Another relation in this kind, I have sent me in a letter by an ingenious and learned clergyman of Wiltshire, who had given me the relation before, by word of mouth. It is as follows.
Near eighty years since, in the parish of Wilcot (which is by Devizes) in the vicar’s house there, was heard for a considerable time, the sound of a bell constantly tolling every night; the occasion was this; a debauched person who lived in the parish, came one night very late, and demanded the keys of the church of the vicar, that he might ring a peal, which the vicar refused to let him have, alleging the unseasonableness of the time, and that he should by granting his desires, give a disturbance to Sir George Wroughton, and his family, whose house adjoined to the churchyard.
Upon this refusal the fellow went away in a rage, threatening to be revenged of the vicar, and going sometime after to the Devizes; met with one Cantle, or Cantlow, a person noted in those days for a wizard; and he tells him how the vicar had served him, and begs his help to be even with him. The reply Cantel made him was this; Does he not love ringing? He shall have enough of it: and from that time, a bell began to toll in his house, and continued so to do till Cantel’s death, who confessed, at Fisherton Gaol, in Sarum (where he was confined by King James during his life) that he caused that sound, and that it should be heard in that place during his life.
The thing was so notorious, that persons came from all parts to hear it: and King James sent a gentleman from London, on purpose to give him satisfaction concerning the truth of the report.
-This relation I had from Francis Wroughton Esq, Sir George’s son, who lived more than ninety years; he never heard the sound of the bell, being abroad at school, but he has heard it averred to be true, by all the neighbours of repute; and particularly often by his father, who was at no small expense in entertaining strangers, whose curiosity led them thither.
I have only this circumstance to add, that the sound was heard only by those who were in the house, nay, if any one put his head out of the window, he could not hear the sound, which yet they at the same time did, who were in the room.
The gentleman’s name who sent me this relation, is Wroughton, and is of Sir George’s family.
An Historical, Physiological and Theological Treatise of Spirits: apparitions, witchcrafts, and other magical practices. By John Beaumont, 1705.