Apparently, slumber parties in the mid-South 1970s were plied with a strange ritual. At midnight attendees would gather before a mirror and chant “I don’t believe in the Bell Witch” three times to see if the legendary spook would appear alongside their own reflections—a practice that echoes the “Bloody Mary” pattern following the execution of Mary Queen of Scots centuries ago. But that small circuit of preteen gatherings was neither the beginning nor the end of the Bell Witch’s travels. Indeed, the legend of the haint who terrorized the Bell family of Adams, Tennessee, is one of the best-known pieces of folklore in American storytelling—featured around the globe in popular-culture references as varied as a 1930s radio skit and a 1980s song from a Danish heavy metal band. Legend has it that “Old Kate” was investigated even by the likes of future president Andrew Jackson, who was reported to have said, “I would rather fight the British ten times over than to ever face the Bell Witch again.” While dozens of books and articles have thoroughly analyzed this intriguing tale, this book breaks new ground by exploring the oral traditions associated with the poltergeist and demonstrating her regional, national, and even international sweep. Author Rick Gregory details the ways the narrative mirrors other legends with similar themes and examines the modern proliferation of the story via contemporary digital media. The Bell Witch in Myth and Memory ultimately explores what people believe and why they believe what they cannot explicitly prove—and, more particularly, why for two hundred years so many have sworn by the reality of the Bell Witch. In this highly engaging study, Rick Gregory not only sheds light on Tennessee’s vibrant oral history tradition but also provides insight into the enduring, worldwide phenomenon that is folklore.

A malevolent entity known as the "Bell Witch" terrorized a pioneer Tennessee family from 1817 to 1821, predicting the future, singing hymns, cursing the preachers, beating the children, and killing John Bell, the patriarch. The characters and events were real. People from all walks of life--farmers, doctors, lawyers, and even preachers--witnessed and documented the horrific Bell Witch disturbances. Culminating 22+ years of extensive research, "The Bell Witch: The Full Account" is an essential tool for those wanting to learn more about the world's greatest ghost story. Includes photos, footnotes, end notes, appendices, and a comprehensive index.

The Legend of the Bell Witch of Tennessee has haunted and fascinated story tellers, yarn spinners, ghost hunters and serious writers for two hundred years. Good story, bad history says some descendants of the Bell Family that were tortured and tormented by what, at the time, appeared to be a supernatural entity a demon from Hell! What actually happened to the Bells in the early part of the nineteenth century is a mystery that has never been satisfactorily explained. The secrets of the Bell Witch presents to the reader: the family, the history, the legend, and the phenomena that still casts an eerie spell over all those who are told the fascinating story of .. The Bell Witch!

In the woods and fields of Tennessee, the spirits of the past come to haunt unknowing country residents. For the Bell family, one particular ghost would find its way into their lives, tormenting them for years. The Bell Witch, as she was called, left a mark not only on the Bell residence but also on the farm on which they lived. Here, using accessible language for young readers, the story is re-envisioned and presented on the page using colorful and descriptive illustrations sure to engage and enthrall young audiences.