Dr Johnson:his Life & Times

Dr Johnson and his friend Oliver Goldsmith were involved as witnesses and observers in a sensational alleged Poltergeist haunting of the 18th century, known as the 'Cock Lane Ghost'. The story is as follows.

 In 1756 a Mr Kent married 'Miss E.L'. She died in childbirth before they had been married 12 months, and Fanny, her sister, moved in as Mr Kent's housekeeper. A relationship developed, but they wre not at that time permitted by law to marry and so lived together in a 'relationship resembling marriage', taking lodgings in Cock Lane, Smithfield. Kent had occasion to be away from home to attend a wedding. Fanny was reluctant to sleep alone and asked Elizabeth, the 11 year old daughter of their landlord, Mr Parsons, to sleep with her. Apparent poltergeist phenomena began within a very short time of their going to bed; bangs, scratches and rapping noises came from various parts of the bed, and from around the room. The noises were initially attributed to a shoemaker in the next house, who frequently worked at night, until the noises reoccurred a few nights later, when this idea was discarded.

 Fanny became convinced that the sounds foretold her death; and, sure enough, she died. Her death was attributed to smallpox and she was buried in Clekenwell.

 A year and and a half passed peacefully, and then the phenomena reappeared. Once more they occurrred in the vicinity of Elizabeth Parsons, who frequently moaned in her sleep when events were underway. Changes of room were tried without success - the phenomena followed Elizabeth. Viewings were held by famous characters, including Johnson and Goldsmith, the latter publishing a pamphlet on the haunting. Other persons who visited included Horace Walpole and the Duke of York.

 A system of questioning answered by raps was devised - 1 for yes and 2 for no. This system suggested that the ghost was Fanny, who had been poisoned by Mr Kent, her husband.

 Goldsmith attended attended a seance in Elizabeth's room and in his pamphlet defended Mr Kent. He noticed that the 'ghost' could give correct answers about observable facts, but was usually wrong about private matters which Elizabeth could not know herself. Surprisingly the 'ghost' got Elizabeth's father's ffirst name wrong.

  Goldsmith's pamphlet made the issue a subject of great public interest. In an attempt to test the 'ghost', a clergyman of Aldrich arranged a seance in his own home. Dr Johnson participated and reported the events for the 'Gentleman's Magazine'. Elizabeth was watched in bed by a group of women and at first nothing happened. The men then interrogated Mr Parsons and were interrupted by the ladies who announced that the scratching and banging had commenced. Elizabeth was now watched by both the women and the men, and,tellingly, made to put her hands above the bedclothes - nothing happened.

 Through the 'knocking' code the 'ghost' had undertaken to knock on her coffin in the church vault at 1:00 am in the absence of Elizabeth,also to impart important information.