About 1782, a house at Dumfries, on the Nith, was the scene of various extraordinary manifestations. The place was inhabited by a highly respectable gentleman, a magistrate of Dumfries, whose family were perpetually annoyed by knockings and drummings in all parts of the house, as though some powerful hand had been exercising a heavy mallet on the partitions and floors.
Although these noises were so loud as to be distinctly heard by the labourers in the neighbouring fields, no clue to their origin was ever discovered. Tenant after tenant occupied the house, but the invisible rapper continued among the “fixtures,” and for many years the spot was popularly known as “Knock-a-big’s Close,” from the name bestowed upon the supposed spirit.
p30 in Sights and Sounds: the mystery of the day. Comprising an entire history of the American ‘spirit’ manifestations. By Henry Spicer, Esq. Published London, 1853.
Knock-a-big’s Close.
However strongly philosophy may contend against the existence of supernatural agency, there are yet on record many well-authenticated instances of mysterious phenomena, which cannot otherwise be accounted for than as emanating from beings of no “mortal mould.” Without resorting to numerous examples familiar to most readers, we shall confine ourselves to one only, of so inexplicable a nature as to baffle the utmost acuteness of penetration, and at one time too genearlly known to admit of incredulity.
There are many gentlemen now residing in London, natives of Dumfries, on the winding shores of the river Nith, – a town of which the author of Douglas says, “Sweet is thy seat, Dumfries, by Nature fine, And Art has made its pleasing graces thine;” – who still remember Knock-a-big’s Close, and the terror which its haunted confines impressed on their juvenile minds; they will also recollect that the dread Unknown, though never ocularly exhibiting himself, yet, during a period of man’s years, gave most auricular demonstration of his presence.
The haunt of the Unknown was limited to one house, and his vagary was solely that of annoying the inmates by frequent heavy or big knocks against the partition of the room which he chose to visit, like those given by a weighty hand with a mallet; thence this perturbed spirit derived his earthly cognomen of Knock-a-big.
These knocks were generally repeated in regular succession during many minutes, seemingly on the wainscoating of the room where the startled family might be assembled, and in the next moment were heard to resound from the cellar or the garret, and traverse with the rapidity of lightning every apartment in the house. When a cessation of disturbance took place, it was of transient duration, for knock-a-big never failed to recommence hostilities with renovated clamour, particularly during the night, thundering with his invisible mallet in the different bedchambers, and rousing the quietude of repose with “much admired disorder.”
The house destined to be the scene of these unwelcome gambols was usually respectably occupied, for the harmlessness of the Unknown was the guarantee of security from personal injury, and induced possession of the presmises, which otherwise would have been deserted.
At one time when Knock-a-big was in the plentitude of his power, the house was tenanted by a most respectable gentleman, one of the magistrates of Dumfries, with whose daughters their cousin, a young lady subsequently the wife of the writer of this article, was in habits of constant association, and frequently slept in the haunted house, where she was often roused from the reverie of slumber by the hollow beating at her bed-head of the mysterious intruder. But so long accustomed were the family to this strange annoyance, and so familiarised to its continuance, that ultimately it excited less of either interest or apprehension.
Forty years ago, the writer of the present article, then a schoolboy, was used, even in the day-time to pass the haunted house with precipitant steps, and would not, “for all beneath the moon,” have entered Knock-a-big’s close after night-fall.
Since then Knock-a-big gradually became less troublesome, and it is believed has now altogether ceased his unhallowed intrusion on the repose of mortals. There is not an elderly person, a native of, or residing in Dumfries, who cannot confirm the facts contained in this statement. The mystery of Knock-a-big was performed during a long series of years; but who, and of what nature, was the principal actor in the drama, no one of his numerous auditors dreamed otherwise to decide than thus: that of mortal mould he could not be, and if of celestial or infernal attribute, he had, in either case idly employed himself.
p297 in The Wonders of the Universe; or Curiosities of nature and art: including memoirs of anecdotes of wonderful and eccentric characters of every age and nation. Published by J+B Williams, Exeter, 1836.