James Johnson, or “Old Sugarmouth,” became a central figure in Bell Witch history, almost as much as Betsy’s siblings were. His sons, John and Calvin, were said to have caught Powell in the middle of something dubious. This story has been passed down through Johnson’s descendants, but has not beenContinue Reading
Many theories have emerged since the haunting began, yet the most suspicious character is seldom mentioned. Betsy Bell was accused of conspiring and orchestrating the events that led to her father’s murder. Her brothers were accused of the same. John Bell has been grotesquely accused of sexually molesting his ownContinue Reading
Bell Witch skeptics existed when word first traveled that the Bell family experienced unusual trouble. The haunting has been blamed on Betsy, John, Jesse, and some have even blamed the entire family for orchestrating everything. Kate Batts has been blamed for nearly two centuries, over some minor dispute that bothContinue Reading
The spirit grew incredibly powerful in a variety of ways, which ultimately led many to believe a human was behind the incarnation. As far as actions and attitude, it seemed to be marooned in perpetual adolescence. The Bell Witch implied it was a spirit, but its behavior said otherwise. ItContinue Reading
John Bell was already a successful North Carolina planter in 1804 when he brought his wife, Lucy, and six children to Robertson County, Tennessee. He eventually became owner of a 1,000-acre farm, in Adams, Tennessee. They were as blessed with children as they were monetary prosperity, and eventually had aContinue Reading
The “Bell Witch” is a famous haunting that hails from Adams, Tennessee. It has been the subject of poems, stories, novels, and films throughout the past two centuries. One of the earliest non-biographical works was a poem called The Trials of Betsy Bell, writer unknown, published in Nashville, Tennessee, inContinue Reading
The “Bell Witch” is a famous haunting that hails from Adams, Tennessee. It has been the subject of poems, stories, novels, and films throughout the Twentieth Century. The earliest know work was a poem called “The Trials of Betsy Bell.” The writer is unknown, but it was published in Nashville,Continue Reading
The Clip Wizard was a legend out of Middleway, West Virginia. The Middleway area has been known by a variety of names: Smithfield, Wizard Clip, or just Clip. The area gained legendary status due to an Eighteenth Century haunting. Adam Livingston was a Middleway farmer in 1794. A stranger cameContinue Reading
In the early 1900s, a cabin sat near Oak Level (then known as Stebbins), Virginia. The shack was known as “Aunt Tabby Anderson’s Place.” Tabitha Anderson, or “Aunt Tabby,” has gone through a sweeping change in just under a century. It is best to study both versions because they’re staggeringlyContinue Reading
Old Hell’s cabin was located in Pocahontas, Virginia. This town sits in Tazewell County. There’s an area around Pocahontas called Sinking Creek and once, a log cabin there was known simply as, “Old Hell’s Cabin.” “Old Hell,” was the nickname of Philip Hellingham. He was an old bachelor who spentContinue Reading