Lynn.
Ghost Rumour.
During the past week some little excitement was occasioned in Norfolk Street, by the report that a house, inhabited by a poor woman, was haunted; and the lovers of the marvellous assembled in great numbers for several evenings, to listen for the ominous noises of the ghostly intruders. The police were in attendance, but no traces discovered which might lead to the apprehension of this mortal foe to the peace and quiet of the old lady’s residence.
It has since been ascertained that three boys, who had performed their parts with some address, were the cause of the “knockings,” which the poor bed-ridden inmate declared, were not like “earthly ones.” It would have served these urchins right had they been treated with a little hard work in our house of correction for a few weeks.
Norfolk News, 10th January 1846.
A Ghost.
For several nights in succession, Norfolk-street was the scene of considerable excitement, arising from a report, that the house of an elderly woman residing in one of the yards, was troubled with a ghost, which nightly, on a certain hour, gave such tremendous knocks at the door as to startle even the most stout-hearted in the adjoining residences.
A watch by the neighbours was set; whilst they remained on duty no knocking was heard, but the moment they quitted their post for the night, three distinct knocks were sure to follow.
To such an extent had curiosity been excited by this report, that on Sunday evening week, about eight o’clock, that part of Norfolk-street was almost impassable, and it was with the utmost difficulty that the police could keep a passage open for vehicles on the road.
The ghost was, however, at length discovered, in a young chimney-sweep, who, with his face as black as his clothes, had taken the opportunity to secrete himself in such a way – the yard being a very dark place – as to effect his purpose of frightening the old lady. So well did the young urchin manage his scheme, that he carried on his trick several nights before he was found out.
Norfolk Chronicle, 17th January 1846.