Borley Rectory was a house that gained infamy as "the most haunted house in England" after being described as such by psychic researcher Harry Price Built in 1862 to house the rector of the parish of Borley and his family, it was badly damaged by fire in 1939 and demolished in 1944.
The large Gothic-style rectory in the village of Borley had been alleged to be haunted ever since it was built. These reports multiplied suddenly in 1929, after the Daily Mirror published an account of a visit by paranormal researcher Harry Price, who wrote two books supporting claims of paranormal activity.
Ghost hunters often quote the legend of the Benedictine monastery which is believed to have been built in the area in 1362.
From 1863, Reverend Henry Dawson Bull lived there with his family and were frequently disturbed by spooky incidents - from rushing water in the house where there was no mains or interior pipes, bells ringing with no explanations and the sound of heavy footsteps around the empty building. Terrifyingly, many of the cases centered around the daughter Ethel, who one night reportedly received a slap across the face as she lay in bed. After the first Henry Bull passed away in 1892, Henry Foyster Bull took over the residence until he died in 1927. There is one instance when he was out in the garden and his dog started to howl and cower at something behind the trees. Bull spotted among the trees a pair of legs, but as they moved away he saw the body appeared completely headless. He said it crossed the garden and walked through the locked gate.
Reverend Bull also saw the iconic ghostly coach of Borley with the two horses and a headless coachmen leading its way.
In 1928, Reverend Guy Smith and his wife Mabel moved into Borley. On arrival, Mabel quickly found a small human skull while cleaning out the house. They buried the skull in the churchyard but not long after, where Guy heard whispering, pleading words coming from the 'Blue Room' inside the house - saying "Don't Carlos, don't!" Much like the other occupants, they too heard the eerie footsteps echo around the house and randomly ringing doorbells. Their servant also saw the phantom coach pass by twice. Less than a year after moving in, the Smiths contacted the Daily Mirror and so the tales began to gain infamy.
Borley went on to have other occupants and many more tales over the years - even though the ghostly sightings continue to be debated.
In 1939, the rectory was burnt down - not long after it had been purchased by Captain W.H. Gregson. Years later, his son revealed that his father may have started the fire himself.
No comments:
Post a Comment