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Poltergeist · Epworth

Old Jeffrey

Knock, knock: Old Jeffrey.

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Illustration: Old Jeffrey
The legend
Poltergeist

Old Jeffrey

Three knocks, then silence.

See it clearly

What's there
Rectory and Old Jeffrey's Chamber
Legend from
Epworth
Tone
Spooky
GhostsPoltergeists

Before you go

Museum; opening days vary. Check before you go.

  • Epworth Old Rectory
  • Near A161
  • The pin marks the spot.

Knocks in the Wesleys' house.

Knocking, groans and footsteps troubled the Wesley family at Epworth Rectory from December 1716. The children nicknamed the spirit Old Jeffrey, and an attic became 'Old Jeffrey's Chamber'. The noises stopped after a few months. Samuel Wesley was unpopular locally, which may point to a human cause.

Sources

  1. Epworth Rectory haunting, Wikipedia —
  2. Old Jeffrey, Lincolnshire Folk Tales Project (Nottingham Trent University, 2024-25) —
  3. Did a poltergeist haunt Epworth Rectory?, BBC Radio Lincolnshire Secret Lincolnshire —

Legends nearby

More Lincolnshire folklore →