The Bell farmhouse was originally built in the early 1800’s in Robertson County, Tennessee close to the Kentucky state line and the Red River. The house is now gone, but thanks to the Tennessee Historical Commission, there is a marker along U.S. Highway 41 that marks the Bell property line. There is also a monument placed in the memory of the Bell family on the former site of the home. The house was burned to the ground in years ago by frightened neighbors, but the ghostly activity continues to this day.
The site is said to be haunted by at least one spirit, but could have as many as four including members of the Bell family. The most prominent spirit, famously known as The Bell Witch is believed to be the spirit of Kate Batts. John Bell fell in love with Kate Batts in North Carolina and proposed to her, but the marriage never happened. In the late 1770’s, Kate Batts was found dead next to a well near her home. Her death was never solved and John Bell quickly moved on, marrying Lucy soon after Kate’s funeral. The newlyweds moved to Tennessee to begin their lives together.
The haunting began in 1817 when John Bell spotted a large dog-like creature in his cornfield. He fired his gun to chase it away, but it just vanished. Soon thereafter, the family was tormented by rapping and scratching on the walls of their home as if trying to get in. It did eventually find it’s way in and it began gnawing on bedposts, kicking the ceiling, knocking over furniture, and dragging invisible chains across the floor. The poltergeist activity escalated to violence including slapping people in the face, pulling hair, throwing rocks and sticks at the children as they headed to school and finally pronounced one day that it was “the witch” and would torment John Bell forever. John Bell suffered many beatings and the witch’s voice could be heard all hours of the day and night screaming, quoting Scripture and shouting murderous threats at John.
Word of the Bell family’s torment spread and people from all over came to visit the home. Mr. Bell brought in the family minister to exorcise the house, but nothing changed and the tormenting continued. Eventually, no one would set foot inside the house. The site was even visited by President Andrew Jackson, who fled after furniture and dishes were hurled at him.
The torment continued for three years until December 19, 1820 when John was found in a stupor from which he would never recover. He died the next day. The witch mysteriously disappeared about a month after John’s death, but vowed to return in seven years. It did indeed return seven years later, but it’s feeble attempts at torment didn’t have the desired effect, and it soon disappeared again.
Visitors to the site today claim to see creepy floating lights and hear screaming and the sound of rattling chains. The portion of Highway 41 near the property is said to be haunted by a young female ghost who suddenly appears on the highway, panicking drivers as she passes right through their car. The Bell Witch Cave, which overlooks the Red River on a cliff on the Bell property is said to give off a strange aura and may be the home of the spirit of Kate herself.
Haunted Bell Witch Cave – Adams, TN