The Bell Witch Haunting- A Small Town Tennessee Poltergeist
What is it about witches that captures the imaginations of so many people? Is it the endearing, malevolent depiction of witches like in Hocus Pocus or Harry Potter that draws people in? Or, perhaps the darker, more sinister depictions like in The Blair Witch Project? Regardless of the source of the appeal, over the past few decades, films about witches and the menacing side of magic have bubbled up in abundance from Hollywood’s cauldron of creativity. In contrast to these fictional movies, one widely known witch story has been claimed by many to be based on complete truth.
The Bell Witch haunting originated in the southern town of Adams, Tennessee. The events occurred over several years between 1817 and 1821. Although many townsfolk and neighbors claimed to have experienced the strange sightings and occurrences, most of the activity centered around the Bell family. Among the many treatises written about the subject, historian Albert Virgil Goodpasture wrote the following in 1886 in History of Tennessee:
“A remarkable occurrence, which attracted widespread interest, was connected with the family of John Bell, who settled near what is now Adams Station about 1804. So great was the excitement that people came from hundreds of miles around to witness the manifestations of what was popularly known as the “Bell Witch.” This witch was supposed to be some spiritual being having the voice and attributes of a woman. It was invisible to the eye, yet it would hold conversations and even shake hands with certain individuals.”
The witch, often referred to as a poltergeist, and claimed by John Bell to be the spirit of his deceased neighbor Kate Batts, was fondest of pestering John and his beloved daughter Betsy. The spirit would throw items at them, such as furniture and dishes, pull their hair, scream at them during the night to prevent them from sleeping, and do other disturbing acts. In contrast, the other family members and visitors to the home said the spirit was generally pleasant to them. Her voice was said to be “at a nerve-racking pitch” when angry, yet calm and musical when unagitated.
Of the many visitors to the Bell’s home during that time, histories state that then-future President of the United States Andrew Jackson was among the visitors to the Bell's home. Many alleged events happened during his overnight stay, and the next morning he was seen rushing from the town, saying, “I would rather fight the British at New Orleans than fight the Bell Witch.”
Kate’s haunting ended in 1821, though not until after John Bell was dead and buried. Having been afflicted, possibly with a stroke, John Bell went to bed one night but did not wake up the next morning. The family found an unknown vial of medicine in John’s cabinet. When they gave some of the contents to a cat, the animal was poisoned. During these events, the witch allegedly taunted the family, claiming responsibility for placing the vial of poison in the medicine cabinet. According to legend, at John Bell’s funeral, the poltergeist sang vigorously until everyone had left the grave.
The Bell Witch haunting, if nothing else, is an interesting collection of lore based on supposed witness accounts and historical articles. In truth, the story will probably never make most of us believers in witches. So, for now, we will just keep watching the quality—and not-so-quality—films that emerge from the imaginations of Hollywood’s brightest—and not-so-brightest—scriptwriters.