The Cock Lane Ghost
A ghost communicated through knocking in a London house, accusing a man of murder. Samuel Johnson investigated. The case became a sensation—and ultimately a scandal when fraud was discovered.
The Cock Lane Ghost was one of Georgian England’s greatest sensations—a supposed ghost that communicated through rapping sounds, accused a living man of murder, and was investigated by some of the era’s greatest minds.
The Background
According to historical records:
The story centered on:
- Richard Parsons, a parish clerk, and his daughter Elizabeth (age 12)
- William Kent, a former lodger whose wife Fanny had died
- The ghost claimed to be Fanny, accusing Kent of poisoning her
The Haunting
Beginning in 1762:
- Scratching and knocking sounds occurred in the Parsons home
- The sounds centered on young Elizabeth Parsons
- A system of communication developed (one knock for yes, two for no)
- The ghost identified itself as Fanny Kent
The Accusation
The ghost claimed:
- She was Fanny Kent
- William Kent had poisoned her with arsenic
- She wanted justice
- Kent would hang for his crime
The Investigation
The case attracted enormous attention:
Samuel Johnson: The famous writer investigated and remained skeptical.
Oliver Goldsmith: The author also examined the case.
The Duke of York: Nobility attended séances.
Scientists and clergy: Many investigated the claims.
The Exposure
A committee of investigators (including Johnson):
- Watched Elizabeth closely
- Found she made the sounds herself
- Discovered a small wooden board she used
- The ghost was exposed as a fraud
The Consequences
The aftermath was severe:
- Richard Parsons was pilloried and imprisoned
- Elizabeth was found to be making the sounds
- The family’s motivation was apparently financial (Kent owed them money)
- William Kent sued for libel and won
Historical Significance
The Cock Lane Ghost is important because:
- It showed how supernatural claims spread rapidly
- It demonstrated public appetite for the paranormal
- The investigation used systematic methods
- It influenced attitudes toward ghost reports
- Charles Dickens referenced it in later writings
Was it All Fraud?
While the Parsons family clearly fabricated evidence:
- Some witnesses maintained they heard genuine sounds
- The fraud doesn’t explain all reported phenomena
- The case remains debated
Cultural Impact
The case influenced:
- Public skepticism toward ghost reports
- Methods of paranormal investigation
- Literary treatments of hauntings
- The phrase “the Cock Lane Ghost” entered common usage