Tennesee Hauntings

Rotherwood Mansion- The ghost of Rowena Ross
has been seen by hundreds of visitors for more than
100 years. Her first fiance drowned in the Holston
River, her husband died of yellow fever, and her
daughter also died, leaving her alone to commit
suicide. Her ghost has been seen walking along the
river bank with a lantern. Another ghost haunting
the house is a former owner and cruel slave holder,
Joshua Phipps. Legend says that a slave cursed
him, and a swarm of flies covered his face while he
lay on his death bed, and suffocated him. At his
funeral, a large, black dog frightened mourners, and
supposedly is still heard howling near the property.

- Kingsport, Tenn

Brinkley Female College- The haunting of Lizzie
Davidson was brief, but has become one of the best
known legends in Memphis. The ghost of Lizzie who
wore a moldy, pink dress appeared to 13 year old
Clara Robertson in 1871 at the college. It was a
private school for young girls. The ghost of Lizzie
frightened Clara, but later her father arranged for a
seance in their home. Clara was given paper and a
pencil, and was told to write what the spirits told
her. She wrote that Lizzie wanted Clara to find a
'treasure' that was buried on the college property.
In a glass jar was supposed to be the deed to the
land, 2000 dollars in gold, a diamond necklace and
other important papers. Several men dug, and
eventually the jar was found. Lizzie had told Clara
that it couldn't be opened for sixty days, and during
that time, 3 men accosted Mr. Robertson, and
demanded that he tell them where the jar was
hidden. He did, and they escaped with it. Clara
continued to hold seances throughout her life, but
Lizzie Davidson never again returned. The college no
longer stands. -Memphis, Tenn

In the beginning, it was only the noises. Strange knocking sounds came from outside the house.
Unexplained animals growled and spit. Sounds of somebody choking and gasping were heard coming
through the walls. The poltergeist that occured at the John Bell Farm in Adams Tennessee in 1817 is
perhaps one of the most famous, and possibly the most frightening case of its kind in history.

The Bell family were prosperous farmers. Everything was to be expected of life in the 19th century until
strange things began to happen. The noises came from outside until suddenly one day, the noises moved
inside the house. It would seem as though an animal were gnawing on the bedposts. Blankets were taken
off of the bed, the children were slapped, and strange whistling sounds occured at all hours. It seemed as
though the whistling, was the "witch" trying to speak. Once she did, nobody could shut her up.

She called herself many names, most notably "Kate Batts," and often sent the family on bogus scavenger
hunts promising treasure, only to laugh afterwards at their gullibility. She talked about politics and religion,
of which she knew plenty. She often accused neighbors of back sliding.

She called herself a witch, and had an intense hatred for John Bell, and vowed to see him dead. Kate
Batts was a real woman and died mysteriously after being propsed to by John Bell in the late 1770's. He
later married Lucy, the daughter of another prsperous farmer, whom the "witch" loved dearly, and often
sang to her or gave her presents. She appeared often before strangers, and was rumored to even have
appeared before the future presedent, Andrew Jackson.

Eventually, John Bell fell victim to strange illnesses, caused by Kate. His tongue would swell up so much
he couldn't even talk. The spirit never left Bell alone, and he could never get away to rest. One morning,
John was found senseless in his bed, by his wife. He was unconscious, and a doctor was summoned. Kate
cackled the entire time, claiming the she had poisoned John, and he would never recover. When his
medication was inspected, it was found to have been replaced with a bottle containing a strange black
liquid. When a cat was fed a few drops of this liquid, it dies immediately. John never recoverd, and died
on December 21, 1820. At the funeral, Kate laughed joyously, and was heard laughing.

Kate grew bored, and left the house after saying that she would return in 7 years. She did, and
terrorized the family for two weeks. During this time, Kate thwarted John's daughter Betsy's plans of
marrying her true love. Betsy later married her old schoolmaster, of whom Kate approved of. She took
her leave again, and said that she would return in 107 years, but she didn't.

Today the Bell Witch is a big part of life in Addams, Tennesee. Anytime anything odd happens, the
people shrug their shoulders and say that "Kate did it," The old farmhouse is long gone, but the Bell
Witch Cave that John used for storage, is considered to be where Kate now resides. Voices are heard
here, and phantoms ofter appear before startled guests. It is possible though that it is not Kate that is
haunting the Bell Witch Cave. With all the ghosts that roam the United States, there are plenty to go
around.

John Bell Farm- In the 1980's a dark haired
apparition was seen gliding over the property which
used to house the John Bell Farm. The apparition
may have been that of Kate Batts, a woman who's
ghost plagued the Bell family in 1817, and may have
caused John's death. - Adams, Tenn

Bell Witch Cave- It was used for storage by John
Bell, and may now be the Bell Witch's new
residence. Visitors claim to hear disembodied
voices, chains rattling and laughter. - Adams, Tenn

Carnton Mansion- The Battle of Franklin occured
here during the Cival War, and echoes from its past
still haunt the property. Sounds of battle are
heard, and visions of ghostly rebel soldiers have
been seen. A mass grave near the property is said
to contain the bodies of 1,700 confederate soldiers.
- Franklin, Tenn

Orpheum Theater- The ghost of a girl named
Mary, who died around 1921 haunts this theater. In
1977, the cast of 'Fiddler on the Roof' saw her so
many times that they held a seance after opening
night. Several workmen tell of tools appearing or
disappearing, and the sounds of singing, whispering,
giggling and footsteps have been heard. The girl has
also been seen many times either dancing, running
down hallways or sitting in her favorite theater seat,
C-5. -Memphis, Tenn

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