The Bell Witch

The Bell Witch haunting of 1817-1821 is considered the most famous poltergeist case in American history. The phenomena that plagued the Bell family of Robertson County, Tennessee, reportedly caused the death of family patriarch John Bell and drew the attention of future President Andrew Jackson.

The Beginning

The trouble began when John Bell encountered a strange creature in his fields, described as having the body of a dog and the head of a rabbit. Shortly after, the family began hearing knocking sounds and scratching on the walls of their cabin.

Escalation

The phenomena intensified over months. Bedcovers were pulled from sleeping family members, children were slapped and pinched by invisible hands, and a voice began speaking. The entity particularly targeted John Bell and his daughter Betsy.

The voice identified itself by various names and demonstrated knowledge of events happening miles away. It could carry on conversations with visitors and quoted scripture with accuracy.

Andrew Jackson

General Andrew Jackson, hearing of the haunting, allegedly visited the Bell farm. According to legend, his wagon wheels locked before reaching the property, and he spent an eventful night during which the entity made itself known.

The Death

John Bell’s health declined throughout the haunting. In December 1820, he fell into a coma and died. A vial of mysterious dark liquid was found in the medicine cabinet. When tested on the family cat, the animal died immediately.

Assessment

The Bell Witch legend has become a cornerstone of American folklore. Whether genuine haunting or frontier tall tale, it has inspired countless books, films, and continued investigation of the site.