The Bell Witch Curse is a legendary and infamous haunting that took place in rural Tennessee during the early 19th century. The story revolves around the Bell family, who were plagued by mysterious and malevolent supernatural occurrences for several years. The curse is named after the entity that tormented the family, known as the "Bell Witch." The haunting began in 1817 when John Bell, the head of the family, encountered a strange animal in his field. From that point on, the family experienced a series of frightening and unexplained events. The Bell Witch was said to possess the ability to communicate with the family, often through disembodied voices and physical manifestations.
Did infamous Bell Witch of Tennessee haunt Alabama in 1912?
The legend of the Bell Witch of Tennessee is not only one of the most famous reported hauntings in the history of the South, but in the country, having been the subject of books and movies and the upcoming A&E TV show, "Cursed: The Bell Witch," premiering Monday.
Although the original tale takes place between 1817 and 1821 in Adams, Tenn., events that occurred nearly a century later near Florence had some people wondering if the witch had come to Alabama. The newspaper accounts suggested the witch crossed the state line in one of her supernatural forms, that of a wolf-like creature.
So what really happened in Alabama in 1912? Was the legendary Bell Witch to blame?
The legend of the Bell Witch
John Bell (1750-1820) was a prominent farmer in Robertson County, Tenn., in a community then known as Red River, according to an account by author Pat Fitzhugh on bellwitch.org. John and Lucy Bell had nine children, including youngest daughter Betsy Bell, born in 1806.
It would be John and Betsy who bore the brunt of the Bell Witch haunting. It began when John Bell spotted a mysterious creature in the corn field with "the body of a dog and the head of a rabbit," which was portrayed as a wolf in the film "An American Haunting."
Soon after the sighting, the Bell children began hearing scratching noises and experiencing various disturbances, thought to be the result of a curse by a local woman with whom John had a property dispute, Kate Batts.
Fitzhugh wrote: "The encounters escalated, and the Bells' youngest daughter, Betsy, began experiencing brutal encounters with the invisible entity. It would pull her hair and slap her relentlessly, often leaving welts and hand prints on her face and body."
In 1820, John Bell died, becoming, Fitzhugh said, "the only person in history whose death was attributed to the doings of a Spirit."
He continued: "In 1817, Bell contracted a mysterious affliction that worsened over the next three years, ultimately leading to his death. Kate took pleasure in tormenting him during his affliction, finally poisoning him one December morning as he lay unconscious after suffering a number of violent seizures."
Fitzhugh said the haunting of the Bell family "involved real people and is substantiated by eyewitness accounts, affidavits and manuscripts penned by those who experienced the haunting first hand. This distinction led Dr. Nandor Fodor, a noted researcher and psychologist, to label the Bell Witch legend as 'America's Greatest Ghost Story.'"
The film "An American Haunting," starring Sissy Spacek and Donald Sutherland, was based on the legend but it was panned by critics when it included the unsubstantiated aspect of child abuse by John Bell.
Bell Witch in Alabama?
In February 1912, residents in Lauderdale County, Ala., began seeing a strange animal that resembled a dog but had a high-pitched "scream."
Several newspapers published accounts of the sightings and at least one, The Montgomery Advertiser, posited the theory that the animal was a form of the Bell Witch. According to ExploreSouthernHistory.com, the article appeared on Feb. 24, 1912, with the headline: "Bell Witch with Terrifying Scream Abroad in Lauderdale."
The article said: "The Bell witch, which many years ago brought terror and destruction to an East Tennessee family, has reappeared, this time in Blackburn beat, this (Lauderdale) county, according to the belief of some residents of that place. The story has reached Florence that a strange animal is seen roaming in that section which resembles a large dog, but the most terrifying part of it is its scream. This can be heard for a mile or more and resembles the scream of a woman in terror. The animal is reddish brown color with a white streak about its throat.
"Few have seen it but many have heard it and the boldest are afraid to be abroad after dark. Remembering the sad fate of Judge Bell no one has had courage to shoot at the animal. Squire Silas L. Bradley, of Blackburn beat, who was a recent visitor to Florence, is convinced that a deep mystery surrounds the strange animal."
Other newspapers took a more practical approach to the sightings. The Times Daily of Florence reported in February: "The people of Blackburn beat, in the northern section of Lauderdale, are disturbed by a wild animal that roams in that section and has established a kind of curfew law among all the people."
The animal was described as a large reddish-brown shepherd dog with a white streak on its throat. Local attorney Silas Bradley told the reporter he "was firmly convinced that they were favored with an unusual visitation."
In April, the mystery of the creature would be solved, for the most part: An article published April 12, 1912, in The Times Daily reported "Wild Varmint Killed."
The article said a local man named Plummer Daniels killed the animal as it was being attacked by Daniels' dog. This time the story said: "It looked like a dog, but was not exactly one. It was an aged creature. Mr. Daniels reports that its growl was something startling and shook the very ground with its roar."
No further information on the animal was given.
Join al.com reporter Kelly Kazek on her weekly journey through Alabama to record the region's quirky history, strange roadside attractions and tales of colorful characters. Find her on Facebook or follow her Odd Travels and Real Alabama boards on Pinterest.
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The Bell Witch was said to possess the ability to communicate with the family, often through disembodied voices and physical manifestations. It would torment them relentlessly, often targeting John Bell and his daughter Betsy the most. The manifestations of the Bell Witch varied in nature.
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What is the bell witch curse
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The Bell Witch Legend is centered on the 19th-century Bell family of northwest Robertson County, Tennessee near the Red River, where an evil entity murdered John Bell & attacked his youngest daughter Betsy in the 1800's. Ordis, Nick, & Sam dive into the legend & story surrounding this mystery, the curse, & theories around what happened on the Bell Farm & why is this curse still plaguing the family till this day. Sign up for our Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/ordisstudios - $5 bucks a month gets you access to new content every month, including bonus episodes of our show After the Podcast is Afraid & The Nick Variety Show! Follow Even the Podcast is Afraid on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PodcastAfraid Follow Even the Podcast is Afraid on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastafraid/We are now part of Crawlspace Media Network: http://crawlspace-media.com/shows#/etpia/Join us for more discussions on our Discord Community: https://discord.gg/5CEpfH8 [MUSIC USED]Music from https://filmmusic.io"In Your Arms" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
The Bell Witch Legend is centered on the 19th-century Bell family of northwest Robertson County, Tennessee near the Red River, where an evil entity murdered John Bell & attacked his youngest daughter Betsy in the 1800's. Ordis, Nick, & Sam dive into the legend & story surrounding this mystery, the curse, & theories around what happened on the Bell Farm & why is this curse still plaguing the family till this day. Sign up for our Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/ordisstudios - $5 bucks a month gets you access to new content every month, including bonus episodes of our show After the Podcast is Afraid & The Nick Variety Show! Follow Even the Podcast is Afraid on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PodcastAfraid Follow Even the Podcast is Afraid on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastafraid/We are now part of Crawlspace Media Network: http://crawlspace-media.com/shows#/etpia/Join us for more discussions on our Discord Community: https://discord.gg/5CEpfH8 [MUSIC USED]Music from https://filmmusic.io"In Your Arms" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) read more read less
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Doomed from the Start
[Edited] Everyone in Tennessee has heard about the Curse of the Bell Witch.
This story is part the early settlement history of Middle Tennessee and is the most famous, local legend. The epicenter of the curse is John Bell’s Farm located along the Red River in Adams, Tennessee.
I recently watched a new show on A&E called, Cursed: The Bell Witch. The show is pure docu-tainment, part documentary and part entertainment.
The star of the show is John Ceallach, a direct descendent of John Bell. John has a military and law enforcement background, and he digs into the history of his family with the skills of a seasoned detective.
This makes the show intriguing.
For more than 200 years, multiple generations of John’s family have suffered untimely deaths. Most of tragedies involved first born sons. His family blames it on the curse.
This history weighs heavy on John’s heart. He sincerely wants to put it to bed at any cost in order to protect his son from facing a similar tragedy.
Many motives and suspects have been identified as possible causes of the original events. His investigation has eliminated all of these, except one.
John Bell built his home on sacred, Indian burial grounds.
These mounds and burial grounds are found all over Middle Tennessee, especially along the many rivers that flow through this area.
Whether you believe the legend or not, I do not want to live on anyone’s cemetery.
The state of Tennessee requires you to disclose if a cemetery is located on the property for sale, and the state does not differentiate between modern and ancient graves.
The current disclosure law states there is NO requirement to disclose an act which had no effect on the physical structure of the property (Like a Felony or Homicide), therefore some people may interpret this the wrong way.
Now that’s scary!
We believe that an educated consumer makes better home buying decisions.
That’s why we go to extra lengths to help you learn as much about the property before you commit to buying a home. We will show you where to look, investigate and get your questions answered.
To avoid being doomed from the start, hit reply and let us know what you want in your next home.
We would love to hear from you.
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Discussion
#1 By John Ceallach at 7/17/2017 6:30 AMVery interesting take on that. Enjoyed the article and how it circled around to disclosure part.
#2 By Steve Jolly at 7/17/2017 6:30 AMThank you John for taking the time to read the story and comment on it. I hope that you were able to find closure through your work and on the show. Take care!
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It would pull hair, scratch, and slap family members, as well as throw objects, bang on walls, and mimic animal sounds. The witch would also engage in conversations with the family, displaying knowledge of private information and future events. It seemed to have a particular distaste for John Bell, even claiming responsibility for his eventual death. The extent of the Bell Witch's torment divided locals. Some believed it to be an evil spirit, while others thought it was a manifestation of a family member's anger or a manifestation of their collective stress. The haunting attracted considerable attention, leading to numerous visitors and investigators attempting to decipher the mystery. The Bell Witch Curse ultimately ended in 1821, after the death of John Bell. It is said that during the funeral, the Bell Witch made its presence known, expressing relief that its purpose had been fulfilled. Afterward, the entity claimed to have vanished but left a prophetic message about its return in 107 years. Over time, the Bell Witch Curse has become one of the most famous and enduring legends in American folklore. It has been the subject of books, movies, and paranormal investigations, captivating the imaginations of many. Whether the events surrounding the Bell Witch were real or simply exaggerated tales, the curse has cemented its place in history as a haunting that fascinated and terrorized generations..
Reviews for "The Bell Witch Curse: A Legacy of Fear"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really excited to watch "What is the bell witch curse" because I'm a fan of horror movies. However, I was extremely disappointed with this film. The storyline was very weak and it felt like it was dragging on forever. The acting was also subpar, with wooden performances that failed to capture any real emotion. The scares were predictable and lacked creativity. Overall, I found this movie to be a major letdown and I wouldn't recommend it to any horror enthusiasts.
2. Emma - 1/5 - I have to say, "What is the bell witch curse" is one of the worst movies I've ever seen. The plot was confusing and hard to follow, leaving me feeling frustrated and uninterested. The characters were poorly developed and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with any of them. The special effects were also lackluster and unconvincing. This movie failed to deliver any thrills or scares, and I found myself constantly checking the time, waiting for it to finally end. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one.
3. Sam - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "What is the bell witch curse" but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The pacing was incredibly slow, and it took forever for anything interesting to happen. The acting was mediocre at best, with some of the dialogue feeling forced and unnatural. The scares were cliché and predictable, and I never found myself truly frightened. While the film had potential, it ultimately fell short and left me feeling unsatisfied. I wouldn't recommend it unless you're a die-hard fan of the genre.