The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

BELL-WITCH LEGEND

THIS FAMILY MOVED TO TENNESSEE FROM SOMEWHERE AND THEY
HAD SEVERAL DAUGHTERS. THE BELL WITCH PICKED OUT ONE
GIRL AND KEPT PESTERING HER LIKE PULLING HER HAIR
AND PICKING HER NOSE--ALWAYS BOTHERING HER. SHE
FELL IN LOVE AND GOT ENGAGED AND THE BELL WITCH
GOT MAD AND HE VOWED THAT NO ONE WOULD HAVE HER BUT
HIM, SO HE KEPT BOTHERING HER. IT JUST HAD TO BE--
SHE BROKE HER ENGAGEMENT. SHE GOT SICK AND LAY
THERE DYING ALL PALE AND WAN. HER FAMILY GATHERED
AROUND. THEY HAD ASKED THE BELL WITCH TO GO AWAY AND
THE FATHER ASKED THE BELL WITCH FOR SOME SIGN.
THE BELL WITCH SAID "GIVE ME YOUR HAND." THE FATHER
DID AND SOMETHING GRASPED HIS HAND AND IT WAS SOFT TO
THE TOUCH AS A BABY'S HAND WOULD BE.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Date learned: 04-24-1969