent good conduct.
Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, 14th December 1839.
The Dover Ghost.
So it appears that this mysterious visitor, after all the consternation created by his vagaries, turns out to be no higher a personage than the servant maid of the family whose peace had been disturbed by what was considered by many to be supernatural agency. The Dover Chronicle tells the story of the discovery so well, that we cannot do better than quote from our contemporary. After stating that some such suspicion had been raised against the servant girl, the Chronicle says:-
“These suspicions, however, once mooted, became strengthened by the circumstance, that while she was absent from her place a few days from ill-health (brought on, it was supposed, by fear of the ghost, and the continued excitement she appeared to labour under), the mysterious knocking subsided. It was likewise recollected that on Sundays, when the girl was at Chapel, the noise also ceased. Not content, it appears, with having succeeded in creating a sensation by the knocking system, Betty latterly hit upon the scheme of causing doors to open of themselves, as well as their latches to move without any visible agency. This piece of sleight-of-hand she adroitly accomplished several times without detection; but on Monday night one of the family having placed herself on the stairs, where she commanded a view of the animated latch, and another having stationed himself so as to afford him a bird’s-eye view through the keyhole.
Betty was observed to creep into the passage, and having plied her alarming avocation, she escaped into the kitchen. On being thus detected, she was accused of the deception. She at first stoutly denied, but, after a severe examination, she confessed her guilt as regarded the agitation of the latches. For some time, however, on no account would she confess that the knocking originated with her, though she latterly confessed that she had knocked twice to frighten her master. She gave as her reason for the diabolical proceeding, that she was fearful to be left alone, and that she imagined that by such means she would induce the family to remain with her. Since the girl has been discharged various other proofs of her guilt have come out, and we need hardly add that the knockings have entirely ceased.
From the nature of the wainscoting and loose partitions of the house, the knockings resounded with a somewhat unusual as well as alarming din, and caused much annoyance to the family. A young person and her child, who were lodging in the house, left in consequence; and as one of the young ladies resident therein keeps a school, the report of such noise was calculated materially to injure such an establishment. Besides, we are sorry to say that the disturbance has operated very hurtfully on the health of two other branches of the family, who were previously of delicate constitutions.”
Since the above was in type, we have received the following communications from the servant and her father.
To the Editor. Sir,-
Seeing a statement in the “Dover Telegraph,” and “Dover Chronicle” of Saturday last, accusing my daughter of being the author of the noises which have been heard in the house of Mr Keys, pilot, Limekiln Street, for upwards of this month past, and as the same report has been extensively circulated in some of the other papers printed in the county, very much to the injury of the character of my girl and family, I have taken the liberty of sending for insertion in your valuable journal a complete contradiction of the whole of the assertions contained in the above mentioned papers, as far as regards my daughter. She has also written out a statement of the whole of the affair, as far as she was concerned in it, to which she intends to make an affidavit before the magistrates, a copy of which I have sent to you, which is, or any part thereof wholly at your service.
I am, Sir, Your most obedient servant, John Perry.
“I Elizabeth Perry do hereby declear to the public that I am innocent of the charges laid against me concerning the Haunted Premisses I have lived in the house for 3 months and when the first part of my time that I was there I heard the ringing of the Parlour bell and I were then at work in the washouse I then went to my mistress and asked her if she rung her answer was no she was then in her bed room I then went to the parlour and found no one there I was alarmed and wondered what it could be I then acquainted my parents with it who said it was all noncense I then heard no more till the said knocking commenced which was on Sunday evening Nov.17th About eleven o’clock I were then in bed in the room with two of the daughters who laid in another bed Fane and Mary they then came to my bed and pulld the Cloths of from me and said Betsey do you hear the Noise I said yes we ale got up in that room we then went down stairs and asked the Lady if she knocked as she was a lodger in the house her answer was no and said she had heard a noise herself my mistress then came into the room and took off her shoe and opened one of the cupboards and began to knock with it we then left that room and went into the fore Chamber and then laid four in a bed we had not laid there long before we heard the knocking again we all in the room got up again and went and awoke my master and told him we heard a noise and if he laid still he would hear it himself he then heard it and jumpt out of bed and asked for his culash but it could not be found he then search the house but could find nothing that caused the noise after searching for some time he went and awoke the next door neighbours and asked them if their monkey had got out their answer was no the noise still continued at intervals dureing the night, and at half-past six in the morning we all got up my mistress then ordered one of her daughters to go in next door and make sure weather the monkey was tied up or not it was there tyd up fast the noise then stopt for the day ut returned again at night and sa it continued at intervals for a long time and then ceased for a week and then it returned again as bad as ever and on the 6th of December we were alarmed by the moveing up of the latches of the doors we were then all in the parlour a Ironing and we all heard the moveing of the latches and Jane said we will not be anoyed this way Betsey and went and tied the latches of the door after some time we untied the latches and the same rattling begun again it then ceased from friday night to monday morning it then began again and so continued at different times the whole of the Day I was then in the kitchen washing up the tea things and they were all in the parlour as I thought but instead of that they were watching of my actions I then heard the rattling of the latches very hard I was then very much alarmed and run to the door and rattled the latch as hard as I could to make them hear me and come and sit with me for I was afraid to be alone after all this they took me to the chapel to the prayer meeting and after this was over they took me to the minister’s wife to try to make me confess to the whole of it but she very kindly told them that she had got children of her own and would have nothing to do with it they have accused me of knocking and I said yes once wen we were all in the parlour together and we all knockd to see which could imitate the knocking best the girl Ann then wished that her father was convinced of the noise and I then knocked to make him hear it, and then immediately told the family wat I had done and they made a laugh of it and I have wittnisses to prove that they have heard the noise on the premisses when I have been absent.”
Kentish Mercury, 21st December 1839.
Another Cock-Lane Ghost.
We had, last Saturday, but just congratulated our readers on the fortunate exorcism of the noisy ghost that has for this many-a-day been disturbing the peaceful domicile of Mr Keys, Limekiln Street, when this restless spirit re-commenced its unbearable knocking in a louder key than before. The annoyance continued up to Monday night, when, strong suspicions having previously alighted on Betty Perry, the servant maid, a girl of sixteen, it was discovered that she, and she alone, was the sole and only cuase of the great alarm and disquietude of the friends and household of Mr Keys, and, we may say also, of the community of Dover at large.
It affords us some satisfaction, however, to be enabled to state that Betty, who has shown herself so great an adept at giving others warning, by her malicious as well as mysterious arts, has completely effected her own dismissal, without the ceremony of an especial warning, though her moral character is, we understand, irreproachable.
From the commencement of the annoyance Mr Keys and his friends had used every means to discover its origin; but it was only a few days since that suspicion fell on the servant girl. These suspicions, however, once mooted, became strengthened by the circumstance, that while she was absent from her place a few days from ill health (brought on, it was supposed, by fear of the ghost and the continued excitement she appeared to labour under,) the mysterious knocking subsided. It was likewise recollected that, on Sundays, when the girl was at Chapel, the noise also ceased.
Not content, it appears, with having succeeded in creating a sensation by the knocking system, Betty latterly hit upon the scheme of causing doors to open of themselves, as well as the latches to move without any visible agency. This piece of slight-of-hand she adroitly accomplished several times without detection; but on Monday night one of the family having placed herself on the stairs, where she commanded a view of the animated latch, and another having stationed himself so as to afford him a bird’s-eye-view through the keyhole, Betty was observed to creep into the passage, and, having plied her alarming avocation, she escaped into the kitchen.
On being thus detected, she was accused of the deception. She at first stoutly denied; but, after a severe examination, she confessed her guilt as regarded the agitation of the latches. For some time, however, on no account, would she confess that the knocking originated with her, though she latterly confessed that she had knocked twice to frighten her master. She gave her reason for the diabolical proceeding, that she was fearful to be left alone, and that she imagined that by such means she would induce the family to remain with her.
Since the girl has been discharged, various other proofs of her guilt have come out, and we need hardly add that the knockings have entirely ceased. From the nature of the wainscoting and loose partitions of the house, the knockings resounded with a somewhat unusual as well as alarming din, and caused much annoyance to the family. A young person and her child who were lodging in the house left in consequence; and as one of the young ladies resident therein keeps a school, the report of such noises was calculated materially to injure such an establishment. Besides we are sorry to say that the disturbance has operated very hurtfully on the health of two other branches of the family, who were previously of delicate constitutions. – Dover Chronicle.
Canterbury Weekly Journal, 21st December 1839.