By Jackie Edwards

The Bell Witch is one of the most famous (and horrifying) legends in American folklore, centering around the Bell family in Adams, Tennessee, during the early 19th century. The legend describes a series of mysterious and often malevolent supernatural events that plagued the family at their homestead in Red River, Tennessee. The entity, known as the Bell Witch, is said to have possessed a sinister intelligence, capable of communicating, moving objects, and even enacting violence. This chilling tale of poltergeist activity, ghostly voices, and the untimely demise of John Bell has solidified the Bell Witch legend as a spine-tingling and enduring piece of Tennessee’s cultural history.

An unsettling series of events 

In 1817, John Bell, his wife, Betsy, and their children started experiencing strange supernatural occurrences. One evening, for example, John encountered an unusual creature in his cornfield – the beast was unlike anything he’d ever seen before. Instinctively, John fired a shot, causing the mysterious being to hastily retreat into the shadows. Unsettling events continued to unfold for the Bell family, with his son Drew then spotting a peculiar bird, while Betsy also claimed to have seen the lifeless body of a young girl, clad in a green dress, hanging from the trees in the nearby forest. These eerie occurrences set the stage for the intensification of the supernatural phenomena that would come to define the Bell Witch legend.

Things that go bump in the night 

Mysterious sounds echoed through the house in the early hours of the morning – ranging from inexplicable knocking to the unsettling noises of rats chewing furniture. Dogs would also bark and growl, as if reacting to an unseen presence, and the family even heard chains being pulled along the floor. The family’s sleep was further disrupted as their bed linens and pillows were abruptly snatched away. This entity, it seemed, also possessed the ability to speak. At first, the voice was pleasant enough and displayed knowledge of scripture. However, it soon began insulting John, meddling in Betsy’s relationships, and hurling racial slurs at the Bells’ Black slaves.

John Bell’s ominous death

Surprisingly, the witch seemed to like Betsy. It was John who bore the brunt of the witch’s animosity and endured years of torment. Finally, in December 1820, John became deathly ill. After his doctor found a vial containing an unidentified, dark-colored liquid, the Bell Witch exclaimed: “It’s useless for you to try to relieve Old Jack, I have got him this time; he will never get up from that bed again. I put it there, and gave Old Jack a big dose out of it last night while he was asleep, which fixed him.” John passed the following day. The witch largely disappeared from the Bells’ lives thereafter, appearing only occasionally but never tormenting the family again.

Journey into the supernatural: exploring the Bell Witch Farm 

Visiting the Bell Witch Farm today provides a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the legendary tales of the Bell Witch haunting. Traveling to the area and undertaking a guided tour can give you insight into the family’s harrowing experiences and witness firsthand the locations tied to this disturbing narrative. For those intrigued by the tale and looking for local accommodation, Springfield (ten miles away) is the closest town with a hotel – and it’s an hour north of Nashville.

Tours also include a visit to Bell Witch Cave located on the property – it’s considered to be the witch’s home, and also the site of positive interactions with the entity. One such story involves the Bell Witch saving a child who became stuck in a hole while playing. The child started yelling for help, and the Bell Witch supposedly came to the rescue, freeing them from the cave. She then apparently gave the child tips on how to explore caves safely before disappearing again.