This is very interesting because as soon as I saw this it reminded me of Borley Rectory. The fact that they are both Rectory's and both suffered supposed Poltergiest activity makes me wonder...


Epworth Rectory, Epworth, Lincs.

One of the best-documented accounts of a poltergeist manifestation occurred at Epworth Rectory in the early part of the 18th century. Epworth was the home of the Rev Samuel Wesley, who was the father of John Wesley and this is the birthplace of John Wesley. It may seem strange to include the vigorous founder of Methodism among the ranks of psychic investigators and ghost hunters, but it is thanks to him that we have such a well-documented record of one of the most famous hauntings that ever occurred in this country.

John Wesley was only 13 years of age when the incidents took place, starting in December, 1716, and ending in January, 1717, but he was to remember those two months for the rest of his life.

The first sign of “Old Jeffrey”, as he was nicknamed by Emily Wesley, was when Robert Brown, a servant, heard a knock on the kitchen door one night, followed by a groan. The date was 2nd December, 1716. He opened the door to find nobody there. The door was knocked three times further that night with similar result, and feeling a little scared, the servants retired for the night. Whilst in bed Robert Brown heard the sound of what appeared to be a turkey gobbling, and the sound of somebody stumbling over some boots. The following day one of the maids heard a knocking on a shelf, and was that scared that she dropped a tray she was carrying and fled.

The following evening, Holly Wesley was sitting in the dining room reading after tea, when the door opened and she heard the rustling of a silk dress. She saw nobody but was aware of a person walking around her. She got up and slowly walked from the room, reasoning that there was no point in running, as whatever it was would be able to catch her anyway. At supper, while she was telling her sister, Susannah, about the incident, a knocking was heard under the table and the door latch was seen to move up and down continuously. The girls told their mother, who said that she would have to wait to see it for herself before she was convinced. She didn’t have to wait long. One of the girls called her to the nursery, where she heard the sound of a cradle being rocked. There was no cradle in the room and there hadn’t been one there for many years.

Mrs Wesley told her husband, who was very annoyed and reprimanded her for trying the scare the children. However, it was not long before he too was to witness the phenomena associated with “Old Jeffrey”.

It was the custom in the Wesley household to have prayers every evening and one of the prayers was for the King. This had been a big arguing point between Mr and Mrs Wesley because whereas he supported William of Orange, Mrs Wesley was a sincere supporter of James II. In fact, previously an argument had broken out between them on this point, and consequently, when the prayers for the King were said, Mrs Wesley omitted to say “Amen”. However, when “Old Jeffrey” came on the scene, it was obvious that he, too, was a firm Jacobite and whenever prayers were said for King William, loud knocking sounds were heard all over the room and as a result prayers for the monarchy were discontinued, much to the satisfaction of “Old Jeffrey”, who kept quiet during prayers after that.

The knockings and disturbances carried on at Epworth and they became more frequent, both by day and night. They became so regular that the children ceased to be scared by them any more and actually started playing a game of chasing “Old Jeffrey” around the house. It was recorded that the dogs were more scared of the poltergeist than the children. One of the girls, Hetty, actually saw a man walking down the stairs, wearing an old-fashioned night-shirt.

Whoever or whatever “Old Jeffrey” was, the poltergeist went as quickly it had come, and by the end of January, 1717, the visits had ceased completely.

I don't want to sound stupid, but could someone tell me what a Rectory is? I know it has something to do with religion,but we don't seem to have any buildings called Rectories in the States...

Here we go Falco,

a Rectory is an official residence provided by a church for its parson or vicar or rector.

Ok, thanks. We call it a Parsonage over here..Back on topic.This story doesn't seem nearly as scary as the Borley Rectory story..

That's a fascinating story, Lottie, because as you point out, it was so well documented, despite the 18th century setting. I assume poltergeist have been with mankind throughout history, but have just not been recognised as such.

It's interesting that the poltergeist had political leanings. Does this suggest that it was being powered by the wife, or one of the children who favoured her view?

In the 1960's Radford (in Nott'm) parish built a new vicarage and church hall on a the site of the old vicarage, opposite the Church itself.

(For background purposes, the Church is about 850 years old, and C. of E. The old vicarage was early 19th century and far too big for modern needs and in a poor state of repair. It had never been haunted, to anyone's knowledge that I have spoken to. Demolishion and rebuild was deemed the most cost effective option, as this would also provide space for a much needed hall.)

The newly ordained vicar, Rev. Lemon (he insisted it was pronounced Lee-mon), moved in with his young wife. They began experiencing strange things almost straight away; items would move, noises were heard etc.

The movement of items they blamed on each other, the noises were put down to the new house drying out...

On the insistance of his wife, Rev. Lemon eventually performed a blessing. That's when things REALLY became interesting.

The items now changed rooms, almost under their noses, the noises could be heard in the street and the cleaner refused to work in the house alone. The brand new electrics played up; items such as the washing machine turned themselves on, lights flickered constantly, or just wouldn't work. An electrician was asked to test the wireing , but all was as it should be...

Then, during a Summer storm, the steeple was hit by lightning.

At this point the Bishop performed a full exorcism and all became quiet.

How do I know? My Aunt was the cleaner & my Gran & Grandad were laypreachers at the church. They lived at no 21 Churchfield Lane, (the church being no 1, effectively). I vaguely remember it, but I was only about 7 or 8 at the time.

Maybe the term "God botherers" ain't so far off the mark? Maybe all that praying upsets the not-so-nice entities? Just a thought.