expression of the entire confidence and unqualified esteem with which
Mr. Fowler is regarded by the members of the New York circle, and
by those who know him generally. We have had an intimate personal
acquaintance with him for two years past—some of us for a much longer
period—and we have only known him as a high-minded and honourable
young man. From the beginning, he has steadily refused to accept the
slightest compensation for his time and services while employed in the
capacity of a medium; and we deem it but an act of simple justice to
Mr. F. to record the fact that, on all occasions, we have found him
entirely unassuming in his deportment, and eminently truthful in his
life.
“R. T. HALLOCK, M. D.,
J. T. WARNER, M. D.,
ALMIRA L. FOWLER,
A. G. HULL, M. D.,
W. J. BANER,
JOHN F. GRAY, M. D.,
SAMUEL T. FOWLER,
MR. & MRS. CHARLES PARTRIDGE.”
_Testimony of the Rev. D. F. Goddard, Boston._
1662. “This is to certify that, during a long investigation of the
modern phenomena which are now attracting attention in our own country
and in the old, I have repeatedly seen my own table, in my own room,
to which I know there is no nice machinery affixed for purposes of
deception, without any contact whatever of earthly kind, raised,
tipped, moved about the room, as if a strong man was there at work.
Also, a piano-forte played upon in the same way, without mortal
contact, producing most beautiful music—an ocean piece, in which a
storm was represented succeeded by a calm. These phenomena occurred in
the presence of several other individuals of both sexes, all of whom
saw, and all of whom are ready to testify. I have also received from
a medium, who never saw me before, and knew nothing of my family, the
fact of my father’s death, his name, and a perfect _fac-simile_ of his
handwriting; and this when I was not expecting such handwriting, and
could not have possibly imitated it, without a copy, in the labour of
three months. D. F. GODDARD.”
1663. As this work may be read by many who have not perused any other
book on the subject of which it treats, I hope that those who take it
up, having a knowledge of the most important spirit manifestations
heretofore published, will excuse my quoting them here. My object is to
furnish the readers of this volume a reasonably, comprehensive view of
Spiritualism, without the necessity of their referring to works which
may not be easily accessible.
1664. To the cool Yankee sagacity of Mrs. Fox and her daughters, the
world is indebted for the happy result that these manifestations did
not, like those which preceded them in other parts of the world,
end in a mere inexplicable mystery, and erroneous inferences as to
their origin. I allude here to the well-known fact, that similar
manifestations were made in the early part of the last century, in
Epworth, England, at the mansion of the celebrated clergyman, Wesley,
and that one of his daughters was endowed with the attributes of a
medium for many years, without the art of alphabetic communication
having been suggested.
1665. I might here republish the history of the famous “_rappings_ and
_knockings_” at Hydesville and Rochester, in the State of New York; but
as regards evidence, they amount to about the same thing, only not so
concentrated, as those demonstrations which occurred at the residence
of the Rev. Dr. Phelps, in Stratford, Connecticut. The doctor, who is a
Congregationalist, and one of the most worthy men in the world, became
a convert to Spiritualism in consequence of these manifestations, an
account of which is subjoined. I quote it from the excellent work of
E. W. Capron, Esq., entitled, “Modern Spiritualism, its Facts and
Fanaticisms.”
1666. I omit quoting the history of the abortive effort made by the
spirits to communicate with the Wesleys, but refer the reader to the
account published in a work entitled, “Memoirs of the Wesley Family,”
by Adam Clark, LL.D., second edition, 1846; or to the work of Mr.
Capron, already specified.
_Manifestations at Stratford, Conn., in the House of Rev.
Eliakim Phelps, D.D.—Remarkable Exhibitions of Power.—Singular
Occurrences.—Image-making.—Destruction of Furniture.—Incendiary
Spirits.—The Spirits identified.—Unhappy Spirits, from the remembrance
of wrong done in this World.—Wrong-doing revealed.—Directions given
for restoring ill-gotten Gains.—Discontinuance of the Manifestations._
1667. “While these strange occurrences were taking place at Rochester
and Auburn, and the press and people were busy in trying to account
for them on strictly mundane principles, making all manner of
insinuations against the character and motives of those who even dared
to investigate for themselves, some manifestations took place at
Stratford, Conn., which attracted attention to that quarter, as well on
account of the character and standing of the gentleman at whose house
they occurred, as the very strange, boisterous, and violent character
of the manifestations. I have been allowed to examine all the records
kept of the occurrences by Dr. Phelps, and shall be able, therefore,
to present the history with more minuteness and accuracy than has ever
before appeared.
1668. “The first disturbances took place on the tenth day of March,
1850, at the house of Rev. Eliakim Phelps, D.D. The house had been
occupied by him from the 22d of February, 1848. It is a large and
genteel country mansion, separated from the street by a fence
forty-five feet in front of the house; which is thirty-two feet in
front, and, including the piazza, seventy feet deep, with a hall
thirteen feet wide, running through the whole depth of the building.
Adjoining, and opening from this hall, are two parlours and a
dining-room. On the second floor are five sleeping-rooms, and on the
third floor two. The kitchen is in the basement. The house was built
about the year 1829 or ‘30 by a Captain Dondall, who for several years
commanded a vessel in the China trade, and who died in the Bay of
Canton within two or three years after his family had taken up their
residence in the house. The property then passed into the hands of
another sea-captain, by the name of Purcell, who, with his family,
occupied it for several years. Captain Purcell dying suddenly in New
York, the family removed, and the house was occupied by an Episcopal
clergyman for a school a year or more, and afterward by a Mr-—-, also
as a school for boys.
1669. “None of the families who had thus far occupied the house had
ever been disturbed, or witnessed any thing aside from ordinary
events. At the death of Captain Purcell it became the property of the
two daughters, of whom Dr. Phelps purchased it during the month of
November, 1847. For two years previous to this it had been unoccupied.
Dr. Phelps and family commenced their residence therein on the 22d of
February, 1848. Nothing occurred to excite the attention of the family
out of the ordinary course of events until the 10th of March, 1850;
and, as before stated, nothing can be learned of any strange or unusual
events occurring there previous to that time. It will be observed by
the dates given that Dr. Phelps had occupied the house more than two
years, had found it an agreeable and quiet place of residence—having
never himself or any member of the family been disturbed or alarmed
by unusual occurrences. On the 10th of March, as above stated, it
being the Sabbath, Dr. Phelps and family, consisting of Mrs. Phelps,
two daughters, and two sons, the eldest a daughter aged sixteen, a
son of twelve years, and a second daughter of six years, children of
Mrs. Phelps by a former marriage, and another son of Dr. Phelps by the
present marriage, not then three years old, all attended church; and
an Irish servant girl, who had been employed in the family some six
months, and had shown herself to be honest and trustworthy, had gone
on that day to Bridgeport, to attend the Catholic church. On leaving
the house in the morning, it appears that the doctor had secured the
chamber doors, and put the keys in his pocket; those which could be
were locked inside and the keys left in them. The only door by which
the chambers could be entered was locked, and the key taken by Dr.
Phelps. He also locked the front door inside, left the key in the
lock, and, passing out at the back door, locked that, and placed the
key in his pocket. On returning from church at noon, the front door
was found standing open; the chamber doors, which were left fastened,
were now open; and in the nursery the furniture was thrown about in
disorder; chairs on the bed, and thrown down upon the floor; the
shovel, tongs, and poker, with other things, were in unusual positions
and places, every thing showing unmistakable signs of the work of
some rude hand making mischief in their absence. Upon discovering the
disorder here, Dr. Phelps passed into other rooms on the same floor,
but could see no further evidence of intrusion. The first supposition
was, very naturally, that some person or persons had entered and
robbed the house. Search was immediately made in the closets where
silver plate, spoons, forks, etc., were kept. All were found safe and
undisturbed. A gold watch, left in an exposed place, remained there as
left. The impression still remained that burglars had been in; and, on
examination of the windows, one was found that could be raised from the
outside, and though there was no evidence of entrance having been made
there, no doubt existed that this was the place of access. Thinking
they might return during the afternoon, Dr. Phelps remained at home,
the other members of the family going again to church. Being left
alone, the doctor armed himself, and, selecting a secluded position,
awaited the return of the burglars. There was no disturbance during
the afternoon; no sound of footfall; all remained quiet. On the return
of the family, after the service, usually closing at three o’clock,
several other articles were found out of place, but not in a way to
make it certain that they were not moved in the morning. Articles of
kitchen furniture were changed about. A teakettle, which had been used
at dinner-time, was found hidden behind some boxes in the cellar. The
bread, sugar-bowl, eggs, and numerous other things kept in the kitchen,
were found where they did not belong, and where they had evidently
been placed in some way which the family could not account for. Upon
entering the middle chamber, occupied as a sleeping-room, a sheet was
found spread over the bed outside the counterpane, and beneath which
was a nightgown and _chemise_ laid out with the arms folded across
the breast, with stockings placed in a position to represent, as it
seemed, a corpse disposed as is usual before placing it in the coffin.
On the wall were written characters resembling those said by certain
clairvoyants to belong to a spiritual language, but which none of the
family were able to decipher. Whether they had any significance, or
how they came there, was alike an unanswerable question by the family;
they had not observed them before. Occurrences ceased for that day and
night, yet, no one thinking of any mystery in the matter, they imputed
it to roguish boys, or others, who had effected entrance with false
keys, for mischief rather than for robbery, and that the culprits would
soon be detected. The next morning, March 11th, when the family went
up stairs, after breakfast, the middle chamber had again been visited,
exhibiting much the same scene of disorder presented the previous day.
A sheet was spread out upon the floor, the washstand laid upon its back
upon the sheet, a candlestick set upon the stand, the washbowl placed
upon one side, and the pitcher on the other. The nightgown and chemise,
used on the previous occasion to represent a dead body, were found one
in the bowl, the other in the pitcher. It appears that these articles
of clothing were not then in use; they had been placed in a trunk which
stood in a closet adjoining that room. They were replaced in the trunk
when removed from the bed the day before. As they were conversing
in relation to the disposition of the things as above stated, Mrs.
Phelps looked under the bed, and discovered articles there, partially
concealed by the bed, resembling those in question. They were taken
out and pronounced to be the same. Dr. Phelps had not before examined
them, but then took them, noted the name and number on each, as they
were marked, folded and placed them again in the trunk, remarking that
he would put them where they would stay; did not lock the trunk, not
having a key, but locked the closet and placed the key about his own
person; then requesting the family to all leave the room first, which
they did, the doctor, following, locked the door of the room, and kept
the key. Having observed that Mrs. Phelps seemed a little troubled as
to the mystery, he thought to convince her that there was no mystery in
the matter, and, having secured the closet and room, he descended to
the rooms below, following them all. After the lapse of some fifteen
minutes, some person spoke to the doctor, upon which he went up to the
chambers. At the head of the stairs, out in the hall, he found the same
articles which he had left as before stated. He examined them, and was
_positive they were the same_. He went to the door, found it locked,
entered by applying the key from his pocket, went to the closet, found
it locked, took the key from his pocket, opened the door, looked in
the trunk, and the articles were gone! Dr. Phelps states that he was
confident there was no deception in the case, and that he then, for the
first, felt that there was a mystery about the affair. He had never
believed in the appearing of ghosts or departed spirits, warnings, or
any thing of that nature, and, at the age of threescore, had never
seen or heard any thing connected with that class of phenomena. The
evidence upon which such superstitions, as he termed them, rest, he
had never examined, and, while he had no proof positive that they were
impossible, and never did occur, he had no evidence to found a belief
upon that they ever had. His idea of spiritual manifestations seems to
have been that most, if not all, followed by a strict scrutiny, might
be accounted for on natural or known principles, or some physical
means, which would disrobe them of the mysterious altogether. But it
was not to rest here. On the same day (March 11th) the moving and
throwing of furniture commenced. An umbrella, standing at the end of
the hall, leaped, without visible assistance, a distance of at least
twenty-five feet. Dr. Phelps saw the movement, and knows there was no
perceptible agency by which the motion was produced. A bucket, standing
at the head of the stairs, was thrown into the entry below. Smaller
articles, such as nails, forks, knives, spoons, bits of tin, iron, and
keys, were thrown from different directions about the house. He says,
‘There were times when they came from such directions that they _might_
have been thrown by some person in the house’—at least, that may be
admitted; but in very many cases the motion and point of starting
were such as to preclude all possibility of deception on the part of
persons in the rooms. During the afternoon, Dr. and Mrs. Phelps had
occasion to go to Bridgeport, a distance of some three miles. During
their absence the shovel and tongs, standing in the dining-room, were
thrown violently down the basement stairs; a piece of mourning-crape
fastened to the knocker of the back door, and the mirrors in the front
chambers covered with sheets and tablecloths, as is the custom in some
parts of the country while a person lies dead in the house. The crape
on the door Dr. Phelps did not see, but the covering on the mirrors he
removed with his own hands. The position of the mirrors in one room
was such that the coverings could not, without great difficulty, have
been placed there by any person about the house. Various articles were
said to have been thrown about the room—the phenomena continuing in his
absence about the same as when he was present in the fore part of the
day. Soon after sundown all was again quiet, and so continued through
the night.
1670. “The next morning, (March 12th,) soon after the family were
up, the same phenomena began again; knives, forks, spoons, blocks of
wood, nails, etc. etc. were thrown from different directions, and with
increased frequency, attended by still stranger circumstances, and
those of a still more mysterious character. Mrs. Phelps expressed some
alarm, and a wish that some of the neighbours might be called in. Dr.
Phelps called on a retired clergyman of Stratford, a man of extensive
information, much experience, and sound judgment, who was universally
admitted to be capable of rendering correct judgment and good advice in
such a case. He requested him to call and spend an hour at the house,
to which he cheerfully consented. Dr. P. told him that his family had
been a little excited by some occurrences in the house, but did not
state any of the details of the matter, but desired that he would sit
with them for a short time and witness for himself. He remained all
day, but was, at first, firmly of the opinion that the occurrences were
produced, in some way, through the agency of the girl, or some other
person about the house, and his main attention was directed to the girl
in the kitchen, or the children, in the expectation that he should
detect them in doing it.
1671. “The door leading from the parlours to the kitchen was, by his
request, locked, and all communication between it and the other parts
of the house cut off; still, the throwing of articles went on as
before. The children were sent out of the room, and the doors locked;
but this made no difference. He stayed through most of the day on
Thursday, and returned soon after breakfast next morning, and remained
most of the time for nearly three weeks. He became satisfied, before
the close of the second day, that neither the girl in the kitchen nor
the children had any agency in producing the strange movements. During
the day (March 12th) some of the neighbours were in the house, and
small blocks of wood were seen to fall in different places in their
presence; but only one person noticed them in a way to excite inquiry,
and that person was requested not to mention what she had seen.
1672. “On Wednesday, March 13th, the manifestations commenced early
in the morning, in the middle chamber, the room in which two children
slept, and began while they were both asleep. A book, standing in
the library, ten or twelve feet from the bed, leaped from the shelf
into the middle of the room. The blower, which was in the grate,
leaped out on the floor, a distance of at least six feet, the noise
of which first awakened the children. At the breakfast-table several
articles were thrown; among them a large potato, which had been sent
from Pennsylvania, and laid up in a closet in the east chamber, fell
on the table directly by the side of Dr. P.'s plate, in a manner that
no person could have done it without instant detection. The doctor’s
curiosity was much excited, and he watched, with all the scrutiny he
was capable, every person in the room. He took up the potato and let it
fall from different heights, in order to determine how far it must have
fallen to have made the concussion that it did; and it was adjudged by
all that the distance could not have been more than twelve or fifteen
inches.
1673. “Rev. Mr.—— came in soon after breakfast, and remained during the
day. Several Bibles were opened at different passages, which seemed to
be selected with a great deal of care, and indicated either by placing
small pieces of paper on them or turning down a leaf. These things
first occurred in the middle chamber, where the library stood. While
the family were at dinner similar things were done in the parlour
adjoining the dining-room. Two Bibles and an Episcopal prayer-book
were opened at different passages, chairs turned forward on the floor,
two solar lamps placed on the floor, a hat and man’s cap put one on
each; nearly every thing in the room had been moved, and in so _short
a time_, that it seems wholly inadmissible that any person about the
house could have done it; beside, the whole household were in the
dining-room, all seated at the table, except the servant, and she was
employed waiting on the table.
1674. “In the afternoon the demonstrations were confined to the middle
parlour; Dr. and Mrs. Phelps, and Mr.——, and, a part of the time, the
eldest daughter, being present; in the absence of the daughter the
doors were locked, and the three first named only were present.
1675. “The throwing of various things occupied the afternoon. The
articles thrown were picked up and placed upon the mantel, and between
the hours of one and four o’clock, the number amounted to forty-six;
among which were nails, bits of tin, iron, keys, and small blocks, all
of which were gathered from different parts of the house; most of them
from closets on the second floor and the chambers. At one time, while
Mr. M-—- was standing near the centre of the room, a padlock, which was
known to have been in the closet of the middle chamber, fell at his
feet. He took it in his hand, letting it fall from different heights,
to discover the probable distance it must have fallen to produce the
concussion. After various trials it was judged to have fallen not more
than two or two and a half feet. As Dr. P. was sitting, perhaps ten
feet from the piano-forte, he saw a small toy-mouse, which was on the
piano, arise as if tossed, and, describing a parabola as it came, fall
at his side, so near that he took it from the floor without leaving
his chair. This he speaks of seeing as distinctly as he ever saw any
thing, the whole being perfectly in his view. He also saw, in the
same way, among other things, a nail, cotton-spool, and key, arise
from behind the sofa, which stood diagonally across the corner of the
room. He arose, went to the sofa, looking behind and under it, but
could discover nothing which might give impulse to the articles. While
examining the carpet about the sofa to find if any other things were
there, without success, as his eyes were directed to one spot, there
arose from that very point a piece of cheese-rind, perhaps eight inches
from the floor; when he saw it first it arose four or five feet, passed
over the sofa, and fell on the floor. He is positive it was not there
when he was looking at the carpet, and knows there were no visible
means of its moving.
1676. “Mr. M-—- suggested, as he was about to leave on Wednesday night,
that if the strange phenomena should return, he would like to have
some other persons called in. Early the next morning, Thursday, the
14th, the manifestations commenced about as they had on the previous
day. Soon after breakfast a sheet was found spread upon the floor,
several Bibles were opened at different places, the candlesticks, in
a row, the highest in the middle, and covered with a sheet; other
articles changed about the room, without any seeming design, more
than to attract attention. Mr. M-—- proposed that notes be despatched
to Rev. Mr. W-—-, Congregational minister, and Mr. Plant, a lawyer
of high standing and respectability, which was accordingly done. It
was at this time that they first began to hear rappings and heavy
poundings. A loud sound, like some person striking the floor with some
heavy substance, was heard, generally in the middle chamber. This was
usually done when no one was in the chamber, and on any one entering
all was still. In one instance a chair was seen to rise from the floor
and beat down again, five or six times, with a violence which caused
the house to tremble so as to be felt in all the adjoining apartments.
A large plated candlestick, standing on the mantel, was moved by some
unseen power to the floor, and then rose up and down, beating the
floor, until the candlestick was broken. This was the first article
that was damaged about the house. Several times during the day loud
noises, like some one pounding with an axe or some heavy substance on
the floor, were heard in different parts of the house, and several
times the loud poundings terminated with a frightful scream; it was not
a cry of distress, or any thing that could be easily imitated, seeming
like something between the cry of a cat and the bleating of a calf,
but louder than either. These sounds occurred in all probably twenty
times while the manifestations were going on. Sometimes the screams
seemed to be in the third story, sometimes in the front-hall chamber,
several times out in the yard, and occasionally in other places. There
was at no time any audible expression of words. The sounds consisted of
poundings, knockings, and screamings. On this day the first images were
found, which will be spoken of more fully hereafter.
1677. “In the evening of this day, just after some young ladies had
called, Dr. P.‘s daughter returned to the parlour, it being between
nine and ten o’clock. After seeing the young ladies to the door, an
iron stand, in which stood the fire-shovel, tongs, and poker, leaped
from the hearth, where it stood, into the middle of the floor, and rose
up and beat the floor with a force that made a jar that could be felt,
and the sound heard, in any part of the house. This was seen only by
the daughter, but Dr. P. and wife heard the noise. The daughter ran
through the dining-room to get up stairs, and, as she passed, a large
table was standing, with the other furniture, arranged for breakfast
the next morning. The table was three feet nine inches wide, and five
feet three inches long, made of solid mahogany; and when she entered
the room it rose up and beat five or six times against the floor with
a force which made the house jar. The noise was heard by many persons
in the house. Mrs. P. was alarmed, and screamed out, ‘Oh, take me from
this place!’ This happened between nine and ten o’clock, P. M. Previous
to this time all manifestations had ceased by sundown, or a little
after.
1678. “Soon after daylight on Friday, March 15th, movements similar to
those on previous days commenced. Henry, a lad then eleven and a half
years of age, attended the academy, and nothing had, thus far, ever
occurred to connect these strange phenomena with his presence. Dr. P.
had never heard or thought of particular persons being ‘mediums.’ But
on this day the remarkable occurrences seemed to be connected more or
less with this boy. His cap was torn on his head, so as to be entirely
destroyed. Another one which he put on was taken in the same way. First
a small hole opened in the crown; this gradually extended, and in a
short time it was torn into many pieces. On another cap characters
were made, apparently with chalk. They resembled those sometimes made
by persons in the higher mesmeric state, describing them as characters
of a spiritual language. Five or six of these characters were, at
one time, made on the boy’s cap. Others, supposed to constitute a
sentence, were written on a red pocket-handkerchief; others on his
pantaloons and coat, and on the _inside_ of his sack-coat. Copies of
these characters were taken with great care, and were preserved till
September following, when they were mysteriously destroyed. From this
time it became evident that some of the phenomena had some kind of
connection with this boy.
1679. “An umbrella which he was carrying was, in a mysterious manner,
torn in several pieces. His pantaloons were torn from the bottom
upward, as high as the knee, and sometimes higher, and were literally
torn to ribbons, an inch or more wide. This occurred several times
under the immediate inspection of Rev. Mr. M., which seems to fix
the fact that, in those instances at least, no power visible did it.
Thus it continued for several weeks, clothing to the amount of twenty
dollars being destroyed. At one time, while he was riding in a carriage
with Dr. P., his cap on his head was torn in a mysterious manner, and
his pants torn from the waistband to the bottom, in a way that no human
power could have done. Dr. P. heard them torn, but could see nothing
doing it, and knows the boy could not have done it himself. It was on
this day, March 15th, that images, dressed in articles of clothing,
were again seen; only two or three appeared on that day. The most
extraordinary occurrences of this kind took place on Saturday, the
16th. Soon after breakfast two or three images appeared in the middle
chamber; soon again another, followed by others still, numbering in
all eleven or twelve. They were formed of articles of clothing, found
about the house, stuffed to resemble the human figure. A lady’s dress
would be stuffed in some cases with a muff; again with a pillow, and
sometimes with other dresses; a bonnet and shoes were aptly placed to
complete the figure. These, on this occasion, all but one, represented
females in the attitude of devotion, some having Bibles or prayer-books
placed before them. One, formed of Mrs. P.‘s dress, so much resembled
the real, that the little boy, scarce three years old, coming into
the room with his sister, older, whispered, ‘Be still, ma is saying
prayers.’
1680. “A portable writing-desk, usually standing on the secretary in
the room, was taken and placed upon the floor, a towel spread over
it, and the image of a child kneeling beside it. A Yankee clock was
taken from the mantel in the nursery and placed upon the floor in the
middle room, a distance of twenty feet, and so carefully done that
the clock was still going when discovered in its new place, though it
stopped some time after. It does not appear that any of these images
were seen in the process of construction, or that the clothing, which
was gathered from different localities, was seen in the act of moving.
When persons entered the room every thing was still, the clothing about
the floor, which, upon going in again within a few minutes, were found
wrought into forms. The marked rapidity of their construction, and the
lifelike appearance of them, seems to have been truly wonderful. During
this day several others than members of the family were present. In
several instances, when the rooms were closed and the doors guarded, so
that no person could enter, the images were constructed. To one reading
or listening to the relation of these facts, the mischief and cunning
evinced will seem amusing as well as most wonderful; but to the family,
who bore the annoyance and witnessed the terrifying demonstrations, it
was a serious and trying affair.
1681. “The reader will keep in mind that this was on Saturday of
the first week of these strange proceedings, and many persons were
still believing that they must be produced by some one in the house;
every member of the family therefore was subjected to the most rigid
scrutiny, which makes it morally certain that no member of the
household could have had any agency in the matter without being at once
detected. Beside the neatness and despatch with which they were formed,
the natural appearance of most of them must have required taste and
skill beyond the conception of ordinary persons in the flesh. Mr. M.
remained there throughout the day, Mr. W., Governor Plant, and Captain
S., a part of the day. During the day and evening various things
were thrown in different parts of the house. A brick-bat, which lay
on the stairs leading to the third story, was thrown violently down
stairs, passing very near the head of the eldest daughter as she was
descending the stairs. A fire-shovel was also thrown near her, which
she first saw high above her in a position to fall upon her head. She
was several times constrained to cry out from fear, so much as to cause
apprehension on her account.
1682. “[I omit, in this place, at the request of Dr. Phelps, a minute
account of occurrences in which the medium seemed to be one who has now
grown to be a young woman, and would feel a repugnance at having her
name mentioned in connection with the subject. At one time a ribbon
was tied around her neck, while she was sleeping, so tight as to cause
a serious affection of the brain. Dr. Phelps was sitting in the room
when it was done. Several other remarkable occurrences are omitted, on
account of her connection with them. In the main they do not differ
materially in their nature from the occurrences herein related.]
1683. “The hiding of hats, caps, clothing, &c., seems at this time
to have become of common occurrence. On several occasions a hat was
seen to go up stairs—not thrown, but seemed to be carried rapidly
by unseen hands. For several days Dr. P. was forced to keep his hat
under lock and key to prevent its disappearance, if left out as usual.
Coats, hats, and canes of gentlemen, who were strangers in the house,
were spirited away; the only object seeming to be the gratification
of mischievous desires, with the exception of a few instances. They
were found sometimes in the chimney, under the bed, and in the bottom
of trunks. The design seemed to be to detain the owners to witness
further demonstrations. Two gentlemen from an adjoining town called,
one of whom had expressed an earnest desire to witness the phenomena;
but having passed several hours, and seeing nothing, they were about
to leave, when the person who expressed the wish found himself minus
a hat. A thorough searching followed, but no hat could be found;
consequently, the gentleman decided to remain until the next day.
During the evening and night, phenomena transpired sufficient to
gratify his most abundant desire. Similar cases, with like results,
afterward occurred.
1684. “On the nineteenth and twentieth, little occurred to cause alarm.
Some of the family heard loud and frightful screams in an adjacent
outhouse, which must have been torturing to the feelings, much more
so than the silent images. Small articles were also thrown about the
house. Reports had now got abroad, and some excitement was being
produced, as is always the case in country towns, where each person
knows their neighbour’s private business quite as well, and sometimes
better, than those most interested. And in a matter of this kind all
efforts to prevent publicity would prove unavailing. Curiosity and
staring wonder would overstep all bounds of propriety and respect for
the private rights and feelings of the family, forgetting that it is no
slight thing for the harmony and quiet of a household to be invaded,
each member being subjected to suspicion, ill-natured scrutiny, or
careless reproach. On this subject I can speak from experience, having
myself passed the ordeal. To persons of refined sensibility it is a
trial indeed. In this case, Dr. P. adopted the rule of giving all who
called an opportunity to investigate for themselves, and to this rule
he adhered, notwithstanding the annoyance such a constant visitation
must have occasioned. In one instance, while a rabble was gathered
outside, a stranger, who came unintroduced by letter or otherwise,
asked to spend the night, and was refused for obvious reasons.
1685. “On Friday and Saturday, March 23d and 24th, the disturbances
increased, and became still more annoying. Loud poundings and screams
were heard in different places, and on Saturday evening, between sunset
and dark, Harry was passing through the dining-room, and thought
himself suddenly caught up by some unseen power from the floor, and
supposed that he was about to be carried off through the ceiling. He
was very much frightened, and screamed so as to alarm the family,
and remained in a state of great nervous excitement for two or three
hours, and the effects did not wholly wear off for more than a week.
At times he was in such a state as to require two men to hold him. For
several days after this, he spent a portion of his time with one of the
neighbours during the day; but the disturbances continued the same at
the house, although he appeared to be more or less the medium as long
as the phenomena continued. At one time he was thrown into a cistern of
water; at another he was tied up and suspended from a tree, and several
times was thrown into a state of apparent insensibility, in which he
would remain from ten to fifteen minutes, and for which no human cause
could be assigned.
1686. “Somewhere about the 20th or 22d of March, Dr. P.‘s attention
was called to a pamphlet, (Capron and Barron’s,) giving a history of
the ‘mysterious noises’ at Rochester and Auburn. Several persons who
had read the same proposed to question the agents of these disturbances
in the manner there recorded, and see if they could get answers to
questions. To this the doctor objected, for reasons known to himself,
but which may readily be imagined by those knowing his position in
life, and his general opinions of such phenomena.
1687. “On the 26th of March Anna left Stratford, and on the 3d of April
Harry also left. No manifestations took place while both were away.
Harry was absent a week, and Anna three weeks; but the very day that
Harry returned, the manifestations commenced with greater power than
ever. Even before he arrived at the house, a paper with some mysterious
characters was dropped near the front door. These characters were
interpreted by a clairvoyant[37] to read as follows:
1688. ‘Fear not when he returns; all danger is o’er.
We came, we disturbed thy house; but shall no more.
Believe us not evil or good, till we prove
Our speech to humanity, our language of love.’
1689. This was supposed to indicate that no further disturbance would
be made; but in the course of two or three hours another paper was
found in the boy’s hat, in these words:
1690. ‘The good ones say that all is done,
But the wicked ones say it has just begun.’
1691. The ‘wicked ones,’ in this case, seemed to come nearer the truth
than the ‘good ones;’ for, on the afternoon of the eighth of April,
the breaking of glass commenced for the first time, by the breaking of
a pane in a mysterious manner. In the evening of the same day another
was broken during family prayers, some of the pieces falling inside
and some outside. There were no indications of any thing being thrown
against it.
1692. From this time forward for several weeks glass was broken almost
daily, until the whole number of panes broken amounted to _seventy-one_
in the house and out-buildings. Most of them were broken by something
being thrown against them; among the articles were a brush, a shoe, a
poker, a fire-shovel, a candlestick, a pair of snuffers, books, and
numerous other things; occasionally a stone or piece of brick, thrown
from the outside.
1693. Dr. P. thinks it would have been possible, but not probable,
that, in some of these cases, they might have been broken by human
agency; but he was an eye-witness in some twenty or thirty cases, and
knows that they could not have been so done. He saw a brush, which he
knew to have been on a certain shelf but a moment before, and no person
near the shelf, fly to the window, break out a glass, and fall down
between the shutter and sash, where he knew from the position that no
one could have thrown it. He saw a tumbler, which was standing on a
bureau, rise from its place, fly to the window, and dash out the only
pane remaining whole in the window, when no person was within twenty
feet of it, and the only persons in the room were himself and Harry,
the latter standing by the doctor’s side in the doorway of the room—a
position in which it was utterly impossible for him to have done it
without detection.
1694. The mysterious visitors, whoever they were, seemed at times to be
actuated by a spirit of sheer mischief in the destruction of property,
particularly glass and crockery. Even the glass in the carriage-top
was broken out. Pitchers of water were, on two or three occasions,
poured into the beds, and the pitchers and other vessels thrown about
the room and broken. The damage to furniture during the whole time
was nearly two hundred dollars. Sometimes there was a cessation of
‘hostilities’ for two or three days; but they would then return with
additional violence; in fact, they increased gradually in violence
from the beginning to the middle of April. On the evening of that day,
and during the night, they were more violent and destructive than ever
before. On the night of the 13th of April, loud pounding and beating,
as with some hard substance, were frequent in the room adjoining that
in which Dr. P. slept; so loud and continued were they, that at one
o’clock no person in the house had been able to sleep. Soon after, a
small drawer was taken from a dressing-table, and beaten so violently
against the bedstead as to break it into fragments, some of which were
thrown against the windows, breaking two panes of glass. The knockings
were now transferred to Mrs. P.‘s room. She was pinched, pricked with
pins, and otherwise annoyed in a manner beyond explanation ‘on any
known laws of matter or mind.’ Mr. W. C. was staying in the house that
night. He went to the room by request, and proposed to interrogate
them, as they were then doing at Rochester and other places in Western
New York. Being left to act his pleasure, he queried, and was replied
to as follows: ‘Who are you? If a spirit, knock.’ Immediately there
were heard on the head of the bed distinct knocks. _Q._—‘Are you a good
or bad spirit? If good, knock.’ To this there was no answering sound.
‘If a bad spirit, knock.’ At once the same sounds as before were heard.
_Q._—‘Will you spell your name if the alphabet is called?’ _A._—Knock.
It was done; and a name was spelled out, and a communication made
of a most extraordinary character, detailing the particulars of a
transaction in which a portion of the family were said to have been
defrauded out of a large property. As this whole communication relates
to a matter which may yet come before the tribunals of our country for
adjudication, I am expressly prohibited from making any extracts from
this part of the journal. I regret this more, as the facts in this case
form one of the most wonderful and unaccountable cases on record.
1695. The family concluded that, after these important disclosures
were made, the disturbances would cease; but they were doomed to be
disappointed. The following night no communications were made, but the
throwing of articles and breaking of windows, crockery, etc., were
renewed with greater violence than before. Four or five panes of glass
were broken in one room in the space of half an hour. While the family
were together in the east chamber, a small sauce-dish, with an iron
handle, rose from the floor, under the washstand, and beat against
the bedstead with such violence as to break the handle off, and was
then thrown back from whence it started. It beat seven or eight times
against the bedstead, producing a noise that could easily be heard
twenty rods. A round of a chair was beaten against the bedstead in the
same manner, when there was no person within seven or eight feet of
it. A lamp that was on the mantel leaped into the middle of the floor,
and was extinguished. Being left thus suddenly in the dark produced no
little agitation, and Mrs. Phelps proposed that they should take the
children and go into the street, rather than stay in the house that
night. In a few minutes two gentlemen, who had appointed to spend the
night with them, arrived, and the more violent of the manifestations
ceased.
1696. About this time, Dr. P.‘s attention was called to the fact that
the demonstrations were much more violent in the presence of some
persons than of others. While some were present they would cease
entirely, and commence as soon as they left, with great vehemence.
1697. On the 17th the communications were renewed, and from that time
they had frequent communications, mainly respecting the property
affair. At one time they asked how they should know that this was
really from the spirit it purported to be, and requested his signature;
when in less than four minutes a small piece of paper, having on it an
exact fac-simile of his handwriting, was seen sticking to the wall—the
writing apparently done with a pencil. Dr. Phelps still preserves the
original paper, with the name inked over. It was stuck to the wall by
being made damp.
1698. It was now discovered that, in order to get the rapping, the
presence of Henry was necessary. At one time a request was made by the
rapping to send him to New York, and a threat that all the windows in
the house would be broken, if they did not, was made; but in a few
minutes after, a small piece of paper was seen to fall, apparently from
the ceiling, and on it written, ‘Send him not to New York—evil will
befall him.’ It was evident that there were two or more contending
agencies engaged in the manifestations. It was not easy to define
or imagine what their objects were. At times, when one was making a
communication, the other would rap, seemingly to make confusion. At
other times, when a communication was being made by alphabet, a paper
would be dropped down, and on it written, ‘It is all a lie; don’t
believe what he says.” Sometimes language the most profane, and
occasionally, but rarely, obscene, would be written out in this way.
Inquiry was made as to how these contradictory communications were
to be accounted for, and the answer was that an opposing spirit was
attempting to defeat the object of the first; that this spirit was
now one of his tormentors; that both were in a state of misery, and
his suffering would be mitigated if the object of the first could be
accomplished, although he would never go to a state of happiness.
1699. “Among the spirits who communicated were two who professed to
be in a state of happiness, and three in a state of misery. One of
the good spirits claimed to be a sister of him who made the first
communication; she communicated frequently, and constantly manifested
herself in the morning and evening devotions of the family, and always
gave two distinct knocks at the utterance of ‘Amen.’ Upon inquiry as
to the meaning of these two knocks, the answer was given that it was a
response, after the manner of the Episcopal service, signifying that
she joined in the devotions.
1700. Much that was communicated after the first few days was of
a trifling and childish character; some, more like what would be
received from street rowdies than any thing else. To the question why
they destroyed property, they replied, ‘For fun.’ It was asked of the
opposing spirit what could be done to afford him relief; he answered
that ‘The best thing they could do would be to give him a piece of
pie.’ Sometimes letters would come, purporting to be from ministers of
Philadelphia, giving accounts of conversions in their congregations
and additions to their churches. These were addressed to the doctor,
and indicated a knowledge of things in Philadelphia to an astonishing
degree. Some of the letters were addressed to Mrs. Phelps, signed, or
rather purporting to be signed, by departed spirits of persons who
had lived in Philadelphia, and all, or nearly all, who had lived in
a single square, and were the acquaintances of Mrs. Phelps, during a
residence in that city, in the time of her former marriage. Sentimental
notes were also addressed to the daughter. These letters and billets
were frequent, amounting in all to nearly one hundred, and were all
written in one hand, though purporting to come from different persons.
The fact was at one time referred to, and an explanation desired, to
which the following was given: ‘We do not write with the hand—do not
touch the pencil; we write with the will.’ At one time a paper was
thrown down to Mrs. Phelps, while in the parlour with a number of
ladies, having written on it, with a pencil, as follows:
1701. ‘SIR: Sir Sambo’s compliments, and begs the laddyes to accept as
a token of esteem.’
1702. A lady in the family of Dr. Phelps had, in a humorous way,
requested the spirits to write her a letter that she might send to
a friend in Philadelphia. The spirit complied with the request by
sending down the following:
1703. ‘DEAR MARY: I have just time to write and tell you I am well.
Give my love to Miss K. and her uncle. Also to Mrs. and Mr. D. Also to
Sarah. Good-bye. H. P. DEVIL.’
1704. The initials of the lady’s name who asked for the letter were H.
P.
1705. Papers were also thrown down, signed ‘Beelzebub’ and ‘Sam Slick.’
Sometimes names of persons whom the family had known in Philadelphia,
but who had been dead several years, were signed to these papers.
1706. The following was in pencil, and seems to be written in the same
hand as the other. It was superscribed ‘E. Phelps:’
1707. ‘If you promise not to write what I told you, I will not throw
any thing all this week.’
1708. On the 28th of July, 1850, two singular letters were thrown
down, addressed to Dr. Phelps. They were both in one handwriting,
but were signed by two different orthodox clergymen of Philadelphia.
Their interest in religious movements, and their acquaintance with the
phraseology of ‘revival’ correspondence, are seen at a glance. ‘St.
Peter’s,’ in the second letter, is a Puseyite church.
1709. ‘DEAR BROTHER: The Lord is dealing bountifully with his chosen
people. Brother Barnes admitted to the church forty-nine last Sunday,
and Brother Parker thirty-four to-day. Brother Converse has had the
cholera, and Brother Fairchild has grown so fleshy as scarcely to
be recognised. Our friend Mr. Tarr has buried his wife. She died of
consumption. E. Tarr is married. Brother Mahu, being suddenly inspired
last Sunday, spoke so eloquently and so loud, and used such majestic
action, as to be quite done up for a while. He broke a blood-vessel.
Old Tiers has gone crazy, and is shut up in a mad-house, or, rather,
a hospital. The H-—-s have gone into the country to spend some time.
That’s all the news.
‘Your faithful brother in Christ,
‘R. A.’
1710. ‘DEAR BROTHER: The millennium truly is coming. The day of the
Lord is at hand. We are adding countless numbers to the altar of the
Lord. Brother A-—- became inspired last Sunday to such a degree,
that his soul took its flight to the regions above, and has not yet
returned. The Catholic churches, St. Joseph’s and St. Mary’s, were
burned down; St. Peter’s, also—I believe that is a Catholic church.
Brother Mahu was preaching from the text, ‘Resist the devil,’ &c., when
he was suddenly overturned by an invisible power, which frightened him
so that his hair turned white in five minutes.
1711. ‘Brother Barnes, to render his church more attractive, is
going to have opera-singing and dancing every Sunday afternoon. Mrs.
Alexander Tower, old Mr. Tiers, Brother Fairchild, and Mrs. Somerville
are going to dance. I think they will find it a very lucrative
employment. Jane and Martha still progress in Hebrew.
‘Your affectionate brother, M. R.’
1712. On Sunday, April 27th, 1851, on returning from church, the family
found strange characters written on the last leaf of a writing-book,
lying on the hall floor, although it was known to be in the nursery
previous to their going away. None of the family had any knowledge of
how the book got into the hall.[38]
1713. H. C. Gordon, a clairvoyant, interpreted the characters as
follows: The first line, 95th Psalm, 2d verse; second line, 3d and 6th
verse; and the third line, the 10th verse.
1714. Certain characters were found on the wall in the east chamber, on
Sunday morning, May 4th, 1851. They were made with a candle on the wall
near the south window.
1715. These were translated to be, ‘Spirits of a higher order desire to
communicate with you soon.’
1716. Spirit-writing, without visible human agency, has never been
a common mode of communicating, although it was among the early
occurrences at Hydesville, Rochester, and Auburn.[39]
1717. Sometimes these missives were enclosed in a book, and thrown down
stairs or into the room; sometimes wrapped about a key or nail, or
any thing that would give a momentum, and thrown into the room. Often
they were seen to fall from above; this occurring frequently when the
doors were closed, and it was not possible for any visible agent to
have been the cause. Writing would appear on the wall at times, made,
as it appeared, with a pencil. On one occasion, Dr. Phelps was writing
at his desk, and, turning his back for a few moments, without leaving
his chair, turned again to his paper, where he found written in large
letters, ‘Very nice paper and very nice ink for the devil.’ The ink was
not yet dry, the desk was not two feet from him as he sat, and he was
entirely alone in the room.
1718. About the first of May, Dr. Phelps, of Boston, brother of the
Rev. Doctor, and Prof. Phelps, of Andover, a son of the Rev. Doctor,
went to Stratford to ‘expose the humbug,’ and with a full belief that
it was a trick of evil-minded persons, and that they should be able
to detect and expose it without trouble; and they were disappointed,
as hundreds have been under like circumstances. On Tuesday evening
a loud rap was heard on the back door, seeming to be made by the
knocker, loud enough to be heard twenty rods distant. The servant
went to the door, but no person was there. After the lapse of five or
eight minutes, the rap was repeated. It was then supposed that some
one had done it mischievously; but, on looking about, no person was
discovered. It was in the shades of evening, but not dark enough to
prevent any person being seen, who might have done it, as easily as
at mid-day. The knocking came the third time, when Dr. Phelps—the
visitor—placed himself in the hall, perhaps four feet from the door,
and the Professor, of Andover, took a position on the steps without,
each having full view of the door. The same loud raps were repeated
on the door between them. The knocker did not move, nor could the eye
detect any cause for what met the ear. The noise was heard throughout
the house, and both the gentlemen were positive that no visible agent
was employed to produce it. About bed-time, a loud pounding was heard
on the chamber-door. The gentlemen, each with a candle in hand, stood
on either side of the door, as the pounding, as though done with a
heavy boot, was continued. The noise appeared to each to be on the side
of the door opposite to him. On the following morning, as Dr. Phelps,
of Stratford, was standing at the foot of the stairs leading to the
third story, a noise as loud and much resembling the report of a pistol
occurred apparently close to his ear. These boisterous sounds occurred
at intervals during a great part of the time that the disturbance was
continued. Sometimes for weeks they would not be heard; and again for
days they were heard every day.
1719. It would seem, from various occurrences, that the agents of
these sounds, whoever they were, must have been human beings, or, at
least, possessed of all the leading characteristics of humanity. They
were evidently influenced by kindness or unkindness, by respect and
confidence, as persons generally are in this life. Some instances
illustrating this are given. One morning, during the breakfast hour,
they would push the table suddenly, raise up one side and shake it in
such a manner as to spill the coffee, and otherwise occasion serious
inconvenience. A person at the table spoke to them in a tone of
authority, commanding them to desist; but the act was at once repeated.
Again they were commanded to cease, but increased violence followed
this command. This was five or six times repeated, and the shaking
was each time renewed. At length another person at the table said, ‘I
request you kindly to cease this annoyance, and allow us to take our
breakfast quietly,’ and they ceased at once, without a repetition. It
was found, from this time, that kindness had about the same effect
upon them that it produces upon mankind at large. A lady, the wife of
a clergyman, spent a few weeks in the family during the summer, who
received many communications from them, would often, when the scissors,
thimble, or things of that kind, were mislaid, say, ‘I will thank the
spirits to return my thimble, scissors,’ or whatever was missing,
and the article named would drop at her side, or in her lap, within
a minute. Things of this kind occurred very many times in the course
of the time that these phenomena were continued. If a key or knife,
or any thing of the kind, was mislaid, and any person was looking for
it, frequently it would be thrown to them as though their wants were
anticipated. Dr. Phelps was once with Harry in the stable, when the
currycomb could not be found, and he asked Harry where it was, to which
Harry replied that he did not know. At that moment, the doctor saw
it rise, as if thrown, from a point ten feet distant from them, and,
describing a parabola, fall within a short distance of the spot where
they both were standing.
1720. About the middle of May, Dr. Phelps and Harry were riding to
Huntington, a distance of seven miles. When they had proceeded about
one mile on the way, a stone, about the size of a hen’s egg, was thrown
into the carriage, and lodged on Dr. Phelps’s hat. Soon another and
another were thrown in. The carriage was a covered one, and the back
curtain was down, and there was no way a stone could have been thrown
in by ordinary means. At one house where they stopped, the moment the
front door was opened, two stones were thrown, one of which entered the
door as it stood partly open, and the other hit one of the lights of
glass, and broke it. Harry was standing on the door-steps at the time,
and there was no one in the street who could have thrown them. Two
stones were also thrown against another house where they stopped of an
errand. Sixteen stones were thrown into the carriage on the doctor’s
return, and, including those thrown against the two houses, twenty, in
driving three or four hours.
1721. As it was now apparent that these strange things were in some way
connected with Harry as a medium, it was thought best to separate him
from the family. Accordingly board was obtained for him in a family
some two miles distant. One day, when he came home, he told his mother,
in great secrecy, that on the night previous he had been awakened from
his sleep by some person dressed in white, whom he saw standing by his
bedside. He was frightened, and was about to scream, when the person
spoke and said, ‘Be not afraid, my son; I am your father;’ and then
placed in the boy’s hand a silver watch, and told him to wear it for
his sake. The boy affirms that he had the watch in his hand; that it
was not a dream; and that he was entirely awake; and that his father
told him to tell no one of it but his mother and Dr. P. His mother told
him it was nothing but a dream, and turned it off as a light affair.
1722. It seems that a valuable silver watch had been left the boy by
his father, which was not in use, but had been kept locked up in a
drawer of a dressing-table, to which he (Harry) had no access. A member
of the family, having occasion to look into the drawer, saw the watch,
and knows it was there, and that the drawer was locked, and the key
given to Mrs. P. A few minutes after the conversation with his mother
about the apparition and the watch, the night previous, he came in
from the yard with the watch in his hand! He said his father had again
appeared to him, and put the watch into his hand again, and said, ‘Wear
this for my sake.’ He brought the watch into the house, and showed it
to his mother, and said that his father said, ‘Tell your mother to look
at the second-hand.’ The hand was off, and lay on the face of the watch
under the crystal. A credible person will make oath, if called upon,
that she saw the watch in the drawer, where it was usually kept, not
more than six or eight minutes before, and that she locked the drawer
and gave the key to Mrs. Phelps. The key had been in possession of no
other person, and Harry had not been in the room during the time. The
watch was taken to Dr. P., and he tried to replace the second-hand,
but could not succeed. He closed it, leaving the hand loose on the
face, and passed it back to Harry, saying that he must take it to the
watch-maker. When he took it in his hand, he exclaimed, ‘Why, it’s
on!’ They looked, and it was on and going. In a few minutes it was off
again, and was put on a second time, all within a minute or two. The
doctor affirms that it was not out of his sight a moment; that he knows
the watch was not opened, and that no visible power was employed in
doing it.
1723. On one occasion the piano-forte was played while it is known that
no person was in the room; and, at another time, it was turned around,
the front toward the wall, and so far removed from the side of the room
as to allow the player room to sit next to the wall; the stool was also
appropriately placed.
1724. On several occasions, about this time, certain members of the
family saw, or thought they did, visible appearances. Dr. P. did not
give entire credit to these statements; not but what he had full
confidence in the honesty of the family, but the excited state in
which some of them had been for a long time led him to think that they
might imagine they saw what had no existence in fact. Toward the last
of May, it was signified that one of the spirits who had communicated
would appear visibly—first to the daughter, then to Mrs. P., and then
to the doctor himself. They asked in what manner he would appear, and
the answer was, ‘In a sheet.’ Between ten and eleven o’clock the same
night, soon after the family had retired, Anna, who occupied the east
bedroom, the door between her room and that where the doctor and his
wife slept being open, and a lamp burning on a stand so placed as to
light both rooms, called to her mother, and said, ‘There it is, in a
sheet.’ Dr. P. asked where; when she said it was in the door between
the two rooms, coming from the room the doctor occupied, but the doctor
saw nothing. The daughter was frightened, and covered up her head,
and in a few minutes looked up and saw nothing. He was represented as
moving slowly from one room to the other.
1725. In about two minutes Mrs. Phelps exclaimed, ‘There it is!’ and
drew the clothes over her head. Both the daughter and mother saw it at
this time, but still the doctor saw nothing, although in as favourable
a position as either of the others.
1726. After two or three minutes had elapsed, the doctor also saw it.
It appeared to him to move slowly from the hall chamber into his,
and turn and move slowly back. It had the appearance of a very tall
person with a sheet thrown around it; he saw only the sheet. In about
one minute, something was thrown on to the bed, which proved to be a
sheet which had been taken from the wardrobe in the hall. Dr. Phelps
declares that he was not frightened in the least, and could not have
been mistaken in the appearance. Some two or three weeks subsequent
to this a similar appearance was seen, and Dr. P. sprang out of bed,
determined to seize hold of it if possible. It came part way into his
room, and then moved slowly back. The daughter affirmed that the doctor
was within two or three feet of it when it disappeared, and a sheet
dropped into a chair. These were the only instances in which the doctor
saw any thing himself. Others of the family saw persons in a mysterious
way several times.
1727. At one time, while Anna was in the dining-room, and a cousin of
hers and some of the children in the front yard, her attention was
arrested by some one entering the front parlour. She went in, and saw
three gentlemen—two of them sitting on the sofa, and one on a chair by
the table—all having their hats on, and drawn down over their eyes more
than usual; the one by the table had his feet upon the table, and was
reading a paper. She was surprised that neither of them rose up, or
looked at her, as she entered the room; and when she was within five or
six feet of the one nearest her, he leaned over on one side and fell,
chair and all, on the floor, and instantly all disappeared! She was
frightened, and ran to her cousin, who was near the front door. She
came in, but no persons were there, neither could they have entered
without her seeing them. The chair was thrown down, but no person near
who could have done it.
1728. A few other instances occurred in which appearances were supposed
to have been seen; but the circumstances were not of a character
to put the matter beyond a doubt, therefore no record was kept of
them. About the middle of May, Dr. Phelps spent some time with the
Fox family in New York. He soon decided that the manifestations were
essentially the same as those at his house, with a few points of
difference. With them property was not destroyed, and they were not
painfully annoyed. The sounds were different, it being with them a
double or rolling sound, and at his house a single knock. They could
call upon and receive answers from different spirits, or what claimed
to be different ones. This could be done at his house. During the
months of June and July the same general occurrences continued at
Stratford. Sometimes for two or three days there would seem to be an
entire cessation of ‘hostilities.’ Then they would commence again with
redoubled force. People from all parts of the country were visiting
the house, to whom every facility was afforded to search into the
cause. Newspaper discussions were going on, casting the most unjust and
painful reflections, subjecting the family to suffering little short of
martyrdom, while numberless other persons had as good an opportunity of
explaining the matter as the persecuted family. In this affliction I
can sympathize somewhat with Dr. Phelps and family. In the first days
of these phenomena in Western New York, all persons who were involved
with or interested in them were looked upon and treated at once as void
of all common feeling or sensibility, both privately and publicly;
their names passed about, coupled with opprobrious epithets; their
houses were entered without ceremony, and even in the face of direct
request to the contrary; their right to quiet and repose invaded, their
houses often being crowded with visitors, prompted by idle curiosity
and a malicious desire to torture, beyond the midnight hour; still
insisting to remain, and adding insult to injury by declaring in your
ears that it was an arrant cheat—a grand humbug—being carried on; and
all for—what? And at the same time those whose ill-fortune it then
seemed to be to have an identity with it were weeping and praying for
the scourge to be removed from them; for scourge it seemed, indeed,
under such circumstances.
1729. Dr. and Mrs. Phelps concluded, in August, as the demonstrations
were then less frequent, on taking a short journey of three weeks.
The disturbances were still more annoying in their absence than
before; and it was decided as best to close the house for the winter,
and remain away. Accordingly, on the 11th of September, Harry left
for Pennsylvania, and it was arranged that the other members of the
family should follow within three weeks. It seems that, although the
manifestations were connected more intimately with Harry, his presence
was not all-important, as they did not cease altogether when he
left; but communications were still made, though with less force and
violence. The knockings were not as loud, and the communications less
free or frequent. At one time a note was thrown into the room, while
Dr. P. was writing at the desk, which contained the following: “How
soon do the family expect to go to Pennsylvania? I wish to make some
arrangements before they go. Please answer in writing.’ The doctor
replied as desired, as follows: ‘About the first of October,’ and
placed the paper in a position where he had before put writings of the
kind, and heard nothing further.
1730. Two or three days after this, a communication was given by use of
the alphabet, saying that Root, a gentleman who had been in the house,
had destroyed the doctor’s book. He inquired ‘What book?’ and was
answered ‘The big book.’ Yet he did not know what book was designated,
and repeated the question, and received the answer, ‘The big book
in the secretary.’ Still it was not understood. Again was spelled,
‘Look and see!’ Dr. Phelps had in the secretary two blank books;
in the larger one he had written a full account of the mysterious
manifestations, in the form of a diary, and, having noted them as they
occurred from day to day, they were recorded with more minuteness
than could afterward be done. Upon looking, it was discovered that
every page that had been written upon was torn from the book and gone.
After a long search, the fragments of the leaves were found in the
vault. Copies of the characters which the doctor had carefully taken,
and felt anxious to preserve, were every scrap gone. There were, in
a dressing-table drawer in the chamber, a great number of the notes
sent. These were set on fire with a match and burned in the drawer.
The fire was discovered by the smoke, but not until the papers were
so far charred as to injure them beyond preservation. A few of these
writings only are retained, which were in other places. The last of the
annoyances was on the 25th of September, and was that of throwing ink
upon the daughter’s dress. She was standing on the piazza, near the
front door; the window of the front chamber was open, from which was
thrown a small bottle of ink. The ink went over her dress in a way to
entirely unfit it for further use. There was no person in the chamber
who would have done such a thing for mischief; and, indeed, no person
in the house who would have been guilty of it.
1731. The young lady was just setting out for a visit at New Haven,
from which she was anticipating much pleasure, and I cannot conceive of
any feeling, short of sheer malevolence, that would prompt such an act.
1732. On the second day of October, the family, with the exception of
Dr. Phelps and the cook, left Stratford to go to Pennsylvania. During
their absence all demonstrations ceased, with what may be termed one
exception. A letter, addressed by Dr. Phelps to Mrs. Phelps, contained,
when it reached her, some of the spirit-writing in pencil, saying that
‘her husband was sick and wished her to return if she expected to see
him alive.’ He was then in good health; but the next week was sick and
confined to his bed two or three days. There may or may not have been
some connection between the two occurrences. It was the design of Dr.
Phelps to separate the family for a time, in order, if possible, to get
rid of the annoyance; and for the five weeks he remained at Stratford,
after the family had left, no disturbances took place. Harry stayed
in Bucks county (Pa.) all winter, and the other members of the family
lived in Philadelphia.
1733. In the month of March the family returned to Stratford. The house
had been closed and under the charge of a neighbour, and no sign of
any disturbance was visible, as every article of furniture was found
just as they left it. About the fourth or fifth day after their return
slight rapping was heard as they sat at the tea-table. They affected
not to notice it, and the next day it was repeated more distinctly, but
no response was made. Soon after, certain characters were found about
the house, which were known, from the circumstances, to be of recent
origin. Two or three days after, distinct communications were made by
a spirit purporting to be Dr. Phelps’s daughter, who died at the age
of twelve years. On being questioned, this spirit could not give any
evidence of identity.
1734. About the first of May several communications of a trifling
character were given. On one occasion the doctor asked if they would be
troubled any more as they had been, when they answered by rapping the
following:
1735. ‘Be not afraid that they will trouble you more,
Though we have not quitted Connecticut shore.’
1736. At another time certain characters were given, which were
interpreted by the rapping as follows: ‘Evil one has gone, and better
one has come.’ No communications were made after the early part of
May, but some things occurred indicating their presence and desire for
mischief.
1737. At one time, on cutting a loaf of bread, there were found in it
nails, pen-holders, small sticks, and tin, under circumstances which
showed that they must have been placed there after it was put on the
table and before the family were ready for tea. At one time Harry’s
hat was hid away, and then his cap, and then another hat. He took his
brother’s cap to use, and that was also taken away. On the evening
of the 18th of July they set fire to some papers in the doctor’s
secretary, and some twenty papers and letters were burned before they
were discovered. Fire was set at the same time to the papers in both
the closets, under the stairs in the hall. They were discovered by the
smoke. Two or three days after this, when some friends who had visited
them were about to leave, their bonnets and some other articles could
not be found, although search was made in every part of the house,
until the train by which they were to go to New York had passed. They
were at last found, locked into an enclosed washstand, in a way that
made it morally certain that they could not have been placed there by
human hands.
1738. On the 29th of July Harry left to spend some time at New Lebanon,
N. Y., and during his absence no manifestations were noticed, although
they were constantly on the look-out for something of the kind. Anna
and her mother left for Philadelphia on the 25th of September, and
they had been so long exempt from annoyances that they hoped they had
ceased altogether. But Harry had the manifestations at New Lebanon, and
there was first operated on, by invisible agency, to produce a magnetic
sleep, into which he passed with a sudden shock. He had never been
magnetized before, although frequent attempts had been made to do so.
In this state he evinced all the phenomena common to good clairvoyance.
On his return to Stratford, on the 9th of October, the sounds
accompanied him almost constantly; but they seemed less inclined to
mischief than formerly, because, as they said, ‘Harry had passed to a
higher state, where the low and ignorant spirits could not communicate
with him.’
1739. On several occasions characters of a unique description were
made. Some were written early in April, 1851, which Harry interpreted
to read: ‘We are to take our leave of you soon.’
1740. Some were traced out with chalk on the piazza of the house, on
the 31st of March, 1850.
1741. These Harry interpreted to mean: ‘_You may expect good spirits to
come by-and-by_.’ The same characters had been said, by A. J. Davis,
to read: ‘_Our society desires through various mediums to impart
thoughts_.’ The spirit that seemed to be most prominent in all these
communications claimed to be Harry’s father, and sometimes a sister
of Dr. Phelps, who died about three years previous to this; also a
child of Dr. Phelps, who died more than twenty-two years before. The
communications seemed generally to come from the boy’s father. On
the 12th of October he passed into a mesmeric state, and wrote some
characters, which he translated as follows:
1742. ‘_My dear children_: I love you, and try to do every thing that
will do you good. Obey dear Mr. Phelps in every thing, for he knows
what is right and what is wrong. This is the advice of your spirit
father.’
1743. On the same paper were written others, which, being translated,
read: ‘You were troubled once with evil spirits, but now they are no
more. They have bid adieu, and good spirits have come and are with you
all the time.’
1744. Again occur others, which read: ‘You must not fear, brother, that
you will be troubled with evil spirits any more. No, brother, no more.
Your spirit sister, BLISS.’
1745. The person here supposed to communicate is a sister of Dr.
Phelps, a widow, who left the earth-sphere in 1848, and by whom several
of the previous communications are said to have been made. Other
characters, of the same general formation, were made at the same time,
but were not then translated.
1746. On the evening of the 12th, Dr. Phelps, Harry, and two younger
children, were seated at a table; responses were frequently given by
raps under the table. Dr. Phelps inquired if it would accommodate
them at all to have some substance to rap with; to which they replied
affirmatively. He threw down a table-knife; the raps seemed immediately
to be made by striking the knife against the table-leaf, and soon it
was tossed up on to the table. A small tea-bell was then placed under
the table; it was rung several times, and tossed on to the table as
the knife had been. It was again put down, and returned as before;
the same being repeated several times in succession. The light was
then extinguished, and the candle put under the table with a match-box
containing matches, and the spirits requested to light it. They
distinctly heard the match drawn upon the bottom of the box, which
was prepared with sand-paper for that use. All saw the light, but the
first match went out. Again the scratching of the match was heard;
it ignited, the candle lighted, and was placed upon the table! The
experiment was repeated several times, with the same result; every
precaution being taken to prevent collusion in the matter.
1747. On a subsequent occasion a chair was placed upon the table by
invisible power, and the two children, Harry and Hannah, raised up and
placed upon it; they could neither of them tell how it was done. The
sensation was that of some person placing a hand under them and raising
them up. Many of these things occurred when the room was darkened, as
has been the case in numerous other places, and for which explanations
have been recorded, as given by the spirits. On the evening of the 20th
of October, the light being put out of the room, the bell was placed
under the table, with a request that it should be rung, and placed in
the doctor’s hand. He was sitting by the table with both his hands
lying on his lap open, with the palms upward. The bell rung several
times with some violence, and then was placed in his left hand. This
was repeated four or five times in succession. Dr. P. sat beyond the
reach of any one, and the room was sufficiently light for him to have
detected any movement on the part of persons present. He requested them
to let him feel the hand that placed the bell in his. Very soon a hand
came in contact with his, took hold of his fingers, shaking his hand,
passed slowly over the back of his hand, then over the palm again, took
hold of his fingers, and he felt what he is sure to have been a human
hand. He describes it as being cold and moist, which accords with my
own experience repeatedly, and that of my friends. They then took hold
of his foot, shook it with much force, loosened the string, took off
the shoe, and placed it upon the table before him. At his request the
shoe was replaced, the heel adjusted, and the strings drawn up, but not
tied.
1748. On a subsequent occasion a large-sized tea-bell was rung under
the table, then rose up, passed round the room, ringing violently all
the way, and fell upon the table. The candle was in the closet, but the
room was sufficiently light to make it certain that no person left the
table to convey it. It was manifest that from the time Harry returned
from New Lebanon the manifestations began gradually to subside. They
were less frequent and less marked. It was arranged that he should
accompany the family to Philadelphia, and go to a boarding-school at a
town about twenty miles distant from the city. At different times he
had been told that if he went there he would again be annoyed by bad
spirits. The question was many times put, ‘Will you annoy him again
if he goes to the school?’ _A._—‘We will not, but others will.’—‘What
others?’ _A._—‘Those who were with him last summer.’—‘Will they disturb
him if he stays here and goes to the academy in Stratford?’—‘No. They
will not disturb him while he is with you.’—‘What will they do if he
goes to Pennsylvania?’ _A._—‘They will tear his clothes, destroy his
books, and break his windows.’—‘Can you not control those bad spirits,
and prevent their doing him any injury?’—‘No.’—‘Will you do all you
can?’—‘Yes.’ At another time Dr. Phelps inquired if they would not
leave him, as his mother was so much opposed to the whole thing.
‘Will you not, to oblige her, leave him, that he may be a medium no
longer?’ said the doctor. The reply was, ‘If we leave him, evil spirits
will get possession of him again.’ These communications were made
by what purported to be the boy’s father. For two weeks previous to
going to Philadelphia the manifestations had almost wholly subsided;
perhaps only occurred when requested; and notwithstanding the repeated
declarations that when he should leave for the school in Pennsylvania,
the bad spirits would come in and make him trouble, it was determined
to try the experiment, and on the 11th of November the family set out
for Philadelphia, where they were to spend the winter, while Harry was
to go to school. He remained with the family in Philadelphia about a
week, where a few communications were given to Dr. Phelps in private.
The spirits said they would begin to annoy the boy on the cars, on
his way to the school, would pinch him and tear his clothes, so that,
when he got there, they would be found torn, and that the troubles
would follow him in the school as long as he stayed there. Dr. Phelps,
under all the circumstances, thought it best not to send him; but on
consultation it was decided to have him go, and on the 19th of November
he started for the school. Dr. P. went a mile or two with him, put him
under the care of the conductor, and told him to report on his return
if any thing worthy of notice occurred on the way. In two days the
doctor was sent for to come and take him away. He said that soon after
his father left him on the cars, he was pinched, pricked with pins,
and annoyed in various other ways, until he reached his destination;
that, on his arrival there, he found that his pantaloons were torn in
front, between the waistband and the knees, in two places, several
inches in length. He changed them for another pair which were new and
made of very substantial material, and these were torn down in front
at least half a yard in length, before the doctor arrived there. The
knockings had attended him in school and other places; his books were
torn and damaged to the amount of two dollars, which the doctor paid.
The family where he was had become alarmed, and would not keep him, and
he was taken away. The boy stated that on one of the evenings, while he
was there, he was walking in the street, when his cap was mysteriously
taken from his head and thrown upon the sidewalk. As he stooped to pick
it up he saw the flash of a gun at some distance, and a bullet passed
over his back and struck a board fence near him. He was afterward
informed by the rapping that, had he not stooped down, he would have
been killed, and that his friendly spirit took this means to preserve
him.
1749. Dr. P. now concluded to return with Harry to Stratford, and was
told that the bad spirits would have no control over him there. The
family in which they resided in Philadelphia had become alarmed at the
strange occurrences, and finally they again returned to Stratford.
From that time the disturbances began to subside, and by the 15th of
December, 1851, they had ceased altogether. The family remained at
Stratford till the spring of 1852, when they returned to their former
residence in the city. The house at Stratford is occupied by another
family, but no disturbances have ever occurred with the family which
now occupy the house, and none with Dr. P.‘s family since the above
date.
1750. Thus ends one of the most remarkable histories in the whole
course of modern spiritual manifestations. The authority on which
it comes to the world is indisputable, and the characters of all
concerned are beyond suspicion. It will be observed that generally the
demonstrations, as in case of Mr. Calvin R. Brown, in the Fox family,
were less boisterous after the family consented to hold communication
with them. It seemed to be the desire of a spirit to communicate and
set right a matter which was making him unhappy. This accomplished, the
demonstrations ceased.
1751. From the foregoing narrative it will be seen that these phenomena
do not attach to places, as some have supposed. It makes the fact
equally clear that they do attach to persons, and that without certain
media they cannot, to any extent, take place. If there is such a thing
as ‘haunted houses,’ they must belong to another class of phenomena, or
a very different phase of the same, than those always depending on the
presence of particular persons.
1752. Another fact seems also to be proved by the above narration,
namely, that persons may be powerful mediums at one time and afterward
lose the power, for neither of the media of Dr. Phelps’s family in
Stratford have had any proof of mediumship for years.”
_Idea of the existence of a spiritual sun, and a vital spiritual
oxygen, found to exist independently in the mind of a much esteemed
author._
1753. The most wonderful and important of all the facts communicated to
me by my spirit father, and subsequently sanctioned by a convocation
of spirits, were the following: 1. That there is a special spirit
sun, concentric with our sun, which illuminates the spirit world,
without perceptibly affecting our visual organs. 2. That there is a
peculiar vital gas which spirits breathe, although inscrutable to our
senses or chemical tests, which we respire in our spiritual capacity.
These facts I have considered as among those, which it was impossible
could have been learned from the minds of Mrs. Gourlay or myself, as
they were certainly new to both of us, and difficult to realize when
communicated. My attention has been recently directed by a friend to an
essay in a work entitled “Rambles and Reveries of a Student,” wherein
I find (page 11) the ideas in question to have been awakened in the
author without the smallest interchange of ideas with Mrs. Gourlay or
myself. I have been under the impression that his leaning would have
been unfavourable to Spiritualism. The language employed is as follows:
1754. I hold it as a truth, that a divine atmosphere surrounds our
earth—an aroma emitted from the world of spirits, in which dwell the
great truths and secrets of the universe—a great world that pours down
riches upon us, as the sun pours down heat; and as without the sun this
world would be but a formless wilderness, so, without this spirit sun,
would it be barren of thought or beauty.
1755. Above us and around us exists a spiritual atmosphere, more subtle
than the natural one. As the latter is the supporter of physical life,
so the former is of psychal. We absorb the delicate magnetic aromata
from all substances, through the medium of the air, as well as the
comparatively coarse oxygen; so all of our soul-life comes from this
spirit atmosphere—all thought, all feeling, all appreciation of truth
and beauty.
1756. Man is the apex of earth-creation, and the basis of all heavenly
life—the foundation of all spiritual existence. Standing thus in
a middle plane as the highest thing of earth, and the lowest of
heaven, he holds magnetic relationship to both; the earth not only
supplying the physical requirements of his being, such as food,
drink, and air, but he absorbs impalpable nourishment from all his
surroundings: the aroma from flowers, and trees, and fruit, as well
as the magnetic emanations from people; intuitively appreciating
harmonious influences—feeling an instinctive repulsion when under those
that are inharmonious. This antagonism, or horror, we call antipathy;
and biography abounds with strange stories of its individual action.
Whenever antipathy is experienced, it is a proof that something exists
in the peculiar magnetic sphere which has no affinity with the other
sphere.
1757. An animal is but a highly organized combination of the mechanical
and chemical forces of the earth, returning to the earth when death
ensues: the only good resulting from its life is, that gross matter has
been changed into a little higher condition by the combination.
1758. Man, regarded as the animal, possesses nothing after his death
but the spiritual attributes he has received, corresponding to the
physical things he sought in his earthly life; if that was low and
sensual, his spiritual condition will be the same; for the spirit land
is as much a spiritual condition as it is a place.
1759. As man’s external form grows from appropriating substance from
the earth, so are thoughts and sentiments, and all things relating to
the soul, appropriated from the spirit world. Take the earth from man,
and he ceases to exist as a physical being; take the spirit world from
him, and he ceases to exist as an immortal soul.
1760. All physical things have corresponding truths in the
spiritual world, and a man is truly harmonious when he receives the
corresponding essence or quality with the material thing—not as a
mere symbolization, but as an actuality, as real to the soul as its
corresponding earthly truth is to the body. As a petty illustration, we
will say that where an apple is eaten, a harmonious man receives not
only the nutriment contained in the fruit, but he also receives its
spiritual correspondence, so as to be doubly nourished by it.
1761. “Men having a stronger magnetic relationship to the spirit
world, are easily exhausted, for they do not receive strength enough
from the earth sphere to keep soul and body in harmony.
1762. Persons _en rapport_ with the earth are the labourers and tillers
of the ground, living only in the lowest plane of mental life.
1763. The truly harmonious men receive equally the spiritual and
physical elements: they are electrical conductors, whose attracting
points bend downward as well as upward, dispensing, equally, thought
and strength to their less harmonious fellows, with but little
exhaustion.
1764. Men originate nothing: they have merely different degrees of
receptivity; are merely more or less in magnetic relationship with
the higher world. A principle, or truth, is not your truth, or my
truth, but God’s truth; as much as a drop of water in the ocean, or a
sand-grain in the great desert; as little a personal possession as the
cloud above your head. If we look at it abstractly, we perceive the
absurdity of all quarrels in relation to originality of ideas—water
refreshes the thirsty traveller, whether drunk from his own cup or the
cup of another; and if we can incorporate a new truth into our lives,
it is unimportant whether we receive it directly or indirectly from the
great fountain.
1765. The intellectual struggle of the student is but an education of
the soul, training it to become susceptible to higher influences—an
attempt to enter into unalloyed magnetic relationship with the spirit
world.
1766. Prayer is a simple and natural method of becoming _en rapport_
with higher beings and a higher world: yet no thinker ever believed
that prayer would move the Divine Being to alter His eternal plans.
As He is the fountain of all Love and all Wisdom, His designs must be
without flaw—must be for eternal good: yet prayer is one of the most
holy, beautiful, and useful of things; it is the earnest asking of
the soul for comfort—whatever the words may be—and by the exaltation
of feeling, we rise up from the earth-life into the higher spiritual
planes, and become harmonized by the indwelling harmonies of those
spheres. Prayer is aspiration. Prayer is the desire to embrace the
Infinite. The form of prayer is unimportant; its power lies in the
indwelling desire of good. Men should not have forms and times of
prayer, but their whole lives should be long, unending acts of prayer.”
1767. It seems that the light of Spiritualism had begun to dawn in the
mind of the author of the preceding passage. His language respecting
prayer is in strict conformity with the doctrine of Spiritualism.
1768. As the author, to whom reference is thus made, was on terms of
great mutual friendship with my late sister, as well as with myself,
I have consulted her spirit as to the origin of the impressions which
had been thus indited by our common friend. It appears from her reply
to my inquiry, that these ideas were communicated to him by my spirit
father, and that his conversion to Spiritualism had commenced prior to
his decease, which took place about two years ago.