Mischievous Ghost.
The village of Monckton-Combe, about 3 miles from Bath, has been thrown into considerable alarm, throughout last week, in consequence of the house of a miller being assailed by some mischievous agent, which amuses itself by tearing to pieces clothes, and silk handkerchiefs, upsetting milk, removing dishes, bacon, &c. Some gentlemen in the neighbourhood undertook the investigation of the business, and it was clearly proved that the miller’s wife was the ghost: nobody can conjecture what induced the foolish woman to act thus.
Worcester Journal, 17th January 1822.
Discovery of a Ghost.
An evil spirit has for some time past been playing his mischievous pranks in the house of Wm. Tiley, at the Mill, near the Canal Bridge, Monckton Coombe, and gratifying its malignant disposition by destroying the wearing apparel, &c. The circumstance excited the utmost consternation among many of the inhabitants of the village and neighbouring hamlets; indeed, to such a degree were their feelings wrought upon, that they were afraid to walk about in the dark, lest they should encounter the talons of the fiend, which their terrors magnified to a full cloth-yard length! This spirit having continued to molest the household stuff of poor Tiley, some sapient friends of his advised him to call in the assistance of a “cunning man” to lay it in the Red Sea! As there are no conjurors in the neighbourhood, miller Tiley absolutely took a journey to Bristol in search of a wizard; there the loud trump of fame directed him to a shop on the Broad Weir, furnished with drugs and charms, phials of different hues, and “a beggarly account of empty boxes thinly scattered to make up a show.” Here the bewitched sufferer met the redoubtable William Abrahall, that potent magician, by virtue of whose powerful spells and incantations, witches, fiends, and demons fly, as does the tiny apple thief from the parish constable.
Tiley told his deplorable story, which the dread magician assured him he knew before! and upon referring to a huge folio filled with strange hieroglyphics, he likewise informed him that the house would continue to be thus visited until he (Abrahall) had exorcised the foul fiend, and purified the habitation from his presence; and finally, that to affect this properly would cost a great deal of money. Tiley, anxious to be rid of his troublesome visitant, readily promised to defray the charges; and the conjuror accompanied him home, taking with him his books and magic spells. Abrahall finding the housekeeping to suit his taste, could not complete the job in less than three days; when, after due form, and sprinkling the house with enchanted water, he pronounced the following exorcism, which we insert verbatim et literatim; our readers will doubtless participate in the strong feeling of disgust and abhorrence with which we perused this blasphemous farrago:-
“I, who am the servant of the Highest, do, by the virtue of his Holy Name, Immanuel, sanctify unto myself the circumference of this House and room round about me, from the East, Glaurah; from the West, Garron; from the North, Cabon; from the South, Berith; Which ground I take for my proper defence from all malignant spirits, that they may have no Power over my soul or body, nor come beyond these limitations. In the name of the fater, son and holy Ghost, Amen. Lord, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Make clean all our hearts within this House, and take not they Holy Spirit from us; nor let any Eveil attend this House in the name of the father, son and Holy ghost, Amen, Amen. O God! who art the author of all good things, strengthen, I beseech thee, thy poor servant, that I may stand fast without fear in all my Dealings. O God, send me Health and Prosperity in my Tread and Dealings, in the Name of the father, son and Holy Ghost, Amen Amen.”
In consideration of his coach fare having been paid, and his bed and board, Abrahall proposed charging Tiley only three guineas for his astrological labours; but on the miller’s stating his inability to pay this sum, the former contented himself with two guineas, and a promise of future favours and recommendation!
Mr. George Fisher, Jun., of Stoke, the proprietor of the premises, knowing that his tenant was suffering under some wicked imposition, took much pains to investigate the matter; in which he was most kindly and ably assisted by Sir Robert Baker, Bart. and the Magistrates for the division of Bathforum; who, after examining Tiley, his wife, and others, with much patience, succeeded in obtaining sufficient information to identify the ghost and Tiley’s wife as one and the same! although the motive which actuated this foolish woman to injure her husband, and spread terror amidst her credulous neighbours, remains yet involved in mystery.
One good, however, has resulted from the investigation; the Magistrates, with the most praiseworthy alacrity, dispatched a stout tithingman (Mr. Giller, of Hinton) with a warrant to apprehend the Astrologer, Abrahall, whom he found dispensing to several women specifics for every complaint under the Sun. On Giller’s stating he had some private business with him, the Conjurer took him into his Chemical and Astrological Laboratory, pleased with the prospect of having a fine fat goose to pluck; but when the sturdy Yeoman produced what he denominated a “ticket of uneasiness,” the Astrologer exclaimed, “What, has that fellow at Coombe split upon me?” He was brought to Bath, and on Saturday committed to Shepton Mallet Bridewell for three months’ hard labour as a rogue and vagabond; from whence, if by his Black Art, or his influence over the stars, he be not enabled to escape, we trust his nefarious trade is ruined for ever. Giller found the original exorcism in the pocket of the Astrologer when he apprehended him.
Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser, 23rd January 1822.
The Evil Spirit at Monckton-Comb, to which we last week alluded, turns out to be the miller’s wife! It appears that TILEY was so much annoyed by the mischievous freaks of his mysterious visiter, that he was induced to apply to William Abrahall, a noted Cunning Man, at Bristol, who went to Comb, and exerted (without effect!) his full arts of exorcism, during three days, for which he received a two guinea fee, exclusive of coach hire and good living. At length Mr. GEORGE FISHER, jun. of Stoke, the proprietor of the premises, knowing that his tenant was suffering under some wicked imposition, investigated the matter; in which he was ably assisted by Sir ROBERT BAKER, Bart. and other Magistrates for Bath forum, who succeeded in identifying the ghost and TILEY’s wife!
The motive which actuated this foolish woman to injure her husband, and spread terror amidst her credulous neighbours, remains as yet involved in mystery – nor have we heard how the hapless miller bore the tidings of the developement of the devilish plot. One signal good has, however, resulted from the silly affair; the Bristol wizard has been apprehended as a rogue and vagabond, and committed to Shepton Mallet Bridewell, for three months, to hard labour. — (Bath Herald.)
British Press, 22nd January 1822.