The Bell Witch Haunting
America's most famous poltergeist terrorized the Bell family for years, speaking in multiple voices, predicting deaths, and allegedly killing John Bell—the only death in American history attributed to a ghost.
The Bell Witch Haunting
From 1817 to 1821, an entity terrorized the Bell family of Robertson County, Tennessee. It knocked, scratched, and pulled bedclothes. It beat the children. It spoke with multiple voices, quoting scripture and cursing. It predicted deaths. It may have murdered John Bell—making him the only person in American history allegedly killed by a ghost. The Bell Witch is America’s most documented and famous haunting.
The Beginning
John Bell was a successful Tennessee farmer with a large family. In 1817, strange events began—a strange animal sighting, knocking and gnawing sounds in the walls, bedclothes pulled off sleepers, and invisible hands slapping and pinching the children. Daughter Betsy Bell suffered particularly, her hair pulled and face slapped by unseen forces.
By 1818, the entity had found its voice. It could speak—and it spoke often. It quoted scripture perfectly, sang hymns, knew details of distant events, and predicted futures accurately. It carried on conversations with visitors and claimed multiple identities before settling on calling itself “Kate.” And Kate declared hatred for “Old Jack Bell,” the family patriarch.
The Torment
The entity targeted John Bell relentlessly. His tongue would swell, preventing him from eating. His face would twitch uncontrollably. He was beaten and struck. His health deteriorated over the years as Kate declared she would kill him.
Betsy suffered too. Besides the physical attacks, Kate forbade her engagement to Joshua Gardner with threats of increased violence. Betsy eventually broke off the engagement. Yet the entity was respectful toward Lucy Bell, calling her “Luce” and never harming her.
Kate was oddly social with visitors. According to legend, future president Andrew Jackson visited in 1819. His wagon wheels froze despite no obstacle. A voice said “You can go now,” and after spending the night hearing disturbances, Jackson allegedly said he’d “rather fight the British than the Bell Witch.”
John Bell’s Death
On December 20, 1820, John Bell fell into a coma. The family found a strange vial of liquid by his bed. When some was given to the cat, the cat died. Kate claimed responsibility: “I’ve got him this time; he’ll never get up from that bed again.”
Bell died. At his funeral, Kate sang joyfully.
The Departure
In 1821, Kate announced she was leaving, promising to return in seven years. She reportedly did return briefly in 1828, speaking with John Bell Jr. about the future before departing again, this time promising to return in 107 years.
Legacy
The Bell Witch remains America’s most documented haunting and the only case where a ghost allegedly killed someone. The story has inspired countless books and films. The Bell Witch Cave on the former Bell property remains a tourist attraction where visitors report strange photographs, equipment malfunctions, and unsettling feelings.
Some say Kate never really left Robertson County. Some say she still torments those who share the Bell bloodline. Whatever spoke to the Bell family from the darkness for four years, it left behind questions that have never been answered—and a death that has never been explained.
For four years, something spoke to the Bell family from the darkness. It quoted scripture and beat the children. It tormented John Bell until he died—then sang at his funeral. The Bell Witch may be America’s only killer ghost.