The Bell Witch is a well-known legend in American folklore, believed to be one of the most famous supernatural occurrences in history. The haunting began in the early 19th century in Adams, Tennessee, with John Bell and his family being the central figures of the phenomenon. The spectral activity associated with the Bell Witch was unique and terrifying. It is said that the entity communicated with the family members and others in the community through various methods, such as knocking on walls, furniture moving on its own, and whispering voices. The voice of the entity is described as resembling a woman's, although it could also mimic different voices and sounds. One of the most disturbing aspects of the haunting was the physical attacks directed towards John Bell.
The historical record of the Bell Witch hauntings comes from an account called “Our Family Trouble: The Story of the Bell Witch of Tennessee,” which was passed to Martin Ingram, a Clarksville, Tennessee, journalist. That account was written by John Bell’s son, Richard Williams Bell, who was only 6 at the time of the hauntings at the Bell home near Adams, Tennessee.
The two most interesting symptoms that apply in the John Bell case include dysphagia, which is discomfort in swallowing, and the smell of garlic on the breath. The spirit identified itself as the witch of Kate Batts, a neighbor of the Bell s, with whom John had experienced bad business dealings over some purchased slaves.
One of the most disturbing aspects of the haunting was the physical attacks directed towards John Bell. The spirit would slap him, pull his hair, and even leave marks and bruises on his body. It seemed to have a particular vendetta against him, making his life a living nightmare.
“Haunted Live” Season Finale Investigation Reveal: The Bell Witch Haunting in Adams, TN
The Tennessee Wraith Chasers of Travel Channel’s Haunted Live explore the first true American ghost story: The Bell Witch Haunting in Adams, Tennessee during the show’s season finale on Friday, November 16, 2018.
The Bell Witch case is the preeminent paranormal legend in the United States, and the first true American ghost story. It’s the only haunted house to ever be investigated by a state government and deemed to be true.
The family of a local farmer named John Bell was plagued by a mysterious and violent spirit for nearly four years. The spirit identified itself as the “witch” of Kate Batts, a neighbor of the Bell’s, with whom John had experienced bad business dealings over some purchased slaves.
The haunting involved spectral creatures, disembodied voices, unbelievable violence and even resulted in the death of John Bell — all at the hands of the infamous Bell Witch. Today, a log cabin and school stand on the property. Only one person has spent the night in the cabin without fleeing the Bell Witch.
Joining the Wraith Chasers on this epic investigation is special guest Bob Bell. Bell is the fifth great grandson of John Bell Sr., who died at the hands of the Bell Witch in 1820. He is the owner and operator of the local funeral home near Adams, TN and is a fifth-generation embalmer.
When Bob was young, the Bell Witch story was not spoken about by his family until strange incidents started to happen in his grandmother’s home. Dishes would fly out of the cupboards and footsteps would be hear on the steps. Finally, his father revealed to Bob the legend of the family curse.
After a lifetime of paranormal experiences at the hands of the Bell Witch, Bob is steadfast in his belief that his family is yet to escape her grasp.
ABOUT ‘HAUNTED LIVE’
Viewers are invited to join the action in “Haunted Live,” a live interactive paranormal investigation series featuring paranormal experts, the Tennessee Wraith Chasers, and hosted by Jamie Kaler.
SEE ALSO: Chad Michael Murray's Killer Role in "Ted Bundy: American Boogeyman"The team – Chris Smith, Steven “Doogie” McDougal, Scott Porter, Brannon Smith and Mike Goncalves – relies on a unique combination of scientific method and spiritual faith to navigate investigations.
Each week, they reveal a new haunted location to the public and utilize their skills, technology and unique experiments to capture evidence of paranormal activity in a live and unfiltered paranormal investigation. Through an on-location live video stream, viewers can monitor the investigation activity on Travel Channel’s Facebook Live platform and comment on any findings in real time, directing the team where to investigate next.
Fans can follow Travel Channel’s social media pages and visit Facebook to join a special pre-hunt Q&A with the Tennessee Wraith Chasers. #HauntedLive
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, as well as obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of healing, to learn how she channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
ABOUT ‘HAUNTED LIVE’
The Bell Witch seemed to have an intelligence and knowledge beyond what was expected from a supernatural entity. It could accurately answer questions about the past, present, and future, and even predicted events that later came true. This led many to conclude that the spirit was evil and had some sort of demonic origin. The haunting lasted for several years, causing great distress to the Bell family and those who came into contact with the entity. Eventually, after tormenting John Bell to his death, the haunting ceased. The Bell Witch had accomplished its mission, or so it seemed. To this day, the legend of the Bell Witch continues to fascinate and terrify people. It has been the subject of books, movies, and even a musical. The spectral activity associated with the Bell Witch remains a mystery, with no clear explanation as to what or who was behind the haunting. It serves as a reminder that the supernatural world is full of inexplicable phenomena that defy rational explanation..
Reviews for "Forgotten Spirits: Unraveling the Secrets of the Bell Witch's Spectral Activity"
1. John Doe - 2 stars
I was really excited to watch "The Spectral Activity Associated with the Bell Witch" as I'm a fan of supernatural horror movies. However, I was greatly disappointed with this film. The storyline felt predictable and cliché, with no real originality. The scares were mediocre and lacked any real suspense. The acting was also quite bland, making it hard to connect with any of the characters. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable and lackluster horror film.
2. Sarah Smith - 1 star
"The Spectral Activity Associated with the Bell Witch" was a complete waste of my time and money. The plot was confusing and poorly executed, leaving me with more questions than answers. The special effects were terrible, and the ghostly apparitions looked laughably unrealistic. The acting was atrocious, with wooden performances that made it impossible to become invested in the characters. I would not recommend this film to anyone who is looking for a quality horror movie.
3. Robert Johnson - 2.5 stars
I had high hopes for "The Spectral Activity Associated with the Bell Witch" based on the intriguing premise. However, the film fell short of my expectations. While there were a few creepy moments, they were overshadowed by the lackluster storytelling. The pacing was off, with the movie dragging in some parts and rushing through others. The characters were underdeveloped, and their motivations seemed unclear. Overall, the film lacked the depth and scares that I was hoping for.