In the world of paranormal research, there are some things that permeate the research. ghosts, dark entities, old homes, and haunted objects. Some are more personal than others. some have dark histories and some are just kept as cool conversation pieces. One that is important to me. If you are a fan of the show you more than likely know why.
The Bell Family Bible
The bell witch is one of, if not Americas first, and most well documented haunting. The bell family of Tennessee led a normal life in the late 1800's. That was until the noises began. scratching, dragging, and knocking on the outside of the home.
this escalated to sounds inside as well as whispers that grew into voices. Word eventually got around the area and once a visible spirit was seen, the people of the area came to talk to and see the spirit. Long story short, the family was harassed by the entity, A family member allegedly captured the entity in a blanket and even attempted to burn it. This did nothing but waste a blanket and cause a spectacle.
it is still a mystery today whether it was as the spirit told them, sent by a witch, or a ghost, or just a hoax. however, our focus is on the family bible. Passed down through generation, it was revealed on a documentary show a couple years ago. It was shown by a descendant to renown haunted object collector John Zaffis. During the interview and upon opening the box the bible was carried in things started to happen. there were sounds around the room that seemed to grow the longer the bible was out.
At one point a picture fell from the wall. all this was caught on camera. John Zaffis ironically seemed unfazed and said that was fairly normal. now, this could have been bolstered for the show, but still, interesting, and a great American legend.
The Busby Chair of Death
Up next is a seemingly non important item, a bar chair, In the summer of 1702, Thomas Busby strangled his father-in-law Daniel Awety when he found Awety sitting in Busby’s favorite oak chair. Arrested and tried for murder, he was convicted and before death his final request was to enjoy a drink and meal in his favorite chair one last time. So as he sat at the pub eating and drinking. Thomas spoke these words. "May sudden death come to anyone who dare sit in my chair."
The chair remained in the pub for centuries and sure enough anyone who happened to sit in the chair met their fate in an untimely manner. Eventually the chair was given to the Thirsk Museum in Yorkshire England. The legend so pervasive at this point, the workers decided to hang the chair from the ceiling where it could be observed but never, even by accident, could anyone sit in it again.
The Basano Vase
Our final item for this part is one that has seen quite a bit of death and pain. Allegedly made for a bride in the 15th century. Sadly the young bride died that night, while clutching the vase and vowing to seek her vengeance. (Which needs more explanation then I could find) but anyway Any family member who inherited the vase would go on to lose their lives.
The vase was finally hidden away, no one sure who did it. But sadly in 1988 was uncovered and put up for sale. The vase was sold to a pharmacist who reportedly died three months later, as did the 37-year-old surgeon who owned it next. The last owners were so desperate to rid themselves of it, they tossed it out the window, where it hit a policeman on the head and nearly killed him
The family refused to take the vase back, and was allegedly buried once more, to hopefully never be found again.
there are thousands of items like these around the world. We will continue our look into some of the lesser known ones on the next article!