There is a legend of "The Bell Witch" in Addams, TN. I have had the luck to be able to go to see the cave and graves of the family. My question to you, dear readers is what do you think? Real. Fantasy. Or if you have been there, what were your feelings during the tour.
I just read the story and it seems quite plausible that there was an entity of some sort haunting the Bells. However, that was almost 200 years ago and its hard to say how much of the story is true. So many things get twisted around over time, added, embellished or even left out.
I agree with pandora on that one, things do get twisted and changed over time, and then sometimes you don't know whether to believe if it is true or not.
I think it is quite a interesting story...how she haunted John bell and supposely lives in the cave.
Whether fact or fiction it is a interesting read.
From bellwitchcave.com
I think alot of lores start factly and end up straying from the intended story. The bell witch, beast of bray road, all based on actually accounts that soon has turned into something hollywood loves to show.
There is always SOME fact in all fiction .... You just have to be willing to see into whats there and sort it out.
True most legends and myths have a basis in fact.. but over time the truth has blown up into an incredible story.
Well there is spirits trapped on earth. That could very well be it or it could also just by a myth perpitrated by man and became what it is today.
I live near the area and I have seen many people use various arts to bring about a reaction.
I can say for certainty that yes, the Bell Witch is fact.
I have never been there, but it sounds like an interesting place to check out, and I have to agree I am sure there is some facts in there, but after 200 years, there is sure to be sime fiction too.
nice post Lumiyaofthesith
what makes everyone think she was a witch ... from your post she sounds like my x thats all lol
I have only ever seen the movie and read sparingly into the accounts of The Bell Witch Haunting, but based on what information I have been exposed to:
I would say that the haunting is factual.
I would also have to say that the haunting seems to be one imposed upon the Bell Family in the form of mainly poltergeist-esque manners.
Everything that I have heard of happening in the accounts seems to have remarkably common parallels with Poltergeist activity.
Thank you everyone for your posts and information. I know this area is the site of an indian burial ground. Maybe older than before the european settlers arrived. (Bunyip?) A president came to see the occurance and had met with the "witch". TAPS offered to come and do an investigation of the area but was denied. The reason was that this is a small area and they may cause too much damage. The TAPS team did investigate the near by museum and had some "encounters" there.
I want to add that I don't think she was a witch but an entity of some sort, a witch doesn't fit the description at all, makes no sense.
Well I do believe that her Ghost haunts the cave, but I don't believe she was a witch, maybe just an angry old lady that became and even more angry ghost.
Great yarn to scare kids - but that's it...
... on a side note... DANG - I'm originally from Tennessee and I haven't heard anyone, I mean ANYONE talk about the Bell Witch in YEARS!!!!
Sounds similar to the type of hype that a Florida community applies to themselves. Wrap your town in ghosts and mystics, and you increase your tourism income.
Scaring people is a good business now days.
I do believe there was a bell witch and that someone did something that triggered the haunting,I wish I could go see the point of origin,she most likely lays dormant waiting for the next to begin
Hmm interesting.. but like anything in life and has already been stated. All too often stories and lore get changed though the passing of time. So anything is possible.
I don't think that she is a witch. I think she's a spirit that cannot rest well, and is very angry.
I believe that is true because of all the proof that I have seen in random places, and heard.
I have heard of this and I think that there is defiantely a possibilty of the truth of it. But as for wether ot not I am certain it is true...one can never be for sure unless they witness it themselves.
Thank you everyone. For your views and experiances. I only went once to veiw the cave and graves. If I get the chance to go back I will. Thank you again.
The name sticks as if by an old memory. The Bell Witches were real. As were those hung on Gallows Hill in the Salem witch trials. (some at least) But would it be sort of the same as the Trials?
its really odd that she kills the dad, comes back in 7yrs to visit with the son, makes a statement that there were reasons why he had to die but didn't give any, than says she will come back in 107yrs. Whats with the 7yrs?
Seems like a grand story that has some truth that was embelished and facts that were lost.
So are you saying that it is an old wives tale? There are some things that we may never know!
Kate Batts was the sister of Eldrie Kedricks. Eldrie was the older sister and lived in Burkitsville MD. Both of them were "witches" of a heriditary witch family who were known and feared . They were descendents of a family originally from Salem Mass who left during the witch trials and settled in small rural areas in the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains.
I have never been to this place myself, but I have heard the stories. Some of it might very well be real but i think that most of it is simply a story to creep people out.
I believe there is fact and fiction to it! That come with a lot of stories and legends and things! Do I think she was a Witch there definition of a Witch and ours are different now day! No I don't think she was one but just an entity that was trapped here!
After reading a bit I think that its little more than an old ghost story. It might still be a good story to tell around the campfire but thats the only value I see in it personally.
After reading the legend and all the facts and such associated with it, I have to believe that it is true. I think its a very creepy story, not unlike the legend of the Jersey Devil, and I would like to read more on it!
I live in Tennessee, and have visited there once. It is very spooky. I believe that there is something there, but not exactly like the movie or supposed documentary. I think they took the little things and blew them out. No doubt though that something is there.
For there is truth in some of the facts its just what we make of it, for the bell witch is a folklore just like the beast of Bray road. lores inspired from truth of just a fantasy of ones mind.
I think it is possibly a true story that has blown out of proportion over time. Like many legends it has grown to become something larger than possibly what it originally was.
Basically a lot of these stories start out as local gossip... which grows into an urban legend.
I would not consider it fact or fantasy, but rather folklore. The ghost of an individual suffering from an act of brutal massacre will always have their presence known. Whether or not she was a witch will always be up for speculation.
It is like asking whether or not Madame Delphine Lalaurie of New Orleans was a witch in her own right, for taking her aggressions out on the slaves.
The energies from both Houses are prevailant. No matter which they are, ghosts or witch.
Neither. I consider it more of an exaggeration.
I feel incredibly and ridiculously nerdy quoting the progression of story via voice over from the Lord of the Rings movies, but it sums up story progression fairly well in my opinion:
"History became Legend. Legend became myth..."
Essentially, exaggeration. It doesn't make the events at the core of the story untrue or unfounded, it just makes a dull story become potentially more interesting.
I believe that some of these things actually happened to this family, and that there was some spirit who tormented them. How much of it is exaggerated, will probably never be known.
I'v never been there..But it sounds like a great place to check out..Rather it's Fact or Fantasy .who knows..But after 200 years..There has to be some truth to it.
I think that most lore start off from something that really happened then get blown out of porportion by others. It is possible that there is a or was a haunting there.
The bell witch is true and not at the same time. Back them people were easily pushed to that, I mean it was before the witch trials, or during I can't remember. But for something to be fantasy it has to have some truth behind it.
My name is John David Bell I am a direct decendant of John Bell, he was a great grandfather on my dads side. When i was little i remember my grandmother used to tell me about The Bell Witch and how it haunted our family. I Know for shure that this story is real. although some parts have been changed over the years the basic story is still true. Although I live in california and have never been to tennessee i would to check it out some time.
There's always some facts and not so true facts in stories like that, however, i think it's true to an extent. like how she haunted the bells and stuff. It was quite interesting to read. :) I enjoyed it. :)
I'm sure there is partial truth to this, but as well as I can say that, I'm sure that not everything is true either.
Enjoyed reading it though. =3
An event that has been exaggerated so much that it is now nothing more than a ghost story containing very little of what really happened.
I am not sure it was as much a witch as a case of split personality. When John molested his daughter, and the part that was ripped from her body was represented as a child, like the innocense of childhood had been taken from her, and the two are trying to gather themselves again. In reality, I think it was a way for them to cover it up, and for Kate to repress what her father supposidly did to her.
That is the scenario the movie "An american Haunting" based on the story of the Bell witch offers, and I think it is plausible.
I have never been at the site, but I have heard the story and it is intrigueing.
It depends on who's telling the original story. Everything hangs on the storytellers words, for they depict the characters to be honorable or villainous.
The story of Elizabeth Bathory is a fine example. The story goes that she bathed in the blood of virgins in a ritual to retain her youth. Physically impossible considering the amount of blood one would need to bathe in blood to fill an old bath tub.
Upon further investigation, Elizabeth was an educated woman who could read and write in four languages. There are several instances where she intervened on behalf of destitute women, including a woman whose husband was captured by the Turks and a woman whose daughter was raped and impregnated. She was interested in science and astronomy.
Then , of course, ROME stepped in because HEY we can't have a woman being EDUCATED now can we??!!
In steps the inquisition, a few murmurs here a rumor or two there, and within the blink of an eye, Bathory was placed under house arrest and charged with the brutal murder of roughly 650 people.
But since she wasn't there, a trial was held condemning four "counterparts" to her heinous acts...*cough*...3 of which were killed on the spot.
So again, it really all depends on the storyteller.
As for the story of the Bell Witch, it sounds like a haunting, but only someone with power (generally) could maintain enough of themselves to hold a conversation, if the stories are to be believed. Perhaps she was a witch John Bell murdered in order to buy the home. No one can be sure.
the thing about myths and legends and stories of there time wether they be true stories of actual acounts is that they tend to get better and better with age. i think sure it could of been pharanormal activiety . but to what extent i do not know i wasnt there. ive always wanted to visit the place but have never had a chance to go there.
I think that they may actually be something to this legend. Why else would it have carried on for so long? They even made a movie based on the "events".
I have the movie ..
The American Haunting based on the Bell witch ..
It`s a wild movie ..
In the movie Betsy Bell was Molested by her father which stole away her innocence .. The innocent spirit became spiteful , and haunted them ..
Now I don`t know if there is any truth to the movie , but it makes you think such things are possible ..
So I say yes .. Besides it one of the oldest stories ..
i have never been there but i think the story is fascinating. I guess it would just come down to what you believe it to be, each has their own opinion. But I do that that it is highly possible that it is indeed true based on the legend.
Course with all that history and energy around, there is bound to be ghostly activity. Limestone holds energy quite well.
i have seen alot about the Bell Witch and i believe that it is REAL. there is no explination. i believe the Bell family tried to have an exercism but the priest could do nothing over the laughter in the air..also the father of the Bell family died because poisen was somehow put into his drinking water..i dont believe anyone in his family could have done that so the only other possible explination is that something supernatural was happeneing
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CuRsEdToDaRkNeSs High Sire (158) Posts: 1,286 Honor: 1,536 [ Give / Take ] |
I am with a ghost hunting team called PAST (Paranormal Association of the Southern Tri-States). We hope to one day go to the Bell Witch Cave and see if we find anything. I grew up hearing this legend, and I think there maybe SOME truth to it but I believe its been embellished through the years.
What absolutely kills me about it is... The film An American Haunting is loosely based on this legend... and they are NOTHING a like.... go figure....
There is also a rumor that runs round with this that any witch that goes there now... will be badly injured or will die within weeks of the visit.. mind you its a rumor, but I know someone that says they have seen it happen.
I watched a documentary on the Bell witch once. And also "An American Haunting." that film scared the crap outta me really.
I kinds do believe it was real. Truth be told, with all the unexplained things in this world. You never know.
Concidering that the legend was common in Nashville when I was there and working at Dell and I could feel an aura change everything that I heard it, yeah I believe in it.
I have never been there as I come from Australia. I think a lot of it is fact strange things happen all over the world. My feelings are that the people who live there would know more of what is real and what is fantasy. Myself I would listern to the locals before I read to much into something.
I have seen the movie and it seemed to me that it was a physical manifestation of the things that happened to the girl that was tormenting her and her family.
As for the question, I believe it's a myth. Probably as much a witch as those in the Salem Witch Trials.
I think that the bell "witch" was angry during her lifetime and when she passed away started to haunt the bells, but I don't think she was an actual witch. Like people have already said, things get twisted and even embellished upon through out the ages.
i think the bell witch its slef may be true but i think the stroy around it has been change and add on to and parts taken out over the years
That is very true. A lot of the original story has changed with time. But truth be told, you never know. i say it's deffinetly possible.
Agree with "thedarkx". Other than the legendary hauntings in New Orleans, the Bell Witch is one of the most documented.
I read the book and watched the movie. The book is way different. But as most movies that were supposedly based on a true story are spiced up to make the movie more interesting and bring in more money.
i meen i think the bell witch is real but the story has been change over the years there has been parts taken out and parts add to the story
The Bell Witch was believed to be a poltergeist manifested by the human mind.
your right no one real knows the truth but the people who where there and there long gone by now so there is no way to find out
it s a legend so to speak i found a thread to
In the early 1800s, John Bell moved his family from North Carolina to the Red River bottomland in Robertson County, Tennessee, settling in a community that later became known as Adams. Bell purchased some land and a large log home for his family. The Bells quickly made many friends and gained prominence in the community. John Bell acquired additional land and cleared a number of fields over the next several years.
One day in 1817, John Bell was inspecting his corn field when he encountered a strange-looking animal sitting in the middle of a corn row. Shocked by the appearance of this animal, which had the body of a dog and the head of a rabbit, Bell shot several times to no avail. The animal vanished. Bell thought nothing more about the incident--at least not until after dinner. That evening, the Bells began hearing "beating" sounds on the outside walls of their house.
These mysterious sounds continued with increased force each night. Bell and his sons often hurried outside to catch the culprit but always returned empty-handed. The noises were soon followed by more problems. The Bell children began waking up frightened and complaining of sounds much like rats gnawing at their bedposts. It wasn't long until the children began complaining of more terrifying things--having their bed covers pulled and their pillows were tossed onto the floor by a seemingly invisible force.
As time went on, the Bells began to hear more strange noises. Only this time, they sounded like faint, whispering voices--too weak to understand--but sounded like a feeble old woman crying or singing hymns. The encounters escalated, and the Bells’ youngest daughter, Betsy, began experiencing physically brutal encounters with the entity. It relentlessly pulled her hair and slapped her, often leaving visible prints on her face and body for days at a time. The evil disturbances escalated over the next year to the point it was time for John Bell to share his "family trouble" with his closest friend and neighbor, James Johnston.
Johnston and his wife spent the night at the Bell home, where they were subjected to the same terrifying disturbances that the Bells had been. After having his bedcovers repeatedly removed, and being slapped, Johnston sprang out of bed, asking, "I ask you in the name of the Lord God, who are you and what do you want?" There was no response of any type, but the remainder of the night was peaceful.
As word of the Bell disturbances spread throughout the community, so did the entity's antics. Over time, the its voice strengthened to the point it was loud and understandable. It sang hymns, quoted scripture, carried on intelligent conversation, and once quoted, word-for-word, two sermons that took place at the same time thirteen miles apart. During none of this time did anyone know who or what the entity was, or its purpose for tormenting the Red River Settlement.
Word eventually spread outside the settlement, even as far as Nashville, where one Andrew Jackson became interested.
Please include links to copied information.
STABB
It's an interesting legend. If you take information from someone else's writing without permission, you can legally only take up to 200 words if it's copyrighted under fair use, or you can get into trouble...then you supply the link. Many times if the story is really old you can get it from Project Gutenberg if it was contained in a book and that is usually public domain in the US. Just thought I would pass this along. Some sites will say its ok to copy if you put their copyright information and link at the end but if it doesn't you can get into trouble. I have this story on my ezine now but it is included with some others and not written by me but the author gives permission if his information is given and source...best to look for this type of thing before posting here. Have there been people who work in the field of the paranormal there? Someone say like Hans Holzer in the past?
usually these stories start with facts then quickly exagerated over the years... I do agree about it sounding like a normal haunting.. Witch or not really doesnt have anything to do with it...
There is some fact in the legend but from reading on this I myself think most of it is just Fantasy.
I saw a show on about the bell witch, personally the past is quite tragic and just watching the show I was getting the sense of dread and ill contempt it might be because I am psychic. but I think she is real.
I perosnally think she is real as I am a very sensitive empath.... too me there wasn't enough hard facts that say she didn't exsist as opposed to the evidence that she did
believe it or not i can sense dead entities and when i went on the tour thing i was beginning to feel the pain of everyone that died there. i even felt that the witch was trying to escape its bonds in the underworld. so i think it is real
If the Bell witch was a witch of white magick, she would know not to harm others. I feel that the father done wrong to his own daughter and must live his after life tourtured and never know the true meaning of peace
Defently not witch think more polergist but then I cannot be sure I wasnt there.
I think it was more of a demon haunting her than a witch, she was seriously inflicted with a demon in the house.
The bell witch is a fact. The story of course changes and some is added and deleted through the years but the original story is fact.
That is such a cool and Original story. Though the fact that it lack's evidence is saddening :(