The Ringcroft house was located in Galloway, Scotland. Reverend Alexander Telfair began recording poltergeist activity that was occurring. The first instances of the activity took place in 1695. This case is one of the earliest known accounts of poltergeist activity as well as one of the most carefully documented cases.
Paranormal activity at the Ringcroft house began in February
1695. Animals were bound for the night, and these bindings were loosened and
broken overnight. When stronger bindings were created, these too were broken. People
reported seeing apparitions. Furniture moved on its own.
Things were also being
thrown at those within the house. Creels (wicker baskets used by fishermen
to hold fish) of peats were placed in the middle of the floor, and were set on
fire. The smoke woke up the family, allowing them to evacuate to safety.
Eventually, things were being thrown at those in the house
as well as visitors. Fiery peats were thrown at people. Stones were hurled
within the house, which is a common poltergeist theme around the world.
People reported hearing tapping sounds on boards and chests
as well as a voice warning those within earshot that the voice was told to tell
people to repent. Rev. Telfair saw and felt the touch of a white hand and arm down to the
elbow. Some members of the house even reported being dragged on the floor by
their clothes.
Local ministers came to the house to try to rid the house of
the spirit that was plaguing the family. These ministers were instructed to
spend as much time as possible at the house while fasting and praying. Many
even stayed a few nights, which proved to be difficult. They experienced much
of the same violent poltergeist activity that the family had been dealing with.
After more violent acts and spoken threats towards the people
in the house and those visiting, the poltergeist activity ceased suddenly. The
Ringcroft cottage is no longer standing, but the foundations are still there. A
row of four trees was planted where the cottage once stood, and now a single tree
survives where it was located.
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