A B C D E
F G H I J
K L M N O
P Q R S T
U V W X Y
Z
The Fox Sisters
The Rochester Rappings
 It was in this farmhouse, in Hydesville, New York, that modern Spiritualism began. According to testimony taken afterwards, on the night of March 31, 1847, the 13 year old Margaret, lying in bed, heard rapping noises. These noises supposedly came from a spirit who haunted the house. In response, Margaret snapped her fingers and called out, "Here Mr. Split-foot, do as I do!" There was an instant response. The unseen rapper replied by imitating the number of raps or knocks that the little girl had made. Then the child raised her thumb and forefinger in silent gestures of communication. "Oh look, mother," cried the excited child, "it can see as well as hear!"
The portal between the living and the dead was purported to have just been opened! This began a chain of events, launching the great Spiritualism Movement of the 1800's.
The Spirit Telegraph
The Fox Sisters, Margaret, Katie and Leah, became famous, worldwide, for their "spirit-rapping". Soon the crowds came, and they later gave performances all over America to packed auditoriums. The Fox sisters began to charge admission to private sittings. Soon messages were said to have come in from the spirits of Ben Franklin, Thomas Paine, Frances Bacon, Shakespeare, and many others.
The fame of the Fox sisters and their spirit communications rapidly spread across the United States and Europe. Within months, hundreds of mediums from all parts of the world began 'communicating with the living dead.'
By 1888 it was estimated that eight million Americans, and many more in Europe, were practicing Spiritualism and going to seances!
The Pedlar's Trunk
The little farm house where the Fox sisters first reported messages from the spirits was declared a shrine. The entire house was moved to a Spiritualist camp called Lillydale. This pedlar's trunk was believed to have belonged to the murdered pedlar buried under the Fox house. According to the Spiritualists, it was this murdered man's 'restless spirit' that was responsible for the rapping noises heard at the Fox house.
|
