In the Spiritual Magazine for September is the following by Mr Newton Crosland, of Blackheath:- “Apropos to this subject – Rest in the Grave – I wish to lay before your readers a few facts which are curiously illustrative of they propriety of observing and obeying the express wishes of dying persons. It has been generally supposed that the departed spirit does not care what becomes of its dead body and cannot be affected by any indignity which may be offered to the poor discarded carcase. This opinion requires correction, and in aid thereof I submit to your notice the following circumstance to be thoroughly depended upon:
– About the year 1838-9 the wife of an Independent minister at Lyme Regis, the Rev. Mr Smith (the name is genuine), expressed a wish when dying to be buried in Martock churchyard, Somersetshire, but her request was disregarded , and she was buried in a Baptist Chapel graveyard at Lyme Regis.
Soon after her death the husband left Lyme and let h is house to a family named Pitman, in the drapery business. This family were persecuted with the most extraordinary and peculiar noises throughout the house, and especially in the bedroom where the woman died. Nearly every night footsteps would be heard ascending the stairs, followed by a loud knock at the bedroom door. When they said “Come in!” the invitation was greeted with a shout like that of mocking laughter.
A dissenting minister at Martock, named Palmer, hearing of the strange disturbance, came to Lyme to investigate it and slept in the room which seemed more especially to be haunted. He went to bed, and drew all the curtains round it. They were soon drawn back by some invisible agency to the accompaniment of the mocking laugh previously noticed , and this troublesome annoyance was repeated as often as he rearranged the curtains.
The Pitmans left the house, which was soon occupied by another family, but the noises still continued until 1842 or 1843, when the body was removed to Martock churchyard, and then the disturbances entirely ceased.
The house is now standing, and has been converted into the “Victoria Tavern,” Bridge street, Lyme Regis. Whatever may be the inference to be drawn from this circumstance, the facts are indisputable.
Chard and Ilminster News, 18th September 1875.