Episode 3: The Bell Witch Haunting in Tennessee

In this episode, Megan tells the story of the Bell Witch Haunting which took place in Tennessee back in the early 1800s. We really enjoyed discussing this particular haunting since it’s so close to our home in North Carolina.

The Bell Witch Haunting Podcast Episode Description

In 1817, John Bell and his family began to experience some strange happenings on their farm which included sounds being heard such as singing. They also included an odd animal sighting which could have been a skinwalker. Skinwalkers are said to be witches. Their daughter, Betsy, was targeted the most, waking up with bruises and welts.

Neighbors who spent the night with the Bells also experienced paranormal things and over time the ghost or what they called “the witch” would actually say names and give messages. John Bell’s wife heard the “witch” say that she hated John Bell and wanted to kill him.

The “witch” also told Betsy to not marry her intended, which was decided when she was a child.

In 1819, General Andrew Jackson who later became President came to the Bell home because he had heard of the Bell Witch from the Bell boys who served under him in the military. He wanted to see what the Bell Witch was all about. As they approached the farm, the wagon stopped and the horses couldn’t pull it as if the wagon was stuck when in reality, nothing could have been preventing it from going. Jackson exclaims that it’s the witch and then a female voice is heard saying “Alright, general, let the wagon move on, I will see you again tonight.” And then the horses could move again right after.

Jackson planned to stay a week but he and his group experienced so many attacks by the Bell Witch that night that they left the next day.

A&E actually did a 5 part series on The Bell Witch called Cursed: The Bell Witch. They had a clairvoyant talk to Betsy’s ghost and Megan discusses the clairvoyant’s past and what Betsy told her. Since Betsy was the one who experienced the most, they went to her grave to see what messages the clairvoyant received. The family of Betsy Bell believed what the clairvoyant said because she knew things nobody else could have known.

The clairvoyant says that a slave actually killed John Bell when it was thought that the Bell Witch killed him. It just gets crazier and crazier. Bob Bell, the 5th great-grandson of John Bell says that the clairvoyant’s story actually makes sense based on the family’s history.

Learn more by listening to the podcast episode!

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